CAST MEMBERS perform a scene from “The Sunshine Boys.”
The warm weather has finally arrived, and with it comes “The Sunshine Boys,” Neil Simon’s classic comedy about friendship, aging and showbiz, at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn’s Professional Theatre, through May 10.
The famous vaudeville team of Lewis and Clark are no longer speaking to each other on or off the stage. However, when the opportunity to appear together again on a TV special presents itself, these two comics must decide whether to reunite for one last laugh. Can these two men get through their most famous sketch one last time without killing each another? Hilarity ensues as this grudging reunion brings these two friends back together again, along with a flood of memories, miseries and laughs.
“This is, without a doubt, one of Neil Simon’s funniest plays as well as a brilliant tribute to the age of vaudeville,” said director Janet Mitchko. “The most wonderful thing about this play is that its humor is timeless. Watching these two characters go at each other is a lesson in comedy, and I guarantee that people of all ages are going to find this play funny, as well as hopefully a little touching.”
Mitchko predicts this affectionate and hilarious comedy will become the hottest and most hilarious ticket in town and recommends that people make their reservations early.
Playing the comedy team of Lewis and Clark are Bill Van Horn as Willie Clark and Michael Dell’Orto as Al Lewis. Both actors have appeared together onstage at The Public Theatre as grandfathers in the comedy “Over the River and Through the Woods.” Van Horn is also a familiar face to the Theater at Monmouth where he has appeared for the past 16 years. When not working in Maine, Van Horn writes, teaches, directs and performs around the country and for Philadelphia’s esteemed Walnut Street Theatre. Dell’Orto is a professional actor and director in the New England area and can be recognized as the WBU Commissioner in the film “The Fighter,” with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale.
Onstage with these two comic veterans will be Mike Anthony, one of the stars of last year’s hit “Moonlight and Magnolias,” as Willie’s put-upon agent and nephew, Ben. Also returning to our stage after many years away is Teri Shepard, last seen in “Doubt,” as Willie’s no-nonsense nurse. Rounding out the cast will be Victoria Machado as the voluptuous nurse, Adam Blais as the man in the skit, Benjamin Cuba as Eddie and Matthew Delamater as the director of the television special.
“The Sunshine Boys” will be performed May 1-3 and May 7-10, at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sunday, with an added Saturday Matinee on May 9 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 each for groups of 10 or more and $5 for anyone 18 and under. Call 782-3200 or visit www.thepublictheatre.org for more information. The Public Theatre is located at 31 Maple St. in downtown Lewiston.
“The Sunshine Boys” is sponsored by Platz Associates, Sun Journal, Austin Associates, Gleason Media Group, Visbaras Law LLC, Excalibur Title, Patrons Insurance, Evergreen Subaru, SymQuest and Butler Bros.
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