CAST MEMBERS perform a scene from “The Sunshine Boys.”
A performance of Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” at The Public Theatre last Friday drew a full house, as well as relentless laughs and chuckles from the audience, concluding the theater’s season on a light, comedic note.
Set in 1972, the play introduces aging vaudeville comedians “Lewis and Clark,” who are no longer on speaking terms after the pair parted 11 years ago.
When the two are convinced to perform their most famous routine, “The Doctor Will See You Now,” on a special television program, audience members will be entertained as the two reluctantly reunite — their verbal sparring making it unclear whether they will be able to reconcile in time for the show.
Bill Van Horn plays the cantankerous Willie Clark, who is still basking in the glory days of vaudeville, and steals the show in his cluttered hotel room — sporting disheveled hair and wrinkled pajamas in nearly all his scenes.
Whether it’s through his slapstick struggles with the door lock or his quick and unapologetic banter with other cast members — especially with Michael Dell’Orto, who plays his comedy partner Al Lewis — it’s sure to make audience members smile.
Although Dell’Orto’s Lewis appears to be calmer and less stubborn of a character than Clark, Clark’s sour attitude manages to goad hilarious, incensed reactions from him throughout the play.
Mike Anthony plays Ben Silverman, Clark’s exasperated nephew who doubles as Clark’s agent and caretaker, bending over backwards to bring the two actors together again. Through his expressive gestures and facial expressions, audience members will be charmed with Anthony’s portrayal of a well-intentioned character who garners laughs as his blood pressure increases.
Audience members will also be delighted with Teri Shepard’s performance as the registered nurse and her brief interaction with Van Horn’s character, and Victoria Machado, the actress playing the attractive, air-headed nurse in the comedy duo’s television act.
Aside from the play’s lighthearted humor, “The Sunshine Boys” paints a story of friendship and pays homage to the vaudeville age, reviving two characters who were at the heart of the era.
Underlying Clark’s stubborn antics is also a deep-seated fear of being forgotten and left behind, and his reluctance to come to terms with a time gone by is tackled with clever humor. Simon reminds audience memebers that some of the most serious issues in life can be seen in a humorous light.
“The Sunshine Boys” will be showing at 7:30 p.m. tonight, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at The Public Theatre in Lewiston. Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for groups of 10 or more, and $5 for anyone 18 and under. For more information, call 782-3200 or visit www.thepublictheatre.org.
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