‘The Boys Next Door’

The final four performances in The Ringgold Playhouse’s production of “The Boys Next Door,” begin tonight, May 2, at 7:30 p.m.

Nightly performances continue Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, at the theater inside the historic Ringgold Depot, with a 2 p.m. matinee scheduled Saturday.

The play, a dramatic comedy written by Tom Griffin, highlights the idiosyncrasies and hilarious mishaps of four mentally challenged men living together in a communal apartment under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly burned out, young social worker named Jack.

According to director Renee Lierow, the show offers audiences a fun, entertaining experience with characters that are easy to love.

Norman, who works in a doughnut shop and is unable to resist the sweet pastries, takes great pride in the huge bundle of keys that dangles from his waist.

Lucien P. Smith has the mind of a 5-year-old but imagines he is able to read and comprehend the weighty books he lugs about.

Arnold, the ringleader of the group, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer, who suffers from deep insecurities and a persecution complex.

Barry, a brilliant schizophrenic who is devastated by the rejection of his brutal father, fantasizes that he is a golf pro.

“It’s a wonderful play, and I really wanted to tell the story of these boys,” Lierow said. “I wanted to have fun with them without coming across as making fun, and I wanted to give them character without making them into characters.”

In addition to the compelling nature of the story, Lierow says the show will be interactive for the audience.

“I chose this show because it has a level of interaction that you don’t always see,” Lierow said. “Hopefully, it will create a different experience than just being an observer, and the audience will feel like they are part of the story.”

The 10-person cast features TRP veterans Ed Huckabee, Bobby Daniels, Josh Adler, Kylene Booher, David Howard and Pat O’Brien. Additionally, four actors are making their TRP debuts: Jordan Pope, Carla Stamey, Salida Brooks and Robert Gac.

Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com. or at the door.

RINGGOLD PLAYHOUSE PHOTO Actors from “The Boys Next Door” rehearsing a scene are, from left, Ed Huckabee as Norman, Bobby Daniels as Barry, Robert Gac as Jack, Joshua Adler as Lucien and Jordan Pope as Arnold.