Chattanooga Times Free Press

Back Alley Production­s opens ‘Lost in Yonkers’

- STAFF REPORT

After several dramatic presentati­ons, Back Alley Production­s has a family comedy from Neil Simon up next, “Lost In Yonkers,” at the Mars Theater in LaFayette, Ga.

Five performanc­es of “Lost In Yonkers” will be presented between Friday, Aug. 18, and Saturday, Sept. 2.

“This is the perfect show for families and adults alike,” says director Ronald King. “This is fun for everyone and can be a great summer evening or afternoon for the whole gang to go to the theater.”

“Yonkers” details the struggles of two teenage brothers, Jay and Arty, growing up in 1942 New York.

Their mother has just died following a lengthy illness, and their deadbeat father must take on a traveling sales job to pay for the medical bills. So the boys are left with their stern, straightta­lking, German grandmothe­r Kurnitz, their harebraine­d Aunt Bella, and a uncle named Louie with ties to the mafia.

“This show is a classic by a wonderful playwright,” King says. “And this is one of my favorite shows of Neil Simon as the characters will give you something that we all, as a family, have experience­d at some point in our lives. Jay and Arty find their lives are turned upside down when their father leaves them with their no-nonsense grandmothe­r, but the result is touching and funny at the same time.”

Jay and Arty think their new situation is a complete, never-ending nightmare of strict rules and boredom. But soon, the family antics ensue and the boys grow up in the company of odd characters. Lessons are learned, family bonds grow closer, and the boys are forever changed for the better.

“It’s a story that is often funny, but also shows us the importance of family,” King adds.

“I’m truly grateful to have the opportunit­y to bring these characters to the stage. The cast and crew have all worked hard to bring this show to life. We can’t wait to show it to the public.”

General admission to the show is $15, while students and senior adults are $12.

For more informatio­n: www.BAPshows.com or call 706-483-6541.

 ??  ?? Levi Goins, David Howard, Aletha Plott, Megan Robinson and Sam Bigham, from left, are members of the kooky Kurnitz family in “Lost in Yonkers.”
Levi Goins, David Howard, Aletha Plott, Megan Robinson and Sam Bigham, from left, are members of the kooky Kurnitz family in “Lost in Yonkers.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States