MEMBERS OF Bridge Drama Group are currently busy preparing for their forthcoming play which opens at the National Opera House this month.
Regarded as Neil Simon’s finest play, ‘Lost In Yonkers’ received both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play in 1991.
Set in 1942, over a candy store in New York, teenage boys Jay and Arty find their lives turned upside down when their father Eddie moves away for work leaving them in the care of their strong willed Grandma and their lovable and childlike Aunt Bella. They meet their Uncle Louie, a small time crook and their Aunt Gert who has an unusual affliction.
This brilliantly funny yet touching play observes the influence on a family where love and affection is withheld.
This year, the group is introducing a few new faces to the cast, teenagers, Cillian Tobin and Sean Byrne as Jay and Arty. Both young actors played roles in the recent popular RTE1 television drama ‘Clean Break’ by Billy Roche and are students at the Corish-Wallace School of Performing Arts. Other cast members include: Heather Hadrill (Aunt Bella), Paul Tobin (Eddie and ‘real life’ father to Cillian), Denise Leahy (Grandma), Pete McCamley (Uncle Louie) and Mairead Ryan (Aunt Gert).
The play is directed by Pat Whelan. This is his first production since winning Best Director at the All-Ireland Amateur Drama Finals in 2013 for the group’s production of ‘Out of Order’ by Ray Cooney.
‘Lost In Yonkers’ will be staged at the National Opera House on January 28, 29 and 30 and again on February 12 and 13. For booking log on to www.nationaloperahouse.ie or call 053 91 22144.