Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning Lost in Yonkers opens New Harmony Theatre season

New Harmony Theatre's Lost in Yonkers rehearsal. Pictured left to right are Craig Belwood as Arty, Mikey Stephens-Emerson as Jay, Jonathan Brody* as Louie, Polly McKie as Gert, and Claire Warden* as Bella. *Members of Actors' Equity Association Photo Credit: LaVerne Jones HI-RES | WEB RELATED VIDEO:  RELATED AUDIO:  Contact for more information: Angela Torres Managing/Marketing Director New Harmony Theatre/USI Theatres 812/465-7110 email New Harmony Theatre opens its 2011 summer season with Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning Lost in Yonkers. Directed by Elliot Wasserman, chair of the University of Southern Indiana Department of Performing Arts and the new producing artistic director for New Harmony Theatre, the play is seen through the eyes of the two grandsons of a tough old German matriarch who rules the little world of her candy store and that of her unmarried daughter Bella. "Laughter and tears have come together in a new emotional truth. There are moments in this play when you experience a new kind of laughter for Simon, a silent laughter that doesn't explode into a yuk but implodes straight into your heart," Newsweek said about Lost in Yonkers. While still working in the comedic form, Simon includes autobiographical elements in Lost in Yonkers, thereby moving in the direction of emotional honesty and sentimental comedy. What unfolds include some of the most compelling theatrical moments Simon ever wrote, and a play that garnered four Tony awards and a Drama Desk Award in addition to the Pulitzer. The cast includes Actors' Equity Association members Jonathan Brody as Louie, Diane Ciesla as Grandma Kurnitz, Dominic Comperatore as Eddie, and Claire Warden as Bella. Appearing from Scotland by way of New York is Polly McKie as Gert. The cast is rounded out with two local actors: Craig Belwood of Evansville and Mikey Stephens-Emerson of Mt. Vernon play grandsons Arty and Jay. The production features scenic design by Ron Naversen, lighting design by Michael P. Frohling, costume design by Shan Jensen, and sound design by Daniel Kopp. Lost in Yonkers runs June 17-19 and June 24-26. Evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays start at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors (60 and over). New Harmony Theatre is a professional Equity theatre produced by University of Southern Indiana. Plays are performed in the historic Murphy Auditorium located at 419 Tavern Street in New Harmony. For more information, or to make a purchase, visit www.newharmonytheatre.com or call the box office at 812/682-3115 or 877/NHT-SHOW.

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