Paper Mill Playhouse production of ‘Lost in Yonkers’ is a ‘splendid revival’

BY STUART DUNCAN

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

N.J. THEATER REVIEW

When "Lost in Yonkers" premiered (in 1991) the early critics were not kind. The Washington Post reviewer saw the show on its way to Broadway and commented: "Simon has been writing plays for 30 years and he still can't handle the basic elements of dramaturgy." And Frank Rich of The New York Times warned of "flaccid structure and automatic-pilot jokeyness."

But other critics and audience disagreed and the Neil Simon work went on to win four Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A splendid revival is on view at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn.

You will remember that the plot, presumably semi-autobiographical in mood, set in the early 1940s in an old-fashioned apartment (antimacassars and the like) above the family-owned sweet shop in Yonkers. Two brothers (think of Neil and is older brother) are left to fend for themselves in a dysfunctional family with a formidable immigrant grandmother, a sweet, but simple-minded aunt and a hoodlum of an uncle. The action and the dialogue are comic, but poignant.

Under the direction of Michael Bloom, the Paper Mill evening gets off to a rather broad start. John Plumpis who is playing the father works for every scrap of comedy, including mugging. But the play soon settles nicely into skirmishes between Bella (a very fine Sara Surrey) and grandma (Rosemary Prinz in a precisely contained characterization that becomes more and more appealing.) J. Anthony Crane obviously has great fun as the thuggish Louis and the two boys — Alex Wyse as Jay and Maxwell Beer as Arty — steal the show. It is Beer's professional debut and the youngster clearly has a huge future ahead.

Playwright Simon takes eight full scenes to develop and unfold his tale and one remembers that he once said he wrote long plays because the audience deserved "their money's-worth." They certainly get it here. Michael Schweikardt has given us a lovely set design and Paul Miller has lit it with care.

"Lost in Yonkers" continues at Paper Mill Playhouse, through March 14. Weds. at 7:30 p.m.; Thurs. at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Fris. at 8 p.m.; Sats. at 1:30 and 8 p.m.; and Suns. at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are priced from $25.00 to $92.00 (973) 376-4343 or visit www.papermill.org