THE SUNSHINE BOYS
by Neil Simon
Directed by
Roberta MacDonald
The Players of
Sarasota
838 N. Tamiami
Tr., Sarasota, 941-365-2494
June 13-16,
27-30, 2013
Reviewed by Marie J. Kilker
ItÕs a Neil Simon
oldie, one often said to be on the edge of being enduring among his plays. but
at The Players of Sarasota it still works. Director Roberta MacDonald has given
it a new twist. ItÕs not just a
realistic portrayal of a couple of once-famous comedians who hate each other
but may reunite in a special celebrating
the history of comedy--if
(and itÕs a prolonged if) they can stop fighting long enough to stage
their key vaudeville sketch. What now comes on is a representational play within a presentational one. The latter has Willie Clark, whoÕs
felt abandoned by his partnerÕs abrupt retirement 11 years ago, dircctly
playing to the audience his determination to direct the comeback (if there is
to be one) on his own terms. It includes a slight change in dialogue along with
insistence on what always makes words funny or not. Being definitely WillieÔs
play allows Bob Trisolini to make the most of sassily dealing with WillieÔs nephew Ben (Kerry Betts). An agent, heÕs had a
hard time getting his memory-challenged uncle work, even a TV commercial. Willie
wonÕt leave his cold, run-down apartment-turned-digs or go with the times. So
that becomes WillieÔs stage set when and where he finally agrees to meet up
with Al Lewis to rehearse and deliver their sketch.
The comeback folds during rehearsal, though, when
the usually calmer Lewis (effective Dan Higgs, a dignified contrast to
Trisolini) wonÕt completely follow WillieÕs direction. Luckily, the audience
does get to watch the old Doctor Is In sketch, complete with a sexpot nurse
(comically cute Allison Dietz), silly vocabulary (ah-stick for tongue depressor)
and an oversize hypodermic needle before
the principals fight and Willie has a heart attack. Bedded when visited
by nephew Kerry, WillieÔs persuaded to move his real life schtick to the
ActorÕs Home in New Jersey. But not before staging a sketch with Lewis, who
visits to express his sorrow over whatÕs happened. And that leads to a whole new routine....
Special notice goes to Martha Kessler for
furnishing the propsÑlike battered trunk adorned with place labels, a
dirty radiator, old kitchen appliances,
posters, VarietyÑthat set WillieÕs perpetual show. (No scenery
designer is credited.) Randy Garmer, Bob Nosal, and Leona Collesano fulfill
minor roles well. Sandra Musicante stage manages the two hour comedy.