The Sunshine Boys
Playwright:Neil Simon
Directed by:Milt Zoth
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The play focuses on aging Al Lewis and Willy Clark, a one-time vaudevillian team known as "Lewis and Clark" who, over the course of forty-odd years, not only grew to hate each other but never spoke to each other off-stage throughout the final year of their act. The stubborn Clark, who was not ready for retirement, resented the wiser Lewis for breaking up the act when he opted to leave show business. It is now 1972 and CBS is inviting the team to reunite for a special on the history of comedy, with the pair representing the vaudeville era at its best. Clark is convinced by his nephew Ben to revive one of the old routines one last time. Much of the humor is derived from efforts to get the two cantankerous actors into the same room for a rehearsal, their differences of opinion once they reunite, and their shenanigans on the actual broadcast.
Neil Simon was inspired by two venerable vaudeville teams. The longevity of "Lewis and Clark" was inspired by Smith and Dale who, unlike their theatrical counterparts, were inseparable lifelong friends. The undercurrent of backstage hostility between "Lewis and Clark" was inspired by the team of Gallagher and Shean, who were successful professionally but argumentative personally. Alternate sources say this is based on Weber and Fields.
Starring Joneal Joplin and Whit Reichert
Reviews
Two of St. Louis' most versatile performers, Joneal Joplin and Whit Reichert, co-star in "The Sunshine Boys," a polished production directed by Milt Zoth
Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
There's something just very simple, and pure, and satisfying about good theatre. A good script, in the hands of capable actors, and with competent technical support, is more rare than one might think. But not so rare that you can't see it now in St. Louis Actors' Studio's current production of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys.
Laura Kyro, KDHX Radio
It’s a real treat to see two savvy pros such as Joplin and Reichert in action together. That’s especially the case in a production smartly accentuating their talents as much as Zoth does in this classy rendition which underscores Simon’s unique gift for the human comedy.
