Lost in laughter
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 8 months AGO
<p>Tamara Schupman plays the role of Grandma Kurnitz, a stern grandmother in charge of her grandson's Arty and Jay, played by Josh Ratelle and Josh Nelson, respectively, in the Lake City Playhouse production of "Lost in Yonkers" which opens Friday.</p>
<p>Josh Nelson, playing Jay, scolds Josh Ratelle's character Arty and Grandma Kurnitz, played by Tamara Schupman, watches from afar.</p>
If you're looking for fun and laughs, then the Lake City Playhouse is where you want to be.
The Neil Simon comedy "Lost in Yonkers," opens tonight at the Lake City Playhouse.
Directed by Brittani C. Kelly, the story is filled with life's lessons told in a way sure to bring smiles to the audience.
"Heartfelt laughter will overcome you as the importance of family, the need of acceptance and the lessons of survival all play out under Grandma Kurnitz's stern watch," according to the Playhouse website.
Playhouse artistic director George Green said he's thrilled to produce a Neil Simon show.
"'Lost in Yonkers' is one of his best and this cast and crew have done a wonderful job with this production," he wrote.
Kelly wrote that "directing a Neil Simon has been a wonderful challenge for me as someone who has a tendency to over-analyze scripts."
"With Simon, everything is very blatant. You're not looking to find hidden metaphors," she wrote in an email to The Press. "Yet, within Simon's simplicity is a beautiful quirkiness built around characters who are remarkably true-to-life. I have attempted to keep us focused on that authenticity."
Kelly, also Playhouse business manager, said she has been fortunate to work with an experienced and talented cast.
Tamara Schupman is a rightfully well-known professional actress in this area, Hannah Paton gave a remarkably natural performance of Stella in "A Streetcar Named Desire" earlier this season, and both Josh Nelson and Josh Ratelle have theater resumes a mile long from acclaimed programs.
Eric Paine, Steve Kane and Angela Carlson, who have supporting roles, have all been recent leads at the Playhouse in "Amadeus," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "A Streetcar Named Desire," respectively.
Kelly studied theater and received a bachelor's degree in electronic media and film at Eastern Washington University. In addition to periodic commercial and independent film work, she has acted as cast and crew at Red Monique Theatre, Spokane Civic Theatre and Interplayers Professional Theatre.
Her Playhouse performances consist of Mistress Hibbins in "The Scarlet Letter" and Jean in the Reader's Production of "August: Osage County." Earlier this season, she directed the Reader's Production of "Harvey."
Add an incredible crew to the mix and Kelly said she has been blessed with an all-around dream team.
"They have skillfully tackled the innate challenge posed with any earnest comedy - getting that balance between the sincerity and the levity just right," she wrote.
She believes with "Lost in Yonkers," they have managed to put a story together that is moving and will surprise people when they find themselves relating to such unique moments.
"If you want to see a charming, witty show about people just as quirky as you, your neighbor, your best friend and your aunt, you have to see 'Lost in Yonkers,'" she wrote.
The comedy runs 7:30 tonight and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday, and Thursday through Sunday through May 6.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for veterans and students, $13 for seniors and $9 for children.
Box office hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 4. The box office opens two hours prior to each show.
The Playhouse is at 1320 E. Garden Ave.
Info: 667-1323 or lakecityplayhouse.org