Tim Realbuto Finds His Two Young Leads For LOST IN YONKERS Revival

 

Tim Realbuto, the New York stage actor who recently wrapped principal photography playing the lead role of Patrick Nolan in YES, his first major motion picture, will conceive, co-direct and produce a revival of Neil Simon's Tony and Pulitzer Prize Award winning play LOST IN YONKERS on Sunday, December 9th at 7:30 pm.

The evening will be presented as a reading with proceeds from ticket sales going to The National Alzheimer's Association, in honor of the late Neil Simon who recently passed away from the disease.

The other half of the proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, in honor of Broadway star Marin Mazzie.

Realbuto will also play the role of Louie Kurnitz, which was made famous on stage by Kevin Spacey in a Tony Award winning performance and on film by Richard Dreyfuss.

In a statement, Realbuto said: "Growing up, I must have watched the wonderful LOST IN YONKERS film hundreds of times. I fell madly in love with Bella and her family. I dreamed of playing Jay or Arty. Now, I'm way too old for that dream to come true, but I can't believe that I get the chance to bring this amazing story back to NYC with such an exceptional cast and for such a beautiful purpose. Neil Simon's characters and stories will truly live on forever. And the chance to be a small part of that legacy, even though it's just a little sliver, well, that's certainly a dream come true."

The rest of the all-star cast will be announced in the coming days. However, Realbuto has announced the casting of the two young stars of the show.

Aidan Gemme, who was the original Peter Llewelyn Davies in Broadway's FINDING NEVERLAND, will lead the cast as older brother Jay Kurnitz. His younger brother Arty will be played by Drew Logan Powell, the star of Bryan Cranston's recent Amazon series THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS.

Gemme's other Broadway credits include WAITING FOR GODOT opposite Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Billy Crudup, and Shuler Hensley. He made his Broadway debut as Michael Banks in DISNEY'S MARY POPPINS. Off-Broadway, Gemme starred as Snoopy In YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at the York Theatre Company, and appeared in RUNAWAYS at City Center. On screen, Mr. Gemme has played lead roles in TOMORROWLAND; DELIVER US FROM EVIL; MALCOLM; SANTA PAWS 2: THE SANTA PUPS; and TREASURE BUDDIES. He has also voiced numerous characters on the hit Nickelodeon children's show "DORA THE EXPLORER."

Powell made his stage debut Off-Broadway, playing Tim Realbuto's son in THE WEAK ONES (2016 Thespis Award Nominee). He also stars as Realbuto's younger self in the upcoming feature film YES (set for release in 2019). Aside from THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR BOYS, Mr. Powell has also appeared on screen in ROCKAWAY; SPIT; WHISTLEBLOWERS; TOY SOLDIERS; and starred as Young Weller on NBC's "BLINDSPOT."

The one night only event will take place at The Engleman Concert Hall, 55 Lexington Avenue, in NYC. Tickets, priced from $25-$100, will go on sale on Monday, November 26th.

Realbuto will co-direct the evening with Paul Mitchell Wilder. Mr. Wilder directed the premiere of MANAHATTA, which later workshopped at The Public Theatre In NYC. Ryan A. Ross (DESPERATE MEASURES) will serve as the Production Stage Manager.

Although Realbuto, Gemme, and Powell are the only ones confirmed, the rest of the cast will feature an array of Broadway stars to be announced soon.

 

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