Encore Entertainment will be presenting Neil Simon's comedy/drama, The Sunshine Boys, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (Studio Theatre), 5040 Yonge Street, from April 23 to May 3, 2009. All evening performances begin at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.
Sparkling with humour and a large dose of honesty, this touching comedy focuses on aging Al Lewis and Willie Clark, vaudeville veterans whose 43-year onstage partnership has been matched only by their intense mutual dislike. The stubborn Clark, who was not ready for retirement, resent
Ed 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, let alone the actual broadcast.
The play features Jerrold Karch as Willie Clark, and Irving Dobbs as Al Lewis. The role of
Ben Silverman, Willie's nephew and agent, is played by Aaron Sidenberg. Rounding out the cast are Encore veteran Marion Hirschberg, and newcomers, Arnon Melo, Jessica Krasnichuk, Jack Berke, and Ken Goldman. Mr. Karch last appeared on the Encore stage as Frank in
Over the River and Through the Woods. His prior credits include
The Prisoner of Second Avenue and
Enter Laughing. Mr. Sidenberg is an Encore favourite, who has appeared in several Encore shows, including
Leader of the Pack,
The Odd Couple (Female Version), Over the River and Through the Woods, and
Rumors. The play is being directed by actor/director Liz Best, who appeared last season in the Dora-nominated production of
A Man of No Importance.
According to Producer Merle Garbe, "Humour and humanity abound in this uproarious, touching, and insightful comedy about friendship and aging from America's most popular playwright.
The Sunshine Boys is a beautifully written play with vivid characterisation, sharp dialogue, and a classically rounded structure. It became a popular 1975 movie, starring
Walter Matthau and
George Burns.
As always, we at Encore are counting on the support of the community, so that we can continue to provide quality theatre at an affordable price."
Tickets are $28.50 for evening performances and $27.00 for matinees. Discounts are available for students, seniors, and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Toronto Centre Box Office, online at
www.encoreshows.com or by phone at (416) 872-1111.
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