KCTG Brings the House Down with THE SUNSHINE BOYS

I have seen many productions of THE SUNSHINE BOYS in my lifetime. I approach each production with a little apprehension because if the actors and director do not get the tone exactly right from the beginning, the audience winds up watching characters fight intensely throughout the show and no amount of humor lessens that annoyance. Well, no such problems exist with the Kent County Theatre Guild’s hilarious production of THE SUNSHINE BOYS. The director and the actors have the right touch from the get-go.

The cast of THE SUNSHINE BOYS, a Kent County Theatre Guild production running in Dover, DE through October 8. (Photo credit: Jamie-Leigh Bissett, Delaware State News)

Playwright Neil Simon is said to have gotten the idea for this play from the very real vaudeville team of Smith and Dale. He created the drama by changing one crucial point: instead of replicating the close friendship the two performers, his Smith and Dale became Lewis and Clark who are like a bag of cats. Steve Caporiccio’s Willie Clark is gruff and just barely likeable. He deftly handles Simon’s dialogue and one-liners as does his counterpart, Kevin Smith’s Al Lewis. Both actors keep it light, even when they are going at each other’s throats. They have excellent comedic timing. Director Necia Beck made fine choices with the cast, direction and physical staging of this production.

Carporiccio and Smith carry most of the show, of course, but they must share their success with Ben Silverman who plays the much-harried nephew of Willie Clark. He keeps his performance simple, humorous and focused, even showing some affection for his not-always-appreciative uncle. What is impressive about this cast is that all of them handle the comedy and pace in a consistent manner including the more minor (but always important!) roles played by Travis Kirspel, David Schucker, Jim Plumley, Aubrey Edwards and June Allen. Just as Simon’s snappy dialogue is well-oiled, so is this production. It’s a fun evening and great kick-off for KCTG’s 2011-2012 season.

Ticket prices for this show are $4.00 off regular prices to celebrate the occasion. Senior, Military, Student tickets are $10.00, and regular Adult tickets are $12.00 for this production only. For more information and to order tickets, visit www.kctg.org or call 302-674-3568. Theater is located at 140 East Roosevelt Avenue, Dover, Delaware.

THE SUNSHINE BOYS
by Neil Simon
Directed by Necia Beck
September 23 – October 8, 2011
Kent County Theatre Guild
140 East Roosevelt Avenue
Dover, DE
302-674-3568
www.kctg.org

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Nancy Kersey

Nancy has worked as a producer, director, writer and actor in the professional theater encompassing Broadway, non-profit theater, Off-Broadway and the cabaret circuit for over twenty-five years. A native of Delaware, this classically-trained performer earned a B.A. in Theater at the University of Delaware and studied acting and playwrighting in several theater schools in New York City including a brief stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has taught acting and writing through the Delaware Arts Council and the New York Council Theater for a New Audience programs. Nancy served as an adjudicator for the Samuel French New Play Festival and the Delaware Theater Company student play competitions. For several years she wrote play and book reviews for the Philadelphia-based monthly “The Irish Edition.” She retired from the professional theater and returned to her community theater roots appearing in productions at The Barnstormers, and the Chapel Street Players. She recently won an acting award for Outstanding Performance for her work in “Colorblind: the Katrina Monologues” at the Eastern Theater Association regional One-Act Play Festival competition.

Latest posts by Nancy Kersey (see all)

• COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA: KCTG Walks an Emotional Tightrope – March 7, 2012
• Kent County’s FARNDALE AVENUE….is a Tremendous Success – December 8, 2011
• Talented Cast Sparks Premier Centre for the Arts’ A CHORUS LINE – October 24, 2011
• KCTG Brings the House Down with THE SUNSHINE BOYS – September 28, 2011
• Outstanding STREETCAR at Colonial Playhouse – May 12, 2011