Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Mass Music and Arts Society’s opening show of their summer season is “The Boys Next Door” by Rhode Island native, Tom Griffin who recently passed away. It is a funny and touching play about four mentally handicapped men living in a communal residence under the guidance and watchful eye of a caring but burnt out social worker. The story is told by a series of vignettes and scenes, with some of the performers speaking directly to the audience. Director Kelly Crawford picks splendid and talented performers to fill these well written roles. She mixes the comic and dramatic moments together marvelously to a very appreciative audience who gives them a resounding standing ovation at the curtain call.
Kelly pays attention not only to the comic scenes and one liners but also to the dramatic scenes, too. She makes the audience empathize with the characters, presenting a well rounded and well thought out show. The splendid institutional set is by Ted Talanian and painted by Glenn Fournier. The array of colorful costumes are by John Ristaino. Leading the cast is Adam Law as the befuddled and patient social worker, Jack. He speaks to the audience on what is happening and reacts to the many comic and dramatic situations he finds himself in. Adam’s interactions with the four residents are warm and poignant and he is excellent in this role. The ringleader of these four men is Arnold played excellently by Kevin Mischley. His strong portrayal as the hyperactive, Arnold who has a persecution complex and is a compulsive chatterer, is right on the money. Kevin conveys the deep seated insecurity and nervous behavior with his line delivery. He has many funny scenes including wetting his pants with water, wanting to relocate to Russia because no one is listening to his problems, removing all the rugs from the apartment, polishing the bully’s shoes at the movie theatre and describing Helen’s tick while she dances. His final scene while he waits for a train to Russia is both funny and touching when Jack reappears to help him out.
One of the biggest scene stealers is Kevin Hayes as Norman who works in a donut shop and eats as many as he sells. Norman says “Oh Boy” numerous times and has a dynamite melt down scene with Barry after he calls him too fat to play golf and his comic line is “Golf Sups.” Norman falls in love with Sheila played by Laura Gustafson. Sheila loves the key ring he wears, so on their “romantic date”, he gives Sheila her very own key ring. Kevin is hilarious as he constantly introduces himself to everyone he meets and tells them to take a seat. His interactions with the whole cast are splendid especially comic is the dishwashing scene when he complains about the cheese and eggs stuck all the dishes he washes. Laura is terrific and her acting prowess shines through making her scenes tender and humorous especially when she demands Norman’s keys and imitates Helen’s tick. The romantic dating scene leaves everyone in stitches at their perfect comic timing. They first do a couple of comic dances which win much laughter with the top of her head on his chest. However the last comic dance becomes a dream dance at the end of Act 1 which is fabulous as it depicts them as a normal couple. It is very poignant moment in the show.
Brian Vogel delivers a strong performance as Lucien P. Smith, the most profoundly retarded member of the group who has the mind of a five year old child. He constantly says “I be Lucien P. Smith” but he shows the most compassion and love to his fellow housemates and Jack. Brian has many funny one liners and makes them all hit pay dirt. Some of his hilarious moments include spraying furniture spray for air freshener, dusting the furniture with a sock, killing a rat in the living room and having his two hand puppets fight with each other. Brian also delivers a poignant speech directly to the audience to describe his plight and also tugs on your heartstrings when he sobs when Jack leaves them at the going away party. The fourth member of this group, Barry is fantastically played by Greg Smith. He displays great depth as Barry, who is a brilliant schizophrenic. The character becomes unraveled and devastated when he is visited by his verbally and physically abusive father after nine years. The scenes which lead up to his father’s arrival and with his father are heart wrenching because up to this point Barry has been a vital and energetic “golf pro” with a great deal of confidence. Greg also has many funny moments as the golfing expert earlier in the show. However the tragic scene later on with his facial expressions and inability to speak after his father’s vicious visit are stunning to behold. Bravo!
The brutal and abusive, one armed father, Mr. Klemper is well played by Bill Roberts. He takes this mean, gutter mouthed Mr. Klemper and turns him into a virtual whirlwind onstage destroying everything in his path especially his fragile son. Rounding out this talented cast is Jim Cannizzaro and Jill Albanese. He plays Barry’s golfing student, Mr. Hedges, Arnold’s movie theater boss and the senator at Lucian’s hearing. Jill plays the very deaf, Mrs. Fremus who misunderstands everything Barry says to her, Mrs. Warren, a young neighbor whose son’s hamster ran away and Clara, a retarded girl who keeps saying no while she constantly gobbles popcorn. So for a fantastic show with topnotch acting and direction, be sure to catch “The Boys Next Door” at MMAS.
THE BOYS NEXT DOOR (8 to 24 June)
MMAS, Black Box Theatre, 377 North Main St, Mansfield, MA
1(508)339-2822 or www.mmas.org
