Between the Lines presents 'Lost in Yonkers' by Neil Simon Sept. 7 at 7:30pm at The Macungie Institute, 510 East Main St, Macungie, with five more performances through Sept. 16. Tickets: Betweenthelinestheatre.com or call 484-935-3326.
LEHIGH VALLEY STAGE: Why did you decide to produce 'Lost in Yonkers'' Is there anything about the show that makes it especially relevant at this point in our uncertain times'
Rachel Williams: We chose "Lost in Yonkers" to kick off our 2018/2019 season because we wanted to tell a story about family.
We are both fans of Neil Simon and believe this is his most brilliant piece of work.
This story reminds us how important family is. How important understanding and kindness can be. How we"re stronger and can do more, when we work to understand each other.
Sometimes, if you just bend a little, your world, or someone else's can change. That's always relevant, but it seems like a good time for that reminder.
LVS: Why are you presenting the show in Macungie' What drew you to the venue, The Macungie Institute'
RW: We have a history with The Macungie Institute. It's the place Eric and I first met and began our collaborative theatre relationship.
As with any space, there are challenges, but due to our familiarity with the institute, we were up for the challenge. It's a small, intimate, theatre and we believe that is a perfect fit for this show.
The Macungie institute has been nothing but welcoming and accommodating.
Maybe Macungie isn't the place most people think of as a theatre destination, but we believe that's why it is the perfect place for our company to do this show.
Between the Lines Studio Theatre believes art should be accessible and available to all.
LVS: What special challenges has the show thrown your way'
RW: There are challenges built in to producing any show.
I believe Neil Simon's writing and the characters he develops makes those challenges worth it. I know he's been criticized for playing to Jewish stereotypes and going for the "cheap laugh." I can only speak to my experience and what I know. I can tell you that growing up in The Bronx in a large, Jewish family, Mr. Simon was very much on the mark with the atmospheres he created.
I can relate to the characters he developed because they were characters I saw in my own family. He wrote what he knew.
I believe "Lost in Yonkers' tells the story of a family we can all recognize. The interplay between these characters feels like a window into so many living rooms in so many towns.
Be it Yonkers, NY or Birmingham, AL. Family is family.
LVS: Casting! Tell me how you were able to find suitable types for his distinctively American Jewish characters ("He reminded us what it was like to be Jewish in the 20th Century."). How have they done with creating believable characters without going over the top'
ERIC D. HERSH: I disagree with Merwin's statement about Simon; it is too simple.
Growing up in the north east United States in a Catholic household (the son of a Kosher Bakery owner), the connections and family relationships Simon has created resonate very strongly with me.
It would be naive of me to think that Simon's Jewish characters don't resonate different with Jewish actors and audiences, but part of the glory of theatre is bringing individual experiences together to coalesce into a commonality and shared experience.
When casting Lost in Yonkers, I was looking for actors who could connect with each other and shared a love of Simon's compassionate characters.
Any character can easily become a caricature without attention to nuance and a genuine sense of action; this ensemble has just that!
LVS: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the show, both the script and your staging of it'
RW: In my opinion, the script is one of the main strengths of this show.
"Lost in Yonkers" is such a strong, compelling, and relatable story. The cast and their ability to understand the story we're telling has been a joy to experience.
Being a new company always presents its challenges. You always wish for more resources or more space.
However, a story like this doesn't really need all that. It truly is about the characters and their story. (Although the set Eric developed is beautiful and not to be missed!)
Anytime you try to tell a story about a family set in another time, you have walk the line of making them relatable to the modern audience listening, while still respecting the norms and attitudes of the time period you are presenting. This cast has risen to that challenge.
LVS: If you have any, what are your biggest wishes, hopes, and dreams for this show and Between the Lines in particular, and for greater-Lehigh Valley theater in general'
RW: We hope everyone comes to see this show. Doesn't everyone hope for that'
All kidding aside, I truly hope people come to be entertained and join us in honoring this amazing man by remembering this beautiful piece of work.
The whole cast and crew of "Lost in Yonkers" feels so fortunate to be telling this story.
Neil Simon's work is his legacy. We hope to honor that with the effort and love we've all poured into this production.
We have been humbled and overjoyed with the support we have received from the Lehigh Valley theatre community. Our motto is "Collaboration, not completion."
The arts, and theatre in particular, have been growing in our area. We believe everyone has their own unique way of telling a story.
We support all theatre and theatre artists in The Valley. It's a very exciting time!
LVS: What's coming up next'
RW: Our next production in February 2019 is "Time Stands Still' written by Donald Margulies.
"Time Stands Still" tells the story of Sarah, a photo journalist, who has returned from covering the Iraq war after being injured by a roadside bomb. How that affects her relationship with her boyfriend, her boss, and her work.
We are very excited to have Kathy Patterson on board to direct.