Lost in Yonkers
at Pompano Beach High School

Reviewed on March 10, 2016

Neil Goodman
North Broward Preparatory School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

What do you get when you mix a tough-as-nails Nana, a criminal uncle, and two brothers abandoned by their father? A dramatic comedy like no other! Pompano Beach High School redefines family drama in their production of Lost in Yonkers.

Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for best Play, Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers tells the tale of two brothers when their family hits hard times. Neil Simon has been heralded as a comedic mastermind, and it shows in this play. Most of the show's comedy comes from Jay and Arty dealing with with their taciturn taskmaster of a grandmother after their father had find work on the road.

One-half of the show's leading dynamic duo, Daniel Llorens, played the adolescent Arty with infectious energy. Llorens displayed clear comedic timing and convivial chemistry especially with Jay, played by Amorie Barton. Barton's boyish charm and adept articulation allowed him to add excitement into many scenes. Both actors deserve accolades for taking on the underrated challenge of playing a much younger role, as both Llorens and Barton do not have the outward appearance of a thirteen and fifteen-year-old, respectively.

Catherine Hollows played the boys' mentally handicapped Aunt Bella with refreshing sweetness. Hollows's commendable characterization was augmented by her steadfast physicality and unique mannerisms. Taylor-Marie Long's portrayal of Grandma received many laughs due to her evident commitment and sharp line delivery. Ryan Swart's powerful stage presence and unwavering accent made the moxie-filled mobster Louie a constant standout. From the moment he walked on stage, it was obvious that Swart had a strong grasp of the role's humor.

The show's costumes and makeup fit the time period well, and the set was comprehensively furnished. At times, low sound levels made certain story elements unclear. Although moments of inappropriate lighting drew undue attention to lengthy transitions, the actors maintained professionalism and persevered.

To those that think making teenagers perform the mature humor of Neil Simon is harder than herding cats, this show proved them wrong. From start to finish, the show had many endearing yet comedic moments. While there were instances of incomplete characterization and wavering focus, the cast of Pompano Beach High School deserves praise for their auspicious undertaking of a show as difficult as Lost in Yonkers.

Pompano Beach High School told a uniquely witty tale of family, forgiveness, and sacrifice in their heartwarming production of Lost in Yonkers.

Brittyn Bonham
Pine Crest School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Gangsters, Germans, and Jews; you wouldn't expect all three when visiting Yonkers… unless you're entering Neil Simon's world of Lost in Yonkers. First performed on Broadway in 1991, Lost in Yonkers focuses on brothers who move in with their estranged grandmother. During their time with the strict relative, they meet and bond with many quirky members of their family and learn exactly what family means.

The show began with two brothers, Arty (Daniel Llorens) and Jay (Amorie Barton), begging Grandma (Taylor-Marie Long) to let them stay in her house while their father, Eddie (Manuel Collantes), pays off his debts. Their childlike Aunt Bella (Catherine Hollows) who still lives with her rigged mother, convinces her to let them stay. During their time in Yonkers they learn many lessons from silly, naïve Aunt Bella, tough, charismatic Uncle Louie (Ryan Swart), and asthmatic, nervous Aunt Gert (Stephanie Freeborn).

Llorens and Barton definitely nailed the chemistry that two young brothers should have. The three siblings of Jay and Arty's father also held a wonderful chemistry throughout the show, giving a very believable relationship.

Swart perfectly portrayed the "Moxie" Louie claimed to be known for. He used a Brooklyn accent, comedic timing, and body language to play his role and truly acted as a the not so great role model the playwright intended him to be. His performance raised the energy and timing of the show and he brought the whole cast together.

Long gave a stern performance as the unbreakable matriarch of the family. Her accent was mostly consistent and was reminiscent of Germany, the country she migrated from.

Throughout the show it seemed that some actors did attempt to hold a "yonkers" accent, however there were many times in which these dialects were dropped and the siblings sounded like they were raised in different places.

The set was very fitting to the era and style of the play and the actors played off the props very nicely. However, due to some staging issues, many actors were upstaged or turned away from the audience during the show. The set changes were very lengthy and seemed unrehearsed, with the crew making funny gestures in a very unprofessional manner. The costumes didn't fit many of the actors properly causing them to seem uncomfortable on stage.

Overall this production was slightly above average. The cast managed to bring the audience back in time and display how the boys were lost not only in Yonkers, but also in their discovery of themselves, only able to flourish due to the extreme characters in their family. Pompano Beach High School embraced this funny show and brought the audience on an adventure of familial love.

Isabella Cring
Western High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

When an indebted widower has to leave his prepubescent sons with their militant grandmother, daft aunt, and gangster uncle, adventures are bound to ensue. Set in a World War II era upstate NY, "Lost In Yonkers" by Neil Simon is a heartwarming comedy about the misadventures of two young boys when they find themselves stranded in their unwelcoming grandmother's home. Pompano Beach High School put their own twist on this play with wit and grace.

The two brothers, Jay and Arty, were played by Amorie Brown and Daniel Llorens, respectively. Their chemistry was consistent and endearing to a strong brotherly love and affection. Llorens adorably played the classic "little brother trying to be a man." His numerous attempts at maturity and respect were an absolute delight. Catherine Hollows was great as the mentally challenged Aunt Bella. Her childlike behavior contrasted against womanly feelings created a truly realistic character. She was a bright light in the play.

Ryan Swart as Uncle Louie absolutely stole the show with his mobster charisma and physicality. His confidence and stage presence made him impossible to look away from. He taught the audience and the characters what true "moxy" really is. Taylor-Marie Long as the flawed matriarch had a strong arc as the show went on that made her a well-rounded and captivating antagonist.

Everyone in this show was always in the light, and sound was usually clear, with just some small problems with projection. Set changes were minimal and effective, maintaining the ambiance and energy of the play.

"Lost in Yonkers" by Neil Simon is a challenging and touching piece that, despite taking place in the 1940s, it is still relevant today. This show was brought to life with new energy by Pompano Beach High School. Their enthusiasm and charm made the audience wish for a time long gone- a time to be "Lost in Yonkers."

Caitlyn Castiglione
Western High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

When a father of two sons is forced to find a job and leave his children with his strict German mother and peculiar siblings, a sticky situation emerges. Written by Neil Simon, Lost in Yonkers portrays the epiphany of a dysfunctional family.the play premiered December 31, 1990, this comic drama was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Simon's work is often difficult to replicate; however, Pompano Beach High School successfully produced this stage classical.

Daniel Llorens as Arty and Amorie Barton as Jay had a beautiful chemistry that steadily built throughout the duration of the show. With lines teeming of comedic potential, both actors' timing projected the ironic comedy of an unfortunate situation.

Ryan Swart as Louie truly engulfed the audience with his distinct, consistent accent and contagious laugh. As family stress escalated around him, this spunky gangster uncle remained the steady comedic relief.

Having a role who is the catalyst to a majority of dilemmas in the plot, Taylor-Marie Long as Grandma was faced with a difficult challenge. However, through stiff movements and consistently sour facial expressions, Long successfully portrayed an old-fashioned German grandmother and morphed a bitter role into a hilarious icon. This actress' choice of making her elderly role stand up straight, as opposed to the typical hunched over depictions of a grandmother, emphasized the stubborn tendencies of Grandma and made her memorable.

Catherine Hollows excellently captivated Bella's stunted age and stole the audience's hearts. Her naive character was emphasized through Hollow's acting skills that entertained the audience.

Pompano Beach High School's Lost in Yonkers proved to entertain and emphasized the idea of blood truly being thicker than water. Though some lines seemed to not carry out to the audience, the comedic tone of the cast animated the plot. Even with tension and a common dislike for Grandma pooling, the family still acknowledges their love for one another in the long run.

Andrew Singer
NSU University School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Everything you know and love can be turned upside down in the span of a few days. For teenage brothers, Arty and Jay, this was the case when their father had to move away to sustain their family. The boys found themselves in the company of their stern, conservative grandmother and their absent-minded Aunt Bella. Hilarity ensues in Pompano Beach High School's very real and playful production of Lost In Yonkers.

Lost In Yonkers is one of Neil Simon's masterpieces. The play hit Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 1991 and took audiences by storm, resulting in multiple Tony and Drama Desk Awards including Best Play.

This delightful story tells of Jay and Arty, two sons down on their luck after their father finds a difficult job in the South that will bring in more money. The boys, without a mother to rely on, are forced to move in with their grandmother and their aunt who have enough troubles of their own. The success of Pompano Beach High School's production was a result of perfectly pinpointed personalities, stage presence, reactions, and dedication to storytelling. Daniel Llorens and Amorie Barton led the production as brothers Arty and Jay, respectively. Llorens displayed a great understanding of what it means to be dedicated to a character. Throughout the production, he was able to react and keep up the childlike, innocent persona that Arty required. Barton had the task of portraying the more responsible older brother, and did a wonderful job of demonstrating that character trait while also maintaining childlike wonder and cluelessness.

The wacky duo of Grandma and Aunt Bella helped drive the story along due to their strong personalities and passion. Taylor-Marie Long played the intolerant "survivor" Grandma of the family and did a commendable job of showing the characters's family values. Alongside her, lived Aunt Bella, played by Catherine Hollows. Hollows brought innocence and perfectly executed diction to her absent-minded character. One of her brothers, Louie, played by Ryan Swart, who commanded the stage with hilarious timing, attitude, and stage presence. Together, these three characters made for a nicely dysfunctioning family unit.

The costumes were fitting for characters and their personalities. Some issues arose with quick changes and neatness, but overall, they worked well for the characters. Some awkward pauses and transitions occurred but ultimately, the production's technical aspects complimented the story nicely and took it to a new level.

Lost in Yonkers was a terrific celebration of the value of family, the value of staying strong, and the value of appreciating what you have. Characters were mostly engages and told a simple, beautiful story filled with enthusiasm, passion, and dedication.

Mohammad Khalil
North Broward Preparatory School
Submitted for publication to The Forum

There's nothing worse than seeing a family driven apart, and nothing better than seeing them brought together. Lost in Yonkers, an award winning play written by Neil Simon, is about two boys who go to live with their grandmother while their father is away on business and learn many valuable lessons during their stay. Pompano Beach High School's performance of this show most definitely did this masterpiece justice.

Jay and Arty are two brothers whose father went off to work selling scrap iron to pay off a debt and were left to live with their tough grandma and soft Aunt Bella. Their grandma was very intolerant of weakness and looked down on everyone because of it, even her own children. Lost in Yonkers is the story of this family that pulls together and has the strength and courage to stand up to her.

Amorie Barton (Jay) helped drive the plot showing the maturity his character as an older brother needed. He worked with Daniel Llorens (Arty) who was the more childish younger brother to become the adventurous, curious, and maturing duo this play needed. Catherine Hollows (Bella) portrayed Aunt Bella's friendly and sometimes naive nature and worked well with the more emotional side of her character to help create the perfect balance.

Ryan Swart (Louie) provided the plays comic relief with his snarky attitude, thick accent, and unforgettable laugh. He helped carry the energy throughout the show and helped the other characters become more energetic on stage. Stephanie Freeborn (Gert) was another comically inclined character with a dizzy attitude and excessive wheezing while talking.

The costumes were time period appropriate and helped show the personality of each of the characters. Everyone worked well with another, leaning on each other's strengths and making up for any weaknesses.

This show had several sound issues, mainly with the mics, but besides that it was executed very well.

Lost in Yonkers is a very touching story of family with different lessons including the importance of two opposing things; love and comfort versus strictness and sternness. Pompano Beach High School showed both of those aspects in their fantastic performance of this heartwarming production.