Theater Review: 'The Sunshine Boys' at Engeman

The 's current production of Neil Simon's is a never-ending laugh fest, ripe with relatable humor and slapstick comedy that is sorely missing from plays today. This endearing story, coupled with a clever cast of skilled actors, makes for an incredibly fulfilling and fun experience in theater.

Lewis (Chip Zien) and Clark (Lewis J. Stadlen) are The Sunshine Boys’ two faded vaudeville legends, but what they are lacking for in youth they make up for in zingers and nagging bites. We meet them in the 70s as they reunite to perform their old act one last time, despite the fact that they hate each other. The basis for most of the comedy comes through watching these two old men attempt to get past the issues that have kept them apart. Set in their ways to the degree of any maddeningly frustrating elderly fellow, Lewis and Clark are a hoot when they go at it with one another.

To the sound of a procession of laughter, Chip Zien’s Lewis asks a number of
questions that were answered only seconds ago. Zien pulls off Lewis’ simplistic
thoughtfulness with great ease, as he exhibits bad habits while trying to make nice with his old compadre. The real ray of light in this production is Lewis J. Stadlen, who created the role of Ben Silverman, Clark’s nephew, in the original 1973 production of The Sunshine Boys. Now full of snark, the whiny, pigheaded character comes to life thanks to Stadlen, whose talent for physical comedy and embodiment of his role is entertaining to experience.

With every drop of an “R” to emulate his New York surroundings, Stadlen becomes the grandfatherly everyman. Who doesn’t know that guy who spouts barbs like, "I hate New Jersey. I’m sorry they ever finished the George Washington Bridge." Amid Stadlen’s many eccentricities he still makes Clark likable, even when he’s at his worst.

Director BT McNicholl uses the stage well, as his cast makes each environment
feel lived in and frequently visited. He takes a large amount of inactive dialogue and appeals to the visual sense in that no one is ever simply speaking- they’re always moving around and adjusting. There’s no big shocker at the end of this story, but it’s played farcically and with great joviality.

The Engeman Theater always does a phenomenal job of bringing Broadway to
Long Island. It’s impossible to leave this Sunshine without a smile.

The Sunshine Boys runs through March 25, 2012. Ticket sales will help raise money for the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY, a Long Island based children’s medical facility offering health care services to screen, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of injuries and illnesses for adolescents, pediatrics and children. Regular ticket prices for reserved seating are $50.00 per person, but can be purchased for $45.00 when using a special Bethpage promotional code available by visiting www.lovebethpage.com.