Finding Love and Lessons in Hardship: Birmingham Village Players’ ‘Lost in Yonkers’
Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers has long been considered one of his most poignant works, where his trademark wit meets emotional truth. In the Birmingham Village Players’ production, directed by Eileen White and assistant Alexandra LaCombe, this Tony Award–winning coming-of-age story unfolds with heart, humor, and an unflinching look at what it means to grow up in a family bound by both love and pain. Set in 1942 Yonkers, New York, the story’s lessons about resilience and forgiveness feel timeless, resonating with today’s audiences as powerfully as ever.
[Warning: spoilers from Lost in Yonkers below!]
A story of survival in Lost in Yonkers
The play centers on two young brothers—Jay (Elijah Lang) and Arty (Brooklyn Rose Brown)—who are sent to live with their formidable Grandma Kurnitz (Duffy Wineman) and their childlike Aunt Bella (Andrea McDonald) while their father Eddie (Russell Boyle) travels to pay off debts. Their world quickly expands with the arrival of their tough yet endearing Uncle Louie (Alan Neuwirth), a small-time gangster hiding from his own troubles, and Aunt Gert (Lisa-Aline Hanes), whose nervous condition hilariously manifests in her peculiar breathing pattern.
It’s a rich tapestry of family dysfunction and love—Simon’s trademark blend of comedy and melancholy. Jay and Arty’s fish-out-of-water experience with their stern grandmother creates both tension and tenderness, as they slowly learn that strength can wear the face of cruelty and that survival often means finding humor in the unlikeliest places.
Direction and performance of this Birmingham Village Players show
Director Eileen White balances the play’s emotional gravity with its abundant humor, never letting one overshadow the other. Under her guidance, the ensemble finds the heartbeat of Simon’s writing—the rhythm of conversations that shift seamlessly from laughter to heartbreak.
Elijah Lang’s (The Spongebob Musical) Jay acts as both narrator and emotional compass, grounding the story in authenticity. His chemistry with Brooklyn Rose Brown’s Arty gives the play its core warmth; their sibling dynamic is honest, funny, and occasionally heartbreaking. Duffy Wineman commands the stage as Grandma Kurnitz, infusing the role with a sternness that hides deep wounds. Andrea McDonald’s (Steel Magnolias) Bella, however, is the soul of the production. Her portrayal of a woman yearning for independence while living under her mother’s thumb is deeply moving—her innocence never undermines her courage.
Alan Neuwirth’s (Fun Home) Uncle Louie provides much-needed levity without sacrificing emotional depth. His swaggering charm and bursts of sincerity reveal Simon’s genius for creating characters who mask vulnerability with bravado. Russell Boyle (Man of La Mancha) brings quiet desperation to Eddie, while Lisa-Aline Hanes (Perfect Arrangement) turns Aunt Gert’s nervous quirks into endearing comic gold.
Technical craft and atmosphere
The behind-the-scenes artistry shines through every moment. Gene Czewski’s set design evokes 1940s Yonkers with lived-in detail—a modest home that feels equal parts sanctuary and prison. Frank Ginis’s lighting design subtly underscores the play’s tonal shifts, while CJ Ramseyer’s sound design and Linda Watson’s costumes authentically root the production in its era. Props by Kate Sweeney and stage management by Justine Dearth ensure a seamless flow, capturing the realism that keeps the audience fully immersed.
Themes from Lost in Yonkers that endure
While Lost in Yonkers is steeped in period detail, its exploration of love, responsibility, and family dysfunction remains universal. Grandma Kurnitz’s rigid toughness may seem cruel, but through Simon’s lens—and Wineman’s performance—it becomes clear she is the product of trauma and survival. Bella’s defiance against her mother’s control becomes a lesson in agency and compassion. And the boys’ journey toward understanding the adults around them mirrors our own attempts to reconcile the flaws in those we love.
At its best, this production reminds us that humor can coexist with hardship—and that healing often begins with understanding, not forgiveness. In a time when many are redefining family and strength, Lost in Yonkers feels both comforting and challenging.
Final thoughts
Birmingham Village Players delivers a well-crafted rendition of Lost in Yonkers, one that honors Neil Simon’s gift for turning dysfunction into grace. With Eileen White’s sensitive direction and a cast that breathes life into every character, this production captures the laughter, longing, and love at the heart of the Kurnitz family.
Performances run November 7–23, 2025, with shows Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available on their website or by calling 248-644-2075. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a classic play brought vividly to life, reminding us all that sometimes, the hardest families teach the most enduring lessons.
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