The Sunshine Boys Tickets

The Sunshine Boys is a play by Neil Simon that was produced on Broadway in 1972. The name The Sunshine Boys refers to Willie Clark (Hal Linden) and Al Lewis (Allan Miller). They were a famous 30s-era vaudeville duo, acrimoniously separated when Lewis calls it quits before Clark was ready to hear the last laugh. It was directed by Alan Arkin.

Tony Award nominations went to Simon (Best Play), Albertson (Best Actor in a Play) and Arkin (Best Direction of a Play), and Albertson won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance.

The Sunshine Boys Broadway transferred to the Shubert and then the Lunt-Fontanne before completing its 538-performance run. Its original cast included Sam Levene as Lewis, Jack Albertson as Clark, and Lewis J. Stadlen as Ben.

Replacements later in the run included Lou Jacobi as Lewis and Jack Gilford as Clark. In 1997, under the auspices of the National Actors Theatre, a production was mounted at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami.

The Broadway received a critical acclaim, success of which justified a transfer north. The Sunshine Boys Broadway revival directed by John Tillinger opened on December 8, 1997 at the Lyceum Theatre.

Reminiscent of another of Simons works, The Sunshine Boys enlisted Tony Randall as Lewis, Jack Klugman as Clark, and Matthew Arkin as Ben. This time too, The Sunshine Boys revival focused on aging Al Lewis and Willy Clark, a one-time vaudevillian team known as Lewis and Clark.

To the most surprise is the fact that they both, over the course of forty-odd years, not only grew to hate each other but never spoke to each other off-stage throughout the final year of their act. Affirming Simons penchant for stories featuring whimsically crotchety old men, the script of the Broadway honored a time when actual jokes were an integral aspect of humor.

Neil Simon was inspired by two venerable vaudeville pairs: Lewis and Clark and Smith and Dale. The longevity of Lewis and Clark was inspired by Smith and Dale who, unlike their theatrical counterparts, were lifelong friends. While, the undercurrent of hostility between Lewis and Clark was inspired by Gallagher and Shean.

This couple was successful professionally but argumentative personally. Willy Clark, who was not ready for retirement, hated Lewis for breaking up the act when he opted to leave show business. In 1972, CBS invited the team to reunite for a special on the history of comedy, with the pair representing the vaudeville era at its best.

Ben, Clarks nephew convinced Clark to revive one of the old routines one last time. Though side-splitting laughter is rare, a steady chuckle continually rolled through the audience which also occasionally culminates in moments of hilarity.

Much of the humor is derived from efforts to get the two bad-tempered actors, Lewis and Clark, into the same room for a rehearsal, their differences of opinion once they reunite, and their shenanigans on the actual broadcast. Having adorable old people as actors tends to lower the necessity for strong acting. Any shortcoming may be forgiven on the basis that the duo is just so darn cute.

Like The Sunshine Boys vaudeville act itself, however, one character cannot take the credits of the show alone. There were also the contributions of other characters putting together such a tremendous show that you would love to watch it over and over again.

Eddie Kehler, playing a character of Ben, is providing more than just fodder for Lindens heckling. With an appropriately greasy sheen, Eddie Kehler had the shrill, fast-talking quality of a used car salesman with no immoral undertones. Get your tickets to this must-see show and be amazed with sparkling dialogues that exist between Clark and Lewis.

The Sunshine Boys repartee is made effective by the acting prowess of Miller and Linden. Despite these three who are going to dominate the majority of the stage, each of the few minor characters will feature his unfailing performance that will live up to the high precedent set for them.

With no overt sexual humor penetrating as much, The Sunshine Boys comedy is capable of enlivening even the most flaccid of audience members. You dont believe us, go watch it and experience it for yourself!