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Peer Reviews Visit The Boys Next
Door Entire contents are copyright © 2007 A.S. Waterman. All rights reserved.
Every now and then, a production comes along that reminds us what the performing arts are all about. Clarksville Little Theatre's The Boys Next Door is just such a production. See it now, before time runs out. The theatre community was a-buzz last spring, when Clarksville announced that it would be presenting this challenging work about four mentally handicapped young men living in a group home. Could an organization best known for musicals and ... well, "Theatre Lite" ... pull this off? And would their audiences follow? In choosing this play, Clarksville took a remarkable leap of faith -- and in doing so, has taken a giant step forward. And listen up, Kentuckiana: Great theatre is great entertainment. This play by Tom Griffin, first published in 1983 as Damaged Hearts, Broken Flowers, requires a theatre group to walk a fine line, taking a frank look at the mentally and emotionally challenged while laughing with and not at them. This production succeeds admirably. It is beautifully cast, and director Janet Morris elicits outstanding performances from all of its talented players. Neil Brewer, making his first appearance on Clarksville's stage, yields a breathtaking performance as the complex Arnold, a whirlwind of nervous energy and surprising insights. Brian West, recently seen as Horse in Clarksville's production of The Full Monty, displays amazing range as Lucien P. Smith, a large and powerful man with the mind of a five-year-old, whose interpretation of the outside world is simply, "It's hard." Clarksville regular Kevin Temple is both winsome and poignant as Norman, a hardworking and earnest retarded man making his first overtures toward romance. (Temple explains that he takes his inspiration from an uncle with Down's Syndrome.) A stark contrast to the three of them is provided by Kevin Butler as the schizophrenic Barry, whose high intelligence allows him to walk among the general population while living inside a fantasy world. Daniel Main does a stellar job with the difficult "normal" role of Jack, the counselor who cares deeply about the four of them while struggling to reconcile their needs with the demands of his own life. Veteran actor Mike Seely gives a fine performance as the despicable man who inevitably seals the tragic fate of one of these characters. The Courier-Journal listing [C-J Extra, Nov. 2, 2007] perhaps does this show a disservice in describing it as a comedy. Certainly, Clarksville's production will make you laugh out loud. It will also make you cry, gasp, cheer and, if Friday's opening-night performance proves typical, applaud at many points, long before a scene is over. This production yields powerful glimpses into its characters' souls, and in a manner that is both compelling and extraordinary. There are many aspects that should be seen rather than described. However, here's one surprise I don't mind spoiling: This is Janet Morris' directorial debut! Expect great things from this gifted woman whose first effort is worthy of the masters. And, expect great things from Clarksville Little Theatre, now that it has stepped so triumphantly out of the mold. I'm eagerly awaiting its production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in March. Apart from some intrusive recorded music (it works in television, friends, not on the stage), and Clarksville's ever-infuriating telephone-answering (or, rather, non-answering) system, I had to work hard to do my critic's duty of finding some nits to pick. Beyond that, I can offer only the loudest of praise, while urging you to see this outstanding production while you can. But hurry -- the boys next door are at home only through November 10.
The Boys Next Door By Tom Griffin November 2-10, 2007 Posted November 3, 2007
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