The upcoming play “Lost in Yonkers” will begin showing on Oct. 9 in the Garvin Theatre at City College, presenting a touching story that explores family dynamics and the challenges of growing up. 

“Lost in Yonkers,” a play written by Neil Simon, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1991. The play is set in 1942 in Yonkers, New York, focusing on a Jewish family’s dynamics during World War II. The play captures the challenges faced by families during this turbulent period, highlighting themes of survival, resilience, and the complexities of family relationships.

The play revolves around two brothers, Jay and Arty Kurnitz, who are left with their strict grandmother to navigate a difficult family situation after the death of their mother. Jay, the older brother, struggles with the weight of responsibility and his desire to protect Arty, who is more innocent and naive. 

The production involves a mix of students and community members, including Luke Hamilton, the only City College student in the cast. 

“I think that the childlike aspect I can relate to, [because] I have three brothers. The relationship with the younger brother in this show was much easier [to understand] because I know that dynamic and that was my way in figuring out how to relate to the character,” Hamilton said. 

“This one’s a classic,” Hamilton said. “I read the script right away, and then I really wanted to do it after I read it, because it was really, really well written.” Hamiltons’s enthusiasm for the script highlights the anticipation surrounding the production.

The brotherly relationship depicted in the play serves as a central emotional thread, reflecting themes of loyalty, growth, and the impact of their family dynamics.

“It’s almost like the audience’s way in is through the kids’ eyes,” Hamilton said. 

Director Jonathan Fox decided to bring the play idea to the City College theatre because of his fond childhood memories of watching it often as a child. 

The behind-the-scenes work started in early June, including costume design, casting, and set design. 

The play is set in the character Grandma Kurnitz’s New York house. Since she has lived there for over 30 years, the theatre wanted to make it feel that way to the audience as well. The attention to detail within the play’s set is vital for enriching the audience’s experience and enabling the actors to immerse themselves in their characters fully.

“The costume designer Pamela Shaw, and I talked in general terms about the 1942 [time period] and how we wanted to approach it,” Fox said. “The lights and sound are just now getting put in, and Pam is still doing the costumes, so it’s been a long process for everybody.” 

While auditions and set design started in early June, perfecting the light sound and costume design have been the focus recently. 

Fox also had insight into the set design, incorporating details from the early 40s time period, the use of practical lighting, and the importance of authenticity. In relation to the set, it was fundamental to connect the props to the characters. 

“In terms of the set, because it is 1942, we had to be careful that the furniture looked like it was from that time,” Fox explained. 

Another aspect of the play is casting. Fox explained how crucial it was to understand the differing personalities of the characters. 

“When we went into casting, I had created what’s called a breakdown, which is a description of the characters as I see them,” Fox said.  He added onto this by explaining two characters in the show that play a big role in the play’s development. 

 “While one of the characters, Aunt Bella, is very vivacious and energetic, the grandmother is very stoic, very stern,” Fox said. “Because she dealt with antisemitism in Germany when she was a child and has lost two children in her life.” Background information is extremely important for connecting with a character and by extension, an audience. 

Lost in Yonkers is considered one of Neil Simon’s greatest works and a legendary comic playwright. City College’s adaption hopes to blend complex issues with a theatrical flare and follow the path of two boys navigating a strange new world. 

The showings for this play start on Oct. 9 and go on through Oct. 26 in the Garvin Theatre on City Colleges West Campus. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Box office and the play is open to the entire community of Santa Barbara to enjoy.