by Tom Griffin

You may laugh. You may cry. You will think.

Please Note when selecting seats, the front row is closest to the words"Left/Right Side Stage to Top Section Pricing"

THE STORY: The place is a communal residence in a New England city, where four mentally handicapped men live under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly “burned out” young social worker named Jack.

Norman, who works in a doughnut shop and is unable to resist the lure of the sweet pastries, takes great pride in the huge bundle of keys that dangles from his waist. Lucien P. Smith has the mentality of a four-year-old but imagines that he is able to read and comprehend the weighty books he lugs about. Arnold, the ringleader of the group, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer, who suffers from deep-seated insecurities and a persecution complex. Barry, a brilliant schizophrenic, fantasizes that he is a golf pro.

The story spans a period in the daily lives of these four, where “little things” sometimes become momentous (and often very funny). There are moments of great poignancy when we are reminded that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in the brief time that they, like their more fortunate brothers, are allotted on this earth.

Cast

Senator Clark . . . . . . . Tim Smailes

Mr. Corbin . . . . . . . .Jenzen Harris

Mrs. Fremus . . . . . . . . Abbie Brown

Mr. Hedges . . . . . . .  Kiernan Lynch

Barry Klemper . . . . . . .Adam Lambert

Mr. Klemper . . . . . . . Fred Herrmann

Clara . . . . . . . . . . .Tory Wakelin

Sheila . . . . . . . . . . Emily Brooks

Jack Palmer . . . . . . . . . Sam Ellis

Lucien P. Smith . . . . . .Paul Salinas

Arnold Wiggins . . . . . . . Tom Brooks

Directors . . . . Beth & Tom Brooks

Technical Director . . . . John Coventry

Stage Manager . . . . Abbie Brown

Assistant Stage Manager . . . . Nina Conrad

THE BOYS NEXT DOOR is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com)

Morgan Arts Council, PO Box 248, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 • 304-258-2300The Ice House is located at Independence & Mercer Streets in Berkeley Springs, WV.

The Morgan Arts Council / Ice House provides open access for everyone including persons with disabilities.

For special needs, please call ahead at 304-258-2300. The Ice House is a smoke-free and drug-free environment.

Visit us at MACIceHouse.org