By: Kate Howard
Posted In: News
Photo credit: Kate Howard
The cast of ´Lost in Yonkers´ poses for a picture.
Photo credit: Kate Howard
Director Rob Kiley makes some last-minute preparations on the set of ´Lost in Yonkers.´
Photo credit: Kate Howard
Fellow actors help senior Mary Hoadley curl her hair for the role of Bella.
Sophomore Rob Kiley will be making his directorial debut with a Stage Fright Theater Company rendition of “Lost in Yonkers” opening Thursday. Dress rehearsals began Tuesday night, and the stagehands put the finishing touches on the set while the actors got into character. Freshman Jessica Kochu made the metamorphosis to a 13-year-old boy and junior Elizabeth Rossi to a wrinkled Grandma over the course of just a couple hours, demonstrating just how wide an acting range they possess. The production, from actors to costumes to set building, is entirely student-run and 16 students are playing active roles in its completion.
Kiley chose to do this play because he acted in it in high school and enjoyed it. A Pulitzer-prize winning play by Neil Simon, “Lost in Yonkers” presents the lives of a Jewish family in 1942, focusing on two young boys who are forced to live with their grandmother and eccentric aunt in Yonkers after their father has a run-in with a loan shark and must leave to make some money. “It’s funny, dramatic, and just really really good,” Kiley said. “The costumes are authentic, and no prop outdates the time period of the play.” The cast and crew managed to decorate the whole set, props and all, for just under $500. “We work on a very limited budget with limited costumes, but it turned out great,” said Kiley. Faculty and staff members have helped by letting the crew borrow costumes and wigs, but the bulk of the work rests on the students in Stage Fright. “All the actors and crew have worked really hard to get this play running in just five weeks,” Kiley said. “We’re really proud of the outcome, and we think the audience will really enjoy the show.” The cast is as follows: James Quagliarello: Jay Jessica Kochu: Arty Elizabeth Rossi: Grandma Mary Hoadley: Bella Frank Nuzzi: Louie Kate Ricci: Gert Greg Luzitano: Eddie “Lost in Yonkers” will be playing at Megley Theater Feb. 26, 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office or call 341-2250.
