The Players Guild at Sugar Hill is bringing a two-act play written by American playwright Neil Simon to the Eagle Theatre stage.
“‘The Sunshine Boys’ is the story of Al and Willie, who were top-billed vaudevillians for over 40 years. Now they aren’t even speaking,” said Ane Mulligan, managing director for the Players Guild. “When CBS requests them for a ‘History of Comedy’ retrospective, Willie’s theatrical agent nephew tries to reunite him with his long-time stage partner, Al, for a TV reunion, resulting in a flood of memories, miseries and laughs.”
Having not spoken to one another in more than a decade, the duo must remaster their sketch while working through their issues. The two have an opportunity to reunite, but not without a struggle.
“It’s also a wonderful character study about growing old, filled with laughter and poignant moments,” Mulligan said of the play.
Directing “The Sunshine Boys” is Suwanee resident Martha Wright.
“She has a wonderful touch for comedy,” Mulligan said. “Every director loves a good script, and Neil Simon’s are some of the best.”
Wright had originally proposed the play to the Guild’s board for consideration.
“I had always found it to be a very nice way to show a friendship of two people that lost each other along the way and came back to find each other in a sense,” she said.
A cast of seven on-stage actors, an unseen TV director, and a voiceover actor, voicing the part of an announcer, will bring the humor and heart of the play to life with the help of a seven-member stage crew working behind the scenes handling lighting, sound, set changes, props and more.
“Attendees can expect top notch actors,” Mulligan said. “They will laugh and perhaps shed a tear or two.”
“The sweet, serious moments will sneak up on (audiences),” Wright added. “It’s a surprise, a delightful one.”
If you go
- What: “The Sunshine Boys,” presented by the Players Guild at Sugar Hill
- When: Friday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 15, and Friday, Aug. 20-Sunday, Aug. 22
- Where: The Eagle at Sugar Hill, 5029 W. Broad St., Sugar Hill
- Cost: $15 to $20
- For more information: Visit eagleatsugarhill.com/event/the-sunshine-boys/
