Mask & Mirror Presents ‘The Boys Next Door’ – Dignity Despite Disabilities

213
Cast in photo, left to right, back to front: Jim Coari; Kerry Kehoe; Lauri Monday; Mark Putnam; Dwayne Thurnau; Les Ico; Ted Schroeder.
Cast in photo, left to right, back to front: Jim Coari; Kerry Kehoe; Lauri Monday; Mark Putnam; Dwayne Thurnau; Les Ico; Ted Schroeder.
- Advertisement -

Mask & Mirror Community Theatre proudly presents their production of Tom Griffin’s comedy-drama “The Boys Next Door” on The Stage at Calvin Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Lane, Tigard, opening March 2. Shows play Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm through March 24. There are no Friday performances for this show. Tickets are available online at www.MaskandMirror.com, and are only $15 adults, $12 seniors, students and military.

“The Boys Next Door” explores the triumphs and tears of four disabled men living together in a group home, and their social worker caretaker, who is slowly getting burned out by his job. You’ll fall in love with “The Boys” as the play tells the story of their daily lives, 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 their lives.

The play is directed by Gary Romans, one of the Founders of Mask & Mirror, now in its eighth season. “The play is superbly written,” says Gary. “Each of the boys have their successes and crises, but retain their dignity and humanity. They invite us to laugh along with them – not at them – as they try to navigate a somewhat confusing world.”

“The Boys Next Door” was one of the most produced play in the U.S. in the 1980’s, and is still current, except for some language used that is no longer politically correct.

History has shown that some audiences are uncomfortable with some of the situations depicted, and are afraid to laugh. To help the audience understand the context of the play, Mask & Mirror will host a talkback with the director at each performance; held 15 minutes before the doors normally open.

Mask & Mirror Community Theatre is now in its 8th season of presenting high quality and affordable (no tickets are more than $15) live theatre to the citizens of Tigard and Tualatin – using all-volunteer actors, stage crew and administrators.

Participation and membership is open to all. We welcome experienced performers and theatre “wannabes” – we’ll train you!

- Advertisement -