'Boys Next Door' opens first weekend with box office success

The Springfield Community Players production of "The Boys Next Door," written by Tom Griffin, opened Aug. 17 and 18 with audiences laughing and standing in their seats applauding, and will continue this weekend.

www.eagletimes.com

Boys Next Door' opens first weekend with box office success 'Boys Next Door' opens first weekend with box office success The cast of "The Boys Next Door" will perform again this weekend, on Aug. 24 and 25. COURTESY SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Springfield Community Players production of "The Boys Next Door," written by Tom Griffin, opened Aug. 17 and 18 with audiences laughing and standing in their seats applauding, and will continue this weekend. Director John MacDonald noted that he was surprised by their reaction, saying “I knew there was a chance the audience would understand and support the main characters, Norman Bulansky played by Springfield resident Todd Hutchinson, Arnold Wiggins and Barry Klemper played by real life brothers Dmitri and Andy Freeman, and Lucien P. Smith played by SCP veteran Tuck Wunderle of Bellows Falls, but to have the reactions we have seen over the past weekend was amazing.” "The Boys Next Door" is a play by Tom Griffin, first produced in the 1988/89 season. Set in the Boston area, it deals with four men with various mental disabilities who live in a group home. It takes place over roughly a two-month period and consists of brief vignettes about the men's lives. The play provides a humorous commentary on the men's lives, taking a surprising turn as Barry's father comes to visit and as Jack accepts a new job. It was adapted into a television film in 1996 by Hallmark Entertainment starring Tony Goldwyn, Courtney Vance, Nathan Lane, Robert Sean Leonard, and Mare Winningham. "The Boys Next Door" continues to play this weekend with performances on Aug. 24 and 25 with both shows starting at 7:30 p.m. and doors opening at 7 p.m. The Springfield Community players is located at 165 South St. in Springfield. advertisement Tickets may be purchased online by visiting the SCP website at springfieldcommunityplayers.org/tickets or by calling the Ticket Box Office (866) 967-8167 (12-8 p.m.). Tickets may also be purchased at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices are $12 for senior / students and $15 for general admission.