If humor today is measured by the number of times one can successfully insert “That’s what she said” into a conversation, then Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” might not qualify as a comedy.
Rather, the play, directed by Jeffrey Hayden, recalls a sense of humor from a different time, one when food shortages were fashionable and “Nazi” was an accepted political standing.
The name “The Sunshine Boys” refers to Willie Clark (Hal Linden) and Al Lewis (Allan Miller), a famous ’30s-era vaudeville duo, acrimoniously separated when Lewis calls it quits before Clark is ready to hear the last laugh.
But after years of sitting in his New York apartment, living only for the obituaries in the weekly Variety, Clark is suckered into a reunion special at the behest of his nephew and agent, Ben (Eddie Kehler).
Reminiscent of another of Simon’s works, “The Odd Couple,” “The Sunshine Boys” affirms Simon’s penchant for stories featuring whimsically crotchety old men. With dialogue predicated on old-fangled one-liners (“What did your father die from?” “My mother”), the script honors a time when actual jokes were an integral aspect of humor.
Though side-splitting laughter is rare, a steady chuckle continually rolled through the audience, occasionally culminating in moments of hilarity.
Having adorable old people as actors tends to reduce the necessity for strong acting ““ as with children or puppies. Any shortcoming may be forgiven on the basis that they are just so darn cute. However, Linden’s scratchy New Yorker ebullience bubbled off the stage and into the audience, sealing his place as the most lovable character of the show.
Like “The Sunshine Boys” vaudeville act itself, however, one character cannot carry the show alone. Eddie Kehler as Ben provided more than just fodder for Linden’s heckling. In explaining Clark’s impact on his stress level, Ben says, “I only have chest pains on Wednesday,” to which Clark retorts, “Then come on Tuesday.” However, Kehler also managed to maintain his own distinct presence. With an appropriately greasy sheen, Kehler had the shrill, fast-talking quality of a used car salesman without the nefarious undertones.
But perhaps the most sparkling dialogue existed between the characters Lewis and Clark, a repartee made effective by the acting prowess of Miller and Linden. The chemistry between the characters could only be forged by equal chemistry between the actors, a feat that the pair pulled off stunningly.
Despite these three dominating the majority of the stage time, each of the few minor characters delivered unfailing performances that lived up to the high precedent set for them. Such fastidious attention to detail truly drew the decisive line between the cute, feel-good event “The Sunshine Boys” could have been and the artistically crafted comedy that it was.
Though overt sexual humor didn’t quite penetrate ““ pun intended ““ the play, “The Sunshine Boys” nevertheless delivered old-fashioned comedy capable of enlivening even the most flaccid of audience members. Which is, of course, what she said.
E-mail Evans at levans@media.ucla.edu