By SARALEE HUNTSMAN
Provo Theatre Company's opening night of 'The Boys Next Door' evoked a wide spectrum of emotional responses -- something very few plays can master. Tears of joy turned to tears of anger and sadness -- and then back to happiness again throughout the play.
'The play is blended just like it is in life -- things aren't all a comedy or all a drama,' cast member Nancy Heaton said.
'The Boys Next Door' is about four mentally handicapped young men living together in their own apartment as part of a program to help them interact with society. They have a supervisor, Jack, who looks after them everyday and treats them like a best friend.
The play presents the joys, sorrows, frustrations and silly antics that happen in the day-to-day life of each boy. Some scenes are hilarious and others are tender and moving.
'I think differences in human beings are something we should celebrate rather than be afraid of,' director Charles L. Frost said. 'I do not like the word `tolerate'-- I think its a disgusting word. If you could just tolerate somebody, how good is that? You almost shouldn't even try if all you can get to is tolerating human difference.'
The cast assumed the roles of mentally and physically handicapped people. The character of Norman is not coherent all the time and speaks more slowly than the other boys. Arnold and Lucien are mentally retarded and Barry is a schizophrenic who believes he is a golf pro.
Chris Lott, who plays Norman, said he prepared for his role by remembering mentally handicapped people from his past who he had observed carefully.
'It has made me think about what I value, how I value others and what I would define as a normal person,' Lott said. 'Norman feels sadness. I feel sadness -- we feel the same things.'
Heaton performed the role of Sheila, Norman's girlfriend. Sheila is physically handicapped with a paralyzed right hand and crippled left foot. It was touching to see how Norman never cared about or noticed her physical impairments.
Playwright Tom Griffin painted lively and touching scenes. When the audience wasn't laughing, they were too caught up in the scene to make any noise.
'There are some authors that their writing gives you all you need and Tom Griffin is one of them,' Heaton said.
Frost chose to direct 'The Boys Next Door' because he feels it is a wonderful piece of literature that people aren't going to see elsewhere.
'Tom Griffin is not a well-known playwright, but he has written characters that are absolutely real. The four boys are all riveting in their differences. He has written very believable dialogue for four extremely dimensional characters,' Frost said.
The cast is made up of many seasoned performers who were once taught by Frost. Heaton said there isn't a weak link in the cast because every member has been focused on the same goal. Heaton also said the director was the best she has ever worked with.
'The Boys Next Door' is playing now through March 31 at the Provo Theatre Company located at 100 N. and 105 E. in Provo. Performances are every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $12.50 and $15 with student and group discounts of $2.50 a seat. Student rush tickets are also available. Contact the box office at 379-0600 for tickets and more information.