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The Boys Next Door
Tom Griffin
Opening Date:
June 3, 1994
Closing Date:
June 25, 1994
Four men with intellectual disabilities share a group home in a New England city, supported by Jack, a social worker increasingly overwhelmed by his work. Through everyday adventures and moments of tenderness, Tom Griffin's comedy-drama explores dignity, independence, friendship, and belonging.
Cast & Crew
CAST: Arnold Wiggins — Terry Veal; Lucien P. Smith — Marcellus Hankins; Jack Palmer — Nick Backes; Norman Bulansky — James A. Gordon, Jr.; Barry Klemper — Scotty Gannon; Mr. Hedges — Chuck Swann; Mrs. Fremus — Pam Fields; Mrs. Warren — Marilyn Ragan; Sheila — Lilli Bassett; Clara — Pam Fields; Mr. Corbin — Charles Dair; Mr. Klemper — Bob Cross; Senator Clarke — Chuck Swann; Understudy (role unspecified) — Lydia Marie King.
CREW: Director — Kenneth Benton; technical director and set design — Joe Daleo; stage manager — Marilyn Ragan; light board — Sally Noakes; sound board — Lydia Marie King; running crew — Pam Fields; choreographer — Dawn Behrens; business manager — Ron Martin.
Production Notes
Original CST page gives June 25 as closing date; a supplemental June 26 claim conflicts and is not adopted. In his director’s note Kenneth Benton described the show as a celebration of life and noted its original title Damaged Hearts, Broken Flowers. The original page uses historical disability terminology; modern description uses current respectful terminology. Cast and crew duties overlapped for Marilyn Ragan, Pam Fields, and Lydia Marie King. Photo caption identifies Marcellus Hankins, Terry Veal, Nick Backes, Lilli Bassett, and James Gordon. Special thanks: Richard Kleffman; Dr. Laurel Van Horn; Mary Dean; Jonathan Roberts; Choctaw Living Center; Lyn Adams; Jimmy Vaughn; Oklahoma Children’s Theatre; Buster Bassett; Ron Martin; April Harrington. Produced by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
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