“The Boys Next Door” opens Oct. 16

PLU’s School of Arts and Communication and the Department of Communication & Theatre present The Boys Next Door by Tom Griffin, directed by Jeff Clapp. The production opens in Eastvold Auditorium of the Karen Hille Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on October 16, 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30pm and October 26 at 2pm.

This touching, funny play focuses on the lives of four disabled men in a communal residence living under the watchful eye of a sincere, but ‘burned out’ young social worker. Mingled with scenes from their daily lives, where ‘little things’ sometimes become momentous (and often funny), are moments of great poignancy when, they
remind us that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find purpose in this world.

“I believe that Tom Griffin wrote The Boys Next Door with the intention that the play would remind society that people with disabilities are not broken people—that disabled persons can feel, judge, dream, and love just as well as any person,” Jeff Clapp, director, writes.

Clapp and cast members will have a talk back after the performance on Friday, October 24 to discuss some of the subjects and sensitivities the production brings to light.

Tickets can be purchased though the Community Box Office on the first level of the Anderson University Center or call 253-535-7411. Tickets are for open seating and are $8 General Admission, $5 Senior Citizen and Alumni, $3 PLU Community, any student ID, and 18 and under. Students with a valid student ID get in free October 16 for a student preview