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Jennifer Lee Taylor (Bella), Suzy Hunt (Grandma Kurnitz), Collin Morris (Jay), Nick Robinson (Arty). Photo by Jay Koh.

Neil Simon’s classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Lost in Yonkers," is currently gracing the stage at Village Theatre.

Directed by Tony Award-winner Brian Yorkey ("Next To Normal"), the production offers much of the trademark humor Simon is known for, combined with an abundance of moving and poignant moments that never fail to touch the audience.

The show, which centers on the themes of survival, the importance of family and acceptance, is a remarkable coming of age story.

At its center are two young brothers, Arty and Jay, who are forced to enter a dysfunctional household consisting of their formidable grandmother, their dim-witted aunt and their Uncle Louie, a small-time thug.

Simon’s witty dialogue gives the show its comedic elements, but the levels of pain these richly woven characters experience make it dramatic in nature, as well.

Audiences feel a myriad of emotions as they watch the boys struggle within an oppressive household, while learning valuable life lessons.

Nick Robinson and Collin Morris take on the roles of Arty and Jay, respectively. The pair has wonderful chemistry together and terrific comic timing, tossing Simon’s one liners off with aplomb. They make good use of their facial expressions and mannerisms to express the discomfort and youthful awkwardness they feel amid family tensions.

As Bella, the boy’s loveable, childlike aunt, Jennifer Lee Taylor is endearing. Her final confrontation with Grandma is a stunner, full of heart wrenching pathos and true grit.

Suzy Hunt makes a very stern and fearsome Grandma, whose past and present explosively collide, as she is forced to come to some painful realizations about herself and her family.

Mike Dooly and Karen Skrinde bring on the laughs, along with the emotion, as the boys’ Uncle Mike and Aunt Gert. They, too, have suffered at the hands of Grandma and remain damaged goods.

Bradford Farwell takes on the part of Eddie, the boys’ overwrought and conflicted father, who must leave his kids in the hands of his family while he travels across the country, working to pay off the medical bills from his late wife’s illness.

Farwell gives his character the intensity and desperation required of a man that knows he must make a difficult sacrifice. Thoughtful direction, period costumes (Melanie Burgess) and a creative set design (Bill Forrester) help to bring Simon’s provocative script to life with memorable results.

"Lost in Yonkers" runs through February 28 at Village Theatre in Issaquah. For ticket information: (425) 392-2202 or 866-688-8049. The show will also run March 5 – 28 at the Everett Performing Arts Center. For ticket information: (425) 257-8600 or 888-257-3722. More information is available at www.villagetheatre.org.