the sunshine boys neil simon artist note: Ted Dykstra Eric Peterson and Kenneth Welsh. The Sunshine Boys. At David French’s funeral, a year and a half ago, these two gents read, together, an excerpt from what David had been working on at the time of his death: a play he had been writing with them specifically in mind. Laughter shook the church to its foundation as they gave us a scene in which two old actors who haven’t seen each other for a time go over their litany of complaints about the business, as well as their failing bodies and minds. I couldn’t help it – I thought of this play. So did Albert Schultz. And so the idea was born. My instinct was that Eric’s “give-me-two-hours-and-I-will-in-alphabetical-order-tellyou-what’s-wrong-with-not-only-the-theatre-but-the-world-itself” energy, and Kenny’s “I-don’t-know-that-I-am-good-enough-to-do-this-and-I’ll-probably-be-terrible-but-Iso-far-have-been-nothing-short-of-pretty-damn-good-in-everything-else” persona were perfect for Willie and Al, the Vaudeville team called The Sunshine Boys. And, I know, in watching them craft this gem in rehearsal – the two completely different approaches, (Eric: It might be this! Or maybe it’s this! How about this? Kenny: If we do it the same twice, I’ll maybe remember what it is we’re doing…) the care, the effort, the craft, the mutual respect, the laughs, the frustrations, the vulnerability, the fear of not living up to all of our expectations of them, and the gradual appearance of an effortlessness that only the finest actors are capable of – I know something that my children can tell you is very rare: I know I was right. My thanks to our incredible creative team, Soulpepper’s always fantastic stage managers, the great crew here, and of course to a supporting cast that only this theatre could deliver to us all. What a pleasure. Enjoy. Laugh, smile, (wistfully sometimes) and leave happier. That’s my hope for you all.
Ted Dykstra, Director of The Sunshine Boys
a message from the artistic director What an honour and a joy it is to have these two giants on our stage together. I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time!
Albert Schultz, Artistic Director