We asked the young actors who play brothers Jay and Arty in Lost in Yonkers to share their thoughts on the experience at various stages of the production. Here is what they wrote while still in rehearsals:
Alistair Sewell (Jay)
Alistair is a student from Madison, WI who is living in Evanston during rehearsals and the run for Lost in Yonkers.
So far, living in Chicago and working with Northlight Theatre has only been an enjoyable experience. In Madison, I completed all required high school credits in mid-March, thus ending my senior year of high school. It feels strange to be acting without the blessed company of homework. I enjoy living in Evanston and familiarizing myself with a few local favorites, including Brothers K Coffeehouse just below our apartment, the Chicago-Main Newsstand, an incredible fossil collection found in the basement of a fascinating rock shop, and frequent walks through the neighborhood down to the lake.
Working with the company at Northlight has been a joy to say the least. Director Devon de Mayo, Assistant Director Heather Townsend, and Dialect Coach Eva Breneman deliver notes with a positive attitude and sustain a lighthearted atmosphere throughout all rehearsals (beginning the day with our game of “Duct Ball” is partly responsible for this). The wonderful staff and acting alongside a great cast has made the rehearsal process fly by. I look forward to the next week of runs and performing in front of an audience.
Sebastian W. Weigman (Arty)
The rehearsal process has been extremely invigorating. Devon has been an amazing comrade in my intense and personal journey passing through Yonkers. She constantly caters to an inviting rehearsal environment, covering all bases, leaving little to question. She really invokes a wonderful experience on-stage (and off for that matter). She establishes a seamless connection with her actors, as if we all run on some same wavelength. It helps the process as well to have an all-star cast. The entire company has a great dynamic. I have learned so much from each and every one of my fellow actors throughout the rehearsal process and I am thrilled to pick up even more as we head into the run. God knows that this play is an absolute [bless Neil Simon’s heart] mathematical and chronological nightmare in places. But we’ve really honed in on the writing and the intention with Lost In Yonkers. I’ve never found myself feeling the lack for something with all of the incredible resources we’ve been given. The best way to describe my experience rehearsing in this wonderful space would be: efficient, consistent, and quite simply, fun.
