Lost in yonkers

Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, Lost in Yonkers is Neil Simon’s most heartfelt work — a coming-of-age story filled with humor, heart, and humanity. Set in 1942, two young brothers are sent to live with their tough grandmother and quirky Aunt Bella in Yonkers, New York, while their father takes a traveling job to pay off family debts. Over the course of the summer, the boys navigate a world of eccentric relatives, learning powerful lessons about family, survival, and love.

Jay (Jacob) – Male, 15–17
The older of the two brothers. Intelligent, responsible, and protective of his younger brother. Forced to grow up quickly due to his family’s struggles.

Arty (Arthur) – Male, 12–14
The younger brother. Witty, curious, and mischievous. Often provides comic relief but is deeply affected by his family’s dysfunction.

Bella Kurnitz – Female, 30s–40s
Sweet, emotionally vulnerable, and childlike in some ways, but full of warmth and yearning for independence. Works in the family candy store and dreams of love and freedom.

Grandma Kurnitz – Female, 60s–70s
The formidable matriarch. Stern, intimidating, and emotionally distant — a survivor hardened by life. Despite her severity, there’s a buried tenderness beneath her tough exterior.

Eddie Kurnitz – Male, 40s–50s
Jay and Arty’s father. Kind, nervous, and loving but financially and emotionally strained. Torn between caring for his sons and fulfilling his obligations.

Louie Kurnitz – Male, 30s–40s
Eddie’s brother. A fast-talking small-time gangster with charm and danger in equal measure. Street-smart and bold, but genuinely cares for his nephews.

Gert Kurnitz – Female, 30s–50s
Eddie’s sister. Timid and anxious, with a speech impediment that surfaces when she’s nervous. A gentle soul caught in the shadow of her domineering mother.