Audiences visited the bittersweet world of mentally challenged men living together in a group home served by a social worker whose own life is unfolding in unpredictable ways. Each resident has his own eccentricities, yet contributes to the benefit of the others who live with him. The Boys Next Door is a journey of the heart – it will help one and all understand the nature of change. 

By Tom Griffin

Directed by Skip Becker

Produced by Patrick Seeley

April 23 - 26, 30 - May 3, 2009

Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 pm

Sundays at 2:00 pm

Tickets were $15 for teens/adults

$13 for kids 12 and under

Meet the cast

Tom Adams (Mr. Hedges)

Making his first ever theatrical appearance, Central Pennsylvania native Tom Adams is recognized by his peers in the bluegrass music genre as one of its premier instrumentalists. A co-recipient of the IBMA 2007 “Recorded Event of the Year” award with actor/musician Steve Martin and the legendary Earl Scruggs, Tom has performed at venues from Carnegie Hall to A Prairie Home Companion to the Kennedy Center, as well as television appearances with multi-Grammy winners Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss. 

Don Bowman (Lucien Smith)

Build a better Mousetrap and actors will beat a path to your door. Don enjoyed his first experience with Hershey Area Playhouse so much, playing the mysterious Mr. Paravicini in last fall’s Christie classic, he came back for a second helping. And he’s delighted to work with another extraordinary cast and crew. From the uncharted wilds of Lebanon County, Don is a member of the Lebanon Community Theatre Board and serves as one of its Artistic Directors.

Cyndi Camp (Mrs. Warren)

Cyndi has lived in the Harrisburg area since 1997. She has a degree in biology from Allegheny College and has worked in medical research and as manager of her husband's physical therapy practice. She is an avid fly fisher, gardener and general outdoors enthusiast. She sings in the choir of Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey. This is her acting debut.

Eddie Costik (Norman Bulansky)

As co-owner of Middletown Lumber, his company has garnered several national and international awards for their marketing campaigns. A character actor, Eddie was last seen at Hershey Area Playhouse as Doc Gibbs in Our Town and has appeared in 27 productions with Theatre Harrisburg and Open Stage in roles as diverse as Speed in The Odd Couple to Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. No stranger to musical theatre, he was asked to reprise his role as Amos in Chicago at the Whitaker Center for the Performing Arts. A graduate of Shippensburg State College, he A) has been married for 32 years, B) has three adult children, C) is expecting his first grandchild.

Tom Curry (Mr. Corbin)

Tom is a Hershey Area Playhouse Board member and has been involved with performing and theatre most of his life. From Church Choirs and school plays to current Playhouse productions, he loves to be able to take part. He has been seen on stage in seven Hershey Area Playhouse productions and more than a dozen other shows around the area. Tom is pleased to be a part of The Boys Next Door. Best wishes to fellow cast members – you’re the greatest! Thanks to family and friends for all their loving support.

Harry Menear (Senator Clarke)

Harry is a retired antique dealer from Hummelstown. He is thrilled to be making his sixth appearance with Hershey Area Playhouse in The Boys Next Door. He and his wife Lois enjoy singing in the kitchen, flying and ministering at the Hershey Free Church to developmentally challenged adults and in the sanctuary choir. Harry’s favorite roles include Norman Thayer (On Golden Pond), Porter Milgram (Deathtrap) and Paul Miller (Murder at the Howard Johnsons).

Nancy Michel (Sheila)

Nancy is excited and honored to be making her Hershey Area Playhouse debut as Sheila. A lifelong theatre aficionado, The Boys Next Door marks Nancy's return to the stage after 30 years. She appreciates the encouragement and support of her friends and family, particularly fiancé Doug and daughter Beth for literally picking everything up! Nancy would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank all of the geraniums she's ever had the pleasure to know.

John Mohn, Jr. (Arnold Wiggins)

John is thrilled to be making his debut performance with Hershey Area Playhouse. In the past, he has enjoyed performing at the Annville Community Theater and the Ephrata Performing Arts Center in such roles as Charlie Brown (Snoopy!!! and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown), Sonny (Grease!) and the Captain (The Sound of Music). Mondays through Fridays, you can catch John in one of his favorite roles doing a one-man show for an audience of 10-year-olds – he’s a fourth grade teacher.

Paul Murray (Mr. Klemper)

Paul is delighted to be making his first appearance with Hershey Area Playhouse. His checkered theatrical past includes performances at the Fulton Theater with the Co-motion Comedy Improv Troupe and the role of Speed in The Odd Couple at York Little Theater. By day, Paul is Touchpoints Director at Pavone in Harrisburg. Also a fine artist, he is the author and illustrator of four children’s books, published under his pen name, P.D. Murray.

Maxine Oliver (Mrs. Fremus/Clara)

Maxine is thrilled to be back onstage after a hiatus backstage. She sends out a big thank you to her children Emilie and Tim for always allowing Mom to ACT a little zany in real life. Hopefully, you the audience will become magically engaged in this show and enjoy it as much as we, the cast and crew, have enjoyed bringing it to life. To cast and crew – Maxine would like to thank them for letting her be a part of this wonderful adventure. Oh boy!

Stosh Snyder (Barry Klemper)

As a native of Harrisburg, you may have seen Stosh in some of his most recent credits including Over the River and Through the Woods (Nick), The Star-Spangled Girl (Andy), Our Town (George Gibbs), Nunsense: A-Men (Sister Robert Anne), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon) and The Pirates of Penzance (Sergeant of Police); television and film credits include commercials and independent films. He works for Harrisburg Magazine as a Sr. Acct. Executive and is represented by the Harman Agency. Stosh is extremely excited for his June wedding with his fiancée Amy.

Jonathan Thurman (Jack)

Jonathan makes his debut performance with Hershey Area Playhouse in one of his favorite plays. In his younger years, Jonathan preformed locally in such plays as Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Life with Father and The Merry Wives of Windsor before continuing his Education at HACC and AMDA in New York. While in NYC, He performed mostly in student films until landing the role of a life time: Audience Member #413 in School of Rock (he’s the guy in the green ). Jonathan is proud to be working with such a talented cast and crew and hopes you enjoy tonight's show.

Photography by Terry Farrell

Skip Becker (Director)

Skip is the founder of Hershey Area Playhouse (1999) and the Titusville, PA Community Theater (1969). Skip has directed more than 200 shows for colleges, community theatres, churches, high schools and…fire companies. Skip directed Hershey Area Playhouse’s 2002 production of The Guys which was staged in an equipment bay of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company. It ran for five sold out nights. He directed Hershey Area Playhouse’s first musical, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and, later, The Wizard of Oz. He directed Our Town which opened the “home” for Hershey Area Playhouse in 2007.

The residents: Norman (Eddie Costik), Lucien (Don Bowman),
Barry (Stosh Snyder) and Arnold (John Mohn, Jr.)

Barry (Stosh Snyder) and his Dad (Paul Murray)

Norman (Eddie Costik) and Sheila (Nancy Michel) enjoy a picnic

The cast of The Boys Next Door

Standing: Harry Menear, Cyndi Camp, John Mohn, Jr., Jonathan Thurman,
Tom Curry, Tom Adams, Stosh Snyder

Seated: Maxine Oliver, Don Bowman, Nancy Michel, Ed Costik, Paul Murray