Playmakers Theater of Covington opened its fall season this past Friday with the Neil Simon comedy/ drama “Lost in Yonkers.”

This Tony Award and Pulitzer prize winning play, set in an apartment in Yonkers, N.Y. in 1942 during World War II, is the tale of two teenage brothers left in the care of their grandma. They reluctantly are forced to live with her while their father works as a traveling salesman to pay off a debt to a loan shark he incurred following the death of his wife.

Arty and Jay, the two brothers, both respectively played by the very talented Nicholas Sibley and Alexander Sibley, are charmingly brilliant as they cringe under the yoke of their very intimidating Grandma Kurnitz. So much so that when Arty gets sick, she forces him to drink her horrid mustard soup. Barbara Chitwood is just perfect as the steely Grandma Kurnitz who dominates the stage with her straight pulled back gray hair and a limping walk supported by a feared poking cane.

She has devoted her life to the candy store over which she lives and expects the two brothers to earn their keep by working in the store.

Bella Kurnitz is Grandma’s daughter and the aunt to the two brothers. This character is acted by Paula Leffmann, who as the likable but mentally slow Bella, provides some comic relief. She is very excitable as she prances about longing to marry an usher at the local movie house who lives in a home (she sees a lot of movies) so she can get out from under the wing of Grandma and raise a family of her own.

Grandma’s other daughter, Gert, played by Lisa Erichson, while briefly on stage, is engaging as she breathlessly tries to mediate disputes going on in this dysfunctional family. Graham Greiner plays the brothers’ father, Eddie, with just the right touch of nervousness expected of a man fearful for his life.

Grandma’s son Louie, as acted by McKendree Greiner, is a small-time tough talking henchman for the mob who is enough of a menacing charismatic character that makes it understandable why the two brothers are both fearful and fascinated by him.

The play climaxes with a confrontation among the family members which creates a permanent crevice in this dysfunctional family.?

This outstanding cast was assembled by the director Mark Leonard making his directorial debut for Playmakers.

He has directed and produced more than three dozen shows throughout the United States. Other crew members include Renee Sibley, stage manager; Kaitlyn Sibley, assistant director; assistant managers, Carly Palazzo and Gia Erichson; custumes, Renee Sibley, Carly Palazzo and the cast; set by Mike Sibley, Eric Grenier, Michael Chitwood, the cast and crew; lights and sound, Mike Silbey; sound recording, Perkins Video Productions; publicity, Ellen O’Connell; poster and programs, Wendy Schneider.

“Lost in Yonkers” continues Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3-4 at 8 p.m. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. Sept. 28 and Oct. 5.

For information or ticket reservations, call the Playmakers box office at 893-1671.