I Do Believe It's Time For a LOST IN YONKERS Revival

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 10:59am

It's been over two decades since this was on Broadway and it's time we see it again. Bella is one of the greatest characters written for a play and there are SO many amazing actresses who could really sink their teeth into this role. 

[LarryD2]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:13am

Cast Nina Arianda as Bella, Alessandro Nivola as Eddie, and Mercedes Ruehl as Grandma and I'll buy a ticket.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:14am

After the double whammy failure of BBM and BB, not likely.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:16am

If David Cromer couldn't revive interest in Simon I don't know if anybody can.  

[Kad]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:17am

If it's anchored by a bankable name, it could happen. It's probably Simon's best play.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:24am

Drew Barrymore as the daughter, Judi Dench as the mother. Matt Dillon as Louie.

[aj88]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:24am

I was saddened by how the Brighton Beach/Broadway Bound combo died so fast, because those are probably the most sentimental of my Simon favorites.

I would agree that Lost in Yonkers may very well be his best work, and I would hope that a great revival with some respectable and worthy names could be a success.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 11:59am

I saw the original production and the film, again only recently. It would be interesting to see a take on Bella that's very different from the (brilliant) Ruhl prototype.  Lucie Arnaz was successful, but basically cloned Ruhl's performance.  Someone like Carrie Coon or Amy Ryan.  Lily Rabe.  Sally Hawkins. 

[Falling]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 12:05pm

I would love Nina Arianda as Bella! I've thought of her for that part (my favorite Simon role) for AGES now. I thought Andrea Martin might be a fascinating grandmother (I know, most of the women who've played the role are relatively physically imposing, but I just love Martin's stage presence and feel she might bring an interesting dynamic to that part). Another grandmother possibility is Linda Lavin, Angela Lansbury (a longshot and really not RIGHT for that part), or Judi Dench (but I thought I read she can't do plays any longer due to her failing eyesight). Another thought I had was Vanessa Redgrave as the grandmother. But Arianda would be an incredible Bella. She is not the 'usual' type I don't think and she's always fresh in everything she does-I like her a lot. Nivola as Eddie-yes please. How about the little boy from Fun Home (Oscar) as Jay? (just a thought...he kind of looks like that character in the film).

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/9/15 at 1:52pm

I thought about Elisabeth Moss for the daughter, but she wasn't able to pull in the crowds for The Heidi Chronicles.  But I still think she could do a good job with the role.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 1:07pm

I still really want this!!

[BobPopa]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 3:24pm

Roundabout should do this at the American Airlines and then it can be billed limited engagement allowing it to fail or extend if it succeeds

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 3:37pm

Nina Arianda would be a brilliant Bella, but she wouldn't sell tickets and you certainly wouldn't build a commercial revival around her (unless you found a big name for Grandma or Louie). Maybe a top regional theater could get her to do it. I'd travel across the country to see Arianda play that role. 

[Hellob]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 4:08pm

That was my first show ever! 

[smidge]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 4:27pm

Jordan always comes up with these great ideas for revivals and I wish a damn producer would listen to him!

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 6:59pm

I love this show, so I would love to see it on the boards again. Nina Arianda would do the role of Bella justice and there's a wealth of talent that could take on Grandma.

[Here I Am]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 6:28am

They haven’t cast Bella yet.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Rita-Gardner-Joins-Cast-Tim-Realbutos-LOST-IN-YONKERS-Revival-20181126

[LarryD2]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 9:18am

Here I Am said: "They haven’t cast Bella yet.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Rita-Gardner-Joins-Cast-Tim-Realbutos-LOST-IN-YONKERS-Revival-20181126"

They're describing this as a revival, but it's a one-night-only staged reading for charity. I doubt it will lead to anything more.

I imagine that were an actual revival to happen, they would try to get Mercedes Ruehl to sign on as Grandma.

[Here I Am]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 11:16am

That would be so awesome! Maybe they tried but she couldn’t commit to this now because of her Torch Song schedule.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 1:07pm

LarryD2 said: "Cast Nina Arianda as Bella, Alessandro Nivola as Eddie, and Mercedes Ruehl as Grandma and I'll buy a ticket."

That sounds great.

But the Simon show I'd most like to see revived is Sunshine Boys.  Henry Winkler as Willy.  Unfortunately some of the best Als I can think of have likely been #metoo'd out - Tambor and Hoffman.  DeVito recently did it; I assume he was and would be great.

 

[Here I Am]

Posted: 11/29/18 at 11:49pm

This is the casting news I’ve been waiting for since I heard about this. Bella is one of the great roles for a woman in the American theatre.

Seems an interesting choice, not my first choice, but then again I’ve only seen her in Side Show. She might be very good. I just grabbed a $25 seat out of curiosity and just to see the play again.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Erin-Davie-Joins-Tim-Realbuto-In-YONKERS-20181129

Updated On: 11/29/18 at 11:49 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 11/30/18 at 8:48am

"Who can say if it's time for a LOST IN YONKERS revival?

I do believe it's time for a LOST IN YONKERS revival

But-

Because I knew you

Because I knew you

Becauuuuuse I knew you...

I have been changed

Into a LOST IN YONKERS revival."