Mike Ricci's Production of
The Boys Next Door

Cast

Arnold Wiggins (a resident)	. . .	Joe Galatz
Lucien Percival Smith (a resident)	. . .	Kevin Thompson
Jack Palmer (the group home supervisor	. . .	Jesse Tucker
Norman Bulansky (a resident)	. . .	Aaron Vennerstrom
Barry Klemper (a resident)	. . .	Herbie Smart
Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin, Senator Clark	. . .	Ian Dannehy
Mrs. Fremus, Mrs. Wilson, Clara	. . .	Angela Zaffke
Sheila	. . .	Nina Kampf
Mr. Klemper (Barry's father)	. . .	Timothy P. O'Reilly

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Crew

Stage Manager	. . .	Nicole Watsula
Technical Director/Sound Engineer	. . .	Dan Dolinar
Production Mgr./Asst. Tech. Director	. . .	Mike Ricci
Set Design/Scenic Artist	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Lighting Design	. . .	D. Kelly
Sound Design	. . .	Mike Ricci
Dance Choreography	. . .	Danielle Ricci
Props	. . .	Gretchen Mayer, Michelle Kelly, Mike Ricci
Costumes	. . .	Michelle Kelly, Mike Ricci, cast
Set Construction	. . .	Dan Dolinar, Mike Ricci, Nicole Watsula, Nick Witzman, Ian Dannehy, Antoine White
Backstage Crew	. . .	Leon Fields, Jeremy Whitt, Sammy Lah
Light and Sound SFX Operator	. . .	Dan Dolinar
Billboard Artwork, Poster Design	. . .	Ellie Ricci
Box Office	. . .	Barb Suech, Dorothy Simkins

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Director Notes

What makes a country great? What makes it rise above other places to live? It's been said that a country's greatness is measured by how it treats the least of its citizens - those disenfranchised, poor, or handicapped people who, through no fault of their own, find themselves having to overcome sometimes insurmountable obstacles just to live their lives with dignity and grace.

In Tom Griffin's play "The Boys Next Door" we are introduced to several of these citizens - four men with a variety of mental disabilities who live together in a group home. The title suggests that these men are integrated into the community - a suburban setting just outside of a large metropolitan area, a setting, perhaps, not unlike our own community. Mr. Griffin wrote his play basing it largely on his own experiences as a social worker who took care of men just like those he wrote about. Throughout the story, we come to understand the condition of the "boys", and how they cope with everyday life, their hopes and dreams, their small victories and their losses. We also come to see how their lives are, in many ways, no different from ours. We all share the same goals - we just go about getting them in different ways. As Jack, their caretaker shows us, all of the men are treated with respect, as adults. He is firm in his guidance, yet understanding of their various mental health issues, and treats each of them as individuals. Perhaps we can understand his own frustration when he becomes emotionally "burnt out". This kind of work does take its toll. There are many "Jacks" out there - some of them in our audience, some of them in my own classrooms. To these people, we owe a debt of gratitude, because they improve the lives of these important members of our society in a way that connects them to all of us.

For this production, I have had the pleasure of working with many new people - in fact, out of a cast of nine actors; five of them have never been on stage before. What a challenge for them to overcome their own fears and inexperience; and to fully embrace their characters. Two of these actors have had direct experience working in group homes, and their knowledge has helped build bridges for all of us. One thing is for certain, we have all been humbled by this new knowledge and awareness, and it has enriched the lives of us all.

This play is, in many ways, a valentine to all those people with disabilities, both metal and physical, who live each day as if it were a gift to be savored, and to all those wonderful caretakers who give so much of themselves to enrich the lives of these "handicapped" people. Perhaps if we were to ask the question of what makes a country great? it is precisely these people. This play is our gift to all of you.

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Play Photos

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Hibbing Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the Arrowhead University Consortium. Hibbing Community College is accredited by The NCA Higher Learning Commission. Hibbing Community College is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

Mike Ricci's Production of The Boys Next Door

Cast

Crew

Director Notes

Play Photos

Mike Ricci's Production of
The Boys Next Door