Arnold Wiggins
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rich Kropp

Lucien P. Smith
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charles Berglund

Jack
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Cunningham

Norman Bulansky
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Maurer

Barry Klemper
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Musachio

Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin, Senator Clarke
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Williams

Mrs. Fremus, Nurse, Senator
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Belda

Mrs. Warren, Clara
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Wisthuff

Sheila
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephanie Abramowitz

Mr. Klemper
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Dempsey

Dramaturg’s Diary
By Bryon Abramowitz

The subject of developmentally challenged individuals is one that is quite fascinating to study. Recognizing that a discussion of this topic can easily meander into stereotypes and misconceptions, I will make every effort to steer clear of such categorizations. This article is written from a factual perspective, intended to help the audience better understand the conditions which impact the characters in Tom Griffin’s The Boys Next Door.

It is first necessary to distinguish between mental retardation and mental handicap. Mental retardation is a legal and administrative concept. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R), the standard psychological reference guide on this topic, the primary difference between “mental retardation” and “dementia” is exclusively the age in which the onset is diagnosed. While mental retardation is a lifelong affliction, dementia is viewed as an elderly condition. Mental retardation is a condition which generally is evident in infancy, childhood or adolescence. It can be categorized by three primary observations; intellectual quotient of 70 or less (average IQ is 100), coupled with defects or impairment of adaptive functioning, and onset prior to the age of 18. While there are instances where the condition is diagnosed after the 18th birthday, these cases are rare and would most likely be diagnosed as dementia. Mental handicap occurs where social handicap, social inadequacy or behavioral disturbance is associated with an intellectual deficit which requires special services or treatment.

Over the years medical science has advanced greatly not only in the quality of treatment for individuals who suffer from this ailment but also in the philosophical aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Prior to modern times the classification of this population was somewhat controversial by today’s standards. As a part of my research for this article, I came across medical writings from 1882 where patients with developmental challenges are referred to as imbeciles, idiots, and feeble-minded. In the 1900’s the diagnosis and treatment of individuals impacted with this affliction changed. Starting in the 1930’s affected children were no longer sent to “institutions” but rather handled through more mainstream educational institutions. This represented a major shift in society’s view of this impacted population. Progressively from the 1930’s to present time, we as a society have made tremendous strides in our acceptance of individuals with challenges as well as the standards of treatment.

Approximately 2% of the global population is believed to be impacted by this condition, of which at least half of this group is not receiving any form of assistance or special treatment. In the USA, approximately 75% of all cases of developmental disabilities reported are considered to be mildly or moderately disabled. Additionally, the condition impacts males with a greater frequency than females.

While there has been much debate and study on this topic, the most frequent comparison of those who are affected with this condition is to that of a child. The functional capacity of people with moderate disability can be compared to that of an 8 to 10 year old child. While those with mild cases of developmental challenges usually are aware that they are different than those around them, many with moderate or more severe cases often times are unaware of the nature of their affliction and do not comprehend how they may differ from others.

In The Boys Next Door, playwright Tom Griffin shows us first hand the duality of the individuals with a mental handicap. Quite simply, Griffin shows us how even the most simple aspects of daily life can be made much more complex when dealing with the challenges that the characters in this story face. At times the most routine tasks that we perform on a daily basis become insurmountable obstacles to those with developmental disabilities.

While throughout the years medical science’s diagnosis, classification, and treatment of individuals who are affected with development disabilities may have changed, some things haven’t. The afflicted population often goes through life unaware of the stresses that we all face on a daily basis – fear of terrorism, stress from work, concerns about financial independence and other challenges. Many are just happy to be happy, which is something that we all can learn from.

More Photos

Director
Jack Phillips

Technical Director
Thad Hallstein

Stage Manager
Darla Goudeau

Assistant Stage Manager
Karen Arnold

Costume Designers
Lori D’Asta, Andrea Imes

Costume Crew
Cindy Blaczak, Carol Dapogny, Mary Dempsey, Joyce Love, Amanda Ragan, Meredith Schilksy, Jane Stacey, Julie Suarez

Dramaturg
Bryon Abramowitz

Hospitality Chair
Carol Clarke

Hospitality Crew
Rosemary Beale, Carole Borg, Jack Calvert, Karol Calvert, Brian Centers, Mary Clarke, Roger Clarke, Eileen Duban, Bonnie Hilton, Karen Holbert, Dennis Hudson, Mike and Pat Huth, Andrea Imes, Donna, Eleanor and Rich Kanak, Jan Mahlstedt, Arlene Page, Janel Palm, Rick Pavia, Katie Pecis, Jan Quinn, Ginny Richardson, Joan Roeder, Nancy Schifo, Mary Smith, Jane Stacy, Dick and Charron Traut, Gregg Valek, Susan Waldschmidt, Gini Welch

Lighting Designer
Sue Kuehnhold

Lighting Crew
Linda Bugielski, Tom Gess

Makeup Designer
Mary Pavia

Makeup Crew
Information coming soon

Properties Designers
Peggy Carlson, Susan Remy

Properties Crew
Ed Belda, Eileen Crow, Bill FitzGerald, Dennis Hudson, Karla Hudson

Set Construction Chair
Rob Snyder

Set Construction Crew
Bob Erck, Mark Favoino, Mike Huth, Amanda Ragan

Set Designer
Thad Hallstein

Set Painting Chairs
Cassandra Johnson Locke, Rick Pavia

Set Painting Crew
Carol Clarke, Ceri Hartnett, Donna Kanak, Mary Pavia, Lori Proksa, Patti Roeder, Sandy Squillo

Sound Designer
Martha Niles

Sound Crew
Liz Steele

Box Office Chair
Mary Ellen Schutt

Box Office Crew
Ed Barrow, Kelli Kopp, Lori Proksa, Patti Roeder

House Manager Chair
Bill Wilson

House Managers
Information coming soon

Front Row Center Flyer
Joe Petrolis

Group Sales Chair
Betsy Stiles

Poster Distribution
Kathleen Kusper

Production Coordinator
Jon Mills

Program Advertising
Peggy Carlson

Publicity Chair
Stacy Mazzula

Program Editor
Ed Barrow

Program Production
Stephanie Williams

Website
Judy DiVita

Director’s Corner
By Jack Phillips

The author of tonight’s play, Tom Griffin, spent many years working with challenged men and women. He decided to dramatize his experiences in this wonderful work. While his frustrations grew, as happens to his alter-ego Jack Palmer in the play, Mr. Griffin was still able to see the wonderful humor in the way his charges look at life. Changes in government supported social organizations have meant that we see more people who might have been institutionalized in the past living and working among us. The term “mainstreamed” describing such a person as being integrated has even entered our vocabulary. We are often quick to make judgments. We hope to entertain you today and we hope even more that the insights the author offers stay with you long after the laughter has died away.