Michael H. Small and Peter Librach Photo by George Wentzler

Major credit is due Michael Leeds who directs with an eye to comedic detail and nuance and keeps the rollicking piece moving along for the riotous two hours. That said, the main reason to see the show is the brilliance of lead performer Michael H. Small's portrayal of Willie Clark. This is a performance that is simply not to be missed. More about Mr. Small later.

The Sunshine Boys is Simon's love letter to the "old" comedy duos of yore. In this case, it's Lewis and Clark, masters of the Jewish schtick of vaudeville. They were a huge success decades ago and in the interim, have not said one word to each other due to what boils down to a simple misunderstanding. Clark's nephew Ben Silverman (Ben Sandomir) is Willie's agent and desperate to get Willie and Al (Peter Librach) back together for a very lucrative TV appearance. This is almost impossible due to the degree of loathing on both sides.

The first act consists of Ben's pleading with his uncle in Willie's depressing hotel room, designed with his usual degree of professionalism by Michael McLain, and the reunion of the two old partners. Act one is the funnier of the two, and the matinee audience I attended with were hysterical in reaction to many of the lines and quick to go quiet so as not to miss the following one. I have always thought Sunshine was Simon's funniest work because, rather than the humor coming from situation, he has lavishly peppered the entire play with jokes and laugh lines. The happy ending of the first act is that the men agree to perform their skit and the reunion is on.

Act two shows the TV program where they perform the "Doctor Sketch" in wonderful fright wigs along with the ubiquitous buxom bimbo nurse, wonderfully played by Jeanine Gangloff, and an Abe Vigoda doppelganger, George Schiavone, as the hapless patient. As luck, or Simon, would have it, Willie suffers a heart attack at the studio after he and Al "get into it," yet again. The last scene of the play is back in Willie's hotel room, attended by Mr. Simon's personal take on the iconic Nurse Ratched, played to droll perfection by Vickie Klein. Suffice to say that all ends well and the audience exits the theatre surrounded by the warmth of how theatre used to be: beautifully crafted and magnificently performed.

Peter Librach has the "quieter" leading role of the two, as Al. A master of underplaying, he rises to Mr. Small's level and is a worthy sparring partner for him. Interestingly, in the past, Librach has also played Willie. His Al is touching and sensitive, the antithesis of Willie, and the two characters' personalities meld into one, which is why their act was as classic as it was.

Ben Sandomir has the most difficult role in the play, as Willie's nephew. The role is essentially a cipher, but Sandomir manages to convey Ben's love for his uncle as well as gain the sympathies of the audience. This is a perfect example of an actor getting into the role and becoming the character.

Back to Michael Small. I doubt if there will be a funnier, more touching portrayal in South Florida this season, than that of his Willie Clark. The play is in the Stage Door's smaller, 150 seat theatre, all the better to watch the slightest emotion flicker across his face. Mugging, when called for, he knows when just the tilt of his head or the lift of an eyebrow can silently convey a paragraph of dialogue.

This is a huge hit for Broward Stage Door and I can only hope that it is extended to give more people the opportunity to be entertained and touched by such a truly memorable production. I, for one, will definitely be returning.

The Sunshine Boys plays through September 24th, 2017, at The Broward Stage Door Theatre located at 8036 West Sample Road, in Margate, Florida. For tickets, call 954-344-7765 or visit their website at www.stagedoorfl.org.