THEATER REVIEW : A Moving ‘Yonkers’ at La Mirada

Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers” has been found in La Mirada.

Scott Rogers’ staging at La Mirada Theatre is a more moving experience than was a matinee by the national touring company, seen last summer at the Doolittle Theatre.

In La Mirada, Jayne Meadows has completely submerged herself in the role of bitter Grandma Kurnitz. You’d never know it was Meadows if you hadn’t seen the publicity or the programs. It’s a rigorously eagle-eyed, saber-toothed performance.

Marisa Redanty is a Bella to break your heart. Her facial features and limbs move as if made of Silly Putty, in contrast to her mother’s granite facade, but she convincingly musters up the fortitude to fight the old woman, at least to a draw.

In fact, as written, Bella wins her initial victory much too easily. The first scene ends with Bella’s insistence that her nephews be allowed to stay in the Kurnitz house, despite her mother’s opposition. Why the old woman capitulates so quickly simply isn’t explained. It seriously undercuts her reputation as the indomitable family tyrant, much too early in the play.

Yet this dramaturgical hole seems less important on second viewing, perhaps because it’s expected this time around. At any rate, the La Mirada cast skillfully works around it.

Gordon Greenberg and Joshua Wiener play the young nephews with comic flair, although Wiener’s accent isn’t quite as authentic as Greenberg’s. As their father, Richard Balin is an expressive mix of courage and desperation.

Peter Kevoian is a big, intimidating Uncle Louie, the family gangster. Carolyn Hennesy shrewdly downplays Aunt Gert’s odd speech problem, and the gag doesn’t seem quite so cheap here.

* “Lost in Yonkers,” La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday matinees, 2:30 p.m. Ends next Sun. $28-$32. (310) 944-9801, (714) 994-6310). Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.