The freshman of MTA were in the audience of a preview performance of Yeshiva College Drama Society’s spring production, ‘The Boys Next Door.’ The performance portrayed the lives of four men with developmental disabilities living in a group home. The students were briefed before the show that the purpose was not to demean or mock the characters, rather, to show what challenges those with disabilities face and how even simple situations can be incredibly taxing or even impossible to them. At the same time, the show was meant to be humorous. It invoked empathy for the characters while at the same time offering humorous episodes.

YCDS has partnered with organizations that care for those with special needs, such as Libenu, and a portion of the proceeds from the show are being donated to support those organizations. The drama society is advocating for a greater understanding of and support for the special needs community.

Though maintaining a proper balance in such subject matter is difficult, YCDS did not disappoint. The acting was superb, and the result was a poignant, hilarious, and moving play that really made the students think of what it means to be ‘normal.’ ‘The Boys Next Door’ gave the audience members insight into the lives of those less fortunate than them; the students left with a deeper understanding and feeling of connectedness than they had before.

By David Tanner