The Village Theatre production of Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers" features Jennifer Lee Taylor (left) as Bella and Suzy Hunt as Grandma Kurnitz. Photo by Jay Koh. Property of Village Theatre.

Neil Simon is well-known for writing comedies with a hint of drama like "The Odd Couple" and "The Goodbye Girl." The Village Theatre's latest show, "Lost in Yonkers" by Simon, is a drama that's touched with a few comical moments.

Brian Yorkey, who took home a Tony Award last year for his work on "Next to Normal," directs the play now showing at the Everett Performing Arts Center. The production is the first professionally produced version of the story in the Seattle area in over a decade, and it runs through March 28.

Village Theatre has earned a reputation for excellence with its musical theatre productions, but the company usually includes one non-musical play in its season as well.

The winner of four Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize, "Lost in Yonkers" is a remarkable coming-of-age story. Two young brothers are forced to enter a dysfunctional household consisting of their formidable grandmother, their dim-witted aunt, and their Uncle Louie, a small-time thug. As comical as it is poignant, this Neil Simon masterwork is an examination of lives in an oppressive household, with a dramatic climax that leaves audiences spellbound.

Yorkey's vision for this production is to create a feeling of being within a memory.

"Like so many of Neil Simon's plays, 'Yonkers' is drawn from events in his own life. We wanted to honor that spirit and give the play the feeling of being a childhood memory," Yorkey explained.

Tickets for the show are available at the EPAC box office, 2710 Wetmore Avenue in Everett, or by calling (425) 257-8600. Purchase tickets online at www.villagetheatre.org.