evered playwright Neil Simon won the Pulitzer Prize for drama as well as a Tony in 1991 for his play, “Lost in Yonkers.”

The moving play follows a Jewish family living in Yonkers in 1942. The matriarch of the family is the imposing Grandma Kurnitz, an immigrant from Germany whose lack of affection towards her children has a lasting impact on them, even as adults. The play begins when the recently widowed Eddie goes to his mother’s house to ask if his two children, Jay and Arty, can stay with her while he goes South to try and make money to repay a loan he took out when his wife was ill. Neither Jay nor Arty want to stay with their strict grandmother, but they understand the circumstances their father is in and put on a brave face. Also at the house is Bella, Eddie’s sister, who is 35. Bella is mentally challenged and forgetful, but has stayed with her mother her whole life and takes care of her. “Yonkers” follows Jay and Arty as they adjust to living with their grandmother and Bella and keep track of the different family dynamics in the household.

Jes Almeida shines as Bella. Bella’s forgetfulness brings laughs, but Almeida makes sure to never turn Bella into a farce. The second act of the play focuses on Bella wanting to gain independence from her mother, and those scenes are the real stars of the show. Almeida’s gut-wrenching portrayal of an adult longing for independence, love, and a family of their own will move audiences.

Sheila Sheffield plays Grandma Kurnitz, the stern matriarch who does what she believes is best for her family but has, over the years, isolated her children. Sheffield plays Grandma perfectly, from her accent to her mannerisms. Grandma Kurnitz is a fascinating character who we learn more about as the play progresses.

Frank Cichocki is great as Louie, Jay and Arty’s uncle and one of Grandma Kurnitz’s sons. Louie is a henchman in a shady business who stays at the house while trying to lay low. Cichocki brings a character that could easily be a caricature to life and even makes him likable.

The scenic design and artwork for the play was done by Michael Visco and Veronica Mason, and is perfect. The set truly is a home plucked from 1942.

“Lost in Yonkers” is directed by Lynn Antunovich and is playing at Studio Theatre’s Bayway Arts Center through Aug. 21. Tickets can be purchased at studiotheatrelongisland.com.