"The Boys Next Door" runs through June 14.

"The Boys Next Door," by Tom Griffin, though written in the ‘80s and containing some language that is no longer politically correct, is still a play that speaks to us. There will always be those among us who are mentally or physically handicapped and require the attention of loving and responsible caregivers. This is a story of four marginally functioning men - Arnold, Lucien, Norman and Barry - who live together, and Jack, the social worker who checks on them regularly. Both Arnold and Norman have marginal jobs at the cinema and the doughnut shop, and Barry fancies himself a golf pro and tries to find students. Lucien is the least capable of the group. Another character, Sheila, is Norman’s girlfriend and plays a significant role in the story.

As the story proceeds, we grow to know and care about these five individuals and the man who does his best to meet the challenges of dealing with them. When Jack decides to pursue another job, we feel the anguish of each of them as he prepares to leave.

Arnold is compulsive and anxious while Norman is more upbeat and very childlike. Lucien is profoundly disabled but gets a lot of joy from owning a library card and taking out books though he can’t read. The imagined speech he delivers to the senate committee in order to procure continued aid is one of the most moving scenes in the play. The playwright employs this technique a second time in the dancing scene with Norman and Sheila. Barry is the most intelligent of the four but life has damaged him, and when we meet his negligent, abusive father who comes to visit, we begin to understand his unique pathology.

The script elicits our laughter and our sympathy. It is realistic and respectful of the plight of the handicapped and those who care for them. The role of Jack, beautifully delivered by Mark Neufang, is one that requires patience and compassion. It is easy to see how one might suffer burnout in a job like this. Neufang captured the ambivalence.

Scott Kopischke as Arnold was very credible and probably elicited the most laughs, but he also was the most pitiful as he sat on the bench in the bus station waiting to leave for Russia. Norman, played by Lawrence J. Lukasavage, could get on people’s nerves with his loud voice and frequent repetitions, but we and Sheila found him quite lovable nonetheless. Barry, the golf pro, was nicely rendered by Kurtis Witzlsteiner, and Mario Alberts as Lucien elicited strong responses, especially in the scene mentioned above,

The minor roles were competently handled by Thomas Van Gilder, Allison Roth, Patti Anne Hachmeister and Paul Pfannenstiel. Hachmeister was an especially affecting Sheila, and Pfannenstiel was appropriately obnoxious as Barry’s father.

Overall, a very entertaining but provocative experience. There is a reason why this play has enjoyed much favor over the years. It forces us to look at a reality we might not encounter too often, but one that deserves our attention.

Good job, Mark Salentine, in your director role. Costume designers Pat Boeck and Sue Fromm deserve mention also for some of the unusual outfits, and set designer J. Michael Desper did his usual great job of designing an interesting and functional space for the various scenes. The show runs through June 14. Call (262) 782-4430 for tickets.