Two retired vaudeville stars. One fractured friendship. A son of one of the stars trying to reunite them. What could possibly go wrong?

This is the premise behind The Sunshine Boys, playwright Neil Simon’s production that’s underway at the Love Street Playhouse in Woodland, Washington. It’s a fast-paced story filled with emotional ups and downs and laughs.

Willie Clark, played by Lou Pallotta, co-owner of the Love Street Playhouse, is one-half of the vaudeville duo named The Sunshine Boys. He’s beyond stressed out, living alone in a small room in New York City and obsessed over why no one is hiring him for gigs he believes are as popular now as when he was much younger. He’s especially angered over losing a commercial appearance because he couldn’t pronounce, “Alka Seltzer.” But he also complains about anything else he can think of—even the soap opera he’s addicted to watching.

Then Willie’s son, agent Ben Silverman (played by Adam Pitham) announces during a weekly visit to replenish Willie’s groceries and deliver the latest issue of the Variety paper that there’s an upcoming variety show on CBS where the hosts will pay a tribute to The Sunshine Boys. The network wants Willie to come, but there’s one condition: he must appear with his former partner, Al Lewis (played by Richard Barr). At the same time, Ben tells Willie that Al wants to visit him.

After much wrangling, Willie consents to Al’s visit and appearing on the show. CBS wants them to perform a popular skit from the vaudeville days that takes place in a doctor’s office. As the pair rehearses, sparks continue to fly until one rehearsal when Willie collapses from a heart attack.

The production is about two hours, including an intermission, and the time flew. The actors brought the story to life, and their artful portrayals drew me in within minutes after the performance began. It’s a well-told story about the human condition, the importance of friendships, and embracing life.

Melinda Pallotta, Lou’s wife and co-owner of the Love Street Playhouse, directed this production.

The Sunshine Boys continues through Sunday, May 19, and tickets are selling fast. Grab yours while you can at app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=lsp.

Love Street Playhouse is located at 126 Loves Avenue in Woodland. For more information about The Sunshine Boys and upcoming performances, go to lovestreetplayhouse.com.