**Patrick Kiernan and T. Sean Prescott star in “The Sunshine Boys.”** (Photo by Lewis Smith/Oregon Coast TODAY)

Neil Simon’s comedy “The Sunshine Boys” will take the stage at Theatre West beginning Thursday, Jan. 29, with performances running through Feb. 21.

Directed by Athena Suckow, the 1972 American comedy centers on two legendary and notoriously cranky vaudeville comics who are reluctantly reunited for a television special. Though this marks Suckow’s first time directing a full production, she brings prior experience as an assistant director and support from a seasoned creative team.

The story follows Al and Willie, once famous as the comedy duo “Lewis and Clark,” who topped vaudeville bills for more than four decades before a bitter falling-out ended both their partnership and their friendship. When a network requests their participation in a “History of Comedy” retrospective, a young theatrical agent attempts to reunite his elderly uncle with his longtime stage partner. As rehearsals begin, old grievances resurface along with plenty of sharp humor, memories and miseries.

The cast features T. Sean Prescott as Willie and Patrick Kiernan as Al, with Gavin Suckow as Ben, Tricia Chandler as Eddie, Teresa Johnson as a registered nurse, Anna Gabler and Taylor Parker sharing the role of vaudeville nurse, Cody Blake as a patient and Keith Hutchinson as the director’s voice. Dave Jones serves as assistant director.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, Feb. 7 and Sunday, Feb. 15. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students and $15 for kids younger than 13.