<p>Don Connor, who plays Norman Bulansky in "The Boys Next Door," and Jean Rice, who plays Sheila, share a moment. "The Boys Next Door" opens May 9 at the Coaster Theatre.</p>

Arnold has decided hes going to move to Russia. Barry thinks hes a golf pro. Norman cant stop eating donuts and Lucien is concerned that they dont have any trees.

These men are roommates, and they all have special needs. Theyre looked after by Jack, the caretaker.

Opening May 9 at the Coaster Theatre is The Boys Next Door, a series of vignettes, written with humor and compassion by Tom Griffin. Performances continue on weekends through May 31. Sunday matinees will be at 3 p.m. May 18 and May 25, and talk back Thursday 7:30 p.m. is May 29. Karen Bain directs the play.

The vignettes form a charming and moving picture of life, friendship and challenges. Mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where little things sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy when they demonstrate that, though disabled, they want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in their lives.

Slab Slabinski: playing Arnold Wiggins. Slabinski has been acting at the Coaster since See How They Run in 2007.

Bill Honl: as Lucien P. Smith. Honl is returning to the Coaster for the third time. He previously appeared as Ed the handy man in the 2012 production of A Week of Augusts.

Eric Bredleau: playing Jack, the caretaker. Bredleau has lived in the Astoria area most of his life, starting in theater at age 12 in Macbeth.

Don Connor: cast as Norman Bulansky. After moving to Cannon Beach from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2000, this former professional drummer jumped at the opportunity to try acting, a life-long goal, at the Coaster. He has now acted in approximately 30 plays.

Jordan Okonlewski: playing Barry Klemper, the fourth boy. Okonlewski is making his Coaster Theatre debut.

Rich Mays: cast as Mr. Hedges, Mr. Corbin and Sen. Clark. Cannon Beach City Manager, Mays is in his sixth play.

Marcella Adella: playing Mrs. Fremus, Mrs. Warren and Clara. Adella also is making her Coaster debut.

Jean Rice: as Sheila. Rice has been involved with the Coaster Theatre since 1998.

Tickets are $15 and $20. For tickets, contact the box office, 503-436-1242 or check the website, coastertheatre.com.