“Lost in Yonkers” isn’t exactly “Uncle Vanya” when it comes to its portrayal of a restless, quarrelsome household. But the turmoil of the Kurnitz family in Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama produces moments of genuine catharsis. As such, the 1991 play holds up much better today than many of Simon’s more self-conscious domestic dramedies.

Scripps Ranch Theatre’s production of “Lost in Yonkers” mines the warmth in this at-times-illogical story, and generates sympathy for its most vulnerable characters. This is best realized in Katee Drysdale’s touching performance as Bella Kurnitz, a role played by Mercedes Ruhl in both the Broadway production of “Lost in Yonkers” and the 1993 film adaptation.

Bella is a woman in her 30s whose mental development is described as “childlike.” It is her lot in life to be caregiver for and reluctant companion to her mother, Grandma Kurnitz (Jill Drexler), and seemingly denied any possibility of happiness. Her futile sweetness and desperate daydreams may be secondary to the plight of brother Eddie’s (Kenny Bordieri) two sons, Jay (Giovanny Diaz de Leon) and Arty (JP Wishchuk), who have been deposited in Grandma’s house for 10 months. But it’s Bella who is most “lost” in Yonkers.

Drysdale brings an aching sincerity to Bella’s much-overdue confrontations with her mother, whose coldness is the result of her being “lost” in the past, the reason for that telegraphed in the play long before it’s actually revealed.

Scripps Ranch’s “Lost in Yonkers,” clearly directed with sensitivity by Jacquelyn Ritz, also relies on the performances of its young actors, and both Diaz de Leon and Wishchuk come through. Diaz de Leon, who appeared earlier this year in New Village Arts’ superfine “The Ferryman,” plays older brother Jay with poise, maturity and the survival instincts requisite of a 15-year-old who has lost his mother to cancer and whose father is in debt to a loan shark.

Both boys must cope with their stern, unsentimental grandmother, who regards their presence as one foisted upon her. Besides the neediness of Bella, Grandma’s home — which is connected to the candy store she operates — is intruded upon by the arrival of secretive son Louie (Eddy Lukovic), an underworld bagman complete with bag.

Grandma’s hidden money, who’s looking for it and who finds it are of tepid interest. The strained, elusive connections between those under Grandma’s roof are what’s at stake in Yonkers, circa 1942.

Not only are Jay and Arty trying to connect as well as to endure, but their perspective is “Lost in Yonkers’” point of view. The boys are witness to Aunt Bella’s sad delicacy, Uncle Louie’s somehow likable nefariousness and the icy Grandma Kurnitz.

While the upshot of all this is a trifle bathetic, “Lost in Yonkers” rewards Jay and Arty for their forbearance and understanding of their messed up family. By his own account, Neil Simon’s childhood was not a happy one. At Grandma’s house, Jay and Arty find happiness when and where they can.

‘Lost in Yonkers’

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays (plus 2 p.m. June 10; no shows June 2 and 4) Through June 11

Where: Scripps Ranch Theatre at Legler-Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego

Tickets: $15-$42

Phone: (858) 395-0573

Online: scrippsranchtheatre.org

Coddon is a freelance writer.