[Capdist-auditions] Brighton Beach Memoirs Auditions at Sand Lake Center for the Arts

[tanya@slca-ctp.org]

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Brighton Beach Memoirs
Written by Neil Simon
Directed by Peter Quinones
Here is part one of Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy: a portrait of the writer as a young teen in 1937 living with his family in a crowded, lower middle-class Brooklyn walk-up. Eugene Jerome, standing in for the author, is the narrator and central character. Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene must cope with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn: formidable mother, overworked father, and his worldly older brother Stanley. Throw into the mix his widowed Aunt Blanche, her two young (but rapidly aging) daughters and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style. This bittersweet memoir evocatively captures the life of a struggling Jewish household where, as his father states "if you didn't have a problem, you wouldn't be living here.

Audition dates: Monday and Tuesday (Feb 3 & 4) - sign in at 6:30, auditions 7-9
Open call

Location:  Sand Lake Center for the Arts, 2880 NY-43, Averill Park, NY 12018

Tentative rehearsal schedule (final rehearsal schedule will be determined based on cast conflicts):

  *   M-Th evenings, avoiding weekends when possible
  *   Tech Week starts March 30
  *   Dress rehearsal April 2 or 3

Characters:
Eugene Jerome (~14 yrs) - Eugene is a narrator, commentator and central axis of the extended family. He dreams of becoming either New York Yankee or writer, and he often spins out elaborate fantasies of himself in these roles. He is going through puberty and thinks about girls even more than baseball, particularly his cousin Nora. He learns about growing up from his older brother Stanley, whom he idolizes. His sense of humor helps frame what would otherwise be a period drama as a warm-blooded comedy about family.

Jack Jerome (late 30s - late 40s) - Dedicated, responsible, thoughtful working man, father to Eugene and Stanley. He works two jobs to make ends meet and support his family and his sister-in-law’s family. His hard work makes him look older than his years and he suffers a minor heart attack that forces him to take several weeks off work. Everyone in the household turns to Jack to make the important decisions. Aside from his own family’s problems, Jack worries about the rise of Hitler in Europe and how it will impact his Jewish relatives. He believes war is imminent.

Kate Jerome  (late 30s - late 40s)  - Kate has spent her entire life taking care of others – first her parents, and now her husband Jack and sons (Eugene and Stan), as well as her sister’s family. Kate manages the household on little money but lets her husband Jack make the important decisions for the family. While Jack recovers from a heart attack, however, she proves herself capable of handling problems on her own. Kate feels like she has given up things in her own life for those she loves but she has repressed this anger for decades.

Blanche Morton (early 30s - mid 40s)  - An unemployed widow, and mother to Nora and Laurie. Widowed for six years, and after her husband left her with no money, Blanche was forced to depend upon Kate and Jack’s charity for the support of her and her daughters. Blanche is unable to get a job due to her poor eyesight and asthma, but takes in sewing at home to help pay for Nora’s dance lessons. Blanche has never truly been independent but realizes that she needs to learn to take care of herself and her daughters.

Stanley Jerome (late teens - early 20s) -  Stanley went to work straight after high school to help support his family. He tries to live by the principles of fairness and risks his job standing up for a fellow employee. Stanley also is his brother’s confidante for issues and questions surrounding sexuality. He believes he has let his family down when he loses his salary, but by the end of the play, Stanley comes to realize that he can’t run away from his problems and needs to stick with his family.

Nora Morton (late teens) - High school student, Blanche’s daughter, and Laurie’s sister, Nora has spent years studying dance and wants to be a performer. She feels angry when her mother Blanche does not let her audition for a Broadway musical. Nora resents her mother’s inability to make the decision on her own or let her be part of the process, and she longs for more independence. Nora misses her father and feels like her mother neither pays attention to her nor shows her love.

Laurie Morton (early teens) - Blanche’s daughter, and Nora’s sister. Laurie has been diagnosed with a weak heart, so her mother believes she is fragile and keeps her in the house. Laurie uses her weak heart to get out of chores. She has few responsibilities to the household and no friends. Laurie spends her time reading and studying. She has few memories of her father.




center: 518-674-2007

slca-ctp.org

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