Kyle Boisvert, left, and Carlos Leon practice for the upcoming play "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

'Brighton Beach' to open

By: Jessica Paugh

Posted: 3/27/09

Jessica Paugh

Contributing Writer

The theatre arts department is set to present its last show of the season, a comedy revolving around Jewish family life in the 1930's.

Written by Neil Simon, "Brighton Beach Memoirs" is a coming-of-age tale about Eugene Jerome, a 15-year-old boy who is coming to terms with girls, family, and life in general.

Under the looming threat of World War II, the Brooklyn-based family struggles to make ends meet. The household consists of Eugene, played by Carlos Leon, and his older brother Stanley, played by Kyle Boisvert.

Also living with Eugene and Stanley are their two teenaged female cousins, Mia Berardi and Heather Dean - one of whom Eugene is in love with and secretly lusts after - Eugene's parents, Erica Goldman and Seth Spencer, and his widowed aunt, Jessica Barlow.

"I like playing Stanley because he has all the elements of someone who genuinely tries to do what's best for his family," sophomore Boisvert said. "His family helps him realize that he's better than he thought in the sense of emotions and growing up."

The play opened in 1983 at the Alvin Theatre and completed its 1299-show Broadway run in 1985 at the 46th Street Theatre.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" is set to open at FSC on April 2, and will run in Buckner Theatre for two weekends.

Performances will be April 2-5 and April 9-12. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m., except for Sunday shows, which will start at 2:30 p.m.

Paul Bawek, director of the season closer, said he chose this play for its old-fashioned themes of family, duty and respect.

"It represents classic Simon humor. It's the first play where he was successfully able to mix comedic and dramatic elements," he said.

Tickets are free to students and faculty with a valid FSC ID, $7.50 for non-FSC students and $15 for the general public. Reservations are available through the Buckner Theatre Box Office at 863-680-4296.