by Alec Clayton
Published in The News
Tribune, Sept. 14, 2018
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| Pamela Roza as Kate (seated) and Brynne Garman as Blanche, photo courtesy Lakewood Playhouse |
It
is coincidental that Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs”
opened at Lakewood Playhouse two weeks after Simon’s death, which adds an extra
touch of poignancy to this realistic comic-drama, the first in a trio of
autobiographical plays by Simon.
Ably
directed by John Olive, Lakewood Playhouse’s first artistic
director, the striking thing about “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is how
down-to-earth and believable it is. Yes, it is peppered with Simon’s celebrated
wit, but much more than that, it is relatable to everyone.
Fifteen-year-old
Eugene (Drew Bates), clearly a Simon avatar, already knows he’s going to be a
writer when he grows up, but before he can become a writer he has to do two
things: play for the New York Yankees and see a naked woman.
Every
character in the play is complex and multi-layered, and they clearly love one
another even as they struggle and bicker. The actors display a grasp of their
characters as real people in family situations.
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| from left: Andrew Box Burden as Stanley and Drew Bates as Eugene, photo courtesy Lakewood Playhouse |
The
comic highlights are when Eugene asks big brother Stanley (Andrew Fox Burden)
to explain all about puberty and what girls look like without their clothes –
and what about that dream he had last night. And as funny as Eugene’s
coming-of-age scenes are, the clash between sisters Blanche (Brynne Garman) and
Kate (Pamela Roza) are equally intense. One of the most satisfying scenes in
the play is when Kate finally allows herself to confront her sister with
resentments stretching back to childhood. And we admire and empathize with the
father, Jack (W. Scott Pinkston), as he tries his hardest to be the glue that
holds this volatile family together despite his own problems.
It
is a wonderful story masterfully performed, with the largest and most elaborate
set ever erected at the 80-year-old Lakewood Playhouse (designed by Olive).
Bates
is a student at Auburn Riverside High School. For such a young man, he plays
his part with the confidence and ability of a seasoned actor – nuanced, intense
and funny. Burden, whose only previous acting experience has been in high
school plays, also performs like an experienced professional. He captures the
look and the voice and the gestures of what audiences have come to expect of a
young man from a neighborhood in Brooklyn.
The
three adults in the play, Garman, Roza and Pinkston, bring years of acting
experience to the stage, and they handle their parts well. That leaves the
other two younger actors, Kate-Lynn Siemers as Laurie and Andrea Gordon as
Nora. Both of them capture the looks and movements of their characters, but
each of them needs to project better. It was difficult to hear them on opening
night.
“Brighton Beach Memoirs” at Lakewood
Playhouse is a fitting tribute to the late Neil Simon. It is three-hours long,
and the theater warns that the sexual discussions between the brothers might
not be suitable for younger audience members.
WHEN:
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through Sept. 30
WHERE:
Lakewood Playhouse, 5729 Lakewood
Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood TICKETS: $20-$26
INFORMATION:
(253) 588-0042, https://www.lakewoodplayhouse.org/
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