Brighton Beach Memoirs at Oldcastle Theatre Company

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" won the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Play. The New York Post called it Neil Simon's "best play" saying "it will become a standard part of American dramatic literature." Eugene is a 15 year old preoccupied with sex and the Yankees: a writer-to-be, an alternately perplexed and perceptive observer, and our guide to life with the Jerome family. It is September 1937, late in the Depression, the Jeromes have relatives living with them, and life is by no means easy. There are troubles including illness, unemployment, poverty, deep resentments and foreboding signs of World War II. Yet the family meets challenges with enormous spirit, dignity, and vigor that life---at once humorous, and poignant---is something to celebrate.The play will be directed by Oldcastle Artistic Associate, Nathan Stith who, last season directed "The Almost True and Truly Remarkable Adventures of Israel Potter" and in 2017 acted in Moonlight and Magnolias." Stith teaches at Trinity University in San Antonio and this is the beginning of a collaboration between the theatre and the university. Two students from Trinity will join Stith; Karen Herink, who will play 13 year old Laurie, and Alexandra Parris who will serve as Assistant to the Stage Manager. Oldcastle presented "Broadway Bound" another of Simon's plays in his trilogy and some of the cast members from that production will again portray members of the Jerome family. Sarah Corey who won raves from audiences and critics playing Kate, matriarch of the family will return as will Anthony Ingargiola who played Eugene in the earlier production but this time will play his older brother, Stan. Ms. Corey appeared recently in the off-Broadway production of "A Letter from Harvey Milk" and in the Kennedy Center's "Shear Madness." Last season she sang and charmed audiences in Oldcastle's "The Fourth Wall." Ingargiola will also be remembered for his memorable turn as Huck Finn in Oldcastle's musical "Big River." The cast will also include Eli Ganias, familiar to area audiences for his performances in "Moonlight and Magnolias" and "Talley's Folly." He was an original cast member of the long running New York hit "Tony N' Tina's Wedding." His TV appearances include "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."