AUDITION NOTICE:
Brighton Beach Memoirs
written by Neil Simon
directed by Scott Baird
WHEN: Sunday, October 22nd, 7pm to 10 pm, Monday, October 23rd, 7pm to 10 pm. Actors are asked to arrive to sign in within the first hour of the audition start time.
WHERE: The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ, just minutes off Route 287 (Exit 47).
For more information or directions, call 973-334-9320 ext. 5, or visit www.barntheatre.org
PERFORMANCE DATES: January 12, 20, 26, 27, & February 2, 3 at 8pm and January 13, 14, 21, 28 at 2 pm (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). Potential additional shows on January 19, 25, & February 1 at 8pm (Thursdays and Friday)
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 Grandpa the Socialist 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."
CAST REQUIREMENTS:
- Eugene Morris Jerome – A normal 15-year-old boy who has discovered girls in a very big way. He is obsessed with the female anatomy, which he has never seen, and his other love of baseball. He wants to be a baseball player, but if that does not work out, he’ll settle for being a writer. He keeps a detailed journal of his family’s eccentricities. Eugene is concerned for his family, especially his over worked father, but complains about their demands on him. The play revolves around his memoirs. Age Range: 15-18
- Stanley Jerome – Older brother of Eugene. Due to financial reasons, he must work a factory job, which he hates. He tries to temper Eugene’s passions while attempting to please his parents, but he struggles with feelings of being trapped. Age Range: 18-25
- Jack Jerome – Father of the Jerome family who feels the pressure of supporting an extended family by working two jobs. In addition, all family members turn to him for advice and answers. He is patient, but very weary. Age Range: 40-55
- Kate Jerome – She is the very strong mother who attempts to hold the family together and solve the hurts and problems of all of them. She is opinionated and very verbal, but also very loving. Age Range: 40-55
- Blanche Morton – She is Kate’s younger sister, recently widowed, very indecisive, and dependent. She wants to have a life for herself and her daughters, but she does not know how or where to begin. She feels buried with her husband. Age Range: 40-50
- Nora Morton – daughter of Blanche and cousin to the Jerome boys. She is a very beautiful and ambitious girl who dreams of Broadway. She is often resentful of her younger sister who is pampered due to heart flutters. She is also angry at her father for dying and leaving her with a weak mother. Age Range: 15-18
All roles are available. Casting is open, and newcomers are especially welcomed. Crew and other volunteers are also needed for the event. If interested, please contact info@barntheatre.org
