November 30 - December 16, 2007

The semi-autobiographical story of Eugene - a Jewish teenager coming-of-age in a struggling household in 1937 Brooklyn. He learns about life, love, baseball, girls and more ... while living in the shadow of the Great Depression, and under the looming threat of World War II.

One of his best-loved plays, Brighton Beach Memoirs has been called Neil Simon’s love song to his youth. Simultaneously heartbreaking, heartwarming and hilariously funny. The New York Times called it “[Simon’s] funniest, richest and consequently the most affecting of his plays."

PRESS REVIEWS ...

"How well this play works depends on how vividly a director and cast can impart the flavor of a struggling Jewish family in Brooklyn circa 1937 ... Director Darcy Lythgoe's cast fills the bill admirably ... "
- Back Stage West

"Do the actors look and sound the part, and can they walk the high-wire between comedy and, in the case of the Jerome and Morton families, failure, if not outright tragedy? Check and double-check in the case of director Darcy Lythgoe's cast, with not a weak link throughout."
- OC Register

AUDIENCE REVIEWS ...

"Brighton Beach Memoirs, under the direction of Darcy Lythgoe, transcends the typical Neil Simon nostalgic pastiche to present a moving work that is both funny and touching, often at the same time. The show is perfectly cast with a true ensemble that understands and relishes the complicated relationships of the Jerome family. This is a production that was clearly well-thought out and loved by both the director and her brilliant cast. Brighton Bech Memoirs is truly a standout in the Hunger Artist season."
- Cliff, 12/6/07

"I have seen a number of shows at Hunger Artists and I must say that this show is the cream of the crop. One could say that the show works because of the great source material but that would only be part of the story. The cast is a well-oiled machine, I can't say there was a standout performance by any one actor because they all work so well together. You can't have any one without the other. The direction of the show is the glue that holds it all together. Darcy Lythgoe has crafted a show that is like a great memory of your childhood. With all of the laughter and pain that you remember. One of the best things about the play is the fact that the audience is the fourth wall. There are many time I foud myself watching this family through a window into the house. I must also mention the sets and costumes are dead on. For the first time at Hunger Artists I will be back to see this show again!"
- Steven Howearth, 12/2/07

"Brighton Beach Memoirs has a good foundation (a Neil Simon script) but the execution of the play was outstanding. The sets and costumes are very authentic and all the actors were terrific -- especially Gedaly Guberek as Eugene Jerome. Kudos to Director Darcy Lythgoe and Hunger Artists for this holiday gift! Treat youself -- go see this show!"
- Joyce Rosenthal, 12/1/07

"The Neil Simon play was great material to work from and the folks at Hunger Artists made the most of it. Working with very limited space they managed to bring some real life into the theater with a sense of motion that propelled the story along. The performances of the cast were first rate, I soon forgot I was seeing a play and was completely lost in the story. The intimate seating made me feel like I was there with the family, hearing thewords and sharing the experience just like a family member. I was often moved by what I saw & heard, a few times to tears.
"If you are thinking of trying live theater for the first time, this is a great way to start. If you have seen it all too many times, this will refresh your senses. I'm planning on seeing HA's Brighton a second time."
-Paul O'Neil, 11/30/07

FEATURING ...
Gedaly Guberek ... as Eugene
Chris Greenwood ... as Stanley
Leonard Joseph Dunham ... as Jack
Melanie Gable ... as Nora
Julie Hommel ... as Kate
Jessica Lynch ... as Laurie
Eve Zappulla ... as Blanche

November 30 - December 16, Thursday - Sunday
Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8:00pm | Sundays at 7:00pm

$18 Generaal Admission | $15 Students/Seniors (w/ID) Special! $5 all-seats on Thursday, December 6th only. Parking is FREE.

ADVISABLE CONTENT: This show contains some mature themes and language. Probably most appropriate for teens and above. No violence. No nudity.

PRESS ... CLICK HERE FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION, PRINT-READY IMAGE DOWNLOADS