'Brighton Beach Memoirs' coming to Marlboro stage
BY VICTORIA HURLEY-SCHUBERT
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Jordan Firestein (Stanley), A.J. Dramis (Eugene) and Judy Speigel (Kate) rehearse a scene from the Marlboro Players' upcoming production of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs." See story, page 61.

MARLBORO - A nostalgic slice of 1930s Brooklyn life is coming to town with the Marlboro Players' upcoming show, Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

"We're hoping to attract the Brooklynites; we all have those vivid memories of Brighton Beach in the summer," said Melanie Schmutter, president of the Marlboro Players, who spent her childhood summers at the Brooklyn beach.

The comedy is a departure from the Marlboro Players' traditional musical productions.

"We're trying to mix it up a bit and give people who aren't singers or dancers a chance to perform," Schmutter said.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs," a Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy about family life, is the first installment of Simon's autobiographical trilogy, which also includes "Biloxi Blues" and "Broadway Bound."

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" focuses on the coming of age of 15-year-old Eugene Jerome, played by A.J. Dramis of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick. Eugene's story unfolds as World War II and the threat of Hitler loom.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs," to be directed by Mark Ilardi, is a reunion of Dramis and Jordan Firestein of the Morganville section of Marlboro, who plays eldest brother Stanley Jerome. The actors previously portrayed brothers in the Marlboro Players' production of Simon's "Lost in Yonkers."

"Brighton Beach Memoirs" will be presented at the Marlboro Middle School, Route 520 between Gordons Corner and Wyncrest roads, on May 4 and 11 at 8 p.m. and May 5, 6 and 12 at 3 p.m. All seats are reserved. Advance tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and may be purchased at Cards for Less, Route 9 north in the Marlboro Plaza.

Tickets purchased at the door are $2 more.

For information on group rates, directions and other upcoming performances call (732) 972-7217 or visit www.marlboroplayers.com.