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NCP’s ‘Broadway Bound’ is a show anyone can appreciate
By Stephanie Ottey
NEW CASTLE, Pa.
In 2008, the New Castle Playhouse began producing Neil Simon’s semi- autobiographical trilogy of plays with “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” This summer, the series concludes with “Broadway Bound”, playing through June 17 on the Annex stage.
A follow-up to “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Biloxi Blues,” “Broadway Bound” continues to follow the Jerome family living in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1949.
Audiences don’t have to be familiar with the first two plays of the trilogy to understand or appreciate the circumstances in “Broadway Bound,” but anyone following them will recognize a grown-up Eugene and Stanley Jerome, who now have joined together as an aspiring comedy-writing duo.
The Jerome brothers are living at home and struggling to find their “schtick” amid a family facing dilemmas typical of a working-class American family in the 1950s. Grandpa Ben is struggling with political unrest and the hard reality of aging, Aunt Blanche is desperate to maintain a relationship with her father, and Kate and Jack are drifting from one another. In the end, the boys find comedic inspiration from the people in their lives, much as Simon did himself.
The true nature of the script makes it easy to relate to, and Simon’s accessible writing style is easy to understand. The potentially heavy drama is decorated with humor to lighten the tension, making “Broadway Bound” a show that anyone can appreciate.
While Simon provides a script that is balanced, the dramatic content of this production directed by Paul Angelucci resonates much more clearly than the comedy. The pace is slow, and more attuned for a successful dramatic piece than a comedy, and (whether by director’s choice or actors’) some of the biggest comedic beats remain under- acknowledged.
The dramatic content of this production is heart-felt and gripping, however, thanks mostly to Tammy Erkman’s portrayal of Kate. Though Eugene narrates, and all the characters within the family have stories to tell, Kate’s is the most sympathetic and poignant. A mother who lost her own simple dreams and is now losing her husband, Kate is the glue barely holding her family together. Likewise, Erkman holds this cast together and drives the plot with the vulnerable, brave, bittersweet performance she delivers.
Mark McConnell and Travis Ascione are nicely cast as brothers Eugene and Stanley. Ascione has an energy on stage that is attention-grabbing, and McConnell matches him with brotherly sarcasm.
Bill Shorr is easy to hate as the deceitful, hurtful Jack, Brady Flamino elicits laughs as Ben, and Renee Cuerdon makes a brief appearance as Blanche.
Paul Angelucci not only directs, but he dictates most of the technical sides of “Broadway Bound” as well. His set design is top-notch; a wonderful use of the space given to him, and his lighting design creates an air of nostalgia on stage.
Like all of Neil Simon’s works, “Broadway Bound” is familiar and well-rounded — an American classic.
“Broadway Bound” runs through June 17 on the Annex stage. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. The New Castle Playhouse is at 202 E. Long Ave. New Castle. For ticket information, call 724-654-3437.