“Brighton Beach Memoirs”

Highly Recommended ****  It has been many years since any theater company has taken on one of my favorite Neil Simon comedies, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”. Most do “The Odd Couple” and call it a day. I think this “almost autobiographical” masterpiece is indeed a very special play written by a very special playwright. I also feel that as we enter the post-covid theater world, Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest has selected the perfect show to start their season.

Under the amazing direction of Scott Phelps, who truly shows his understanding and love for this piece,  with a near perfect set ( Eric Luchen capitalizes on the space that Citadel has, using every inch to perfection) and with a powerful cast headed by  Siah Berlatsky as Eugene, our story-teller and hero. What a find! He is captivating in this role where he must converse with the audience and within minutes, has them eating out of his hand.

The other cast members, are terrific and it is like Phelps  put out the casting call and the Jerome family showed up! Dad/Jack is well played by Ron Quade, Mom/Kate ( Monica Castle),  Aunt Blanche ( deftly handled by Abby Lee), brother Stanley ( solidly brought to life by Danny Mulae) and cousins, Laurie ( Shaya Harris) and Nora ( Juliana Liscio) are all well suited for their roles and prove that “you don’t have to be Jewish” to do this play justice.

For Citadel’s staff this was a show they thought would never take place. It was on the schedule, but then along came Covid 19 and the quick end to everyone’s season. I am glad that Phelps and his staff went with it and made it the first play for their “comeback”. This is a sterling production filled with great comic touches but for those who know the story, you will find some touches that will be heart-warming. Think about the time of the play. It is a war about to begin. Money was tight, work was not plentiful. Almost makes you think about the experiences that many Americans have felt through the last 18 months.

But the contents of the play also deal with the prejudices that existed during the 1920’s and 30’s. Many people had left Europe for greater lives in America. New York was the melting pot filled with people from all backgrounds. People had to learn to live with those that they feared ( they feared by reputation and folklore, not facts) and if we look at our world today, this still is a problem.

I for one am hopeful that Citadel will attempt to keep the trilogy alive and perhaps next year we can view “Biloxi Blues” and the following year “Broadway Bound”. There is no question that our hero Eugene Jerome is in fact  Neil Simon himself. He is forced to live in a crowded home, dreaming of all the things young men dream about and learning to cope with his family and their traditions. The youngest son, who brings nothing to the table  is in fact the narrator, telling us HIS story and the story “as he sees it!.

Hats off to the tech crew as well. AnnaMae Durham’s props are pretty amazing. Every detail including the Menorah on the shelf, the Mezuzah on the doorpost and the baseball glove that Eugene uses are sensational. No detail was overlooked. Colin Meyer’s costumes are wonderful, although I do question the suspenders having metal clips at that time. The lighting ( Samuel Stephen) and sound (Daryl Breese) are all top-notch, making this production a solid one that you should put on your calendar.

“Brighton Beach Memoirs” will continue at Citadel Theatre located at 300 South Waukegan Road in Lake Forest thru October 17th with performances as follows:

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays  8 p.m.

Saturdays  8 p.m.

Sundays  3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY MATINEES September 29th and October 13th at 1 p.m.

Tickets range from $40- $45 with discounts for Seniors, students and groups.

Call 847-735-8554  ext 1 or visit www.citadeltheatre.org

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Brighton Beach Memoirs”.

Welcome back to “live” theater! Thank you Citadel Theatre!

photos John Olson