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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Brighton Beach Memoirs Also see Gil's review of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
With crisp direction and a talented cast who deliver genuine performances, Fountain Hills Theater has kicked off their 2024 season with an excellent production of the first play in the series. They will follow their production of Brighton Beach Memoirs, which runs through September 1, with Biloxi Blues in November and Broadway Bound in March, with Elias Matthews, who is wonderful as Eugene, playing the role across all three plays. The actors who play Eugene's parents, brother, and aunt also play those same roles in the final play in the series. I don't know if another theatre company has produced all three plays in one season, but based on how wonderful and polished this production is, and the fact that Matthews and this cast will be portraying their characters across the three plays, it is a rare theatrical treat. Set in 1937 Brooklyn, Simon's play takes place in the neighborhood of Brighton Beach. The lingering effects of the Depression are felt across the U.S., while Hitler's rise to power looms in Germany. The story centers around 15-year-old Eugene Jerome and his family as they navigate financial struggles with a mix of humor and determination. With Aunt Blanche and her two teenage daughters now living with them, the Jerome family's finances are stretched thin. Eugene, who dreams of becoming a writer, is also preoccupied with fantasies of playing for the Yankees as he grapples with his adolescence. Through a well-structured narrative and vividly drawn characters, Simon delivers a timeless message about the importance of family and how conflicts, mistakes and setbacks are simply part of life's journey. Elias Matthews brings an abundance of charm to the role of Eugene. His narration effectively captures the ups and downs of his family's life, delivering each line with wit and perfect comic timing. Matthews is captivating in the role, skillfully landing every joke in Eugene's commentary. His Brooklyn accent is solid, and he excels at portraying Eugene's quick humor, wit and sarcasm. Cindy Covington and Adam Guinn take on the roles of Eugene's parents, Kate and Jack. Covington shines as the determined matriarch who works tirelessly to keep the family united. She serves as the emotional anchor of the play and, though she often nags Eugene, Covington expertly conveys that Kate's actions stem from deep love. Guinn is convincing as the weary head of the Jerome family. His deliberate speech, slightly hunched posture, and slow movements clearly depict Jack's exhaustion from working multiple jobs to keep food on the table and the bills paid. Guinn also effectively shows Jack's concern for his family, his attentiveness to their needs, and his role as a surrogate father to his two nieces. His performance is quiet and sensitive, providing a nice contrast to Covington's more stern and vocal portrayal. Michael McGraw is compelling as Eugene's impulsive but loyal older brother Stanley. He effectively captures Stanley's emotional journey from wanting to escape his harsh reality to maturing into a responsible young man. The scene between McGraw and Guinn, in which they discuss a dilemma Stanley faces, is delivered so naturally that it reveals the depth of Stanley's thoughts and his growth. Kristin Moran excels as Eugene's Aunt Blanche, portraying a woman who is insecure and uncertain after losing her husband. Her confrontation with Covington powerfully brings Blanche to a realization of her self-worth, independence, and inner strength, with both actresses delivering the dramatic moment beautifully. Aurora Howard and Alexandra Palmatier shine as Blanche's two daughters, convincingly playing these very different sisters. Palmatier is quietly subdued as the girl who must take things easy due to a heart condition, while Howard is vibrant and headstrong, with dreams of her own. Howard particularly impresses in her scene with Covington, in which mother and daughter share a moment of mutual realization. Director Gil Berry manages to effectively balance the humor and heart in the play, never letting the comical moments get too sappy and ensuring the dramatic moments land appropriately. He also has wisely guided his talented cast, who all create finely shaded portrayals and evoke realistic connections with each other so they instantly give the sense that they are closely related family members. Berry's staging makes good use of Jeff Blake's set design which packs the two-story Jerome house into the small Mainstage II space. Blake's design has spaces on the sides to represent the two bedrooms and a small staircase in the middle to give the sense that these two rooms are on the upper floor of the house. It works quite well, while the small stage helps to depict the cramped living quarters the seven family members inhabit while also bringing an intimacy to the production. Mickey Courtney's costumes and Desirée Dedrick's hair and makeup designs are character and period appropriate. Ross Collins' sound and lighting provide a nice ambiance to the production. Neil Simon's coming-of-age comedy, Brighton Beach Memoirs, offers a witty yet heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and life's challenges. The play transports audiences to a simpler, more innocent era, featuring well-crafted characters and a tightly woven plot brimming with humor and touching scenes. With an excellent cast and rich creative elements, Fountain Hills Theater delivers a successful production of this beloved classic and I can't wait to see this cast in the next two plays in Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy. Brighton Beach Memoirs runs through September 1, 2024, at Fountain Hills Theater, 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.fhtaz.org or call 480-837-9661. Director: Gil Berry Cast: (In alphabetical order) |
