he Pioneer Theatre brought the classic comedy “Brighton Beach Memoirs” to life in its premiere last night. The play, the first in playwright Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical trilogy (the others being “Biloxi Blues” and “Broadway Bound”) centers around a working-class Jewish family living near Brighton Beach in New York City and the day-to-day struggles that create both laughter and heartache for an American family in the 1930s. The troupe is composed of youngest son Eugene (Bobby Steggert), who also narrates, older brother Stanley (Harris Doran), the parents, Kate and Jack (Joan Rosenfels and Tony Campisi respectively), Aunt Blanche (Carol Schultz) and cousins Laurie and Nora (Alexis Verson and Robyn Simpson).

Simon, arguably the greatest comedic playwright of the 20th Century is famous for writing the plays “The Odd Couple” and “Barefoot in the Park,” being the only playwright in history to have four plays simultaneously running on Broadway and for being nominated for more Academy Awards and Tony Awards than any other writer ever.

He weaves the build-up of humor and emotion in “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” The play, based on the author’s adolescence, is one of his most personal works. It would be hard for a theater company to mess up with material this good to work with. (But for anyone who’s seen a lousy “Hamlet,” you know it’s not impossible.)

Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about that with this production. Director Paul Barnes has whipped his actors into shape, creating a near flawless production of Simon’s work.

The acting in “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is top-notch, especially from Mom and Dad. Rosenfels and Campisi rule the house with an iron fist, and the younger echelon of actors all fall in line when orders are given. Both parents are really great at snapping into anger the way parents sometimes have to do, going from zero to 60 and back again in a heartbeat.

All the actors in the play are quite superb, even when their faults are revealed. Schultz’s Aunt Blanche may feel like she’s trying to be Katherine Hepburn, but that’s alright since she’s comparably good. The scene when Blanche and Kate have a sisterly kiss-and-make-up after having a fight 25 years in the making is particularly touching. Steggert’s Eugene has all the best lines in the play and, despite stumbling a few times, he has great comedic timing and fine dramatic range. However, and I may have just imagined this, but was Laurie the only character in the play who remembered to bring her New York accent?

Despite the stellar performances from all the actors involved, another major star of the show was the set. Major kudos to the set designer, James Kronzer, who made an elaborate two story house on the Pioneer Theater stage, and major props to the crew who undoubtedly had to build the darn thing. It is not difficult to imagine a poor family of seven living in the large but cramped monstrosity. One scene in particular features an actor getting things from the kitchen pantry in the background while action is going on in the foreground. Even if this particular event isn’t visible for a lot of the audience, the scene really displayed the director’s attention to detail.

All and all, another good show from the Pioneer Theater.

“Brighton Beach Memoirs” plays through Feb. 28. Tickets range from $20 to $39, with several schnazzy student discount options available. Buy tickets directly through Pioneer Theatre’s (300 S. 1400 East) box office in person, over the phone at 581-6961 or through the magic of the Internet at www.pioneertheatre.org.
jordan@red-mag.com