Neil Simon's classic autobiographical
trilogy that began with "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and continued
with "Biloxi Blues" comes to a triumphant conclusion with
"Broadway Bound". Hailed as "Simon's finest play" (The
Washington Post) and "the playwright at his best" (Time),
"Broadway Bound" is the vivid and poignant story of Eugene
Morris Jerome and his older brother, Stanley, who try to
launch careers as a comedy team.
World War II has just ended, and their
parents' marriage has begun to unravel. The future is
brightening for the Jerome brothers, but the family's
Brooklyn home is darkened by despair. As the brothers
struggle to land a job, they learn about more than just the
distance from Brooklyn to Broadway, which beckons from
beyond the river.
They learn, too, about brotherhood,
family, and friendship-and about the vulnerability, and
dignity, of human beings. Full of laughter, tears, and
insight, Broadway Bound chronicles a crucial year in the
life of the young talent who is its author and inspiration.
Returning to the stage for the third time as Eugene Morris
Jerome is Josh Jennings. Josh won the 2004-05 Masque Award
for Best Actor for his work as Eugene in "Biloxi Blues" as
well as portraying him in the first play of the trilogy,
"Brighton Beach Memoirs" at "The On Broadway Theatre".
Also returning from the original cast
are:
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Cassie Justice as Kate Jerome,
Eugene's mother. Cassie has also played Rowena in
"Biloxi Blues", Reno Sweeny in "Anything Goes" and
has performed many numbers in Little Ole Big Band,
LTOB's annual Fall salute to the Swing Era.
-
Randy Hines as Stanley,
Eugene's older brother. Randy's last appearance at
LTOB was a cameo as The Drunk in "Anything Goes". He
also played Roy Selridge in "Biloxi Blues" and Curly
in "Of Mice and Men".
-
Cheri Valentine as Aunt
Blanche. Cheri's last play at LTOB was John
Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men", where she portrayed
Curly's wife. She has also appeared in LTOB's Little
Ole Big Band.
-
Gordon Freid was the makeup
artist in the original, as well as many other
productions at Little Theatre and throughout our
theatrical community. He makes his LTOB stage debut
as Ben Epstein, Eugene's grandfather.
-
Rounding out the cast is Byrell
Justice who will play Jack Jerome, Eugene's father.
Byrell Justice directed the the first
two parts of this Neil Simon trilogy, including "Brighton
Beach Memoirs" and "Biloxi Blues". Byrell's other LTOB
directorial credits include "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's
Nest", "Of Mice and Men", "Anything Goes" and "Little Ole
Big Band". Jim Thornton will be returning to the LTOB stage
as assistant director. Jim's LTOB directorial credits
include "Singing In the Rain" and "Damn Yankees" as well as
sharing the host duties for "Little Ole Big Band".
"Broadway Bound" opens September 11, 2009, and runs Fridays
and Saturdays at 8 PM with Sunday matinees at 2 PM, closing
Sunday September 27th. Advance tickets are now
available,
