Caltech Playreaders 66th Season: "Broadway Bound" by Neil Simon
Directed by Rob Stirbl
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
The last of Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy, Pulitzer-nominated Broadway Bound opens as Eugene and his brother struggle with a comedic radio skit that will launch their show-business careers. But the brothers' radio plays turn out to directly mimic their own family, nudging their parents' crumbling marriage past the breaking point. Pivoting from laughter and luminous reminiscence to angry confrontations, Simon brilliantly captures the reality that sometimes things are funny right up until the moment when they suddenly aren't. Wondrous, vintage Simon.
Broadway Bound is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. It is the last chapter in his Eugene trilogy, following Brighton Beach Memoirs and
Biloxi Blues. Part three finds Eugene and his older brother Stanley trying to break into the world of show business as professional comedy writers,
while coping with their parents break-up and eventual divorce. When their material is broadcast on the radio for the first time, the family is upset
to hear a thinly-veiled portrait of themselves played for laughs.
Admission is $3.00 for members of the Caltech Women's Club; $4.00 for all others. Light refreshments will be served after the reading.
To dine at the Athenaeum beforehand, call (626) 395-8204 for reservations. Plan to be seated by 5:30. You are welcome to join the Playreaders table.