Theatre Memphis Opens BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, 4/26

Brighton Beach Memoirs opens at Theatre Memphis on the Lohrey Stage April 26, 2013 with Irene Crist returning to direct the Neil Simon coming of age comedy. The plot focuses on a semi-autobiographical story featuring Eugene Morris Jerome, a Polish-Jewish American teenager, who experiences the turmoil of his family dynamics, his sexual awakening and his search for his identity. Having to deal with his older brother and female cousins who move into his home, the family situations prove to be material that is tender and funny. The original Broadway production was the winner of the New Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play.

Playing the lead role of Eugene is Sam Shankman, a senior at Memphis University School who will be attending Northwestern University in the Fall. No stranger to the Memphis stages, Shankman most recently was seen on the Lohrey Stage as Harvey Johnson in the Theatre Memphis production of Bye Bye Birdie. Since that time he has performed at Playhouse on the Square, and at MUS, the latter winning him the Orpheum High School Musical Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2012. That prize entitled him to participate at the national competition (The Jimmys) and be featured in a PBS documentary on the subject, "Broadway or Bust."

Crist, who last directed Circle Mirror Transformation in the Next Stage at Theatre Memphis, masters a veteran cast which includes Shankman, Tamara Wright, Emily Angel Baer, Carly Nahon, Ellen Saba, William Monteith and Stephen Huff. Crist says, "This play is about family. The characters in this play love each other very deeply. No matter what the cost they are there for each other. Sam is family. I met Sam when I was teaching and he was quite small but he was already a triple threat, Through the years I have watched him grow and I get a lump in my throat just thinking about him going off to school. Sam's character is very busy growing up. So is Sam. I can't wait to see where he goes from here."

Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch makes it clear that Brighton Beach Memoirs is a gem of the Theatre Memphis season. "This production truly allows us to do what we do so well. It's not just the gorgeous, massive set with the spot-on period costumes that make all of it a memorable experience," she gleams, "but it is a chance to give our community of actors the opportunity to be a part of a tremendous, quality production with wide appeal. It gives our patrons the type of universal story that they enjoy so much. What's better than a Neil Simon comedy?"

TITLE: Brighton Beach Memoirs

WRITTEN BY: Neil Simon

DIRECTOR: Irene Crist

VENUE AND ADDRESS: Theatre Memphis on the Lohrey Stage, 630 Perkins Ext @ Southern Ave., Memphis, TN, 38117

RUN DATES: April 26 - May 12, 2013

TIMES OF SHOWS: Thursdays @ 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm with matinees @ 2pm on Sundays

TICKETS: $23 adults, $15 students with valid ID

BOX OFFICE: 901.682.8323

WEB: www.theatrememphis.org