LPC Theater to Host Auditions for 'Brighton Beach Memoirs'

From Las Positas College:

The Las Positas College Theater Department is holding auditions for its latest spring production, Brighton Beach Memoirs, on November 14 and 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at LPC's Mertes Center for the Arts Black Box, 3000 Campus Hill Drive in Livermore.

No appointments are necessary. Those auditioning need to bring a two-minute monologue for the audition. Call backs will be held on November 17 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Directed by Ken Ross, rehearsals will run Monday-Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. beginning January 17. Performances are set for March 31, April 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9.

Brighton Beach Memoirs is part one of playwright Neil Simon's autobiographical trilogy: a portrait of a writer as a young teen in 1937 living with his family in a crowded, lower-middle class Brooklyn walk-up. Eugene Jerome, standing in for the author, is the narrator and central character. Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene must cope with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn: formidable mother, overworked father, and his worldly older brother Stanley. Throw into the mix his widowed Aunt Blanche, her two young but rapidly aging daughters, and Grandpa the Socialist and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style. This bittersweet memoir evocatively captures the life of a struggling Jewish household where, as his father states "if you didn't have a problem, you wouldn't be living here."

Casting Breakdown:

• Eugene Morris Jerome: Central character. 15. Energetic, engaging, with an "innocent cleverness" and "insightful mind". He is torn between a love of baseball and a fascination with the opposite sex.
• Stanley Jerome: Eugene's brother. 18. He's good hearted, principled, sometimes impulsive, a mentor for Eugene.
• Jack Jerome: Eugene's father. 40. Hard working, a voice of reason and source of advice for the family, weary from over work, kind hearted
• Kate Jerome: Eugene's mother. 40. She is strong, opinionated, loving, and nurturing.
• Blanche Morton: Kate's sister. 38. Insecure, dependent, caring, loving, and struggling with her husband's death.
• Nora Morton: Blanche's daughter. 16. Enthusiastic, intelligent, talented dancer (but doesn't dance in the play).
• Laurie Morton: Nora's sister. 13. Intelligent, "quietly mischievous," has a real or imagined heart condition

Casting may or may not be age specific during auditions and all ages are encouraged to audition. For more information about the characters and production contact Ken Ross at (510) 763-7087 or kross@laspositas.edu.

For Liability reasons, all cast members are required to register for THEA 47 A/B/C or D (3 units) at LPC, depending on prior casting. Limited scholarships are available for demonstrated need.
For more information, please contact Titian Lish at (925) 424-1127 or tlish@laspositascollege.edu.

About Las Positas College
Las Positas College currently enrolls 8,000 students and offers curriculum for students seeking transfer to a four-year college or university, career preparation, or basic skills education. The College provides university transfer classes, retraining classes for those in need of employment or career advancement, a first-time educational opportunity for many adults, enrichment classes for those seeking a broader perspective, and career and technical training for those entering the technical and paraprofessional workforce.

Las Positas College is a learning-centered institution focused on excellence and student success. It is fully committed to supporting Tri-Valley residents in their quest for education and advancement. Las Positas College faculty and staff are distinguished by their energy, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the students they serve and the future of the Tri-Valley region.

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