Grosse Pointe Theatre continues its 75th season with Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound, running Jan. 27 – Feb. 5.
Neil Simon is one of the most acclaimed playwrights and screenwriters of his time. Broadway Bound, the third play in Simon’s semi-autobiographical trilogy following Brighton Beach Memoirs and Biloxi Blues, opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater on December 4, 1986. The two-act dramatic comedy centers on two brothers, good-humored and lovable Eugene, and business-minded Stanley, as they struggle to break into comedy writing for radio, and eventually television, while their parents’ relationship is falling apart. The character Eugene is Simon’s alter ego.
Director Laura Ver Beek is making her mainstage directorial debut at Grosse Pointe Theatre with Broadway Bound.
“Neil Simon is one of my favorite playwrights and Broadway Bound is, in my opinion, one of his very best plays,” Ver Beek said. “It is a departure from many of his other works. It still has brilliant one-liners but, at its heart, it is a drama as opposed to a farce.”
Broadway Bound is a mix of comedic humor and heartwarming family complexities. “It’s a story about a comically dysfunctional family. Who cannot relate to that?” Ver Beek added. “It is compassionate and heartfelt, yet still witty and funny.”
The talented cast for Broadway Bound includes Amy Choudhury Martin, of Sterling Heights, as Kate Jerome; Phillip Potter, of St. Clair Shores, as Ben Epstein; Robby Mullinger, of Grosse Pointe Park, as Eugene Jerome; Carl Ghafari, of Grosse Pointe Shores, as Stan Jerome; Rebekah Sellers, of Harrison Township, as Aunt Blanche; and Jerry Nehr, of Detroit, as Jack Jerome.
The production team includes Laura Ver Beek, of Grosse Pointe Park, Director; Lyndsey Briggs, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Producer; Arlene Schoenherr, of St. Clair Shores, Stage Manager; Joanna Delpaz, of Macomb, Assistant Stage Manager; Michael Parker, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Apprentice Director; Gordon Richardson, of Grosse Pointe Park, Set Construction; Kathy Conlon, of St. Clair Shores, Set Design; Kathy Grabruck, of Grosse Pointe, Set Dressing; Michael Gravame, of Detroit, Costume Design; Carolyn Darby, of Detroit, Properties; Stella Woitulewicz, of Detroit, Properties; Jeffrey Ver Beek, of Grosse Pointe Park, Sound Design; Tom Archinal, of Grosse Pointe Park, Lighting Design; and Jacquelyne Pfaff, of Chesterfield, Hair and Makeup.
WHAT: Grosse Pointe Theatre presents Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Parcells Middle School Auditorium
20600 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
TICKETS: Tickets are $30, with a $5 processing fee. To purchase tickets, visit gpt.org/broadway or call 313-881-4004.
Remaining shows in Grosse Pointe Theatre’s 75th anniversary season include Clue – On Stage, March 2 -12, directed by Olyvia O’Donnell; and the season finale, Something Rotten, May 5 -14, directed by Danielle Caralis.
About Grosse Pointe Theatre
Grosse Pointe Theatre is a community theatre whose mission is to connect, create and inspire communities through theatre. Celebrating its 75th season, Grosse Pointe Theatre membership is open to all those age 18 and older with an interest in the performing arts. Grosse Pointe Theatre is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and donations are tax deductible. For more information about season subscriptions or single tickets, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, membership or other ways to get involved, visit www.gpt.org or call 313-881- 4004.,
