Starring Alex Craig, Gene Dorf, Mickey Ruby, M. Joel Ungerleider, Liz Vissing and Samer Yahyawi. Directed by John R. Leffert. A Centerstage production. Continues through Jan. 30 at the Jewish Community Center, 3600 Dutchmans Lane. For tickets or more info, call 459-0660.
The irony of comedy is that it’s just a shade away from tragedy. Shed a different light on the joke and the laughs abruptly die. In Centerstage’s current production of Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound,” family life may be the punch line, but the pain that lies just beneath the humor is serious indeed.
“Broadway Bound” is the third play in Simon’s autobiographical trilogy that follows the Jeromes, a working-class Jewish family living in the Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn in the late 1940s. At this point in the action, sons Eugene (Alex Craig) and Stan (Samer Yahyawi) are on the brink of being discovered for their sketch comedy writing as their parents, Jack (Gene Dorf) and Kate (Liz Vissing), are on the brink of divorce following Jack’s suspected infidelity.
Fortunately, the anchor of this production is Craig, who emits an affable sarcasm. His witty asides to the audience are delivered with a snappy charm, creating an endearing character that, in different hands, could’ve slipped into whiny annoyance.
The palpable spark between Vissing and Dorf in their momentous argument draws the audience in, but there’s a lack of the art of being dejected as a character yet having energy as an actor. What they do translate well is the disappointment of having lives that don’t match their dreams and the feeling of isolation that brings.
Although Craig, Vissing and Yahyawi’s characters naturally exude liveliness, the cast’s energy was a little low. Act One was plagued by stagnant pauses, but on opening night, that can be forgiven. Shows usually tighten up as their runs continue.
As Eugene says in his final monologue, “I guess some things never come to a clear-cut conclusion.” The beauty of “Broadway Bound” is that it doesn’t tie up all the loose emotional ends but still elicits smiles — a perfect instance of art imitating both the drama and comedy of family life.
