Brighton Beach Memoirs & Broadway Bound may bow on Broadway next season

Producer Emanuel Azenberg plans to revive Neil Simon's plays Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound on Broadway in late 2009, or early 2010, according to an Equity casting notice. The two related comedys are to be performed in repertoire.

The equity casting notice, which is for for the role of Eugene Jerome, reads: "He is the narrator of both plays. He is Jewish and from Brooklyn, intelligent, athletic, attractive, introspective with a winning personality, ironic sense of humor, and a vivid imagination. He is an aspiring writer and an accomplished storyteller. In �Brighton� he is struggling through adolescence to be seen as an individual. His world revolves around his family life and his writing. In �Broadway Bound� he is faced with cutting the apron strings and striking out on his own as a professional writer."

In Brighton Beach Memoirs, set in 1937, Eugene is 15 years old, in Broadway Bound, set in 1949, Eugene is 23 years old. The notice is looking for actor who can convincingly play both ages.

Brighton Beach Memoirs was first performed on Broadway in 1983, directed by Gene Saks. Matthew Broderick made his Broadway debut in the comedy, playing the role of Eugene Jerome.

Broadway Bound was first performed on Broadway in 1986, again directed by Gene Saks. This time Jonathan Silverman played the role of Eugene Jerome, having made his Broadway debut when he replaced Matthew Broderick in Brighton Beach Memoirs.

The two plays are part of a trilogy of plays known collectively as the 'Eugene Trilogy.' The second play in the trilogy 'Biloxi Blues' is not being revived.

The plays are semi-autobiographical with the character Eugene Jerome based roughly on Neil Simon. Brighton Beach Memoirs tells of his adolescence in New York City and Broadway Bound tells of his career as an aspiring comedy playwright.

There has been no official confirmation of the production.