Brighton Beach Memoirs is a family coming-of-age comedy about Eugene Jerome, a 15 year old boy who is just coming to terms with girls, his family, and life in general. The play takes place in Brooklyn in 1937, and concerns a Jewish family trying to make ends meet in the shadow of the Great Depression under the looming threat of World War II. The household consists of Eugene and his older brother Stanley, their two teenaged female cousins — one of whom Eugene is in love with and secretly lusts after — Eugene's parents and his widowed aunt.

Cast of Characters

Eugene Jerome:  He is a normal 15 yr. old. boy who has recently discovered girls in a BIG way; he is obsessed with the female anatomy (which he’s never seen) and his other love-baseball. The play revolves around his memoirs. 

Stanley Jerome. He is the older brother who (due to financial reasons) must work a factory job which he hates. He tries to temper Eugene’s passions and he attempts to please his parents, but he struggles with feelings of being trapped.

Jack Jerome. He is the father who feels the pressure of supporting an extended family by working 2 jobs. In addition, all family members turn to him for advice and answers. He is patient but very weary.

Kate Jerome. She is the very strong mother who attempts to hold the family together and solve the hurts  and problems of all of them. She is opinionated and very verbal but also very loving.

Aunt Blanche.  She is Kate’s younger sister, recently widowed and very indecisive and dependent. She wants to have a life for herself and her daughters, but she does not know how or where to begin, She feels buried with her husband.

Cousin Nora . She is a very beautiful and ambitious 16 yr. old with dreams of Broadway. She is often resentful of her younger sister who is pampered due to heart flutters and she is angry at her father for dying and leaving her with a weak mother.

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Copyright © 1997 Johnny Brewer
Last modified:November 02, 2004