Neil Simon’s Award-winning Play, “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” Opens Nov. 19

Madison, NJ (October 14, 2008) — “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” the award-winning play by Neil Simon, will be staged by students in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s College at Florham from Wednesday, November 19 through Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 23 in Dreyfuss Theatre, Dreyfuss Building.

FDU faculty member Nancy Robillard directs this production. Set in Brooklyn during the Depression, teen-age Eugene guides the audience through his coming of age, his home life and the realities of hard times— all with wonderful good humor. It is a play about laughter, tears and love.

In 1983, “Brighton Beach Memoirs” won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award as Best Play and a Tony for Best Direction. Matthew Broderick won a Drama Desk Award and a Tony for his portrayal of Eugene.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 973 443 8644 ext. 4.

A special performance for 450 high school students of area schools will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 21. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a “talk back” with the cast, director and design team.

For further production information, contact Stephen Hollis, 973-443-8467 or hollis@fdu.edu