1. Brighton beach memoirs
Neil Simon

2. Neil Simon Born July 4th, 1927 (he’ll be 80 this year) Bronx, NY
After serving in the Army during WWII, his older brother encouraged him to pursue a career in writing
With is brother, Danny, as his writing partner, he first wrote comedy for television for Warner Bros.
1960, he begins writing plays
Barefoot in the Park—first big success—ran on Broadway for 4 years
The Odd Couple—first Tony Award
Characteristics of Simon’s shows
characters who struggled to handle their feelings in difficult situations and who released tension with humor
 mixing of honesty and humor
Semiautobiographical
Awards and Honors
2 Emmy Awards, 4 Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize, Mark Twain Prize for Humor

3. Exposition Setting? Time/Year
1937—What was going on in the US in 1937 that affects the Jerome family? What was going on in the world that MIGHT affect the Jerome family?
Great Depression
World War II is looming (starts in 1939)
Place?
The Jerome/Morton home in Brighton Beach, NYC
What is this neighborhood like? What kinds of people live there?
Lower middle class
Immigrants—Russian Jews, Irish, German, Italian

4. Exposition
Mood: from the opening scenes, what is the sound and feel of the play?
Nostalgic
Loving
Playful
Sarcastic

5. Exposition
Background information to understand characters and relationships?
They are a Jewish family
Kate is a bit xenophobic
Kate and Blanche are sisters
Blanche’s husband, Dave, is dead
Eugene wants to be a writer, a baseball player, but most of all, he’d like to see a naked girl (he’s 14 ½ )
Looks up to his older brother, Stanley

6. exposition Stanley confides to Eugene that he might lose his job
Stanley stood up for a fellow worker—seems to be a good guy
Blanche has two daughters
Laurie (13) has a heart murmur—babied by all
Nora (16) wants to be a Broadway dancer
Asks her mother to decide if she could go on an audition
Blanche won’t make decisions without a man’s advice

7. Exposition Jack Jerome (42)
Has been working two jobs to support two families

8. INCITING INCIDENT
WHAT IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF CONFLICT OR WORRY FOR THIS FAMILY?
MONEY
WHAT EVENT ADDS THE MOST TO THIS CONFLICT?
JACK LOST HIS SECOND JOB SELLING PARTY FAVORS

9. RISING ACTION FOR EUGENE FOR STANLEY FOR NORA
HE’S GOING THRU PUBERTY AND MIGHT BE IN LOVE WITH NORA
FOR STANLEY
HE NEEDS POP’S ADVICE ABOUT APOLOGY LETTER
HE HAS TO DECIDE IF HE’LL ASK BOSS FOR A RAISE
FOR NORA
SHE NEEDS UNCLE JACK’S ADVICE ABOUT AUDITION

10. RISING ACTION
FOR KATE
SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT JACK’S HEALTH AND HOW THEY’LL MAKE ENDS MEET
SHE’S WORRIED ABOUT BLANCHE REMARRYING
FOR BLANCHE
SHE’S HAD ANOTHER ASTHMA ATTACK BUT WON’T CALL THE DOCTOR BECAUSE SHE HAS NO MONEY

11. Rising action con’t For Blanche: For Stanley:
She has a date with Mr. Murphy
She tells Nora “no” to audition
For Stanley:
He decides to write the letter

12. Rising action (act 2) Jack: Eugene: Stanley:
has had a heart attack and is off work for three weeks
Eugene:
Doesn’t like Nora anymore
Stanley:
Gambled and lost his salary
Fights with Eugene

13. Rising action (act 2) For Nora For Kate: For Blanche
Leaves for date with Larry (cemetery) without seeing her mom
For Kate:
Stanley tells her he lost his salary
For Blanche
No date: Mr. Murphy car accident/DUI

14. Rising action(act 2) For Blanche and Kate
Huge fight; first about Murphy, then about Jack/money, and childhood
Blanche says she will move out in morning

15. climax
Stanley says goodbye to Eugene—he decides to avoid facing the consequences by joining the Army

16. Falling action No one asks about Stanley at dinner
Eugene talks to Laurie, then tells his parents
Jack and Kate give very little reaction, which upsets Eugene
Nora and Blanche have it out
Nora’s jealous of Laurie
Blanche agrees she’s been less than a mom, will do better

17. Resolution Blanche and Kate make up
Blanche agrees to stay and save up
Stanley comes home; doesn’t join up
Jack gets a letter from Poland; family escaped
Eugene receives a gift from Stanley  puberty is over!!!!