Brighton Beach Memoirs Reviews
Washington Post- Recommended
"...Despite the shadows, Eugene's unmistakable talent (if he can't be a professional baseball player, he wants to be a writer) and humor keep the tale upbeat. So does the obvious strength of his family's bond: It's love that drives Kate to plump those cushions so fiercely."
MD Theatre Guide- Recommended
"...Theater J's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" is a seamless, funny, nostalgic, joyful, and heartbreaking portrayal of adolescence and the real adult problems that accelerate it. Despite its length (running over two hours, not including intermission), it never feels boring, or stilted. It manages to convey both Simon's sense of humor and that wholly Jewish message of survival and hospitality in the face of adversity, making it a perfect addition to Theater J's lineup."
DCTheatreScene- Highly Recommended
"...Even with the genius of Neil Simon, this is an easy play to get wrong. Characters can easily turn into stereotypes, and laughs can obliterate the serious message he wove into the piece. But Torney times things just right: there are hills and valleys in this production, and not a moment misplaced or strung along."
BroadwayWorld- Recommended
"...Director Tatt Torney keeps the pacing of the play even - perhaps too even at times for a play clocking in a nearly three hours (including intermission). But the balance between pathos and humor stays even and pretty much on the mark for what could best be described as a domestic dramedy. The characters all seem at home in set designer Luciana Stecconi's detailed and period correct set, complete with the second floor bedroom split up for the boys and girls. Family photos, bric-a-brac, and other decorations give the intimate Goldman Theater stage a sublime setting for the play to unfold, aided by the precise lighting design by Colin K. Bills. Ivania Stack's period attire, from head to toe, completes the sense of nostalgia, giving the actors the authentic look of a time when even the poorest city dwellers took pride in their appearance."