Brighton Beach Memoirs

Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon, takes places in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New
York, September 1937. During a time of war and depression. Fifteen-year-old Eugene lives in a
wooden frame house, in the lower-middle-income area inhabited mostly by jews, Irish, and
Germans, with his father, his mother, his older brother, and his widowed aunt and her two
daughters. As war clouds gather over Europe, the Jerome Family fight their own battles over
money, living space, and desire. Aunt Blanche can't find the right man; Cousin Nora wants to act
on Broadway; Smaller Cousin Laurie has an illness; Dad is sick and can't work; brother wants to
see the world; and Mom is trapped in the kitchen. As for Eugene, he just wants to get along with
everyone, and, perhaps, learn about naked girls.
The historical backdrop of the play is very important to the plays meaning. It influences
each characters pr...