Total Rating: 
**1/2
Opened: 
July 31, 2003
Ended: 
August 9, 2003
Country: 
USA
State: 
North Carolina
City: 
Davidson
Company/Producers: 
Davidson Community Players
Theater Type: 
Community
Theater: 
Davidson College - Hodson Hall
Theater Address: 
Cunningham Fine Arts Center: Davidson College
Phone: 
(704) 894-2340
Running Time: 
2 hrs, 30 min
Genre: 
Comedy
Author: 
Neil Simon
Director: 
John Hartness
Review: 

There's good news up north. Davidson Community Players is presenting Neil Simon's autobiographical Brighton Beach Memoirs with a finely detailed set from Sandra Gray and evocative lighting from John Hartness. More importantly, there's an outstanding performance in the lead by the diminutive Anthony Napoletano as 14-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome.

Now the bad news. Audiences at Hodson Hall have little reason to stand and cheer before Napoletano takes the final bow. His supporting players are nearly down to the usual DCP standard, adequate at best and delaying Napoletano's ovation until 10:40. But it happened last Saturday night with a thrilling whoosh as the entire house rose to its feet at once. Deservedly so.

Cast: 
Anthony Napoletano (Eugene Morris Jerome), Virginia Wagner (Aunt Blanche), Mary Cooke (Kate Jerome), Erica Carter (Cousin Laurie), Lacy Camp (Cousin Nora), Paul Riley (Stanley Jerome), Joel Lessinger (Jack)
Technical: 
Set: Sandra Gray; Technical Director: James Nash; Lighting: John Hartness; Stage Manager: Casey Jacobus; Costumes: Sarah Sue Hardinger; Properties: Mary Helen Ormsby
Critic: 
Perry Tannenbaum
Date Reviewed: 
August 2003