BLT's Broadway Bound is Poignant Portrayal
Review by William Mashburn, for the Transylvania Times
(published on Entertainment Page Monday, January 29, 2007)

Brevard Little Theater is currently presenting a very poignant portrayal of Neil Simon's
early life in Brighton Beach, New York, in Broadway Bound.  The play premiered at the
Broadhurst Theater, New York City, in 1986.  In this reviewer's opinion, it is not an easy
play for amateur theater to attempt, but co-directors Kathleen Healy-Schmieder and Ray
Bennie, two favorite actors in their directing debuts, have done a meticulous job of
combining all the right ingredients, focusing on timing and pacing, and extracting the best
from an excellent cast.

This is very much a "talk" play as opposed to an "action" play, but the cast does an
excellent job of maintaining the audience's interest and projecting their roles. Spontaneous
reaction from the audience was frequent and enthusiastic.

First of all, Gene O'Hare, one of the most prolific character actors around, is absolutely
an artistic delight as Ben, the challenging, socialist grandfather in the family.  He is both
funny and exasperating, often at the same time.

Merylee Band makes her BLT debut in the role of Kate, the mother.  Kate is
circumscribed totally by her duties and responsibilities as a Jewish mother.  At times, she
seems somewhat cold and distant in relating to individual family members, talking "at"
them rather than "to" them, and not looking directly at them when addressing them.

Ray Huth, as the brother, Stanley, is very forceful and strong in an extremely professional
performance.  Stanley and his brother, Eugene, played by Jayson Clark, are at their best
when they are interacting with one another.  This symbiotic relationship is uncanny.  
These two award-winning young actors bring an intensity and energy to the play which
they are able to sustain throughout the show's two-and-a-half hours running time.

Perhaps the best scene in the play is the confrontation between Stanley (Ray Huth) and
his "on stage" (and "real life") father, Jack, played extremely well by Douglas W. Huth, in
his acting debut with BLT.  The older Huth's performance was a wonderful surprise.  He
played the role as if he were living it.

One of the exquisite performances of the evening was that of Michele Barg as Aunt
Blanche.  Barg has actually lived in Brooklyn and really relates to the not-so-fictional
Jerome family.

Performing in the radio broadcast were John Denlea as the Announcer, Bob Stacy as
Chubby, and Michele Barg as Mrs. Pitkin.

Broadway Bound is an absolute gem of a play.  Performance schedule at the Connestee
Falls Clubhouse Cherokee Room Theater:  8 p. m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p. m.,
for the Sunday matinees, January 26 through February 4.
For reservations call 884-2587.
For pre-theater dinner reservations at the Connestee Falls Overlook Clubhouse,
call 884-5622.

See photo and caption that accompanied this article.