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Thursday, April 25, 2002
THE BATTALION
righton Beach Memoirs
East discusses the preparation for their roles in the play
By Heather Campbell
THE BATTALION
-or Keith Neagle, playing the role of Eugene in
Brighton Beach Memoirs gave him a chance to be
15 years old again.
|/ woresr,^ ea §* e ’ a j un * or theater arts and English major,
has acted since age 12 and has been with the
Aggie Players since his freshman year.
identSi, (Providing entertainment, along with snide
i Biarks and a face filled with expression,
Nehgle dazzles the audience. Eugene never fails
AngelaNei wind loads of trouble but always has an expla-
rmationspe nation for his mishaps. Eugene constantly asks
^his older brother for advice, and his curiosity
mixed with a spunky attitude makes for some
embarrassing scenes.
■“To prepare for our parts, the dramaturge
researched the entire play, including its histori
cal significance, clothing, customs and cul
ture,” Neagle said. “A rabbi came and spoke
about what a Jewish family was like in that era.
I read books and tried to think how I was at 15.
In the play, I have nothing else on my mind but
baseball and girls.”
■ Neil Simon, the play’s writer, is identified
through Eugene, who narrates and acts at the
sattie time.
■ “I love being able to talk to the audience and
gei them to be on my side,” Neagle said. “It is
therapeutic as a character and for me, personally,
to be able to vent.”
■ Neagle said playing Eugene is unbelievable.
The laughter erupting from the audience and the
hushed whispers during serious lines let the cast
know its viewers connect with the play.
■ “To have 200-plus people laugh at something
you say is the best feeling,” Neagle said. “It
feels good to know the audience truly under
stands the play.”
■ He said he connects with the character of
Eugene because of similar experiences in his
own life.
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“In the play, Eugene’s brother leaves for the
military, and I have a brother who left for the
military,” Neagle said. “I can tap into that, and
my emotions come out that way. At that point in
the play, Eugene says, ‘There comes a time in
everyone’s life when you say, this very moment
is the end of my childhood.’ This explains how I
felt when my brother left for the military.”
With two shows under her belt as an Aggie
Player, Sarah Bibeau, a freshman aerospace
engineering major, said acting is a way to
relieve stress. She plays the part of Laurie, a
vulnerable 13-year-old girl who is unaware of
the world’s issues.
“Laurie is very close to her mother, as every
young girl is, and she receives special treatment from
everyone because of her heart condition,” Bibeau
said. “To tell you the truth, she is a spoiled brat.”
Experiencing the teenage years again brings
memories to life for Bibeau. Her role as Laurie
enables her to enjoy the innocence that comes
with being the young one.
“I get to be carefree and oblivious to what
was going on in 1937. I am aware of the family
union versus knowing the outside influences,”
Bibeau said.
When asked her favorite scene, Bibeau said
the dinner scene strikes home with her because
she has a very close family. In the play, every
one gathers at the table with news from the
day, and each person worries about telling
what happened.
“This scene rings true to me and my family and
makes me connect on a higher level,” Bibeau said.
The unity displayed on the stage was not mere
ly acting. Bibeau said the cast molded itself into
its roles and became like a real family.
“The closeness has made the show go above
and beyond what it could have been,” Bibeau said
Kelly Stolte, a junior speech communications
major, plays the part of Nora, a dramatic 16-year-
old girl who fights for her independence and is
determined to get her way.
“It is the first time for me to play a character
who is immature and doesn’t control her emo
tions,” Stolte said. “I get to be frustrated, sad and
excited and work out all of the acting muscles.”
Compared to her previous acting roles, Stolte
said this one deals more with family relationships,
therefore, .she works with fellow actors on a dif
ferent level.
The cast members expressed their love for act
ing Neil Simon’s writing.
Stolte summed it up when she said, “This is the
best contemporary writer that I have gotten to
work with.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
The cast of Brighton Beach Memoirs on the set in full costume.
Read a review of Brighton
Beach Memoirs on page 4A
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