Casting Call for "Brighton Beach Memoirs" Play

A fourteen-year-old student, Jack and Kate's son, and Stanley's brother. Eugene is at the center of the play, observing and taking part in the action and commenting directly to the audience about what's going on and what's already happened. Eugene dreams of becoming either a writer or a baseball player, and he often spins out elaborate fantasies of himself in these roles.

A middle-aged working man, Kate's husband, and Eugene and Stanley's father. Jack is a responsible family man, holding down two jobs so he can support his own family and his sister-in-law's family. His hard work makes him look older than his years and he suffers a minor heart attack that forces him to take several weeks off work. Everyone in the household turns to Jack to make the important decisions.

A middle-aged housewife, Jack’s wife, Blanche’s sister, and Eugene and Stanley’s mother. Kate has spent her entire life taking care of others – first her parents, and now her husband and kids, as well as her sister’s family. Kate manages the household on little money but lets her husband Jack make the important decisions for the family. While Jack recovers from a heart attack, however, she proves herself capable of handling problems on her own.

An unemployed widow, Kate’s sister, and Nora and Laurie’s mother. Blanche has been widowed for six years, and after her husband left her with no money, she was forced to depend upon Kate and Jack’s charity for the support of her and her daughters. Blanche is unable to get a job due to her poor eyesight and asthma, but she takes in sewing at home to help pay for Nora’s dance lessons.

An eighteen-year-old young man, Jack and Kate’s son, and Eugene’s brother. Stanley went to work straight after high school to help support his family. He tries to live by the principles of fairness and risks his job standing up for a fellow employee. Stanley also is his brother’s confidante for issues and questions surrounding sexuality.

A sixteen-year-old high school student, Blanche’s daughter, and Laurie’s sister. Nora has spent many years studying dance and wants to be a performer on stage. She feels angry when her mother Blanche follows Jack’s advice not to let her audition for a Broadway musical. Nora resents her mother’s inability to make the decision on her own or let her be part of the process, and she longs for more independence.

A thirteen-year-old student, Blanche’s daughter, and Nora’s sister. Laurie has been diagnosed with a weak heart, so her mother believes she is fragile and keeps her in the house. Laurie uses her weak heart to get out of chores. She has few responsibilities to the household and no friends. Laurie spends her time reading and studying. She has few memories of her father.