Troupe to stage comedic play by Neil Simon

The Kirk Players will present its next show, "Brighton Beach Memoirs" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mundelein High School, 1350 Hawley St.

Written by Neil Simon, the play is the first of an autobiographical trilogy by Simon. It tells the story of Eugene, a teen growing up in Brooklyn in 1937. Eugene shares his home with his family as well as his mother's sister and her two daughters.

Helping to share this tale about family, director Jon Lynn will be working with his own family on stage. His sister, Paula Marsh, will play Kate, Eugene's mother. Marsh's children, 16-year-old Max, will play Eugene and 13-year-old Jayme, will play Eugene's cousin, Laurie.

Paddy Lynn, the Kirk Players' artistic director, said as in many of Simon's work, the story is filled with humor sharing crazy day-to-day moments of his life. But the story has an undercurrent of drama that also is prevalent in his plays. Family members suffer from worry and fear, as the pending doom of war was imminent.

What makes the story enjoyable to perform and to watch is that Simon can articulate so well and can touch upon the human spirit.

"Even through the worst of times and tragedy and depression and all things this family faces, there is still that light of hope and human spirit that comes through," Lynn said. "That is what makes the play timeless."

Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors and $5 for children.