MMAS

MANSFIELD - The New England Repertory Company and Mansfield Music and Arts Society will present Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" this weekend at the MMAS Blackbox Theatre. Fourteen-year old Eugene Morris, played by Petr Favazza of Sharon, is desperately trying to uncover lifes mysteries, but his family keeps hiding the clues. Even so, he manages to keep his priorities of baseball and girls firmly in order throughout Neil Simons hilarious Broadway hit about growing up in Brooklyn during the late 1930s.

Life is definitely never dull with seven people living under the same roof. Dad (Brian Kelly of Norton) works two jobs just to make ends meet; older brother Stanley (Michael Duncan Smith of Chelmsford) is eager to dispense advice; and Aunt Blanche (Lynn Atkins-Latham of Franklin) tries to cope as a single parent. Not to mention, Kate (Beth Goldman of Norwood) trying to keep everything together, Laurie (Abigail Kopel of Sharon) with her heart flutter, and Nora (Lindsay Poole of Westborough) trying to be an actress.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs," directed by Mike Kiernan of Sharon, is a wonderful comedy with heart, wit, and hysterical insights into family life and growing up just a little off center.