Broadway Bound

Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander (who starred in the original Broadway production) directs Neil Simon's hilarious, heartwarming semi-autobiographical play. Brothers Eugene and Stanley Jerome are determined to break into show business as professional comedy writers. As their parents' relationship unravels, the brothers convene in the upstairs bedroom of their Brighton Beach home to write and rehearse material. When the brothers use their real-life family situation as inspiration for a radio comedy skit, they quickly learn the complications that ensue when life informs art. A finalist for the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for drama and the recipient of four Tony nominations when it premiered on Broadway, Broadway Bound sparkles with the potent combination of Simon’s celebrated comic genius and his deep understanding of family dynamics.

“The way I see things, life is both sad and funny," Neil Simon once said in an interview.  "I can’t imagine a comical situation that isn’t at the same time also painful. I used to ask myself: What is a humorous situation? Now I ask: What is a sad situation and how can I tell it humorously?”

“Broadway Bound is near and dear to my heart as it was one of my happiest times on Broadway,” says Alexander. “Seeing my friends Gina [Hecht] and Allan [Miller] perform it at La Mirada last year brought back many memories of my journey with the creation of the play, which I shared with them. After that discussion, they were inspired to re-explore it with me at the helm, and the Odyssey has miraculously and generously stepped up to produce that effort.”

Performances of Broadway Bound take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Aug. 2 through Sept. 21, except Sunday, Aug. 3 which will be at 5 p.m. with no 2 p.m. matinee. Additional weeknight performances are scheduled on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept.10; and on Thursdays at 8 p.m. on Aug. 14, Sept. 4 and Sept. 18. All tickets are $30. There will be two pay-what-you-can (minimum $10) performances on Thursday, Aug. 14 and Wednesday, Sept.10. The third Friday of every month is wine night at the Odyssey: enjoy complimentary wine and snacks and mingle with the cast after the show. The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West Los Angeles, 90025. For reservations and information, call (310) 477-2055 or go to www.OdysseyTheatre.com.