Brighton Beach Memoirs

There's no compelling reason to bring back "Brighton Beach Memoirs," Neil Simon's pleasant autobiographical comedy about a young boy growing up in Brooklyn during the Depression within an extended Jewish family. This newly-opened Broadway revival will soon be performed in repertory with "Broadway Bound," one of the play's two sequels, on the same set and with much of the same cast.

First performed in 1983, "Bright Beach Memoirs" marked a huge step forward for Simon in how it mixed light comedy, family drama and Jewish heritage. It also launched the career of Matthew Broderick, who played its 15-year-old narrator Eugene Morris Jerome. While Eugene's narrations to the audience remain problematic and annoying, the play contains good storytelling and strong characters.

David Cromer, who received praise for his minimalist Off-Broadway production of "Our Town," ignores much of the play's sentimental humor and Jewish character in favor of its drama. He realistically conveys the period's financial crisis, pays close attention to Simon's language and brings out authentic performances from the cast. John Lee Beatty's set of a two-story home in front of a Brooklyn scenescape shows incredible depth and layers.

As Kate, the family's matriarch, Laurie Metcalf displays strong comic timing behind a steely complex with occasional signs of vulnerability.

Noah Robbins, who won the role of Eugene out of hundreds of young actors, is expressive and youthful, especially when discovering the facts of puberty from his older brother, but less than captivating as a narrator.

The rest of the cast is quite good. Santino Fontana delivers a surprisingly intense performance as Eugene's frustrated brother Stanley, even though the actor looks too mature to credibly play an 18 year old. Jessica Hecht plays Blanche, Kate's dependent sister suffering from asthma, with girlish innocence. As Jack Jerome, the family's ailing father, Dennis Boutsikaris portrays the character's helpless, rundown nature.

The production makes a strong case for the show's relevance, especially during our current economic recession, but it's hard to believe that it'll make much of a mark again.

Nederlander Theater, 208 W. 41st St., 212-307-4100. Open run.