Yes, yes, Sabian Trout knows that "Broadway Bound" is about a Jewish family in 1940s Brooklyn.
But she defies anyone not to recognize a bit of themselves and their families in it.
"People love those characters and recognize their struggles and want to take ownership of the characters," said Trout, who is directing Live Theatre Workshop's production of the semi-autobiographical Neil Simon play.
"I happen to be Jewish and I think it's about my family. But there are Catholics in the cast who think it's about their families."
"Broadway Bound" is the third in Neil Simon's trilogy inspired by his life (the first, "Brighton Beach Memoirs," was produced by the University of Arizona's Arizona Repertory Theatre last summer; "Biloxi Blues" came second in the trilogy).
But don't worry about catching on with "Broadway Bound" if you haven't seen the others, said Trout.
People are also reading…
"I don't think it'll matter," she said.
"Broadway Bound" finds the Simon-esque character, Eugene, all grown up, out of the military service, and he and his brother, Stanley, are ready to break into the big time as comedy writers.
Meanwhile, a chaotic family life swirls around them, and when the parents and grandparents hear Eugene and Stanley's material on the radio, they are convinced their lives have been co-opted for laughs by the boys.
This is Simon, remember, so it's funny. But don't expect a laugh a second.
You might anticipate non-stop hilarity if you were seeing an earlier Simon play, such as "The Odd Couple" or "Barefoot in the Park." But this is one of his later works.
"Simon's earlier plays are masterful, but they are comedies that are classic set-up-pay-off joke marvels, and they have little sprinkles of poignant moments thrown in," said Trout.
"The later plays become almost slice-of-life dramas, full of poignant moments with set-up-pay-off jokes sprinkled in. They have a kind of resonance and honesty that appeals to me."
QUICK TAKE
Broadway Bound
By: Neil Simon
Director: Sabian Trout
When: Previews are 7:30 p.m. today and Friday; opening is 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Regular performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 19
Where: Live Theatre Workshop (Main Stages map, Page 9)
Tickets: $11 previews, $16 regular performances, with discounts available
Information: 327-4242
Running time: 2 hours and 45 minutes, with one intermission
Cast: Travis Martin, Cliff Madison, Ed Fuller, Carolyn Marbry, Peg Peterson, Bill Epstein
