Simon says ‘Laugh’

It’s common for writers and playwrights to begin their careers with autobiographical works. Norman Mailer’s life in the army became fodder for “The Naked and the Dead”; Laura in Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” was modeled after the author’s sister, Rose.

Neil Simon, whose “Brighton Beach Memoirs” opens tonight at the Fine Arts Center, went the opposite route. Simon had a string of hit comedies to his credit — including “Barefoot in the Park,” “The Odd Couple” and “Plaza Suite” — before he began exploring his past in his 50s.

The results include “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and two sequels, “Biloxi Blues” and “Broadway Bound.”

Director Alan Osburn said Simon’s unusual creative arc is explained by his beginnings as a television writer whose job was to churn out gags, not plumb the depths of the human soul.

“The Sid Caesar Show was trying to keep up with Jackie Gleason,” said Osburn. “Substance wasn’t marketable.”

But for Osburn, Simon didn’t become a great playwright until he took that look backward.

“With ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs,’ I think he turned a corner in a big way,” said Osburn. “He got more vulnerable.”

The play is set in Depression-era Brooklyn, and its main character is Eugene, Simon himself at a volcanically pubescent 15.

Of course, the family is as neurotic as all get out, but Simon treats it with affection and respect.

“It’s about how families deal with crisis after crisis after crisis,” said Osburn. “I’m so impressed with these parents. If you want to see a good example of parenting, take a look at these people.”

Osburn says his cast has made it easy to achieve a sense of close-knit family.

Amy Brooks and Jane Fromme, Eugene’s mother and aunt, respectively, have played sisters on stage before — even sisters in another Neil Simon play, “Lost in Yonkers.”

And the script’s sons are being played by real-life brothers Oscar and Marco Robinson, who happen to be within months of the ages of the characters in the script.

“Marco Robinson has really got the goods,” said Osburn of the cast’s Eugene.

“He’s one of the most talented 15- or 16-year-olds I’ve ever been around.”

That’s not to put down Oscar, says Osburn — “but Marco literally has to carry this play on his back.”

Anything else people should know about a play by the man who’s arguably America’s greatest comic playwright?

“It’s just funny,” said Osburn.

“The thing that Simon does, the one thing he does better than anything else, is the way he has his finger on the pulse of what the audience needs at any given time.

“He knows just how far to push us into remorse or guilt or selfishness — and when we need a laugh to lighten things up.”

The production is rated PG-13, due to the number of jokes about masturbation.

It’s not that the play is raunchy. But Osburn said he simply wanted to warn the audience.

“This is the first year we’ve included straight plays as part of our season ticket package,” he said.

“This isn’t ‘Oklahoma.’ I’m trying to wean us into doing things that are a little bit more real.”

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The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company presents “Brighton Beach Memoirs”

When: Opens today; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 28

Where: Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St.

Tickets: $24-$29; 634-5583 or csfineartscenter.org