Brighton Beach Memoirs Broadway Red Carpet Video

By Leora Kanner, Broadway Magazine

The stars were out in full force to celebrate the Broadway opening of Brighton Beach Memoirs, the celebrated play by noted playwright Neil Simon. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine take you to the red carpet to hear what the stars in the audience had to say before the curtain went up.

Carol Kane could only gush about Neil Simon, the "genius playwright." She said that she was "very excited. I've always loved this play." Joan Rivers expressed similar sentiment about Simon: "He's wonderful, he's brilliant, the most amazing living playwright alive today." Charlayne Woodard, actress and Playwright, said that she was "looking forward to some good old Neil Simon."

Many of the attendees were enthusiastically familiar with Neil Simon's work or had seen the play itself. Katie Finneran say that she was "looking forward to classic Neil Simon" and told us that she had in fact done a play with him 11 years ago. Her date, Darren Goldstein, said that his first play was Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues.

Broadway Show: Brighton Beach Memoirs

A few of the stars of the newly opened revival of 'Bye Bye Birdie' came to this red carpet event. Nolan Gerard Funk, currently appearing as Birdie himself, said "I'm thrilled to be here and excited to see these characters on stage...this is an exciting one to be at." Bill Irwin, currently appearing as Harry MacAffee in 'Birdie,' said "I saw him when I was a much younger man" and said that he was "really thrilled to see how this director tells the story."

Mr. Irwin spoke highly of Brighton Beach Memoir star Laurie Metcalf and recalled seeing her on stage in Lanford Wilson's Balm in Gilead. It was a monologue Mr. Irwin said he will never forget.

Reality stars hit up the red carpet as well. James Lipton of "Inside the Actors Studio" said "I'm glad to be here." Ramona Singer of the 'Real Housewives of New York" said "I'm looking forward to coming and seeing the show..it's always good to laugh."

David Cromer, the director himself, explained his emotions on the opening night. "It's been terrifying and exciting and good. We have a beautiful piece of material to work with."

With favorable opening reviews for a classic Neil Simon play, there is every reason to feel that this Brighton Beach Memoirs has been a success. Of course, there is no rest for this group, as the cast prepares to open Broadway Bound later in the month.

Watch the entire Brighton Beach Memoirs opening night video right here on Broadway.tv.