Theatre Works' current show is Neil Simon's autobiographical play "Brighton Beach Memoirs". The story is about family relationships — sibling rivalries, parent-and-child authority issues, and the hilarious escapades of a 15-year-old boy's entrance into puberty. Director Chris Gaulin's expert casting of his seven-member cast, his attention to the three-story set, and the authentic costumes by Sharon Charette make this a must-see show. His insightful direction brings out the comical and poignant moments perfectly, giving each actor their time to shine. Stage manager Tina Kenney keeps things running smoothly, and Chris Cournoyer's expert lighting adds to the success of the production.

Charles Lafond plays Eugene Jerome — Neil Simon as a youth — with high energy, great facial expressions, and an acting capacity beyond his years. He narrates the happenings in his family, making every move and nuance count. One of the funniest scenes is between Eugene and his older brother when they discuss sex. Charles also shows the dramatic side of Eugene when his brother leaves home, using a choked-up voice and real tears. Bravo.

Jack Ferdman plays Stanley, Eugene's older brother, who feels like a failure because Eugene does well in school. Jack shines in the sidesplitting sex-talk scene and is equally convincing showing Stanley's need for approval from his father. The boys' long-suffering parents, Kate and Jack, are played by Mary Finn and Steve Slate. Mary's Kate is strict but with a loving warmth and humor — she does a great Jewish accent and plays the confrontation scenes with Blanche and Stanley wonderfully. Steve fleshes out Jack through his warmth and love for the whole family, offering sage advice that helps each of them solve their problems.

Kat Alix-Gaudreau plays Kate's younger sister Blanche, who has always had others take care of her. She handles the role of the weaker sister well, giving Blanche the backbone to stand on her own by the end of the show. Nicole Foti plays the beautiful 16-year-old Nora perfectly — a girl who misses her dead father and takes out her resentment on her mother by dating an older man. Nicole makes the hurt visible not only in her lines but in real tears in the final scene. Colleen Endicott does a wonderful job as the younger daughter Laurie, who uses her heart condition to avoid chores — one of the funniest scenes is when she and Eugene race out of the house for ice cream.

So for an excellent rendition of this wonderful Neil Simon show, be sure to catch it before time runs out. You won't be disappointed.

The closing show of Theatre Works' 21st season is Meredith Willson's "The Music Man". Set in 1912, it is the story of fast-talking Harold Hill, who cons the good citizens of River City, Iowa into buying musical instruments by promising to create a boy's band. Not knowing a clarinet from a saxophone, Harold expects to skip town with cash in hand — only to be caught by the arms of the beautiful Marian the Librarian, who transforms him into a reformed rogue and respectable citizen by curtain's fall. Director Lisa Forsgard takes her 39-member cast on a joyous romp through America's nostalgic past, and musical director Mary Jo Rett delivers the show's standards to an appreciative audience, creating a musical treat for family members of all ages.

Lisa is also a hard-working director at North Attleboro middle and high school during the day, and is used to working with large casts. Mary Jo not only conducts her marvelous seven-piece orchestra but plays piano too, and taught the vocalists their many songs wonderfully. The 200 costumes are by the hard-working and dedicated Sharon Charette. The town set — including the Paroo's huge yellow house, the town hall, and two storefronts — was designed and constructed by Mark Anderson, who also plays Harold's mischief-making sidekick Marcellus in the show, leading the wonderful dancing number "Shipoopi" with the children, Harold, and Marian.

The two splendid leads are played by Greg Bonin as Harold and Kathy Donahue as Marian. They are both triple-threat performers, and their acting, singing, and dancing are topnotch. Greg bounds around the stage as the energetic con man who can charm the money right out of your pocket. He convinces the citizens to invest with "Ya Got Trouble" and seals the deal with "76 Trombones". His transition from cad to a man who falls in love for real — realized in the "Till There Was You" reprise — will move you to tears. Kathy as Marian distrusts Harold at first, but when he brings her little brother Winthrop out of his shell, she falls for him. Kathy shows off her lovely soprano in "Goodnight My Someone", "My White Knight", and "Till There Was You", the last done in gorgeous counterpoint with the barbershop quartet (George Jasmin, Gil Corte, Bill White, and Jon Lemoine) singing "Lida Rose".

Michelle Donovan shines as Mrs. Paroo — her Irish brogue is excellent, and she displays the warm side of this doting mother as well as the woman who speaks her mind. Two pint-size performers who nearly steal the show from the adults are Alex Taratuta as Winthrop and Katie Ryan as Amaryllis, Marian's piano student. Alex sings "Gary, Indiana" and does solo work in "Wells Fargo Wagon", handling the boy's speech impediment well and delivering a strong confrontation scene with Harold near the end. Katie acts up a storm, crying on cue, then sings "Goodnight My Someone" with Marian in a strong voice. Joe Casey plays a trouble-making salesman in the second act who gets his comeuppance.

The chorus does fine work, especially in the spoken opening number "Rock Island" and the lovely harmonies of "Iowa Stubborn", "Ya Got Trouble", and "76 Trombones". So for a trip back to Iowa in 1912, be sure to catch "The Music Man" before it is too late. You will be glad you did.