STAGE REVIEW : A Fairly Pat but Neat ‘Memoirs’ at Fullerton

Gee, life sure is complicated for Eugene, the ripely adolescent mini-hero of Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”

First, there is all that puberty business to deal with (uh-oh, cousin Nora sure is looking good these days). Then there is mom, always nagging, and dad, always acting world-weary and put-upon (a kid could feel guilty or something). And what about big brother Stanley, losing his job in a fight over principles with his boss--right when the family really needs the cash. What to do? Eugene muddles through, just like everybody else in the Jerome household.

Simon’s semi-autobiographical comedy, being presented in Fullerton at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center by the Resident Theatre Company, is often overexposed and unabatingly sentimental (I always wonder what edgy Woody Allen could have done with the worried Jeromes). Nonetheless, it is one of Simon’s better efforts, the first step in his trilogy (with “Biloxi Blues” and “Broadway Bound”) about growing up.

Directed by Gary Gardner, this production is fairly pat but solidly entertaining. It doesn’t take any real chances but neither does it make any significant mistakes--painting by the numbers, but neat. Very neat.

In keeping with the production’s capable feel, the cast presents satisfying if generic representations of Simon’s stock characters. Breaking from the pack are Allen Moon, the 16-year-old who plays Eugene, and Eric Leviton as Stanley.

Moon relishes the role, and his excitement is affecting. Eugene is a bright, basically good kid with a conniving streak, and Moon taps into that contradiction. Leviton stands out by allowing Stanley’s natural strength and unofficial stewardship of the clan to come out.

The sex talk scene, where Stanley gives advice on everything from masturbation (a good thing) to having fantasies about your cousin (a bad thing), is perhaps the best moment of this play, and these two do it justice.

The Jeromes’ travails, especially Eugene’s, find handsome packaging in Gil Morales’ set, a two-level construction depicting both floors of the Jeromes’ unpretentious, lived-in home.

‘BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS’

A Resident Theatre Company production of Neil Simon’s comedy. Directed by Gary Gardner. With Allen Moon, Kimber Jerrils, Leanna Nelson, Amanda Hammerman, Stefanie Morse, Eric Leviton and Sid Wilner. Set by Gil Morales. Costumes by Mela Hoyt-Heydon. Lighting by Steve Pliska. Sound by Brad Williams. Plays Thursday through Sunday at 8:15 p.m. (dinner at 7 p.m.) through July 24 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Tickets: $18 to $20. (714) 992-7432.