STAGE REVIEW : Juncture of Tragedy, Comedy : ‘Broadway Bound’ manages to join opposite emotions to create a single melody in counterpoint. Harper Roisman and Kathleen Collins are superb in the Laguna Playhouse production.

There are scenes in the second act of the Laguna Playhouse’s “Broadway Bound” that are as smooth and sweet and bracing as the cup of honeyed tea Mama Kate concocts for her flu-sick boy, Eugene. And when mother and son dance together to the strains of Kate’s girlhood glory, the sure hand of director Jerry Evans guides them gracefully around the sentimental pitfalls of Neil Simon’s bittersweet comedy.

The Jerome family, which is at the center of the play, is in a state of discreet upheaval.

As the first domino in the family’s undoing prepares to topple, sons Eugene and Stan get their big chance to realize their dream of becoming comedy writers.

Their formula for funniness has two essential ingredients--desire and conflict--and as the Jerome household is bubbling over with both, Stan and Eugene mine their family sorrows for nuggets of humor. Very successfully.

Out of domestic tragedy, comedy sketches are born.

The trick of the play is in orchestrating the tragic and comic strains to create a single melody in counterpoint. And director Evans pulls it off most of the time, especially in the second act. The first act is more schizophrenic--first light, then dark, then light again. The initial scenes of the boys’ writing upstairs feel forced for humor, as if in compensation for the turgid exposition below. But the performances throughout are solid and at times inspired.

The gem of the evening is Harper Roisman as Grandpa Ben. His face is so expressive, his delivery so dry and consummately timed, his character seems to have grown organically from the soil of Simon’s script.

Stubborn, opinionated, funny and honest, Roisman’s Ben is rather like New York itself: He’s a delight to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live with him.

As Eugene, David Kaufman is bright-eyed and knowing, with a pointed wit born of love and a determination to survive laughing. He handles the asides to the audience adroitly, and though commenting on events from a future perspective, his wisdom never deflates his boyishness. Kathleen Collins’ Kate has such grace and strength, one can well believe that she was the finest dancer at the Primrose Ballroom. Collins comes so close to realizing the full dimension of this beautiful role that one wishes she would reveal a little more of the pain and hope her powerful presence suggests she is holding in reserve.

The handsome two-level set by Steven Maddy is impressive, though the furnishings, especially in the boys’ bedrooms, are far more generic than the characters who inhabit the house.

‘BROADWAY BOUND’

A Laguna Playhouse production of Neil Simon’s comedy. Directed by Jerry Evans. With Jack Bavaro, Kathleen Collins, Meta Evans, David Kaufman, Michael C. Miller, Harper Roisman. Set design by Steven Maddy. Lighting design by Steven Wolff Craig. Costume Design by Marthella Randall. Stage manager: Blanche Mickelson. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at the Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 8 p.m., matinees Sunday at 2:30 p.m., through Nov. 25. Information: (714) 494-8021.