Williamsville resident returns to the stage
Rob Schwartz of Williamsville is a featured performer in Aurora Players' upcoming production of Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," opening May 18.

Rob Schwar tz

Schwartz's other theatrical experiences include playing the role of Hank Jake, a New York City bartender, in "Men Without Dates at "Café In The Square" and Jamie Castler in "Fred's Requiem," which premiered during the 2006 Buffalo Infringement Festival.

"Brighton Beach Memoirs," based in part on Simon's own teenage years, uses fast-paced Jewish humor to spotlight the life of 15-year-old Eugene Jerome, growing up in Brooklyn in the 1930s. As his middle-class family tries to deal with Depression-era life in New York City, Eugene obsesses on the typical touchstones of a teen.

Schwartz plays the father, Jack

"It's a comedy, yet there's a lot of depth to the characters and the dynamics of the relationships. My real job, my day job, is as a social worker, and I've always been interested in family dynamics. This fits right in," Schwartz said.

The play is directed by longtime local theatre veteran David Nuijens.

The show runs May 18-20 and 25-27, as well as June 1 and 2. Performances will be held in the Roycroft Pavilion, 31 S. Grove St., East Aurora, at 8 p.m Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m.

For reservations, call 687-6727. More information is available at ww. auroraplayers. org.