Brighton Beach Memoirs

Unit Overview

Purpose: Our study of Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs will serve two purposes: this play will help us to understand how writers use comedy and comedic methods to satirically comment on life, society, and culture; this play will also help us continue to practice the writing of a Q3 Open Response Essay. Students will be introduced to a list of terms related to the drama, the writing of comedy, and types of comedies. Students will complete a free writing, annotations and two close readings, one analytical paragraph, class discussion notes, and one final formative timed Q3 essay.

Essential Questions:

    1. What is the purpose of comedy?
    2. How is drama as a genre different from other genres such as prose and poetry?
    3. How do “coming of age” moments define and shape us as individuals?
    4. How does culture shape and impact our individual identity as well as our community identity?

Learning Activities:

    1. In-Class Reading of Play
    2. Creative Writing: Imitation Piece--Looking at tension in dialogue to develop character and character relationships.
    3. Portland Stage Live Performance!