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Broadway Bound is a play by Neil Simon. It is one of three of his most autobiographical works (along with Brighton Beach Memoirs and Biloxi Blues), which are also known as the "Eugene Trilogy." The play is about Eugene and his older brother, Stanley, dealing with their parents' relationship falling apart as they are working together to becoming aspiring comedy writers for the radio, and, eventually, films. They discover that their father, Jack, has been cheating on their mother, Kate, by seeing another woman. It is obvious to the family before Jack even admits it, and Kate's family tries to find ways for her to cope with the loss when Jack may eventually leave. Jack reveals that the woman he has been seeing is dying. When Eugene and Stanley find a job where they can write short comedic skits for the radio, they obscurely make fun of their own family. Jack can hear the similarities between the fictional family in the broadcast and their own family, and becomes outraged. He gets into a major argument with Stanley, which turns to an argument about Jack's affair. Later, Kate holds a nostalgic conversation with Eugene, revealing how she had tried to win his father's heart when she was younger. Eventually, Jack leaves. Stanley and Eugene move out the house when they are offered a bigger opportunity to success. Kate lives alone in the house with her father. |