Biloxi Blues
Biloxi Blues is a semi-autobiographical play by Neil Simon. It portrays the conflict of Sergeant Merwin J. Toomey and Arnold Epstein, one of many privates enlisted in the military stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi, seen through the eyes of Eugene Jerome, one of the other soldiers. This play is the second chapter in what is known as his Eugene trilogy, following Brighton Beach Memoirs and preceding Broadway Bound. The play won the Tony Award for Best Play, and Barry Miller won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Arnold Epstein.
For the film based on this play, see Biloxi Blues (film).Biloxi Blues
- Roy Selridge
- Joseph Wykowski
- Don Carney
- Eugene Morris Jerome
- Arnold Epstein
- Sgt. Merwin J. Toomey
- James Hennesey
- Rowena
- Daisy Hannigan
December 8, 1984
- Brighton Beach Memoirs
- Biloxi Blues
- Broadway Bound
A Jewish boy from Brooklyn undergoes basic Army training in the Deep South
Comedy
Biloxi, Mississippi, 1945
Plot overview[edit]
The story begins with 18-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome from Brooklyn, who is drafted into the United States Army during World War II and is sent to Biloxi, Mississippi for basic training. There he meets a diverse assortment of soldiers, including the gentle and intelligent Arnold Epstein, who is the play's central figure. The piece portrays Epstein's struggle for power with middle-aged, hard-drinking platoon leader Sergeant Merwin J. Toomey. In a memorable scene, Epstein manages to force Toomey to perform two hundred push-ups in front of the platoon.
Response[edit]
Frank Rich wrote: "Besides being extremely funny, Biloxi Blues is Mr. Simon's first serious attempt to examine his conscience as an artist and a Jew."[5]