Three times the theatrical creativity

"Beirut," Alan Browne’s 1987 play about a classic love story in the midst of an AIDS crisis, returns to New York City at The Lion at Theatre Row from Jan. 5-22, and is directed by triplets Alex, Andrew and Zach Zoppa, graduates of Lawrence High School and Lawrence natives.

“In a lot of ways "Beirut" is a very timely play,” Alex said. “It’s not an easy play. It’s very raw and real but it represents a lot of issues that affect today’s world and we felt like it was a perfect time to bring it back.”

The 28-year-old Zoppa bothers have been working together since elementary school when they began making short films. At Lawrence High School, they were involved in theater well as the media and film program.

“The high school had a great theater, film and media program that really helped us set the foundation and started our interested in the arts and helped us develop that interest,” Andrew said.

Dianne, the boys’ mother, said going through District 15 was very helpful to her sons’ career because the arts are highly respected in these schools.

Before "Beirut," the Zoppa Brothers attended New York University together where Andrew and Zach studied film while Alex studied business and art history. “They’ve always had a love for the New York City culture,” Dianne said.

Growing up, Alex said he and his brothers went to New York City almost every weekend to see plays and visit art galleries. “Being in New York and growing up on Long Island and being so close to the city was a huge benefit because the city is so accessible,” Andrew said. “New York City and Long Island each have their own culture and the two different cultures complement each other.”

When asked about their personalities, Dianne said the boys always had different traits growing up and various talents and were able to integrate them very well. “Andrew always wanted to be a filmmaker so I’m not surprised he’s in this direction and Alex and Zach were always very creative,” she said.

Alex said his brother Zach is the laid back one and has more fun with things while Andrew is very creative and is the one that grounds the three of them. “Alex is more of the organized one and we wouldn’t have this show (Beirut) if it wasn’t for him,” Andrew said. “He’s basically the one that drove this production forward.”

Before directing, the brothers were interns on the set of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” starred as triplets in a Ewan McGregor film and were in several commercials. “I guess you could say we were type cast,” Alex said about being a triplet.

As the brothers get ready for "Beirut’s" opening, they’re excited to bring the play back to audiences and can’t wait to see their reaction to it. “It will be an opportunity for people to see really good acting,” Alex said. “Because the characters (in "Beirut") are so strong in themselves so it’s one of those shows you will see and very immersed in. I think that people will be really amazed how the actors have taken on these roles.”

No matter what endeavor they’ve been involved in, the brothers say their biggest supporters have always been their parents, Dianne and Victor. “To sit in the audience and know my sons have worked very hard to make this happen is very gratifying,” Dianne said about seeing her sons’ performance. “Their father and I are very proud they have the confidence to do these things, we admire their ambition and will always support anything they do.”