Edward Albee's 1966 Pulitzer Prize winning play "A Delicate Balance" opened this past weekend at the McCarter Center in Princeton. This is the now classic study of a privileged, but highly dysfunctional American family. In the hands of Director Emily Mann (also McCarter's Artistic Director) "A Delicate Balance" is a truly outstanding production. First, the play itself may have been written in the 1960s, but the story of regret over past decisions, emotional insecurities, missed opportunities, loss of a loved one and the extent of friendship is timeless. The strained family situation in 1966 still rings true in 2013.
Then second, there is the matter of the cast....exceptional...marvelous....superb.... are just a few adjectives which apply to all. The cast includes two-time Obie Award-winner and Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant as the domineering Agnes and Tony Award-winner John Glover as her retired businessman husband of 40 years, Tobias. They live a very comfortable suburban life centered around their country club and the family martini shaker.
The other permanent member of the household is Agnes', 50 or 60 something, unmarried alcoholic, sister Claire, who resides with them at the generosity of Tobias. She probably is most aware of the origins of the constant emotional turmoil between sister, brother-in-law, their four-times married daughter Julia and herself.
Playing Claire, the wit of the family, who is almost always tipsy is two-time Tony nominee Penny Fuller. Claire insists she is not an alcoholic but rather a willful drinker. Daughter Julia who has returned home after her fourth failed marriage is played by Francesca Faridany.
Whenever any two of them are in the same room, in the plays case, the handsome living room, verbal fireworks follow. All four in the same room produce a pyrotechnic display worthy of Macy's Fourth of July extravaganza or that other dysfunctional couple from Albee’s other huge Broadway hit "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?."
Oil is added to the fire when Agnes and Tobias's best friends, Edna and Harry arrive "to stay." Seems they are frightened in their own home and assume their best friends will accept them willingly into their household on a permanent basis. Their claim to Julia's old bedroom keeps her in an almost constant state of hysterics Playing this duo are Roberta Maxwell as Edna and James A. Stephens as Harry.
Each of the six members of the cast are excellent, with Kathleen Chalfant (photo), John Glover and Penny Fuller truly outstanding in the lead roles. John Glover's (and the plays) great moment comes in the third act when he cracks up and delivers what Albee refers to as Tobias' aria.
Some of the relationship difficulties and emotional expressions of the play may resonate uncomfortably with those of us who are of a certain age. Albee's response (from a past interview) "If I wrote plays about everyone getting along terribly well, I don’t think anyone would want to see them. . . . You have to show people things that aren’t working well . . . in the hope that people will make them work better."
“One of the great joys of my life is having a working relationship with Edward Albee,” says director Emily Mann. "My admiration and respect for him is unshakeable. It’s an incredible privilege to be working on Edward’s masterpiece with him still here and very, very, clear in his needs, feelings, and desires for the place. He and I don’t mince words with each other. We’re honest with each other. We respect each other. We have a good banter, a good relationship, and also I learn so much from him. "A Delicate Balance" is one of the greatest American plays.”
For the third outstanding part of the production... credit Emily Mann's production team for providing a visual treat. To begin, the set by Daniel Ostling is most impressive...clearly the home of wealthy country clubbers, spot-on costumes by Jennifer von Mayrhauser and very effective lighting by Lap Chi Chu. The casting director is Laura Stanczyk and production stage manager Alison Cote.
The play is in three acts (two intermissions). Total time with intermissions is about three hours. It is presented in the very comfortable, stadium seating Berlind theatre.
You have until February 17 to see this most remarkable production. This is superior theatre at every level. Next stop Broadway?
Tickets for Edward Albee’s "A Delicate Balance" range from $20-$65, and are available online at www.mccarter.org, by phone at (609) 258-2787, and in person at the McCarter Theatre ticket office (91 University Place, Princeton). Student and group rates are also available.
CTG is presenting Nora and Delia Ephron’s touching and comic adaptation of Ilene Beckerman’s book “Love, Loss and What I Wore” for one weekend only February 1 – 3, 2013.
Ilene Beckerman, author of the bestselling LOVE LOSS AND WHAT I WORE, will be part of the seven member cast of the Chester Theatre Group’s production to be held at the Black River Playhouse (Corner of Maple and Grove in Chester, New Jersey) Friday and Saturday, November February 1-2 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Cindy Alexander, the play, which was adapted for the stage by Nora and Delia Ephron, ran successfully off-Broadway for several seasons garnering rave reviews. The New York Times called the show “Funny, compelling” and “Brought down the house”. It weaves stories about women, clothes and memory covering all the important subjects and their impact on moments in their lives.
There will be a talk back with the cast after each performance. In addition to Ms. Beckerman, who will portray the part of Gingy, the cast features Ellen Fraker-Glasscock, Kathleen Campbell Jackson, Carla Kendall, Gloria Lamoureux, Jodi Maloy, and Roseann Ruggiero. Tickets are $20.00.
Audience members attending the show on other dates are welcome to join us for the scheduled talkbacks. The talkbacks will begin immediatelyfollowing the performance. It is estimated that the performance will run approximately 2 hours,10 minutes but please phone the box office to confirm the running time of the show. 973-395-5551.
Sunday February 3rd following the 3pm performance, there will be a talkback with Playwright Nikkole Salter, Director Cheryl Katz and Artistic Director Jane Mandel.
Sunday February 17th following the 3pm performance, there will be atalkback with Reverend Sandye Wilson, Rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew & Holy Communion in South Orange.
Thursday February 21st following the 7:30pm performance, there will be atalkback with Darryl C. Walls, Founder and CEO of MINDS (Mental Intensity Naturally Determines Success).
Sunday February 24th following the 3pm performance, there will be atalkback with Karen Hunter, Pulitzer prize winning journalist, author and publisher.
Thursday February 28th following the 7:30pm performance, there will be a talkback with Carol Smolenski, Executive Director of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes).
On the heels of its record-breaking 50th Anniversary season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey today announced the line-up for its 2013 Season. The roster will include six productions on its Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison and one summer production on the popular Outdoor Stage – the Greek amphitheater on the campus of The College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township as well as several special events and programs.
The Shakespeare Theatre’s 2013 season begins in late May and will continue through December. Advance orders for full season Complete Works discount subscriptions are now available and include tickets to all Main Stage productions as well as the opportunity to add the annual Outdoor Stage production at a significant discount. For information or to purchase a subscription, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
The season will open with Ireland’s legendary masterpiece by J.M. Synge, The Playboy of the Western World. This famed playwright, poet, and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre has penned a grand adventure, part tall-tale and part tragi-comedy. A young country lad’s transformation from beaten-down weakling to celebrated “playboy” captures the poetic heart of the wild Irish spirit in magnificent Gaelic style. The Playboy of the Western World begins performances on May 29th and continues through June 23rd.
“All the world’s a stage” and this summer the Shakespeare Theatre’s Outdoor Stage will transform into the Forest of Arden. At the beautiful and family-friendly amphitheater on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth, Shakespeare’s spirited and pithy comedy As You Like It will delight all ages. The Outdoor Stage production of As You Like It will run June 19th to July 28th.
Next up on the Main Stage is Noël Coward’s rarely-produced Fallen Angels. This frothy delight by one of the world’s masters of wit features two tour-de-force roles for women and is sure to raise eyebrows andthe roof with laughter. This comedy will run from July 3rd to July 28th.
“We were thrilled and honored when The National Endowment for the Arts provided us with a special grant to produce the long-forgotten comedy Tovarich by Jacques Deval, translated by famed American writer Robert E. Sherwood, and we will present it this August,” said Bonnie J. Monte. “I am very excited to introduce our audiences to this wonderfully eccentric, improbable romance about an indomitable Russian Grand Duchess and her dashing Prince of a husband hiding out in Paris. The provocative issues of the play are given hilarious life by this master of the American stage.” Tovarich will begin performances on August 7th and runs through August 25th.
Next, Tony Award-winner Richard Maltby, Jr. makes his Shakespeare Theatre directorial debut with the world premiere of Cathy Tempelsman’s A Most Dangerous Woman which explores the extraordinary life of Mary Ann Evans – better known by her pen name George Eliot – the infamous and groundbreaking author of the Victorian era. A woman of extraordinary passion and intellect, born into a time and society that closed most “doors” to women, Eliot finds a way to unleash her talent despite all odds. A Most Dangerous Woman will run September 18th through October 6th.
Thornton Wilder’s Our Town had its very first performance at the McCarter Theatre in 1938 and The Shakespeare Theatre will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of this iconic and beloved American classic with a production in the fall. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play paints the portrait of an ordinary town and its inhabitants and weaves a captivating and timeless tale about life, love, and mortality. Our Town runs October 16th to November 17th and features several school-time matinee performances. Associate Artist Joseph Discher directs.
The 2013 season will close with a fantastical odyssey epic filled with perilous adventures, courageous acts, and a thrilling and climactic rejuvenation. Shakespeare’s Pericles is not often produced and director Brian B. Crowe will create a newly-imagined, shimmering vision of this tale that takes audiences across the icy seas in search of new worlds and lost souls. Pericles will begin performances on December 4th and continues through December 29th.
Advance orders for Complete Works discount subscriptions, including tickets to all six Main Stage productions, are now being taken. Complete Works discount subscriptions start at $135 for previews. Student subscriptions are available for an amazing deal at only $60 for all six Main Stage productions. Call The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office at 973-408-5600. The Complete Works discount subscription features tickets as low as $22.50 per show, the best seats to all Main Stage productions; free, easy and unlimited ticket exchanges should schedules change; discounts on additional tickets; and the convenience of having tickets in hand and dates scheduled in advance. Call the box office at 973-408-5600. Look for more information at www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Dates and titles are subject to change.
A series of special events is also planned for the 2013 Season. Back by popular demand are Something Wicked This Way Comes and Something Merry This Way Comes. Titled from a line in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Something Wicked This Way Comes features esteemed actors from The Shakespeare Theatre company as well as guest artists presenting a 90-minute collage of dramatic readings from the classic canon of the macabre. This one-night-only event will be held on October 28th.
Hearkening back to a time when families read to each other, Something Merry This Way Comes is a cornucopia of sparkling and inspiring holiday tales, songs, and poems read by members of The Shakespeare Theatre’s company of actors. Something Merry This Way Comes is appropriate for all ages, and provides a simple and pure antidote to the commercial glitz that inundates lives each year at holiday time. Something Merry This Way Comes will be held on December 16th.
Lend Us Your Ears, the Theatre’s acclaimed play reading series, returns for the 2013 season and provides patrons the opportunity to join The Shakespeare Theatre’s directors, actors and artistic staff in exploring diverse and exciting plays. These script-in-hand readings feature members of The Shakespeare Theatre’s esteemed company of actors as well as prestigious guest artists. Reading titles will soon be announced.
The Garage Theatre Group celebrates its 20th Anniversary season along with the 60th anniversary of "Charlotte's Web," one of the most popular children's stories of all time. Michael Bias directs the show, which features original music by Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye Bye Birdie). Imaginative costumes created by Terry Thiry are featured among the feathered and furred barnyard characters. 
Additional performances of "Charlotte’s Web" can be arranged for school groups during daytime hours. Prices are $10 per student with one free adult admission for every 15 students. Call the theater to make arrangements.
Celebrating 80 years, the Bergen County Players (BCP) will present "Beehive, The 60s Musical," a rollicking revue of a musical decade dominated by historically powerful female performers.
Under the direction of Dottie Fischer, Beehive will be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from February 16th through March 9th. Shows will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office
The next production by Pleasant Valley Productions, a community theatre company based in West Orange, is the classic musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s adaptation of the well-known Biblical tale will be presented at Roosevelt Middle School in West Orange.
Performances will be Saturday, February 9 and 16 at 7 p.m., Sunday, February 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. and President’s Day, Monday, February 18 at 3 p.m. The show is directed by Camille Vecchio-DiLorenzo, with music direction by Ilene Greenbaum and choreography by Cindy Jung McArthur.
For more than 30 years, this joyful, family-friendly musical has been giving audiences a new appreciation of the story of Jacob’s favorite son. Joseph, a boy blessed with the ability to interpret dreams, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt. He endures a series of trials and triumphs, from being thrown into jail to becoming Pharaoh’s second in command. Years later, Joseph’s brothers arrive in Egypt, starving and in need of help. Not recognizing their brother, they beg Joseph for assistance; eventually he reveals his identity and grants them all they desire. The story is told entirely in song, spanning musical styles from rock ‘n’ roll and country- western to calypso, pop, and more.
Pleasant Valley Productions was formed last year by theatre colleagues, Camille Vecchio-DiLorenzo, Ilene Greenbaum, and Howie Tilkin. The company’s mission is to create a professional theatre experience for local area performers, audience members, students and volunteers while providing a broad range of musical theatre works.
After presenting their inaugural production, the critically acclaimed "Songs for a New World" last March at the Pleasantdale Presbyterian Church, they have continued to grow their company’s presence in the community by offering free concerts at the West Orange Public Library as well as an after-school musical theatre enrichment program at Roosevelt Middle School.
The ten-week workshop enabled 7th and 8th graders to experience the world of live theatre from auditions through rehearsals and culminated in a performance for family and friends in December. The partnership with the West Orange schools is an integral part of the company's arts education mission and dedication to engaging students in theatre, both on stage and off. In addition to future theatrical events, PVP plans to continue and expand its arts education program and free concert series.
Performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be held at Roosevelt Middle School, located at 36 Gilbert Place, West Orange, NJ 07052. For more information, visit www.PleasantValleyProductions.org. For tickets, please visit www.brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.
Anna Berlinrut and Madelyn Hoffman are among those who will represent the Essex County chapter of Military Families Speak Out and New Jersey Peace Action at The Theater Project’s staged reading of BURY THE DEAD, Irwin Shaw’s 1936 anti-war play.
“Shaw’s play against the brutality of war is unfortunately as relevant today as it was over 75 years ago,” says Theater Project artistic director Mark Spina. “We have invited New Jersey Peace Action and Military Families Speak Out to help us discuss the issues raised by the play in our post performance talkbacks with audiences. Our goal is to stimulate dialogue in our community on this issue.”
The drama focuses on six soldiers killed in battle who rise up and refuse to be buried and forgotten, in spite of the pleadings of generals, their families, and society.
In August 2000, Madelyn Hoffman began her tenure as Executive Director of New Jersey Peace Action (NJPA), one of the nation's oldest grassroots organizations dedicated to nuclear disarmament. She is an adjunct professor of political science, a regular contributor to OpEd News and Bloomfield Life’s “Bloomfield Public Square.”
Anna Berlinrut is a co-founder of the Essex County Chapter of Military Families Speak Out. Her son is a Marine currently serving in Afghanistan on his 6th deployment in harm’s way. She believes in the necessity of a strong military for defensive purposes. Ms. Berlinrut was a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit against President George W. Bush to have the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq declared unconstitutional on the grounds that Congress lacks the authority to delegate its responsibility to declare war to the President.
The Theater Project, an award-winning New Jersey theater company at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood, is known for presenting outrageous comedy as well as drama with social commentary. Last November, the company tackled marriage equality, presenting a one-night-only reading of “8” by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, the play chronicling the historic California challenge to same-sex marriage.
"Bury The Dead" brings together twenty Theater Project actors, and will be directed by Artistic Director Mark Spina, who was awarded a 2012 best director award by the Star-Ledger. Each script-in-hand performance will be followed by a discussion with the audience and special guests, February 1 and 2 at 8 p.m, and Feb 3 at 2 p.m. at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood, NJ. Tickets ($20) may be reserved by calling 973.763.4029 or purchased through The Theater Project website, thetheaterproject.org
The Chatham Community Players will hold open auditions for the musical, "The Fantasticks", book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt.
The production runs May 3 – 18, 2013 at the Chatham Playhouse. Frank Licato directs, Patrick Horan is Musical Director. Rehearsals to begin during the last week of February.
Auditions will be held on Monday, February 11 and Tuesday, February 12 at 7pm at Stanley Congregational Church at 94 Fairmount Ave, Chatham, NJ. Please prepare a song (in the style of the show), and bring sheet music in the appropriate key.
An Accompanist will be provided. Actors auditioning for the roles of Henry, Mortimer and The Mute are asked to prepare an appropriate 2 minute monologue. Headshots and resumes are not required but gladly received.
The Chatham Players have an open call casting policy. ALL roles are open, none are precast, and everyone is encouraged to audition. Any questions please call Leslie Reagoso at (973) 769-3886 or email her at lesliereagoso@yahoo.com. For directions or additional information, please visit www.chathamplayers.org
Transporting the audience to a day in September, the narrator, El Gallo, tells a story of love and magic. Two young lovers, Luisa and Matt, must meet in secret, because their fathers, Hucklebee and Bellomy, are sworn enemies. Hucklebee and Bellomy have built a wall between their gardens to separate the young people, but Luisa and Matt are sure their love can conquer anything – even a wall – and they will be together forever.
Not everything goes according to plan, however, and ultimately Matt and Luisa venture out into the world alone. Finding themselves at the mercy of a cruel world, they start to wonder: is adulthood nothing but a place of pain and broken dreams, or is happiness waiting somewhere just out of sight?
El Gallo (Narrator): (strong baritone, low A to F above C) Man, 30-50. Seeking a ruggedly handsome, charismatic actor with sex appeal. Should have a facility for verse and excellent comedic skills. Moves very well. Magic skills a plus.
Matt (The Boy): (strong tenor/baritone, low A to F above C) Looks around 20. Seeking a strong actor and singer, energetic, with some dance.
Louisa (The Girl): (strong soprano: low B to high C) Looks 20 or younger, requires very strong acting and singing. Some dance.
Hucklebee (The Boy’s Father): (baritones, low A to F (D flat) above C) An ex-Navy chief. A bit sloppy. Seeking a strong character actor. Some dance. Must be able to handle harmony.
Henry (The Old Actor): Seeking an excellent character actor able to play very old, with strong stage presence. Shakespearean experience an asset. Non-singing role.
Mortimer (The Indian): Henry's sidekick. Seeking an “ageless” character actor with good pantomime ability. Non-singing role. Magic skills a plus.
Bickford Theatre will present “Murder in Green Meadows” by Douglas Post, a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, with performances Thursday, Jan. 31 through Sunday, Feb. 17.
"Thomas and his wife Joan have moved into their dream house in the quiet suburban town of Green Meadows. As a close friendship develops with their new neighbors, Carolyn and Jeff, an even closer friendship develops between Joan and Jeff. When Thomas finds out about their affair, his violent nature surfaces and he makes two demands of his wife: One, she must stop seeing Jeff. Two, she must kill him. What follows is a diabolical plot with sex, deception and mind games."
The theatre is located within the Morris museum at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 12-5 p.m.
Tickets: Reserved seats are $45 for the general public, $40 for senior citizens, $38 for Morris Museum and Bickford Theatre Guild Members, and $20 for students (18 or under or with valid college ID). Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more.
Currently making its Bergen County Players’ (BCP) stage debut as part of the troupe’s landmark 80th season is Arthur Miller’s engrossing and fascinating take on family loyalty "The Price." It will be at the BCP's Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell through February 2nd.
Originally staged at the Morosco Theatre in 1968, and nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Play, this character-driven drama is directed by veteran director Peter Colletto. The cast includes Andrew Lionetti (Westwood), J. Edmund Fond (Secaucus), Sharon Posada (Emerson) and Ed Gross (Westwood).
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for all Friday and Saturday performances, $16 for Sunday performances, and can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office during regular box office hours. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards accepted.
All performances take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949.
Parking is free at the Park Avenue municipal lot across the street, one half block north of the theater.
Celebrating 80 years, the Bergen County Players (BCP) will present "Beehive,"The 60s Musical, a rollicking revue of a musical decade dominated by historically powerful female performers. Under the direction of Dottie Fischer, "Beehive" will be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from February 16th through March 9th.
Shows will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m, and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours. Tickets are $22 or $18 for groups of 20 or more.
Whatever you think or remember of the 60s, Beehive is a celebratory 60s musical revue of the famous female vocalists of that time. This fun revue is all about the songs and how these incredible women singers were influenced by their social and political times. So while there was a lot of excitement, turbulence was always in the air. Women were questioning their roles in society and standing up for themselves in ways never before attempted.
As it has for the past few seasons, BCP will continue to offer a "Questions & Artists" (Q&A) discussion following select performances. Beehive, The 60s Musical Q&A will kick off immediately following the February 22, 2013 performance. Admission to the Q&A is included in the cost of the ticket.
Discount tickets for students age 25 and under with proper ID are available in advance for $14 by phone or walk-up only. A 'Student Rush' ticket can be purchased for $5 at the box office window starting 30 minutes before curtain with proper ID; this is a cash-only with a limit of one ticket per student.
Parking is free at the Park Avenue municipal lot across the street, one half-block north of the theater.
"The Bergen County Players has grown tremendously from its roots as a small community theater when it was founded in 1932; today, nearly 300 volunteer members, working on and off stage, make possible the nine productions presented each season. The remaining season includes: Better Late (March 23rd, April 20th, 2013) and Boeing-Boeing (May 4th, June 2nd, 2013)."
Further information can be found at www.bcplayers.org where tickets can be purchased at no additional fee.
Intro to Improv Comedy for Adults and Teens-Get your comedy groove on while gaining confidence and having FUN!
Have you seen our improv comedy shows and thought "that looks like so much fun"? Do you envy the ease at which some people face a crowd? Are you an actor exploring comedy? If yes, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE... this course is just for you!
GREAT OPPORTUNITY to try improv comedy in this two-hour workshop taught by professional improv master Dave Maulbeck.
Terrell Wheeler attended Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and recently made his Off-Broadway debut in Katori Hall's"Children of Killers" as Vincent. Other credits include "Kings River"(Foxhole Entertainment, Medicine Show Theatre), "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" as Pontius Pilot (Wide Eyed Productions, Richmond Shepard Theatre) and "Mourning Sun" (Shaggae's Song Performing Arts Collective, Five Angels Theater.
Anton Floyd, known for his charm and quick wit has been gracing stages nationwide. This Texarkana, Arkansas native decided to pursue acting while attending Alabama State. After four years of service in the United States of America Marine Corp he attended Penn State for Masters Training. While at Penn State, he completed two years of study and decided it was time to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional actor. Anton Floyd's professional roles include: Grant Wiggins, A Lesson Before Dying; Cory, Fences (Black Theatre Troup, AZ); Darren Lemming, Take me Out (Provincetown Theatre, MA); Booth, TopDog UnderDog (New Horizon Theatre, PA); Sterling Johnson, Radio Golf; Toledo, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Kuntu Repertory Theatre, PA).
Chester Theatre Group is presenting Nora and Delia Ephron’s touching and comic adaptation of Ilene Beckerman’s book “Love, Loss and What I Wore” for one weekend only February 1 – 3, 2013.
Ilene Beckerman, author of the bestselling LOVE LOSS AND WHAT I WORE, will be part of the seven member cast of the Chester Theatre Group’s production to be held at the Black River Playhouse Friday and Saturday, February 1-2 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, February 3 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Cindy Alexander, the play, which was adapted for the stage by Nora and Delia Ephron, ran successfully off-Broadway for several seasons garnering rave reviews. The New York Times called the show “Funny, compelling” and “Brought down the house.”
It weaves stories about women, clothes and memory covering all the important subjects and their impact on moments in their lives. There will be a talk back with the cast after each performance.
Playhouse 22 will be having open auditions for "Sunday in the Park with George," a musical by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Jonathan Wierzbicki with musical direction by Rory Chalcraft on Sunday, January 27 at 1 p.m. and Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at 7 p.m.
The show dates are April 19 - May 5, 2013. All shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Auditions will be held at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.
The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey will next present the East Coast Premiere of "With Two Wings" from February 1st through February 24th. Performances are Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., plus Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m.
"With Two Wings" created by Anne Negri is the winner of our 2011-2012 New Play Reading Festival. Also, the play was a recipient of the 2009 Playwrighting Award from the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences playwrighting competition.
It was further developed at Write Now (formerly The Bonderman Playwrighting for Youth), a national playwrighting competition and symposium presented by Indiana Repertory Theatre and Childsplay in Arizona.
"With Two Wings" is under the direction of Stephen L. Fredericks, The Growing Stage’s Executive Director.
The play takes place in a world where people are born with wings and the ability to fly. The story centers around a young boy named Lyf, who lives a hidden existence in the woods with his parents. One day, a pair of twins, Meta and Taur, stumble upon Lyf’s isolated home. Meta gives Lyf secret flying lessons and Taur begins to ask questions about Lyf’s mysterious family. When Lyf discovers his father’s top-secret invention, he must confront his parents and face a reality that will either tear them apart or bring them closer together. It is a story of trust, taking risks, forgiveness, sensitivity about our differences and most importantly about taking ownership of one’s own story.
"With Two Wings" features the talents of five professional equity performers in the cast. P. J. Schweizer of Doylestown, PA, who recently played the role of Hermey the Elf in our production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, returns to our stage as Lyf; Rosemary Glennon of Tewksbury and Josh Carpenter of Queens, NY portraying Meta and Taur. Also in the cast are Lori B. Lawrence of Hackettstown and Sam Kitchin of Sparta playing Mom and Dad.
The Growing Stage continues FUN-tastic Fridays with all tickets $15! Saturday and Sunday tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors. To place your reservation, contact the Growing Stage Box Office at (973) 347-4946 or e-mail at boxoffice@growingstage.com Group rates and Birthday Party packages are available.
"Fuddy Meers" is the name of a very funny, very quirky dark comedy now playing at the Barn Theatre in Montville. With the 85th season lineup including such Broadway Tony winning or nominated productions as "Noises Off," "God of Carnage" and "Chorus Line" The Barn and director Todd Mills selected for their mid-season play the lesser known, but still very entertaining, "Fuddy Meers" by David Lindsay-Abaire. It was Lindsay-Abaire's first play and debuted off-Broadway in 1999.
One reviewer proclaimed Lindsay-Abaire a "comic genius." He also earned several awards during the initial run, including Most Promising Dramatist in 1999. Since then Lindsay-Abaire received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007 for his play Rabbit Hole, which also earned several Tony Award nominations. He wrote the book and lyrics for the new musical Shrek the Musical which opened on Broadway in 2009 and several films including "Rabbit Hole" with Nicole Kidman.
As his first play "Fuddy Meers" may not have the polish of his later plays, but nonetheless it is a unique, outrageous, highly entertaining play populated by seven unforgettable characters. Here is the difficult or awkward part for a reviewer...the plays success is built on a barrage of plot twists and surprises that naturally we are not about to reveal.
The play centers on a married woman, Claire, who lives in a suburban home with her husband Richard and 17 year old son Kenny. The husband operates the MRI at the local hospital were he met Claire, a school nurse. Sounds very normal...except several years ago Claire was in an accident (or was she?) that left her with a rare form of amnesia that erases her memory whenever she falls asleep. Each morning she is reintroduced to her husband, son and the rest of her world.... including her own name. The husband's clever method of restoring at least some of her memory is to review with her a scrapbook he assembled including photographs of family members and others all properly labeled.
The play covers one day and begins in the morning in the master bedroom with Claire awaking to find a strange man lurking in her room.....husband Richard or is he? Before her day is over she is kidnapped or is she? Her husband plans to kill her or does he? She is involved with thieves, a cop, her stroke-afflicted mother and a "potty" mouthed puppet. Any further plot or character description will lead us into "spoiler" territory.
Ok, the plot is bizarre and often defies logic, but it is fun and it has a very able cast led by Jill Bormann (Chester Theater Group regulars will remember Jill from "Mauritius") she's wonderful as Claire...a role that requires spending the entire play dressed in pajamas! Nicely playing Richard, her slightly nerdy husband (or is he?), is Fred Halperin. Caroline Crafton is Heidi, a specially attractive cop. Particularly well cast, i.e absolutely perfect in their roles, are Jean Habrukowich as Gertie, Claire’s mother, a cerebral hemorrhage victim who speaks in “stroke talk.” She's simply marvelous. Anthony Duke Claus as Kenny, Claire's son, Joe Guadara as not so bright Millet and Michael Reddin as The Limping Man are each outstanding. Oh, so is the real charmer of the cast Hinky-Binky played to perfection by Handrew Soxx with an assist from Joe Guadara.
As with most of the productions we've seen at The Barn Theatre these performances are at or near professional level. Director Todd Mills, of the Mills family of directors, has produced another winner for this distinguished community theatre. Todd Mills not only directed he is responsible for set, lighting and sound design. Assisting Mills are Claire MacDonald stage manager, Dave McDonald props, Brian James Grace hair and make-up, Christine Morgan costume design and Carol Offermann and Sean Byrne light and sound operation. The co-producers are Janet Lazar and John Weiss.
Remaining performances will be on January 25, 26 and February 1 and 2 at 8 p.m; and January 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 (senior/student tickets are $16 on matinees only).
The Barn Theatre is located on Skyline Drive in Montville, NJ, just minutes off Exit 47 from Route 287. For more reservations, information or directions, call The Barn Theatre Box Office at (973) 334-9320, or visit The Barn on the web at www.barntheatre.org.
Dreamcatcher Rep is the first New Jersey theatre to present "The Language Archive," Julia Cho's hit play that recently ran at both the Roundabout in New York and South Coast Rep in California.
This comedy of the heart explores the mysterious language of love as it weaves together the stories of five people in the throes of love. OC Weekly said that this 2010 Blackburn Prize winner is, "A quirky but ravishingly well-written piece that is smart, funny, deep and tender."
Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. The location: Oakes Center 120 Morris Avenue, Summit -Directions. (entrance on Russell Place, parking lot on Ashwood Ave.)
Submitted photo — High Point State Park, including the former Kuser Mansion, was deeded to the Commissioners of High Point State Park on April 24, 1923, with the formal dedication on May 23, 1923.
Submitted photo — The High Point Monument, which was dedicated "To the glory and honor and eternal memory of New Jersey's Heroes by land and sea and air in all wars of our country."
Photo by Jennie Sweetman — Interpretative signs were dedicated by the Friends of High Point State Park in June 2003. The heading on this particular signage reflects that "Public Parks: Refuge & Recreation for All. At the Park's 75th Anniversary Celebration, the brochure included the verbiage that: High Point State Park is a public legacy of the philanthropy of Colonel Anthony R. Kuser and his wife, Susie Dryden Kuser. In 1922, the Kusers offered to donate their 10,600-acre mountaintop estate to the state of New Jersey for a public park and wildlife preserve."
MONTAGUE/WANTAGE -- A press release received from state Sen. Steve Oroho, R-24th Dist, appeared in local newspapers, including the Herald, on June 12, in which it was announced that a bill was pending to change the name of High Point State Park to High Point Veterans' State Park.
The release noted that the proposed name change had passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. The Legislation, which has bipartisan sponsorship in both houses of the Legislature, now heads to the full state Senate for consideration. Assemblyman Parker Space and Hal Wirths, also both R-24th Dist., and Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, D-28th Dist., sponsor the identical Assembly legislation.
Bill S542 reads in part that: "In 1918, the New Jersey Department of Conservation and Development proposed the creation on the Kittatinny Mountains in Sussex and Warren counties a great forest park for the benefit of the whole people."
"In 1920, Director Alfred Gaskil of the Division of Parks and Forestry suggested that the park be established as the State's memorial to its sons who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War.
"In fulfillment of this plan, Colonel Anthony Kuser deeded his mountaintop summer estate at High Point to the State in 1923 for a public park and avian sanctuary.
"In November 1927, Colonel Kuser further donated $500,00 to erect a granite-clad obelisk on New Jersey's highest peak to honor the veterans of all wars.
"The High Point Veterans' Monument was dedicated to the ‘Glory and Honor and Eternal Memory of New Jersey's heroes by land, sea, and air, in all wars of our Country' in June 1930.
"Although the High Point Veterans' Monument is one of the most visible and best known landmarks in the State, and is a symbol of the State's parks and forests, the purpose for which it was built has receded from memory, and the surrounding park is now only known by the name High Point State Park."
The new section concludes, "It is therefore appropriate to rename the entire park to emphasize the original purpose to which it was dedicated and to respect the men and women who have given their lives to protect this country."
(Incidentally, one section of the bill refers to High Point State Park as "Island Beach State Park. Ouch!).
One county resident, Michael Bender, however, takes exception to the proposal bill, as he believes the information that is portrayed in the bill is inaccurate. Bender expresses concern that if the bill is adopted, that the incorrect information that appears in the bill S542 will be perpetuated forever by the proposed name change.
Bender holds the position that the donation of the park by Susie Dryden Kuser and her husband, Col. Anthony R. Kuser was that the park and the monument are to be viewed as two separate entities with the park dedicated as a park, natural preserve and avian center and the monument dedicated to the "Glory and Honor and Eternal Memory of New Jersey's heroes by land, sea and air, in all wars of our Country."
To prove his point, Bender points to the inscription that appears on one of the signs erected in the park to replace the Kuser Mansion that was demolished in October 1995. The inscription reads: "The Gift of a State Park -- High Point -- One of New Jersey's First State Parks. Like many early parks, High Point was privately owned for many years. During the early 1900s it was the summer estate of Anthony Kuser and his wife, Susie Dryden Kuser. Senator John F. Dryden, founder of Prudential Life Insurance, also owned a substantial amount of the land. Devoted conservationists, the Kusers and Drydens ultimately decided that their estates should become a public park for all to enjoy.
"High Point State Park was dedicated in 1923 as a nature reserve for the public and to protect wildlife and water resources. High Point was one of the first state parks in New Jersey and served as a model for other parks."
As for the history of the park and the monument, early pioneer settlers cleared the lands, sold the timbers and had homesteads on the mountain. It was Port Jervis, N.Y., resident Charles St. John Jr. who built the High Point Inn in 1890. Although initially a popular summer resort, hard times hit and St. John was forced into bankruptcy.
In 1910, fraternal twins, John and Anthony Kuser purchased the inn and surrounding land. In 1911, John sold his portion to his brother and plans were implemented to change the inn into a private country estate. To accomplish this, a portion of the inn was demolished.
According to local tradition, the Kusers did not use the estate very often, as Mrs. Kuser did not like the snakes that abounded on the property.
In "High Point Park -- on the roof of New Jersey" compiled by author Albert Payson Terhune, it was written that "High Point State Park, consisting of 10,500 acres of mountain and forest and the house and other buildings on it, was given to New Jersey in 1922 by Colonel and Mrs. Anthony R. Kuser as a bird sanctuary, nature reservation and for general park purposes. It was accepted by the Legislature of 1923 and a commission appointed to govern it." On April 24, 1923, the land was deeded to the Commissioners of High Point State Park. The First Board of Commissioners consisted of President Wayne Dumont, Vice President Dr. John L. Haggerty, second Vice President Gertrude Scudder Bodine, Treasurer Felix Fuld and Executive Secretary John J Stanton.
According to the program of the dedication of the High Point Monument, actual construction of the monument started in August 1928, and the huge reinforced concrete base was poured that fall before cold weather halted further work. Ceremonies attending the laying of the cornerstone were held June 8, 1929.
Dedication of the monument was held June 21, 1930, with Hon. Dryden Kuser, Senator of Somerset County, (and the son of the original donators) presenting the monument and then-Gov. Morgan F. Larson accepting it. As the program noted, there were two bronze tablets, one at the right of the entrance door to the monument and one at the left. The tablet on the right bore the following inscription, "This monument is erected by Colonel and Mrs. Anthony R. Kuser to the Glory and Honor and Eternal Memory of New Jersey's Heroes by land and sea and air in all wars of our country."
The tablet on the left bears the following inscription, "High Point Monument, Height 120 feet, Base 34 Feet Square at the platform and 20 feet square where apex begins. The base of the monument is erected on the highest point in the state of New Jersey, altitude 1827 feet above sea level."
Newspaper accounts reported that three showers interrupted the program, causing those about the grounds to hastily seek shelter.
Senate Bill S542 is pending in the state Legislature but county resident Bender expresses concern that the history contained in the bill is misleading and that by changing the park's name, the original intent of the donation of the park by the Kusers will be lost forever.
Jennie Sweetman is the history columnist for the New Jersey Herald. She may be contacted at jennniee@warwick.net.
Join us for our Fall Celebration at Diggerland complete with festive fall decorations throughout the park and some great fall activities for the whole family!
A ground maintenance contractor is a the company which keeps the environment clean, healthy, safe and attractive. They work on business parks, golf course, athletics field and parks and ensure a clean and beautiful environment is maintained. A ground maintenance contractor have the following roles; landscaping, planting grass, flowers and bush around the compound to maintain a green and beautiful environment around a building. Also the ground maintenance contractor apply fertilizer and water to the planted vegetation to ensure it grows healthy.
After the vegetation have grown the ground maintenance contractor trims shrubs and pull weed for the vegetation to ensure health growing of the vegetation. The ground maintenance contractor cuts down tree branches that possess danger to human or those that prevent light penetration. Also rake and mulch work in a compound are the role of the ground contractor as he or she ensures the environment is clean and attractive.
Ground maintenance contractor are responsible for grass cutting and collecting leaves and dry plants in the compound. Ground maintenance contractors removes algae and moss on walls part, rocky parts and walkways. It may be through manual removal or use of pesticide. This occurs during rainy seasons as algae grows in presence of high humidity in the atmosphere. Also stained walls may be painted by the ground maintenance contractor.
The ground maintenance contractor provide maintenance service and repair to equipment utilized in ground keeping and landscaping. Also can maintenance procedure such as fixing fountains. The contractor can trim edges around flower bed, walls and walkways. On the walkways the contractor sweep, build walkways and remove snows that may cause a person to fall. Also the ground maintenance contractor sprays pesticides to get ride if insects such as mosquito and wasp which may cause harm to human.
The contractor can also build simple fence to control movement of people in walkways or protect an area which contain delicate plant such as a small tree. Ground maintenance contractor offer advisory services relating to landscaping, designing of compounds and appropriate vegetation to plant.
Due to their knowledge, they know the appropriate timing for planting season and correct species of flower, grass and shrubs that can survive in a particular type of soil. Also they offer financial advice on construction and maintenance cost of a landscape.
Ground maintenance contractor are responsible for attraction or repulsion of local animals such as birds, reptile or insects. The contractor may attract insects such as butterfly, bee and grasshopper which help in pollinating flowers. Butterfly species also beautify the environment. While birds feed on nectar they pollinate the flowers and help in the continuation of plant generation.
During rainy season ground maintenance contractor drains of stagnant water to prevent breeding site for mosquitoes. Also they are responsible for swimming pool care. Ground maintenance contractor clean swimming pool and exchange water, then afterwards the treat the water using chloride to decontaminate it.
Ground maintenance contractor are responsible for cleaning and clearance of gutters, to ensure harvesting of clean water and prevent wastage of water during raining seasons due to blockage. Also the provide tree surgery services which include repair of damaged tree, removal of damaged part or straightening of branches.
Also ground maintenance contractor offer training services on ground machinery and equipment to new user to prevent accident and damage of working tools. Ground maintenance contractors have skills in tree and flower nursery.
This is an important skill because several species of trees and flower can be planted and sold for commercial purposes. The ground maintenance contractor have special skills in determination of diseases that may attack trees, grass and flower. This will help in prevention measures to avoid loses and treatment of affected area on time. Since ground maintenance contractor are well trained in handling of chemicals and pesticides, correct treatment measures are taken and also health safety is ensured.
In conclusion ground maintenance contractor are important since they maintain a clean, habitable and beautiful environment. It is important to hire a ground maintenance contractor due to their level of skill in matter related to the environment and landscaping. To be able to have a healthy, safe and clean environment, ground maintenance contractors needed to be hired and equipped with adequate knowledge during their training.
The importance of grass maintenance to a business cannot be overemphasised. Grass renders to a business a unique connection to nature, and is one of the most welcoming sites to just about every person ... read more