Evening of one-act plays enables writers to showcase original scripts, while allowing directors and actors to experiment with new roles
17th annual Jersey Voices One-Act Festival
WHEN: Performance dates are Friday and Saturday evenings, July 29, 30 and August 5 and 6. There is one Thursday performance on August 4. All performances begin at 8 PM
WHERE: Chatham Playhouse 23 North Passaic Ave Chatham, NJ
TICKETS: $15 for adults (19 and older) and $10 for youth (18 and under). They can be ordered by visiting CCP’s Web site at www.chathamplayers.org/tickets.htm and clicking on TicketLeap. For more information, call the box office at 973.635.7363 or go to www.chathamplayers.org. It is highly recommended that tickets be purchased in advance. Patrons with special needs requiring seating accommodations should contact the Playhouse at least 24 hours prior to the performance. Without prior notice, accommodations cannot be guaranteed.
This year’s production will include five original short plays written by New Jersey playwrights, as well as one original dance piece.
Jersey Voices has provided a venue for New Jersey playwrights to showcase their work since 1995. "I’m constantly amazed and excited by the creativity, the resilience, the persistence of the playwrights of New Jersey whose plays we get to present every summer. This year's Jersey Voices includes 5 one-act plays which range from spy intrigue to an interaction in the Ladies Room—you know, the usual great stuff that New Jersey authors send us," said Producer Bob Denmark.
Denmark also added, "Many people, when they think about Jersey Voices, think about one-act plays—and why wouldn't they, we're a one-act play festival and over the years we've produced more than 100 of them. But, the first Jersey Voices, seventeen years ago, also included an original dance piece. Over the years, Donald Earle Howes has created some wonderfully creative, dances set to explosive rock music for JV. Last year, Desiree Caro crafted a murder mystery in dance to Tom Wait's Kiss Me Deadly. This year, Ms. Caro's Dance of the Ahtu, written with Anthony Rubolotta, is the story of the tribal rites or the Lenape Indians who lived in Chatham many years ago."
Each of the following pieces will be performed each night of the festival:
- DANCE OF THE AHTU by Desirée Caro and Anthony Rubolotta— A tribal dance piece set in a primitive wilderness that explores man's symbiotic relationship with nature and the struggle for survival. This production features Daniel Mages of South Amboy, Michael Montalbano of Astoria, NY, Jenna Corine Cataldi of Wayne, Sarah Jes Austell of NYC, Melissa Kaban of Westfield, Megan Ferentinos of Cranford, Samuel Spare of Howell and James Lopez of Lake Hiawatha.Directed & Choreographed by Desirée Caro of Montclair.
- COLD CALLING by Thomas Tunnington — A salesman extraordinaire meets his match in a curious little girl. This production features Robert Mackasek of Union. Directed by Joann Scanlon Chatham.
- CANAAN WEDDING or The DISCIPLES GONE WILD by John Dowgin — How different would a Biblical story look like if it was written today? This production features Jim Clancy of Basking Ridge, Lou Savarese of Randolph, Will McHugh of Bedminster, Paul Bettys of Denville, Steve Gabe of Madison, Colleen Labella of Clark, Daniel Mages of South Amboy, Michael Montalbano of Astoria, NY, James Lopez of Lake Hiawatha and Stacey Simon of Berkeley Heights. Directed by Jon DeAngelis of Chatham.
- FORSAKING ALL OTHERS by G.A. Perrie — What happens when the family of the Bride and the family of the Groom meet? This production features Beth Gleason of Chester, Jean Kuras of Glen Ridge, Lou Savarese of Randolph and Diane Lotti of New Providence. Directed by Loretta Napolitano of Denville.
- WHATEVER AND DELICATELY by Pia Wilson — It's never wise to make snap judgments. This production features Bridget Burke Weiss of Boonton and Samantha Kaplan of Pompton Lakes. Directed by Beth Amiano Gleason of Chester
- Mr. X by Susan Barsky — Jim Clancy of Baskin.g Ridge, David Hoffman of Summit and Nick Clarey of West Orange. Directed by Arnold Buchiane of Summit
About the Chatham Community Players
The Chatham Playhouse is home to the Chatham Community Players (CCP). CCP has been entertaining residents of Morris County and the surrounding area since 1922. The organization’s mission is to produce high-quality theater for a diverse audience, while elevating its standard of excellence and providing a creative outlet with educational opportunities and outreach programs. For more information, including details of CCP’s upcoming 90th Season (2011-2012), visit www.chathamplayers.org
