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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

CHATHAM PLAYHOUSE TO HOST 18th ANNUAL JERSEY VOICES FESTIVAL STARTING JULY 27th

peoples choice award winner 2010JERSEY VOICES

WHEN: Friday and Saturday evenings, July 27, 28 and August 3 and 4. All performances begin at 8 PM
WHERE:
Chatham Playhouse 23 North Passaic Ave., Chatham
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.

From the moment the festival concludes in August, playwrights from all around New Jersey begin to send Chatham Community Players their works. “I can't believe that this is our eighteenth season of producing original works by New Jersey authors. We are very pleased to have 2 veteran directors returning and 4 new directors. As it has been over the past few years, the talent pool continues to increase. We welcome you to join us as we explore the joys of live, original theatre in The Chatham Playhouse,” said Artistic Director, Bob Lukasik.

The six plays this year run the gamut from comedy to heart-gripping drama, and the themes cover many aspects of life such as loss, fear and unconditional love. 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,” said Producer Bob Denmark.

Each of the following pieces will be performed each night of the festival:

  • 6 in the Kid by Ralph Greco, Jr. of Clifton - A young aspiring writer interviews with a famous playwright to be a research assistant. But the playwright may not be exactly who they seem to be; or maybe they don't really want a research assistant after all. This production features Cooper Sacks of Summit, Jean Kuras of Glen Ridge and Terri Sturtevant of Hillsborough. Directed by Joann Scanlon of Chatham.
  • The Buffer by Mike Allegra of Scotch Plains - Sarah has convinced Bill to go out with her best friend and her friend’s annoying, unemployed husband. Bill, who dislikes the husband, realizes that he is going as a “buffer” and doesn’t want to go. Couples negotiations ensue, with an unexpected outcome. This production features Jeff Foote of Denville and Jessica Phelan of Montclair. Directed by Paul Bettys of Parsippany.
  • Ping by Mary Jane Walsh of Basking Ridge - A one-woman play that depicts, in a riveting fashion, a mother's unwavering love for her grown child. This production features Terri Sturtevant of Hillsborough. Directed by Arnold Buchiane of Summit.
  • The Portrait Gallery by Gary Shaffer of Toms River - An older gentleman sits quietly on a bench viewing paintings at a museum gallery, while a younger woman sits quietly on the floor sketching one the hanging portraits. Another man enters the gallery, disrupting their world and learns there is indeed more there than meets the eye. This production features Miriam Salerno of Millburn, Scott Tyler of Cedar Knolls and Jim Clancy of Basking Ridge. Directed by Stephen Catron of Mendham.
  • Children of September by Eric Alter of West Orange - Sometimes wanting to believe is all we have ... and all we need. This production features Liz Royce of Cedar Grove, Maude Weiss of Short Hills and Brett Levin of Summit. Directed by Frank Briamonte of Scotch Plains.
  • The Incident Report by E.M. Lewis of Princeton- When a passenger ends up dead on a plane, an aviation safety investigator attempts to discover the truth of what happened. This production features Brian Carroll of Union, Jeff Maschi of Milltown, Chip Prestera of Stirling, Jim Clancy of Basking Ridge and Jessica Phelan of Montclair. Directed By Chris Messineo of New Providence.