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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

CENTENARY STAGE’S PRODUCTION OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED COMEDY, “THE LIAR,” OPENS THIS WEEKEND

LIAR3-edited-smallTHE LIAR
By Pierre Corneille, adapted for modern audiences by celebrated playwright David Ives
Directed by Carl Wallnau

WHEN: February 21st through March 9th; Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. There are 2 PM matinées on Wednesdays February 26th and March 5th and for the Preview Performance on Friday, February 21st.
WHERE:
David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown
TICKETS: $25 to $27.50 with discounts for students and seniors.
Every Thursday night is “Family Night,” which offers a 2-for-1 rush ticket price when purchased at the door.

Tickets may be purchased online, at the CSC Box Office located in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown, or by calling 908.979.0900. The Box Office is open 1-5 PM Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to performance times.

Love and laughs are in the air at Centenary Stage Company (CSC) in this season’s romantic comedy The Liar, a story of mistaken identity and half-truths has delighted audiences and critics time and again. (Top: (From left): Erica Knight as Lucrece, Brian Sheppard as Dorante, and Dana Gartland as Clarice)

LIAR26-edited-smallFrom all these misunderstandings and a series of breathtakingly intricate lies springs one of the Western world's greatest comedies, a sparkling urban romance as fresh as the day Pierre Corneille wrote it, brilliantly adapted for today by David Ives of Venus in Fur and All in the Timing fame. The Washington Post says, “The Liar and its mischievous adapter, David Ives, want you to savor every meticulously groomed conceit, every stylishly turned-out couplet, every assiduously manicured joke.” (Above: Brian Sheppard as Dorante and Phil E. Eichinger as Alcippe)

The Wall Street Journal says, “I laughed so hard that I was sore the next day…By wedding [Ives'] verbal prestidigitation to Corneille's mistaken-identity plot, Mr. Ives has come up with a play in which the laughs flow freely and joyously."

"If there's anything half as entertaining as THE LIAR onstage hereabouts, I'd be obliged if someone would let me know about it."—Washington City Paper

The liar himself is actor Brian Sheppard (New York, NY), who recently played Hamlet with The Tennessee Shakespeare Company. Playing the role of Dorante’s servant Cliton is Tom Morin (Queens, NY), returning to CSC after starring in last spring’s The Cripple of Inishmaan. Having performed at the legendary Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, UK Native Dana Gartland is making her CSC debut as Clarice. The role of Lucrece is being played by young yet experienced Shakespearean actress Erica Knight (Berkeley Heights), who has worked regularly with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and The American Globe Theatre in New York. The role of Dorante’s father is played by Broadway and CSC veteran Alan Coates. Phil E. Eichinger (Rahway) returns to CSC to play Alcippe after being featured in CSC’s 2008 production of You May Go Now, and he was recently in an episode of NBC’s Law & Order. Rounding out the cast is Centenary College Theatre alum Christopher J. Young (Wharton) returning to the CSC stage after completing his MFA in Acting at Ohio University, and current Centenary student in her CSC debut, Morgan Mack (Old Bridge).

Directing this production is CSC’s “Master of Comedy” Carl Wallnau. Emmy Award-winning designer Bob Phillips has once again been chosen to beautify the stage of the Sitnik Theatre with his stunning and life-like set designs. Resident Costumer and Centenary College Professor of Fashion Julia Sharp lends her expertise to dress the cast in period garb.

Photos by Bob Eberle.