Pages

Monday, July 25, 2016

29TH ANNUAL JERSEY VOICES FESTIVAL STARTS IN CHATHAM ON JULY 29

ImageHappily Ever After - Katherine LeFevreJERSEY VOICES

Evening of one-act plays enables writers to showcase original scripts while allowing directors and actors to experiment with new roles

WHEN: Friday and Saturday evenings, July 29, 30, August 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 7 at 7 p.m.
WHERE:
Chatham Playhouse 23 North Passaic Ave Chatham, NJ.
ADMISSION:$15 for adults (19 and older) and $13 for youth (18 and under). To access the theater’s online ticketing service, simply go to ccp.booktix.com.
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.

The Chatham Community Players (CCP) will host its 22nd annual Jersey Voices One-Act Festival with five performances between July 29 and August 7. This year’s production will include seven original short plays written by New Jersey playwrights.

What Every Grown SonJersey Voices has provided a venue for New Jersey playwrights to showcase their new works since 1995. Each year we hope to present the very best, new, original one-act plays by New Jersey authors. There’s a risk in coming to see any author’s new work, whether you’ve heard of them before or not. It’s brave and courageous, and we’re grateful our audience trusts us enough to share the experience. Jersey Voices has presented the work of more than 70 authors in their 22 years. “We are both proud and yet humble to be a part of the Theatre community. Playwriting is alive and well in New Jersey” says Producer, Bob Denmark.

Each year dozens of people—authors, actors crew, directors—do their best to give us new material, fresh faces, different perspectives and interesting ideas—in short, good theater. “The plays this year include comedy and drama and even a newlywed Prince and Princess. Though the themes cover many aspects of life—loss, fear and the need for deeper communication, there’s love in each piece” said Artistic Director, Bob Lukasik.

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

  • Bottle for a Special Occasion by Bill Kovacsik of Boulder, CO - “What do you choose when you want a gift that keeps on giving?” This production features Duane Noch of Middletown and Terri Sturtevant of Hillsborough. Directed by Arnold Buchiane of Summit.
  • Paper Bell by Ralph Greco, Jr. of Clifton - “It’s the little moments that we share in life that are often the best This production features Charlie Thomson of Chatham, Lauri MacMillan of Rockaway and Lewis Decker of Millington. Directed by Jessica Phelan of Montclair.
  • Not Enough by Chip Bolcik of Upper Montclair, NJ - “When in a marriage is anything enough?” This production features Lewis Decker of Millington and Bridget Burke Weiss of Boonton. Directed by Robert Lukasik of Kinnelon.
  • One, Three, Two by Michael Weems of Simsbury, CT -“It’s a number’s game or is it?” This production features Dan DeGuzman of Chatham and Sarah Blannet Pahraon of Maplewood. Directed by Lynn Polan of Chatham.
  • Happily Ever After by Jeanne Johnston of Bloomfield - “It sounds like a good idea but how do you go from “will you marry me” to “happily ever after.” This production features Bradley Carrington of Summit and Katherine LeFevre (top image) of South Orange. Directed by George Seylaz of Belleville.
  • What Every Grown Son Wants his Mother To Know by Joann Scanlon of Chatham - “A birthday Celebration becomes an educational event.” This production features Paula Ehrenberg of Summit, Colleen Grundfest of Warren Twp., Amie Quivey of Morris Twp. and Zach Sinske of Florham Park (above left). Directed by Kevern Cameron of Hamburg.
  • Fantasy Dance by Gary Shaffer of Point Pleasant - “Guys and their “Sports Talk” – it never changes.” This production features Frank Blaeuer of Weehawken, Bob Grundfest of Warren Twp., Roy Pancirov of Madison and TJ Ryan of Dover. Directed by Joann Scanlon of Chatham.

About the Chatham Playhouse

The Chatham Community Players 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 2016-2017 season, visit www.chathamplayers.org.

Photos taken by Howard Fisher