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Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Chatham Playhouse to Host 24th Annual Jersey Voices Festival Starting July 27th

Jersey Voices (2018)

Evening of one-act plays enables writers to showcase original scripts while allowing directors and actors to experiment with new roles. This year’s production will include seven original short plays written by New Jersey playwrights.

WHEN: Friday and Saturday evenings, July 27, 28, August 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 5 at 7 p.m.
WHERE:
  Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Ave., Chatham, NJ.
TICKETS: $15. 
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.

We welcome you to join us as we explore the joys of live, original theater in The Chatham Playhouse, where Jersey Voices has provided a venue for New Jersey playwrights to showcase their work since 1995. 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 75 authors in their 24 years. “I'm constantly amazed by the talent and creativity of the Playwrights of New Jersey whose plays we get to present every summer,” said Co-Producer, Bob Denmark. “The 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.”

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. "We routinely read over 100 plays each year to bring the very best to our audience,” said Co-producer Andrea Young. Young added, "Performing so close to the audience in our black-box theater requires skilled directors and actors to bring these plays, and the people in them, to life."

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

  • “Romance 101” by Brianna Keller of Glen Rock - Unlucky in love, Travis decides to learn from the ladies of the ROMANCE 101 book club. Join Patti, Meredith, Sally and Gladys as they teach young Travis a thing or two about Love and Romance. This play features Bradley Carrington of Summit, Colleen Grundfest of Warren, Sharon Quinn of South Orange, Julie Ann Nolan of Little Falls and Jessica Phelan of Montclair. Directed by George Seylaz of Belleville.
  • Paula Ehrenberg and Chip Prestera - Full“Squirrel Tames Human” by Luigi Jannuzzi of Hillsborough - Chip has bet Junior a winter’s stash of acorns that he is the squirrel that knows how to train human behavior. This play features Chip Prestera of Stirling and Paula Ehrenberg (right) of Summit. Directed by Kevern Cameron of Hardyston.
  • Cheryl Sarkaria and Gordon Wiener - Full“Free Pass” by Tom Baum of South Orange - A widower in his late 60s meets a woman in her 40s at a hotel bar – is there love after the death of a loved one? This play features Gordon Wiener of Martinsville and Cheryl Sarkaria (right) of Gillette. Directed by Arnold Buchiane of Summit.
  • “Foster” by Jerrod Bogard of Brooklyn - Foster parents meet with their social worker about  issues with their foster son. The parents don’t share the same perspective, but important choices must be made. This play features Melinda DelPizzo of Lincoln Park, Jean Kuras of Glen Ridge and Derek Simmons of Perth Amboy. Directed by Joann Scanlon of Chatham and Assistant Directed by Eleanor Anderson of Florham Park
  • “Bug Rescuing” by Judy Klass of Nashville, TN - Joan joins Michael on his corporate retreat. How do a couple navigate their differences? This play features Jackie Jacobi of Edison and Matt McCarthy of Morristown. Directed by Lauri MacMillan of Rockaway.
  • Bradley Carrington and Howard Fischer - Full“The Rub of the Green” by Tom Tunnington of Brick Twp -  After many years, a combat veteran goes to the only place that he can still be with his comrades. The play features Howard Fischer of Berkeley Heights and Bradley Carrington of Summit (right). Directed by Elizabeth Rogers of West Orange.
  • “The King” by Nicole Pandolfo of Gibbstown -  A late night backstage meeting - a Las Vegas Elvis impersonator meets someone who might just be the genuine article. The play features Jeff Maschi of Highland Park and Dominick DeNucci of New Providence. Directed by Steve Ruskin 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 2018-2019 season, visit www.chathamplayers.org.

Photos by Howard Fischer.