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Thursday, November 29, 2018

SHIRAH COMMUNITY CHORUS ON THE PALISADES TO PERFORM IN TENAFLY

Shirah Concert 2016-06-19 (5)

SHIRAH COMMUNITY CHORUS: Winter Concert Celebrating Chanukah and More

WHEN: Sunday, December 2, 2 pm
WHERE:
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly
TICKETS: $20 and $16 for JCC members.
To purchase tickets, go to jccotp.org/Thurnauer, call 201-408-1465, or visit the JCC’s front desk.

The program will feature celebratory songs from the Jewish choral tradition in Hebrew and English and will be followed by a post-concert reception, underwritten by the Weinflash family.

"As we anticipate the celebration of Chanukah, which begins the evening following our concert, we’re excited to be presenting traditional and contemporary music associated with the holiday, says Conductor Marsha Bryan Edelman. “We’ll also be offering a musical thanks for the miracles that have been performed for the Jewish people in every season. It’s a fun program that we’re sure will delight listeners of all ages.”

The chorus is supported by founders Bernie (z”l) and Ruth (z”l) Weinflash and their SHIRAH Endowment Fund in tribute to Matthew Lazar; the Ethel and Irving Plutzer Endowment for the SHIRAH Choir; and the Rhoda Toonkel Endowment for the SHIRAH Choir and donations from supporters.

Founded in 1994, SHIRAH brings together singers from across the Jewish denominational spectrum to perform the great choral works of the Jewish experience. SHIRAH has been featured in concerts in the United States and Israel, including Avery Fisher Hall (Lincoln Center), the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the Bergen Performing Arts Center, and more. It also performs annually at the North American Jewish Choral Festival and at synagogue concerts throughout the tri-state area.

The JCC Thurnauer School of Music has been named a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Serving nearly 500 students from infancy through adulthood, it offers a comprehensive program similar to the finest pre-college conservatories. The Thurnauer experience includes instrumental lessons, ensembles, and classes, master classes with world-renowned artists; a chamber music series; faculty recitals; and frequent student performances. It is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and received an award for “excellence and high standards” from The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

WRITE YOUR WAY FREE OF 2018 WITH DEB COOPERMAN!

Sometimes a bit of YES is all you need in your life.
YES to what you want. (And what you don't want.)
YES to asking for help.
YES to taking risks. And to waiting things out.
YES to practice.
YES for standing up for what you believe in.
YES to saying no, or saying maybe.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
YES to having a rage, a cry, or a laugh.
YES to facing the hard stuff and dealing with the age-old baggage.
YES to more joy, more presence, and intention.
YES to it all.

If you’d like more clarity about your YESes, join me as we say goodbye to 2018 with a mindful review, and welcome our YESes for 2019 with care and attention.

Registration for Write Your Way Free of 2018 is open until this Sunday at noon ET.

The program officially starts on December 3rd, and goes for 10 days, but you can do it any time. The live calls will be on December 3 and 13 at 1pm ET, or you can watch the recordings at your leisure. Either way, the exercises will come to you for 10 days via email; there’s no FB group to join where you’ll have to keep up and follow along, or process your process among others. (This program is all about self-exploration, and it requires quiet and introspection, so the less time you’re getting sucked up in the swirl and noise on social media, the better.)

Want to know more? Click here.

And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask; I'm happy to answer.

P.S. If you're sure you're NOT a "yes" for Write Your Way Free of 2018, click here; you'll still get my regular emails, but you won't get any more emails about this program.

GUEST REVIEW: ‘ANNIE’ a wonderful family holiday treat at CSC

CONTACTBy Rick Busciglio (www.njfootlights.net)

Looking for a warm and fuzzy all family holiday show? Look no further than the Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown. The CSC is spot-on by billing their current production of Annie the Musical as a ‘Family Holiday Spectacular.” This a simply wonderful smile event from opening curtain to the well deserved cast bows. And what a cast director Michael Blevins has assembled. It is a large cast (60!) of professional leads with impressive Broadway credentials supported by marvelous local talent. Pros include Broadway veteran Liz McConahay Wanfried,  a perfect comedy delight as the evil Miss Hannigan. As is Justin Boccitto as Rooster the equally evil brother of Miss Hannigan. [Above: Osborn Focht (Daddy Warbucks)  Gracie Nagle (Annie)]

Osborn Focht, last seen at CSC as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol the musical, is just the right mix of privileged bluster in the outside world and tender, thoughtful to all within his personal world. His personal secretary is played by the remarkable Alycia Kunkle. A particular favorite of CSC patrons. Ms. Kunkle… super efficient while being Annie’s biggest booster. Patrick Cogan has great fun as FDR as does Timothy Liam Smith as the radio performer Bert Healy.

The supporting cast includes Nora Elkind as Lilly, Rooster's accomplice; Deirdre Byrant-Worth as Mrs. Greer; Cynthia Livingston (a CSC holiday regular);  and Na’Jee Tariq as the butler Drake.

Eight other cast members deserve a very special recognition….special not only because they are 12 and under, but they are the core of the show….they sing, dance and win hearts big time. At the center is a delightful young lady, Gracie Nagle, a seven-year veteran of CSC’s Young Performers Workshop,  making her professional debut. What can I say; she won my heart from the first moment she started to sing the show’s hit song, "Tomorrow." Annie’s six orphanage pals, Tess Clark (Molly); Annabelle Plociniak (Pepper); Olivia Budd (Duffy); Mary Young (July); Violet Caruso and Nancy Pereyra (Tessie) sing and dance with charm, enthusiasm, and impressive energy. In other words, they are obviously enjoying their moments in the spotlight. The eighth cast member who performed as a stage veteran was Clementine (Sandy), a rescue dog!

The ensemble includes Joe Anthony, Muriel Baki, Nick Bettens, Jenna Black, Nicole Boscarino, Will Brockman, Alan Bronstein, Serena Buchan, Jerry Caviston, Jessica DeFort, Tatiana Garcia, Sebastian Gutkin, Kayla Hartman, Kira Herkenham, Matthew Hollis. AJ Lewis, Rachel Lee, Megan Moran, Brianna Morris, Tim Nagle, Victoria Pulido, Alani Rose, James Russo, Lauren Santarelli, Jibril Scott, Jack Scarsi, Matthew Sigler, Maxinne Spann, Saquan Williams, David Atticus Yawger, Jackson Yawger.

The fine orchestra led by music director Jared Lee includes Tara Crincoli, Sean Francios, Tim Wendt, Jim Lutz, Angela Williams, Emily Jones, Nicole D'Angelo, and Benjamin Saporito.

Director/ choreographer Michael Blevins' creative staff includes Jeff Chase technical  director; Aaron Porter and Ashleigh Poteat set design; Aaron Porter light design; Maxine Spann sound design, Ashleigh Poteat costume design; Dani Pietrowski prop design; and stage manager Kelly Fitzgerald. The producers are Carl Wallnau, CSC Artistic Director, and Catherine Rust, General Manager.

Let’s skip to the chase; this a wonderful warmhearted production that will have ALL family members smiling. Perfect holiday treat will be a visit  with everyone’s orphan, Annie, at the Centenary Stage Company’s Sitnik theater in the Lackland Performing Arts Center until December 9.  Oh, "remember, you are never fully dressed without a smile."

For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 – 0900. The box office is  located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ.  The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5 pm and two hours prior to each performance.

Photos by Chris Young

REVIEW: TOE-TAPPING “HOLIDAY INN” BRINGS HEART-WARMING ENTERTAINMENT TO THE PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

By Ruth Ross

Take a “let’s put on a show” plot straight out of a Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland film, add lots of toe-tapping production numbers and top it off with more than 20 classic songs by Irving Berlin, and you have Paper Mill Playhouse’s holiday season production: the appropriately named Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn!

Based on a 1942 film starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire, Paper Mill’s version replicates the 2016 Broadway production, including, among others, Gordon Greenberg’s book and direction, Denis Jones’ choreography, Alejo Vietti’s costumes and Anna Louizos’ scenic design, to great effect. True, the plot is predictably hokey, but the music and dancing more than make up for any deficiencies to give the audience something we need at the holiday season: pure entertainment!

6_Holiday Inn at Paper Mill_Photo by Jerry Dalia

Reminiscent of the later (1954) White Christmas, the plot centers around Broadway crooner Jim Hardy who, dumped by his girlfriend/partner Lila, leaves behind the hustle and bustle of show biz for the quiet life on Connecticut farm he’s just purchased to become a “gentleman farmer,” unaware that the poor soil produces nothing. To stave off the bank, Jim decides to turn the inn into a holidays-only live-entertainment venue (Above, the Fourth of July). Complications ensue when Jim falls for local talented schoolteacher Linda, and when his old partner hoofer Ted Hanover appears and sets his sights on Linda to his partner, Jim and Linda’s romantic relationship is endangered. In the end, Linda will have to decide what path to take.

11_Holiday Inn at Paper Mill_Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMadeAlthough Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn is classified as musical theater, the show’s success rests more on the music and dancing than character development and realistic plot. Truth be told, the actors don’t have to do more than be likeable, talented dancers and singers, and to that end, they make good with stock characters. Nicholas Rodriguez’s Jim Hardy sounds, at times, like Bing Crosby, the originator of the role. He sings very well, and his character’s earnestness is winning. As his nemesis Ted Hanover, Jeff Kready projects the right amount of cunning to arouse our distrust, but he sure can dance! Jordan Gelber is the quintessential theatrical agent, out for what’s best for him and not above engaging in dirty tricks to get what he wants. And Jian Harrell is adorable as bank messenger boy Charlie, often sounding more grown up than the adults he deals with!

7_Holiday Inn at Paper Mill_Photo by Jerry DaliaAs for the female actors, Paige Faure’s Lila Dixon (Above, with Jeff Kready) sounds very screechy, and her New Yawk accent is overpowering. It’s hard to discern what Jim sees in her as a life partner on a New England farm! Of course, that’s the way the part is written, and Faure inhabits it well. In contrast, Hayley Podschun’s Linda Mason (left) is sweet and charming, soft around the edges and ready for love. She has a good voice too, especially in the numbers involving Jim (“Let’s Take and Old-fashioned Walk,” for one).

2_Holiday Inn at Paper Mill_Photo by Jerry Dalia

But the powerhouse in the cast is the remarkable Ann Harada as the farm’s no-nonsense caretaker, Jim’s noodgy sidekick Louise (Above, with Nicholas Rodriguez). Whenever she appears, the show’s energy level shoots ‘way up; her singing, dancing (with buckets on her feet, no less) and comedic timing bring life to the show, especially evident in the rollicking “Shaking the Blues Away.” It’s a treat to watch her perform.

Director Greenberg keeps the proceedings humming along at a good clip so that we aren’t aware of any holes in the plot (like, how a failing farm can produce such glitzy entertainment). Music Director Shawn Gough’s orchestra provides terrific accompaniment to both songs and dances, without overpowering the singers (who are, of course, miked) while providing steady rhythm for the dancers. Denis Jones’s choreography includes lots of tap-dancing, so that it’s hard to keep your feet still through most of the show! Using interesting props (jump ropes, buckets), his dancers perform with agility and energy. It’s a real treat for those who love dancing and razzle-dazzle production numbers.

4_Holiday Inn at Paper Mill_Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn is the perfect gift for the holiday season. While it may not have a deep or thought-provoking plot and nuanced characters (nor does it claim to), it does have heart-warming entertainment—in spades! So, bring the entire family to the Paper Mill Playhouse for the warm glow of holiday spirit. I promise it will relieve your stress, lift your spirits and imbue you with the holiday spirit.

Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn will be performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, through Sunday, December 30. For performance times, information and tickets, call the box office at 973.376.4343 or visit www.PaperMill.org online.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

“Spring Awakening” at BBPAC Extended!

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WHEN: Thursday 11/29, Friday 11/30, December 12/1, and December 12/2 at 8pm
WHERE:
Black Box Performing Arts Center, 200 Walraven Drive, Teaneck, NJ (GPS: 290 Walraven Drive)
TICKETS: $30 for adults and $25 for students/seniors.
Tickets are now available at www.blackboxpac.com.
Group rates for 10 or more are available by calling (201) 357-2221.
Tickets can also be purchased at the venue.

Black Box Studios is proud to announce the 2nd Main Stage show of the 2018-2019 season, a new production of Spring Awakening, will add an additional four shows! With book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaption of the seminal play Spring’s Awakening by Frank Wedekind and stars NBC’s The Voice Finalist Stephan Marcellus.

Spring Awakening - presented in special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) - features the talents of Samantha Brenner, Tyler Fuentes, Mikey Miller, Oscar Selby, Ellen Revesz, and Laurence Wallace, with Black Box Repertory Company members Allison Falkenstern, Jason Felix, Sara Giacomini, Samuel Hapner-Goldman, Danielle MacMath, and Larissa Terese. Live rock band members include Rob Parmelee (bass), Vita Tanga (lead guitar),  Gary Simpson (guitar), Michael Dagastino, Brody Greif and Darnell Howard (alternating on drums), and Kathy Sheppard (keyboards).

The Black Box Performing Arts Center (home of Black Box Studios) continues to emerge as the Tri-State area’s premiere destination for both cutting-edge professional theater and collaborative performing arts education — in the heart of Teaneck, NJ— just a quick ride over the George Washington Bridge. Black Box was the recipient of the 2017 Teaneck Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Cultural Arts Award, and currently serves on the Chamber Board as the Chair of the Cultural Arts Committee.

In addition to main stage productions, Black Box PAC hosts special events including Open Mic Nights, Comedy Nights, and the family show  Junie B. Jones The Musical on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am. Black Box’s third season will continue in 2019 with Significant Other by Joshua Harmon, How to Transcend a Happy Marriage by Sarah Ruhl, Sweat by Lynn Nottage, and Duncan Sheik’s American Psycho.

Meet local author Maryann McFadden @ Rutherfurd Hall

Join us Wednesday, November 28th, at 7 pm for a Free Lecture and Book Signing.

Local author Maryann McFadden will speak about her book, The Cemetery Keeper's Wife.

Copies of her book will be available for purchase.

“The Liar Show”: Four Storytellers. Three Truthful. One Liar. The Truth in Jersey Never Had It So Good

WHEN: Friday, December 7th, 8pm
WHERE: Hopewell Theater, 5 S. Greenwood Ave., Hopewell, NJ 08525
(609) 466-1964
BUY TICKETS HERE

Call it an unreality show.

The Liar Show has taken the art of deception to theaters, cabarets and cultural centers around the U.S. and Canada and was called “A Winner” (The Scotsman) and received 4 Stars during a month-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Liar has featured New Yorker Magazine contributor Andy Borowitz; Mike Daisey, called "The master storyteller" by the NY Times; and former Bill Clinton speechwriter Mark Katz, in addition to Comedy Central personalities, film directors, lapsed Mormons with a bone to pick with the Almighty and even an NYPD gang squad detective.

At each show, four performers tell short personal stories but listen carefully, because one of these people is making it all up. Interrogate the cast and expose the Liar to win our unbelievable T-shirt. But as The Washington Post wrote of our show, “Prizes mean nothing compared with the sweet victory of being recognized as the savviest people in the room.”

THE STORIES
Every Liar Show performance is unique. A constantly changing cast of writers and comics tell four short, extremely personal stories that will make you laugh, possibly make you think, and almost certainly make you glad you don't live with them. But listen closely, because only three of these people are telling the truth. The fourth is making it all up.

THE INTERROGATION
After the stories have been told, all four performers return to the stage and defend their stories while the audience rakes them over the coals with a fact-finding question and answer session, refereed by the host.

THE VERDICT

Each audience member casts a ballot and when the Liar is revealed, the perceptive geniuses who have guessed correctly walk away with aprize T-shirt amid a bitter chorus of "Congratulations, Einstein," from the empty-handed losers.
This show will feature storytellers Cyndi Freeman, Marie Faustin, Tracy Rowland, Sarah Graalman and host Brad Lawrence.

Host: Brad Lawrence
Brad Lawrence premiered his solo show, Monsters In The Wood, at the New York International Fringe Festival where he was awarded an extension at the festival’s close. He is a two-time Moth GrandSlam Champion and has been a guest performer for The Moth’s outreach program to schools and institutional communities.

THE PERFORMERS:

Marie Faustin 
NY-based comedian and actress and one of the fastest rising talents on the comedy scene. She was a 2017 "New Face of Comedy" at the international Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Marie has appeared at Comedy Central's Clusterfest, GQ Magazine, MTV, MTV2, VH1, The BET Awards and TruTV. In 2016, Marie became the host of Oxygen's Very Real Talk. She's a regular feature in Time Out NY and is the on-air host of 99.5FM's "Tall Tales in the Big City." Marie also co-hosts the weekly podcast: The Unofficial Expert.

Cyndi Freeman 
Two-time NY Fringe Festival award-winning solo performer. Her solo shows have been presented in New York, Boston, Amsterdam, Ireland, London, Edinburgh and Edmonton, Alberta. Ms. Freeman is a recipient of a grand prize playwriting fellowship award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Her performing credits include HBO, Showtime, The Colbert Report on Comedy Central and storytelling shows Stories From The Stage, The Moth and RISK! As a teacher, Ms. Freeman is a lead instructor with The Story Studio, The Moth Community program, and she is a story coach for the RISK! podcast.

Tracy Rowland 
A three-time Moth SLAM champion, and a regular on The Liar Show. In her day job as an Emmy Award-winning TV lady, Tracy was part of the creative teams that brought Cartoon Network to Asia, and Al Jazeera to America. She is a firm believer trade balance.

Sarah Graalman
Sarah Graalman is a writer, performer, and makeup artist who lives in Brooklyn and hails from Oklahoma. As a makeupartist she’s worked over a decade in fashion, print, theater, and television, recently completing her 3rd season running the makeup department for High Maintenance on HBO. Shes performed many original stories many places, and currently is writing a book about women and their relationship to makeup, beauty rituals, and vanity.

Holiday Events at RVCCArts

RVCC Holiday Shows 2018

WATCH VIDEO  HERE

We've decked this hall with three events your whole family will love and remember for years to come: Eileen Ivers' A Joyful Christmas, Moscow Ballet's The Great Russian Nutcracker and The Night Before Christmas Carol. They're all wrapped up in one colorful package.

Buy all three and save with a celebration subscription!

A Joyful Christmas
Eileen Ivers
WHEN: Sat., Dec. 1, at 8PM
WHERE:
Theatre at RVCC, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg
TICKETS: $25 & $35

World-renowned violinist Eileen Ivers and her band joyfully perform a program of American and Irish songs, original tunes and holiday favorites. A concert for the whole family celebrating the pure spirit of the season!

The Great Russian Nutcracker
Moscow Ballet
WHEN: Fri., Dec. 7, at 4pm & 8pm
WHERE:
Theatre at RVCC, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg
TICKETS: $40 & $50

Moscow Ballet's spectacular scenic design, gorgeous costumes and the exquisite artistry of 40 top Russian dancers have made The Great Russian Nutcracker an American holiday tradition not to be missed.

The Night Before Christmas Carol

David zum Brunnen
WHEN: Tue., Dec. 11, at 1PM & 7PM
WHERE:
Theatre at RVCC, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg
TICKETS: $15

David zum Brunnen portrays Charles Dickens and 17 familiar characters in an energetic and acclaimed performance that gives audiences a humorous (and historically accurate) glimpse into Dickens' inspirations for his world-famous tale.

LEAPIN’ LIZARDS! “ANNIE” OPENS AT CENTENARY STAGE COMPANY

ORPHANS_Gracie1_small

ANNIE
Directed by Broadway, film and television veteran Michael Blevins

WHEN: Friday November 23 and runs through December 9. Individual performance dates are Fridays, November 23, 30 and December 7 at 8PM; Saturdays, November 24, December 1 and 8 at 8PM; Sundays, November 25, December 2 and 9 at 2PM; Wednesday, November 28 at 2PM and Thursdays, November 29 and December 6 at 7:30PM
WHERE
: Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown
TICKETS: $29.50 for adults and $20.00 for children under 12 for matinee and Friday evening performances.  Saturday evening performances are $32.00 for adults and $20.00 for children under 12.  Thursday evening performances are $29.50 for ALL SEATS with a Buy One/Get One Rush Ticket Special when purchased at the Centenary Stage Company box office in person beginning at 5:30PM.  BOGO Rush Ticket Special is not valid for advance ticket sales and not available via phone or internet sales. Centenary Stage Company also offers a variety of special discounts for groups, buffet matinees, scout troops, Centenary University alumni and special student rush ticketing. Terms and conditions apply. For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 – 0900.

Centenary Stage Company’s family holiday spectacular opens with everyone’s favorite orphan in Annie the musical. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including "Tomorrow."

THREEsitting_smallWith equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations... and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. (Left: Osborn Focht as Oliver Warbucks, Gracie Nagle as Annie and Clementine as Sandy – (photo credit: Chris Young)

girls1_smallThe cast features over 60 performers ranging from professional guest artists to local talent and includes students of the Centenary University’s theatre department and students of Centenary Stage Company’s Young Performers Workshop.  Centenary Stage Company’s annual family holiday spectacular serves as a celebration of all of Centenary Stage Company’s programming, by combining the talents of professional guest artists, local talent, Centenary University faculty, staff, students and students of the Young Performers Workshop programming. Returning to Centenary Stage Company to lead the principle cast is Osborn Focht as Oliver Warbucks, Liz McConahay as Miss Hannigan, Justin Boccitto as Rooster Hannigan, Alycia Kunkle as Grace Farrell and introducing Gracie Nagle as Annie. [Above right: (left to right first row) Violet Caruso as Kate, Tess Clark as Molly and Nancy Pereyra as Tessie; (from left to right second row), Mary Young as July, Annabelle Plociniak as Pepper and Olivia Budd as Duffy; (standing) Gracie Nagle as Annie - (photo credit: Chris Young)]

Centenary Stage Company audiences will remember Osborn Focht from his appearances as George Banks in Mary Poppins, Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Bill Sykes in Oliver, Don in Rounding Third, Tartuffe in Tartuffe, and Chrysalde in The School for Wives. Other credits include Paul Simon’s The Capeman on Broadway, The Magdalene off-Broadway, Kristina the Musical at Carnegie and Royal Albert Halls recorded on the Decca label, The Sound of Music at Paper Mill Playhouse, Sweeney Todd at Center Stage Baltimore, Eleanore; an American Love Story at Ford’s Theater, A Tale of Two Cities, Oklahoma!, and Moby Dick; the Musical at Seaside Music Theater, Spring Awakening at The Garage Theater Group, and has worked with East Lynne and Speranza Theater Companies. VERN, in the Kaytha Jentis film Bad Parents. The bass of The Mervtones with Merv Griffin and his orchestra under the direction of Mort Lidsey, Late Show Carolers on Late Show with David Letterman, five seasons with The Opera Co. of Philadelphia, stage and film collaborations with his lovely young bride, Mikaela Kafka.

Broadway veteran Liz McConahay returns to Centenary Stage Company. Credits include; Broadway: The Full Monty, Cabaret. First Nat'l B'way Tour: Titanic. Off-B'way: Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Poe, Titanic In Concert. NYC Fringe: Africa & Plumbridge. Centenary Stage Company: The Dew Point, Bad Dates. Regional: Educating Rita, Beehive, Godspell, I Hate Hamlet, Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree, Honky-Tonk Highway. Recipient of the 2012 Jefferson Award for Public Service for founding the Benedictine Academy Theater Department in Elizabeth, NJ. Liz is the author of the "Universal Messages" book series, as well as the upcoming musical "Agatha's Fire."

Award winning, Justin Boccitto returns to Centenary Stage Company. A graduate of Centenary’s Young Performers Workshop, CSC audiences will remember Boccitto from his performance as Bert in Mary Poppins, as well as, his own show Song and Dance Men which ran for a highly successful limited run as part of Centenary Stage Company’s Fringe Festival. He has performed throughout the country playing such roles as Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain, Ken in Red, and The Artful Dodger in Oliver. He also appeared on MTV’s Made, at The Metropolitan Opera and tap danced at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. His original show Song & Dance Men has been performed in Manhattan and regionally and this spring he will appear in a one-man musical about George M. Cohan in New York created by Michael Blevins. Justin is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Marymount Manhattan College teaching tap and theatre dance.

A veteran of Centenary Stage Company, audiences will remember Alycia Kunkle from CSC productions of Becky Shaw, The Ladies Man, A Christmas Carol the Musical and readings of Tillie Smith, The Text of Sex, and Darrah Cloud’s Turning. NYC credits: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, a reading of Kenneth Jones’ Hollywood, Nebraska (The Actors Co. Theatre). Selected Regional credits: The 39 Steps (Mile Square Theatre); Steel Magnolias, Charley’s Aunt (Peterborough Players); A Child’s Christmas in Wales (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ); Caught in the Net (Mountain Playhouse); Guys and Dolls, She Loves Me, South Pacific, Hay Fever, The Man Who Came to Dinner and many others (Monomoy Theatre).

Centenary Stage Company introduces Gracie Nagle as Annie. No stranger to the show, Nagle played Annie in Annie Jr. at the Shawnee Playhouse and the orphan Tessie in the Jr. version at Cornerstone Playhouse. Gracie is a proud 7th season member of Young Performers Workshop where she can be seen as a Trio Girl in Christmas is Comin’ Uptown. Past favorite YPW shows include: Joseph and the Amazing…, Charlotte’s Web, and A Year with Frog and Toad.

Centenary Stage Company’s family holiday spectacular, Annie is sponsored in part by season sponsor Heath Village, series sponsor The House of the Good Shepherd and event sponsors, Hackettstown Medical Center Atlantic Health System and The Hackettstown Rotary Club.

The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ.  The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5 pm and two hours prior to each performance.  Centenary Stage Company can also be found across social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Like and follow to receive the latest in Centenary Stage Company news and special offers.

The 2018-2019 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, and CSC corporate sponsors, including Premier Season Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, The House of the Good Shepherd, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Medical Center, Home Instead Senior Care (Washington), Fulton Bank of New Jersey, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

TOP IMAGE: Nancy Pereyra as Tessie, Tess Clark as Molly, Violet Caruso as Kate, Mary Young as July, Annabelle Plociniak as Pepper, Olivia Budd as Duffy, Gracie Nagle as Annie and Alycia Kunkle as Grace Farrell – (photo credit: Chris Young)

HEAR CLASSICAL GUITAR EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT IN ASBURY PARK

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Keith Calmes plays Classical Guitar

WHEN: every Saturday night through the end of 2018; 9:00 PM until Midnight. 
WHERE:
Pascal & Sabine Restaurant, 601 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ.

Dr. Keith Calmes has been performing solo guitar music professionally since 1984. A graduate of The Juilliard School and University of Southern California School of Music, Keith has performed at venues such as Carnegie Recital Hall.

Called a "master musician" by Guitar for the Practicing Musician Magazine, Keith Calmes earned degrees in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Southern California, California State University Northridge and The Juilliard School. As winner of the Artists International competition, Keith gave his Carnegie Recital Hall debut in 1992. Mel Bay Publications has published several of his books, including Guitar Music of the 16th Century and Gospel Favorites for Classical Guitar. During the last few years, Keith's performances have included lecture-recitals at the national conventions of the American String Teachers Association and the Guitar Foundation of America, concerts of the complete solo guitar works of Heitor Villa-Lobos, concertos with Monmouth Symphony, and the premieres of many solo works. Keith actively records, both as a soloist and with prominent Dutch composer Chiel Meijering.

Recently presented with an Outstanding Educator award from The College of New Jersey, Keith teaches guitar at Wall High School in New Jersey.

www.keithcalmes.com

www.pascalandsabine.com

CHESTER THEATRE GROUP TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR “THE BALD SOPRANO”

WHEN: Dec 2 @ 2pm, & Dec 4 @ 7pm. Production dates: March 7 - 10, 2019
WHERE:
Black River Playhouse, 54 Grove Street (at the corner of Maple Avenue), Chester

Two couples. One absurd evening.

In this special "Black Box" production, we showcase this classic from the "Theatre of the Absurd" by Romanian-French playwright Eugène Ionesco. A couple from London is visiting with another couple called the Martins. As they converse, they invite a fire chief and a maid into the discussion. Slowly, their world becomes more and more surreal: the wife begins acting like she just met her husband, the fire chief suddenly mentions a bald soprano, and the discussion devolves into a dizzying litany of non-sequiturs. Nothing is as it seems in The Bald Soprano.

Auditions will consist of reading sides. All the characters are a little bit of parodies of themselves, but never act like it. Mr & Mrs Smith are "proper Englishman and English woman" as are the Martin's their visitors. Mary is the semi-aggressive maid and the Fire Chief is a bit of a wild card, very serious in his duties, even if those duties are a bit.. absurd As long as they know no matter what they are saying and doing, it all make perfect sense to them. British accents will be used.

CTG practices an “open casting policy,” which means that all roles are always open, all are invited to audition, and newcomers are always welcome. B

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SIDES

LONJ PRESENTS ASL-Interpreted “Amahl” IN BASKING RIDGE

WHEN: November 30 & December 1, 2018, 5 PM and 7:30 PM both nights
WHERE: St Mark's Episcopal Church, 140 South Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge
Tickets at  www.lonj.org or by calling 908-655-6023.

LONJ kicks off its season with Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, directed by Joanna Hoty Russell with musical direction by Lois Buesser.

First commissioned for television and premiered by NBC Television Opera Theatre in 1951, Amahl has become a treasured part of many families' holiday tradition. A poor young boy is awakened in the middle of the night by a knock on the door, and who should he find but three kings following a star. This one-act opera emphasizes generosity and the importance of family, and is the perfect performance to start off your holiday season. LONJ proudly presents Amahl for the fifth time in the company's 24 year history.

LONJ is thrilled to be collaborating with the New Jersey Youth Chorus for the first time. Under the direction of Tara Postigo, the New Jersey Youth Chorus' Sola Voce ensemble will perform a special concert of seasonal selections before each Amahl presentation.  

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS TO BE ASL-INTERPRETED

Reserve tickets near the interpreter at our 7:30 performance on Friday, November 30 by calling Amy at 908-655-6023 or emailing amy.liu@lonj.org. Admission is reduced to $12 for two tickets for our Deaf Patrons. 

Chatham Players to Hold Auditions For “Play On!”

Image result for play onPLAY ON!

WHEN: Sunday, December 9th and Tuesday, December 11th at 7:30 pm
WHERE:
The Chatham Playhouse: 23 North Passaic Ave., Chatham
Production dates are February 22 thru March 9, 2019 with rehearsals to begin early-January.  John A.C. Kennedy directs.

Somewhere in the muddy, artistic netherworld between Noises Off and Guffman is… Play On! the story of 10 enthusiastic, if artistically-challenged, amateurs attempting to stage the world premiere of an exciting new play -- which may or may not be a murder mystery, depending upon who you talk to... 

Director Kennedy is looking for 10 enthusiastic (if artistically challenged) performers, ages 15-80.  Gender a plus... but not required.  Auditions will consist of cold readings.

Character Breakdown

  • Gerry Dunbar (M or F, 30-70); a community theatre director.
  • A.G. Manville (M or F, 30-70); an overworked stage manager
  • Lou Peary (M or F, 20-80); a surly theatre technician
  • Henry Benish (M, 50-100); a character actor, possibly stuffy
  • Polly Benish (F, 40-70); a grand dame/character actress
  • Saul Watson (M, 25-60); a smug character actor 
  • Billy Carewe (M, 20-35); a leading man-type
  • Violet Imbray (F, 20-35); an ingénue-type
  • Marla Smith (F, 15-22); an aspiring actress
  • Phyllis Montague (F, 25-50); a local, novice playwright

The Chatham Players have an open call casting policy. ALL roles are open, none are precast, and everyone is encouraged to audition. Any questions, please call Gus Ibranyi at (201)-563-0362 or email casting@chathamplayers.org

For directions or additional information, please visit www.chathamplayers.org

“THE ASSIGNMENT” Starts Thursday @ Luna Stage: Special Events & More

luna main logo

WHERE: Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road, West Orange
GET TICKETS

Gun violence ripped apart their lives, now literature will help them heal.

Julian J. Torres, a 37-year-old, recently-paroled scholarship recipient, bursts into Professor Helen Payne's office—he has missed the first session of her contemporary literature course. He charms his way back into class, and the two become unlikely friends connected through the power of great literature. Funny, painful, and hopeful, The Assignment reminds us that there is life after the unthinkable.

Inspired by real conversations with perpetrators of gun violence and families of victims.

Special Pre- and Post-show Events

  • Nov 29: Following 8PM Show Post-show conversation with THE ASSIGNMENT playwright Camilo Almonacid and City of Orange activist Dawan Alford
  • Nov 30: 7PM  |  Pre-show screening of The One That Got Away
    Following 8PM Show  |  Post-show conversation with reentry mentor Boris Franklin
  • Dec 1: 8PM  |  OPENING NIGHT--$59 Premium Tickets (includes after-party!)
  • Dec 2: Following 8PM Show  |  Post-show talkback with Elaine Lane, whose story inspired the play
  • Dec 6: TBD
  • Dec 7: Post-show conversation with Emmy-nominated activist Riaz Patel
  • Dec 8: 7PM  |  Pre-show screening of The One That Got Away
    Following 8PM Show  |  Post-show conversation with Glenfield teacher Daniel Gill

Opening Night: THE ASSIGNMENT

We are offering special premium tickets to our Opening Night show of
THE ASSIGNMENT on Saturday, December 1st at 8PM.

These premium passes also give you access to the post-show party with the cast and creative team...and this is just one of the added bonuses.

Get your special opening night passes now for just $59*!

NJ FilmMakers Lab's Last Session for 2018

NJ FilmMakers Lab

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 29th, @ 6pm
WHERE:
Express Newark - Room 312, 54 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ

Please join us on Thursday, November 29th, for the New Jersey Film Makers Lab last session in 2018.  We hope you will share your film projects with the group, as well as your plans for 2019. We will also get an update on our documentary film on legendary Newark artist Gladys Barker Grauer. Please bring a piece of equipment, a script, or something special for the "show and tell" part of the meeting.

The New Jersey FilmMakers Lab is a developing group that meets monthly with a twofold goal: to provide a safe space where film makers receive feed back and support as they develop their work; and to assist film makers in their quest to develop as entrepreneurs, thus turning their passion for filmmaking into a viable business. Eventually, the lab hopes to cultivate a script to screen program, supporting a collaborative relationship with industry professionals who can work with filmmakers in bringing their work to audiences.

Please send us an email at info@wim-n.com to let us know if you'll attend!

THE BOX: Ariel Guidry Emcees Final “Connection” at Merseles Studios in Jersey City This Friday

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The Box: Connection Edition
WHEN: Friday, November 30, Doors: 7:30/Show: 8:00
WHERE:
Jersey City Theater Center, Merseles Studios, 339 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
TICKETS: $5 (suggested donation)
For more information, visit: www.JCTCenter.org 
(201) 795-5386

Jersey City Theater Center Connection Series closes Friday, November 30, with The BOX: Connection Edition, an evening of music, spoken-word, poetry and multimedia performances.

The BOX – named for the ‘black box’ theater at Merseles Studios – concludes JCTC’s latest thematic series: Connection. JCTC selects topics global in scope, yet relevant to the community then explores that theme using visual arts, theatre, dance, play readings and other performances.

The BOX: Connection Edition features an eclectic array of performers exploring the question of Connection: With technology that connects people all over the world, why do we often feel disconnected to our communities, families and each other?

JCTC solicits submissions for The BOX through social media, theatre publications and entertainment & theater blogs. A panel, headed by Dan Pieraccini, Manager, JCTC – who is also the curator for The BOX: Truth Edition – reviews and selects submissions.

“We received many impressive submissions for the Box: Connection Edition,” said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, JCTC. “Not only did we get a high volume of responses, but the musicians, writers and performers really had something fresh and original to say about the topic of Connection.The BOX is one of the events JCTC is best known for because not only does it conclude each series, but it also directly involves the community.”

The BOX: Connection Edition will also be the final chance to see Collaboration, a site-specific, multimedia collaboration between Kati Vilim, a Jersey City-based, abstract artist and Thomas Lendvai, a Brooklyn-based sculptor. By incorporating digital animation by Vilim and a web-like cord sculpture by Lendvai into the actual space at Merseles Studios, the Collaboration installation turns the art gallery into both a gallery for art and the art itself.

Taking over emcee duties at The BOX: Connection Edition will be Ariel Guidry (top), a jazz, blues and soul singer who has performed at White Eagle Hall, Maxwell’s, FM, the Hutton, and Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair. Guidry has appeared at previous editions of The BOX, but The BOX: Connection Edition will be her first time as solo emcee of the entire show. In addition to hosting responsibilities, this Jersey City-based vocal stylist will also sing, including a reimagined version of the traditional spiritual, Motherless Child, with added original versus by Guidry, inspired by Trojan Women, a JCTC production that highlighted the Connection series.

Guidry wanted to host this curated showcase of original performances because of the social timeliness of the connection theme. “We're living in a day and age where we tell ourselves that technology makes our lives better, and yet we struggle with feeling more and more socially isolated,” said Guidry. “It's an exciting honor to help illuminate the cohesive thread that compelled such a diverse array of creatives to explore the theme of Connection.”

The BOX: Connection Edition lineup includes Max and Los Americanos, Gary Van Miert, The Apple and the Tree, By Design, Freddie Moises, Carol Lester, Lorena Ortiz, Richard Jedrzejek, Frank Ippolito, Illegal Chicas, Cassandra Adams, Mandi Abdalla, Hernandez Jimenez, Terry Haman, Chris Whitlow, Anthony Wills Jr and Christo Pratt, and Westies. Preshow and intermission musical interludes will be provided by After School Orchestra and Exploding Plastic Silver.

This weekend! “Sondheim on Sondheim” in Maplewood for 3 Performances Only

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Conceived and Originally Directed byJames Lapine

WHEN: Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1, at 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 2, at 3:00 pm

WHERE:
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Rd., Maplewood 
Buy Tickets Now!
For more information, check out www.4thwalltheatre.org

"Is Stephen Sondheim God?' And the answer, for those of us for whom musicals are truly a religion, is – now as then – yes. Or to use the language of the common folk, 'Well, duh.'" – Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"Thank God for Stephen Sondheim. Not just for his songs, but for his running commentary, which punctuates the new revue Sondheim on Sondheim at regular intervals." – New York Post

"Engrossingly entertaining and thoroughly captivating. An enchanting, warm and provocative opportunity to hear not only Sondheim's songs but, literally, the master's voice." – Steven Suskin, Variety

CAST: Sarah Anfora, Marie Balderama, Rafaelle L. Danta, Peter Downing,
Samantha Ferrara, Julie Galorenzo, Cory Herbert, Samantha Kaplan,
Sarah Levine McClelland, Jodi Freeman Maloy, Rich Maloy, Kimberley Mesiti, Christopher Robert Prozeller, Faisal Sheikh, David Simon, Jason Tamashausky, Jessica Walch and Dorothy Wallace.

Director and Choreographer | Kate Swan
Musical Director | Gonzalo Valencia
Lighting Designer | Nik Marmo
Sound Designer | Nicholas Von Hagel
Production Stage Manager | Martha Thalheimer
Asst. Stage Manager | Sydney Scott Humphreys
Production Manager | Gwen Ricks-Spencer

20th Annual Holocaust Student Writing & Art Contest Seeks Entrants

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Purposeful Telling Through Memory to Action

Register now for the 20th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, presented by Chapman University and The 1939 Society in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, NJ.

Students engage directly with the history of the Holocaust and the personal memories of Holocaust survivors by viewing a survivor or rescuer video testimony from one of the approved websites and responding to the contest prompt by creating an original work of art, film, poetry or prose.

  • Entries must be postmarked by February 1, 2019, or submitted digitally by February 4, 2019
  • First and second place students, their teachers and schools will be awarded cash prizes in each category (middle & high school students)
  • Each first-place student, their teacher and a parent will be invited to participate in an expense-paid study trip to Los Angeles, CA from June 23 to June 27, 2019

To request a contest packet email cioffi@chapman.edu or Jcarus@jfedgmw.org

To register your school or for more information visit chapman.edu/holocaust-arts-contest

"A Seussified Christmas Carol" opening this weekend at the Somerset Valley Players

WHEN: November 30 - December 16; Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm,
Sundays at 2pm. ** Additional Matinee performance on Saturday December 8 at 2pm **

WHERE
: 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough
TICKETS: $20 Adults, $18 Seniors/Students/Children

908-369-7469
http://www.svptheatre.org
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

A whimsical reinvention of Dickens' most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. With zoot-fruited juices and binka bird geese, from Bed-Headed Fred to Timmy Loo Hoo, this tale of glorious holiday cheer is similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with—if he ever had his way with the story.

Direction by Emily M. Windus
Produced by Roberta Steve and Paula C. Windus

SVP's production of "A Seussified Christmas Carol" is sponsored by Mailboxes Business Center in Hillsborough.  Contact Mailboxes Business Center for all of your holiday shipping and home or business office needs.

Toy Donations Needed!

Morris County Park Commissiontoy drive

Spread holiday cheer this year, and help the Morris County Park Police continue a special holiday tradition. Over the past 14 years, the Sergeant Tim Albine Memorial Toy Drive has donated thousands of toys to ill and needy children in local hospitals and shelters, all thanks to the community.

Click here to learn how you can help.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Tickets are still available for the next event at the Darress Theater

Darress Theatre Logo

Live Concert: "Starman"
A David Bowie Tribute

WHEN: Saturday, November 17, 8 PM
WHERE
: Darress Theater, 615 Main Street, Boonton
TICKETS: $25 at the door and online
Tickets can be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets or by clicking the link below: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3604274
For additional info, call the box office: 973-334-9292

RUTHERFURD HALL LECTURE TONIGHT CANCELED!

Due to inclement weather, Centenary University and Allamuchy Township Schools have been closed.

As a result, the Centenary University Lecture and Fashion Show is postponed.

A new date will be announced shortly.

Thank you and be safe out there!

THE THEATER PROJECT OFFERS 2 SHOWS FOR $25!

The Theater Project is creating an exciting new performance space in Union's Unity Bank.

We are offering a ticket package of two shows for $25. Single tickets are $20/$15.

WHERE: Pop-Up Theater at Unity Bank, 952 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ.

TICKETS / GUIDE TO UNION CENTER RESTAURANTS  on the website: TheTheaterProject.org.

LIVE theater helps downtowns THRIVE!





Thursday, November 15, 2018

ATTENTION ARTISTS: PARTICIPATE IN THE ACL GALLERY’S HOLIDAY SHOW

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ACL GALLERY’S HOLIDAY SHOW

The ACL Art Gallery announces its Holiday Show, and invites you to be a part of the festivities and submit your artwork on Monday, December 3, 2018.  

All media will be accepted including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, glassware and textiles including wearable art.

Let’s ring in the New Year together.

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday from Friday, December 7, 2018, to January 7, 2019, RECEPTION on Friday evening, December 7, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
WHERE:
ACL Gallery, 2310 Town Center Way, Livingston, NJ with  

Submission of jpgs of artworks should be made to hughman2000@hotmail.com prior to November 28.

Artwork will be received on Monday, December 3, 2018, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the ACL Gallery. For further information, call Hugh Mahon 973-747-2257.

GUEST REVIEW: Powerful Play of a Mother’s love and the tragedy of addiction—Colleen Smith-Wallnau gives acting Masterclass

by Rick Busciglio (November 11,2018, www.njfootlights.net)

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Three cheers for four women who have combined their impressive talents to give us a truly riveting, thought provoking, new play about a mother’s unwavering love for a son whose drug addiction led him to a cell on death row. First; the playwright, Jennifer Fawcett who has written this powerful play. Second, the veteran actress, Colleen Smith Wallnau, who gives a brilliant, gut-wrenching solo performance. (Attention:-drama students….she is providing a masterclass in acting); third ,the director Mikaela Kafka, a veteran of the CSC series who guided Collen Smith-Wallnau in more than staging, but in making an apple pie over the course of the 70 minutes (no intermission), and fourth, Catherine Rust, the CSC’s Program Director of the Women Playwrights Series, a leader in recognizing and providing new writing talent the opportunity to present their unique voice or perspective on our world.

The play is the award winning Apples in Winter *sponsored by the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere series. It is set in a makeshift kitchen in a prison occupied by Miriam, the mother of an inmate who in seven hours is to be executed. As his “last meal” he has requested and been granted, not the usual hamburger and fries, but a simple piece of apple pie. Not any pie, but his mother’s apple pie, a favorite from childhood. Miriam’s son committed a violent crime 22 years ago while he was dealing with drug withdrawal which resulted in the deaths of two teenagers. The playbill is spot-on stating that “ this is a play about monsters and the mothers of monsters. And about how we care for each other. And about how to make a really good apple pie.”

The guilt consuming Miriam is not only how did she miss the early signs of his addiction, but most troubling, “what if” she had not refused his phone call pleading for her help that fateful night. In the eyes of many, she is more guilty of the horrible crime than her son….clearly, that is the opinion of the grief stricken parents of the two victims. Weren’t she and her late husband responsible for raising the boy to believe anything could be his? Were they lawn mower parents… constantly protecting him from the consequences of his actions?

It is a powerful play that deserves extensive exposure. It doesn’t provide answers to the growing problem of drug addiction and dealing with an addict, particularly a loved one, however, if addiction has touched your world you will find this theatre experience particularly important. Beyond the tough topic, the outstanding performance of this gifted woman is truly unforgettable theatre.

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During the show's run, Centenary Stage Company has invited organizations that support people struggling with addiction and their families, including local group Parent-To-Parent, to set up information tables in the lobby. The Nov. 11 afternoon show included a post-performance talk back with the cast, creative team and Keith Morgen, who runs the Centenary University's Undergraduate Substance Abuse Research Team (photo above).

"We want to raise awareness about the support networks and treatment programs that are available," Rust said. "Sometimes people don't know what to do or where to go. There's also a really delicate line between supporting someone fighting addiction and enabling them."

The act of baking live deserves comment:"The baking of the pie is a kind of choreography," Fawcett said. "When is she mixing the dough? When is she slicing the apples?  Feeding your child is an incredibly intimate act. Emotions are fraught when they won't eat because you want to give comfort in feeding." 

Apple in Winter will play through November 18 at the Centenary Stage Company Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. Remaining Individual performance dates are Friday, November 16 at 8PM; Saturday, November 17 at 8PM; Sunday, November 18 at 2PM; Wednesday, November 14 at 2PM and Thursdays, November 15 at 7:30PM.

For tickets ($17.50-29.50) visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 – 0900. The theatre is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ on the campus of Centenary University.

*Apples In Winter marks the 75th new play to be a part of the NNPN RWP program with other productions being presented at Riverside Theatre (Iowa City, IA) and Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis, IN). The play started as a one-page proposal Fawcett submitted to the National New Play Network, winning her the $10,000 commissioning prize.

Seasonal Activities Right Here in Morris County!

Morris County Park Commission

paranormal evenings HSPARANORMAL EVENINGS AT HISTORIC SPEEDWELL

November 17

Experience the phenomenon known as 'ghost hunting', and join an investigation of the historic 1790s Vail House as Island Paranormal Society attempts to contact, confront, and communicate with paranormal entities. To learn more, click here.

civil war christmas


CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS

DECEMBER 1 & 2

Travel back in time and experience the holidays during the Civil War-era at Historic Speedwell. Learn how soldiers prepared food, built winter huts to keep warm, and wrote special letters home to loved ones during the winter months. Attend the Officer’s Ball, and dance to live music! Check it out here.

baby & meBABY AND ME HIKES

December 4, 11 & 18

Calling all new parents—it’s time to get outside! Put your baby in a backpack, and explore one of many wonderful Morris County area trails on select Tuesdays in December. Learn more here.



Spotlight On:

apple cideringAPPLE CIDERING

November 24 & 25

The perfect fall family tradition! Make delicious, homemade apple cider using an old-fashioned, hand-cranked cider press, and learn fun facts about the amazing apple. Click here for more info.