Chester Theatre Group

Ruth Ross of the Recorder Newspapers had some very flattering things to say about our current production of Shirley Valentine.  The highlights:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary may define tour de force as “a feat or display of strength, skill or ingenuity,” but if you want to see a tour de force in the flesh, go on out to the Black River Playhouse in Chester where Gloria Lamoureaux stars as Shirley Valentine in the acclaimed Chester Theatre Group’s winter production of Willy Russell’s bittersweet comedy of the same name.

[...]

Gloria Lamoureaux … becomes Shirley Valentine, making Willy Russell’s eponymous heroine jump from the page to the stage in a convincing and natural manner. As a force to be reckoned with, Lamoureaux’s performance is a true tour de force! Her character’s bravado, her bravery, earned her a well-deserved brava from the entire audience (along with a standing ovation) at the end of the play. Add your applause; you’ll be glad you did.

You can read the full review at the Recorder Newspapers site.

It’s here!

Our production of “Shirley Valentine”, a comedy by Willy Russell (Blood Brothers and Educating Rita) opens March 6 and runs until the 21st.

We’ve reconfigured our theatre for this production, so our seating capacity is diminished.  Please make sure you reserve your tickets early!

Public performances are on March 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. the shows on the 14th and the 21st are matinees.  Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 pm, Sunday matinees start at 2 pm.  Due to the nature of the piece and the layout of the theatre, latecomers may not be able to be seated.

The piece, directed by Cindy Alexander, features Gloria Lamoureux as Shirley Valentine.

Ticket are $18,  Students and seniors discounts on Friday and Sunday performances $16. The CTG’s Black River Playhouse is located at the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in the borough of Chester.  Call 908-879-7304 for reservations.

About the show:

Inside Mrs. Joe Bradshaw is the former Shirley Valentine longing to get out. Her self- confidence badly shattered by school, marriage and life, she is reduced to talking to the kitchen wall whilst preparing her husband’s evening meal – to be on the table as he opens the front door every night.  As she sips a glass of wine, she dreams of drinking in a country where the grape is grown.  Her feminist friend offers her a holiday in Greece and, with great trepidation and a lot of forward planning; Shirley seizes the opportunity.  In Greece she encounters a totally different lifestyle, breaking out of the mold cast for her by society.

We’re holding auditions for our upcoming production of TRIUMPH OF LOVE based on the play by Marivaux with book by James Magruder, music by Jeffrey Stock and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.  The show will be directed by Jeffrey Fiorello with musical direction by Tom Rodgers and will be produced by Penny Hoadley and Jeff Jackson.

Auditions will be held at the theater on Sunday, 2/7/2010 at 2:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, 2/9/2010 at 7:00 p.m.  The theater is located at the corners of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester, New Jersey.

Performances of the show are scheduled for 4/30, 5/1, 5/7, 5/8, 5/14, 5/15, 5/16 (matinee), 5/21, 5/22 and close with a matinee on Sunday, 5/23.

Needed are 4 male and 3 female musical comedy performers. Please come with a resume and a musical theatre song (with sheet music in correct key). An accompanist will be provided.

About the Show:

Love can make a woman do strange things.  Like lie about her past.  Or give up her career for the man she loves.  Or throw off her princessly raiment and disguise herself as a young man in order to infiltrate the guarded “men-only” palace compound of an exiled prince she’s admired from afar, who is secretly plotting to murder her and usurp her throne.  Such is the state of things in this hilarious, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic adaptation of the classic Marivaux comedy, “Triumph of Love.” 

Cast Breakdown:

• Agis – (age range 20 – 35) a student of reason, a young innocent who has been raised to reclaim his rightful throne, but discovers that his true desire is to find love.  Tenor (ability to sing and sustain a High A).
• Hesione – (age range 40 – 60) Agis’ Aunt. A stern philosopher who wants her nephew to take down the current ruler of Sparta to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his.  A Betty Buckley type.  Mezzo / Strong Belt (up to a high D).
• Harlequin – (age range 25 – 40) the Valet.  Servant to Hesione.  Tenor with strong comedic abilities.
• Dimas – (age range 25 – 45) the Gardner.  Servant to Hesione.  Baritone with strong comedic abilities.
• Hermocrates – (age range 40 – 60) Agis’s Uncle.  A philosopher.  The brother to Hesione, a powerful, forbidding intellectual tyrant.  Feared by those around him.  Baritone.
• Princess Leonide – (age range 20 – 35).  A beautiful young woman, and ruler of Sparta.  A driven woman who will do almost anything to find true love, and hopes to find that in Agis.  Disguises herself as a man for part of the musical.  A strong comedic actress, with the ability to portray the many different characters that Leonide uses to deceive those around her.  High Mezzo – Belt (up to a high D).
• Corrine – (age range 25 – 40).  Princess Leonide’s maid servant.  A little rough around the edges, but would do anything to help Princess Leonide reach her goal.  Strong comedic actress.  Mezzo with a VERY high Belt (up to an E) and the ability to sing the D above high C.

If you have any further questions about the play please contact the director via email at fiorelloje@yahoo.com

It’s the dancing calendar! :-)

One last time, we had to shuffle the Shirley Valentine performance schedule a little bit, so may be a little off from what you’ve seen previously.

The show will open with a sold-out performance to benefit the Long Valley Women’s Club on March 5.  Public performances open up after that, with shows on March 6, 12, 13, 14*, 19, 20, and 21*. the shows on the 14th and the 21st are matinees.  Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 pm, Sunday matinees start at 2 pm.  Due to the nature of the piece and the layout of the theatre, latecomers may not be able to be seated.

The piece, directed by Cindy Alexander, features Gloria Lamoureux as Shirley Valentine.

About the show:

Inside Mrs. Joe Bradshaw is the former Shirley Valentine longing to get out. Her self- confidence badly shattered by school, marriage and life, she is reduced to talking to the kitchen wall whilst preparing her husband’s evening meal – to be on the table as he opens the front door every night.  As she sips a glass of wine, she dreams of drinking in a country where the grape is grown.  Her feminist friend offers her a holiday in Greece and, with great trepidation and a lot of forward planning; Shirley seizes the opportunity.  In Greece she encounters a totally different lifestyle, breaking out of the mold cast for her by society.

Liz Keill of the Independant Press had some flattering things to say about our current production of The Receptionist.

“The Receptionist” by Adam Bock is one of those strange, convoluted stories that will keep you guessing right up to the final moments.

Staged with precision and tension at Black River Playhouse in Chester, the four-member cast keeps the energy at a heightened pitch as the puzzle becomes more dense, more obscure.

… the Chester Theatre Group has delivered a spellbinding tale, one that’s quirky and off-kilter, but contemporary enough to lead us down the path of recognition.

There are two more chances to see The Receptionist — Friday December 4 and Saturday, December 5.  Both shows are at 8:00pm.  Reservations are recommended and can be made by leaving a message at 908-879-7304