Chester Theatre Group

The Chester Theatre Group, in residence at the Black River Playhouse, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of events centered on its most produced playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn.  In 2009 Ayckbourn will mark his 50th year of playwriting and his 70th birthday.  The Chester group has produced 15 productions of the prolific author’s 71 plays, including four American premieres.  The group is one of the few theatre companies in the country to produce the full NORMAN CONQUESTS trilogy – in both 1986 and 2006. This year they will offer four readings of ‘lesser known’ Ayckbourn plays, starting on Sunday, January 25th with SUGAR DADDIES, Ayckbourn’s rarely performed 2003 comedy.  The reading series will continue throughout 2009 and will be performed by the 4A’s (Alan Ayckbourn Aficionados of America), a group named by Ayckbourn himself and dedicated to his work.

The year-long series of events will also feature the American premiere of IMPROBABLE FICTION, Ayckbourn’s 69th play, a fast-paced look at a writer’s circle that suffers from collective writer’s block – until their creations come to comically life onstage.  The anniversary year will conclude with a fall workshop titled “50/50″ – a look back at the 15 Chester productions featuring scenes, monologues, and anecdotes from the author’s life.   Michael T. Mooney, who studied with Ayckbourn in Scarborough, England, will helm the year’s events.

Sir Alan Ayckbourn, who turns 70 on April 12th, has endorsed the Chester festivities, saying “How splendid and how touching that you have chosen to share your 50th with mine. My message to Chester is this: Life begins at 50! So onwards and ever upwards.”

Chester Theatre Group is offering a special “Ayckbourn All-Access Pass” for theatre-goers wishing to participate in all the year’s events.  To order a Pass or for further information on the events, please call 908.879.7304.  The Black River Playhouse is located at the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, New Jersey.

The Chester Theatre Group at the Black River Playhouse will present HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS – a Holiday Musical Revue

The sounds of Broadway and Traditional Holiday themed music will fill the air when the nine person cast brings sounds of the season to the Chester Theatre Group’s black-box stage on December 5/6/7.  Representing composers from Irving Berlin to Joni Mitchell and including most of the carols you’ve been singing since you were a child, this holiday treat has musical direction and arrangements by James Horan of Morristown and stage direction by Mary Saarmann of Byram.

The cast features veteran CTG performers Michael Foley of Hopatcong, Ellen Fraker-Glasscock of Chester, Roseann Ruggiero of Ledgewood and Jonathan Wentz of Whippany.  HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS also marks the CTG debut of newcomers Zachary Catron of Mendham, Zita Geoffroy-Heinz of Bridgewater, Tracey Lynne Haskell of Garwood, Jennifer Sammartino of Secaucus and Rich Stanton of Denville.

The revue will end with audience participation Christmas caroling, so make your reservations and come join the fun.

Admission is $20 and $18 for Students and Seniors (cash or check only — no credit cards). For Reservations call the box office at 908-879-7304.  Reservations will be held at the theater until 15 minutes before curtain.

Evening performances on Friday, 12/5 and Saturday 12/6 start at 8:00pm and there is a Sunday matinee on 12/7 which begins at 2:00pm. Due to the nature of our theater-in-the-round setting, latecomers may or may not be seated at the discretion of the house manager.

The theatre is located at the corners of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, NJ.

The Chester Theatre Group will be holding auditions for their March 2009 production of RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire.  Auditions will be held on Sunday afternoon, November 23rd at 2:00pm and on Tuesday evening, November 25th at 7:30pm at the Black River Playhouse located on the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, NJ.

The plot of this 2007 Pulitizer Prize winning play centers on the impact the accidental killing of a small child has on family dynamics and on the road toward domestic redemption.

The production is to be directed by Jay Mills.  Mr. Mills is a veteran director who has helmed several other productions at CTG including; Three Tall Women, Proof and I Hate Hamlet.  Prepared monologues are unnecessary as readings will be from the script.  Character breakdowns are as follows:

Becca. (Mid-30s to Early-40s) – A one-time Sotheby’s employee turned self-contained, order-obsessed, stay-at-home mom

Izzy (Early to Mid-30s) – Becca’s all-too-lively sister

Howie (Mid-30s to Early-40s) – Becca’s caring husband

Nat (Late-50s to Early-60s) – Becca and Izzy’s overbearing but compassionate mother

Jason (must play late teens) – Guilt-ridden High School student

If callbacks are necessary a date will be determined.  Rehearsals will be weeknights and weekend afternoons based on availability.  Production dates are Fridays and Saturdays March 6^th, 7^th, 13^th, 14^th, 20^th and 21^st at 8:00 p.m. with a scheduled matinee on Sunday, March 15^th at 2:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please leave a message at the theater box office at 908-879-7304.< -->

The Chester Theatre Group (CTG), kicks off its new season at the Black River Playhouse October 31st with On Golden Pond by Ernest Thompson, a gentle, wry comedy of one family’s journey through the humor and sorrow of age and the agelessness of love. Over one summer, curmudgeon Norman Thayer and his long suffering wife Ethel address lost faculties, daughter/father conflicts and second chances. Humor, pain and caring fill the rustic cabin in Maine.

Although originally a very successful play on Broadway, it is more famous as the film in which Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn won wide critical acclaim, resulting in both winning Oscars for Best Actor and Actress.

A story filled with poignancy, warm humor, and wonderfully created characters, CTG will present On Golden Pond in its original stage setting.

Perry Award winner Scott Hart will direct. The cast: Rich Maloy as Norman Thayer Jr. , Eileen Waite as Ethel Thayer, plus Bob Scarpone as Charlie the mailman, Maria Brodeur as Chelsea, Don Gehan as Bill Ray Sr. and Noah Befeler as Billy Ray Jr.

Performances over three weekends: Friday & Saturday (10/31, 11/1) (11/7& 8), (11/14 & 15) at 8 p.m. Matinees Sunday 11/2 and 11/9 at 2 p.m.

The Black River Playhouse is located at the corner of Maple and Grove in Chester.

The Chester Theatre Group will be holding auditions for “Home For The Holidays: A Musical Revue.”  This original revue is a compilation of both standard holiday music and holiday-themed musical numbers from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows and will have musical direction by Jim Horan and stage direction by Mary Saarmann.

Performance dates for the show are Friday and Saturday evenings 12/5 and 12/6 at 8:00 p.m. with a Sunday matinee on 12/7 at 2:00 p.m.

Ms. Saarmann and Mr. Horan are looking for a minimum of 8 adult singers of all voice ranges who will be singing both solo and group numbers with arrangements by Mr. Horan.

Auditions will be held on Sunday 10/5 at 2:00 pm and Tuesday 10/7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Black River Playhouse on the corner of Grove and Maple Streets in Chester, NJ.

Those auditioning are asked to bring music for either a standard holiday song or Broadway show tune in their key. An accompanist will be provided. Performers should also come prepared for a movement audition.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact leave a message at the theater box office at 908-879-7304.