Chester Theatre Group

The Chester Theatre Group presented the comedy The Cocktail Hour by A. R. Gurney on Friday and Saturday at 8 pm November 5 to the 19 and Sunday at 2 pm, November 13 and 20, 2011, at the Black River Playhouse, located at the corner of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester, NJ.  READ THE PRESS REVIEW

Winner of the Lucille Lortel Award as Best Off-Broadway Play. A long-run New York success, this witty, perceptive play blends mordant humor with moments of affecting poignancy. “THE COCKTAIL HOUR is as funny and moving as The Dining Room…it could be the best play he has done so far.” —The New Yorker.

“It makes for a deliciously funny and also occasionally touching evening, as Gurney’s family sit around raking over old coals and settling old scores with a quite new and beguiling freshness.” —NY Post. “The lines in the play crackle and pop with an electricity all their own.” — Drama-Logue.…”when I watch Gurney at his best, as he is here, I laugh through the tears.” —NY Daily News.

The Cocktail Hour was directed by Cindy Alexander (Annandale). The cast included: Michael Foley (Andover) , Penny Hoadley (Brookside), AnnDonne Pepito (Somerset), and Steve Catron (Mendham).

The time is the mid ’70s, the place a city in upstate New York. John, a playwright, returns to his family’s house, bringing with him a new play which he has written about them. His purpose is to obtain their permission to proceed with production, but his wealthy, very proper parents are cautious from the outset. For them the theatre is personified by the gracious, comforting era of the Lunts and Ina Claire, and they are disturbed by the bluntness of modern plays. And there is also John’s sister, Nina, to contend with, although her reservations have to do with the fact that John has given her character such a minor role. Their confrontation takes place during the ritual of the cocktail hour, and as the martinis flow so do the recriminations and revelations, both funny and poignant. In the end it is evident that what John has written is closer to the truth than his family has heretofore been willing to admit, and that beneath their WASP reserve his parents and siblings are as beset with uncertainties and frustrations as their presumed “inferiors.” But while they seem shackled by the past, and tantalized disappointments and, with unfailing warmth and humor, converting pained resignation into cautious but hopeful anticipation.

Tickets  $18 ($16 for Seniors/Students). Reservations call 908-879-7304.       VIEW SCENES FROM THE COCKTAIL HOUR BELOW

Kate Lyn Reiter and Humor in the Midst Comedy Workshops are presenting a comedy night to benefit the Chester Theatre Group on June 4 at 8:00 PM at the Black River Playhouse.

The evening will feature the comedic stylings and wry observation of Katherine Brower, Dan Hoffman, Fred Holzapfel, Julie McCormick,Karen Muha, Peggy Robinson, and Phil Sweet.

The suggested donation is $15.

Call the theatre at 908.879.7304 for reservations.

Snicker Into Summer!

Join a comedy workshop!

Next 8-week session begins May 14!

Information on our CLASSES page.

For further information and registration call 908-892-5458 or go to www.humorinthemidst.com

8 weeks. Saturday mornings 9:30 to 12 noon.

Just $195.

DISCOUNT! Mention Chester Theatre Group and receive a 10% discount!

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The comedy workshops are brought to you by Chester Theatre Group and Humor in the Midst. Taught by Kate Lyn Reiter, and MFA Yale School of Drama graduate with 12 years experience as a comedienne in NYC.

The Chester Theatre Group is proud to present MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck. Theproduction will have performances on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. beginning May 6, 2011 thru May 21, 2011, with one Sunday matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday May 15, 2011. Performances are held at the Black River Playhouse located at the corners of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester, NJ.

Can a play about stamp collecting be called a comedic drama? Yes, especially when the taut script is MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck. Mix Ms. Rebeck’s gripping tale with the talents of veteran director, Jay Mills and a cast of five stellar performers and what you get is an evening of intrigue, drama and a few laughs. Stamp collecting may be thought of as the quiet pursuit of dedicated older and younger enthusiasts but when the stamps in question wield the power to create epic sibling rivalry and can drive grown men to the brink of moral bankruptcy, well it isn’t as genteel as one might imagine. Stir in some questionable characters on the con and the plot thickens.

Bringing this film-noir like story to life are returning CTG stage veterans, Jill Bormann of Morristown (previously seen in PROOF) as Jackie, Carol Holland of Long Valley (most recently seen in FICTION) as Mary and Steven Nitka of Long Valley (hysterical in CTGs April 16th special event THE 10 COMMANDMENTS) as Phillip. Rounding out the cast and making their debut performances with CTG are David Romankow of Gillette as Dennis and George LaVigne of Hackettstown as Sterling.

Tickets are $18.00 with a Senior (65+)/Student (with School ID) discount ticket of $16.00 at all performances. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 908-879-7304.

There are only 7 performances so make your reservations now for this show which the press called “well-made”, “engrossing” and “emotionally fraught”.

CTG is proud to present (again), for one night only (again), a reading of The Ten Commandments, a comedy by Gary Hill and Perry Kroeger, based loosely (again) on the Cecil B. DeMille movie of the same name.

In the cast (again playing over 40 parts among them) are Barbara Haag, Steve Graham, Maggie Graham, Lori Lawrence, Stephen L. Fredericks, Danny Campos, Mark Happel, Steve Nitka, Perry Kroeger and Bob Jacobson as Moses.

The fun starts at 8:00 on April 16, 2011, and reservations are recommended by calling 908.879.7304.

The play was originally done in New York at LaMama in 1995.