Mainstage Productions

Fiction

by Steven Dietz, Directed by Jeff Knapp

Auditions: Aug 8 and 10, 2010
Performances: Oct 8-23, 2010

Linda and Michael are successful writers, a happily married couple who thrive on the give and take of their unusually honest and candid relationship. But when they decide to share their diaries with one another, the boundaries between past, present, fact, fiction, trust and betrayal begin to break down.  No life, as it turns out, is an open book.

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

by Richard Alfieri, Directed by Roseann Ruggiero

Auditions: September 26 & 28, 2010
Performances: Nov 19 – Dec 5, 2010

When a formidable retiree hires an acerbic dance instructor, antagonism and mistrust give way to civility, compatability, compassion and loyalty as they swing, tango, foxtrot and cha-cha together.

Urinetown

Music by Mark Hollmann, Lyrcs by Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis, Book by Greg Kotis; Directed by Clifford Parrish

Auditions: December 5 & 8, 2010
Performances: Feb 25-Mar 20, 2011

Don’t let the title keep you away from this hilatious musical comedy that satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement and municipal politics (just to name a few!) The unconventional plotline may surprise you, but the singing, dancing,  jokes and pokes will have you laughing in the aisles and humming the whole ride home!

Mauritius

by Theresa Rebek, Directed by JayMills

Auditions: March 6 & 8, 2011
Performances: May 6-21, 2011

After their mother’s death, two estranged helf-sisters discover a book of rare stamps that may include the holy grail of stamp collecting.  Philately proves to be more intriguing and far riskier than one might thing, as high-stakes collectors enter their world intent on making the rare find their own.

Grey Gardens

Music by Scott Frankel, Lyrics by Michael Korie, Book by Doug Wright; Directed by Mark Happel & Jeffrey Fiorello

Auditions: February 2011
Performances: July 1-24, 2011

The cult-classic turned smash Broadway musical recounts the story of the Bouvier Beales, the eccentric aunt and cousin of Jackie Kennedy Onassis — oncebrght names on the social register who became East Hampton’s most notorious recluses.

Special Events

Comedy Workshop

Saturday mornings TBA, 9:30 AM – Noon

Kate Lyn Reiter brings back her Comedy Workshoip for Adults and the Comically Curious for a series of Saturdays.

The Actor’s Nightmare

Performances: September 24-25, 2010

Steve Catron heads up Christopher Durang’s sly take on the nightmare that faces all thespians — what happens if you’re thrust onto a stage without knowing any of the lines?

 What do you get when you “marry” 25 glorious voices—each of them soloist quality—and terrific musical arrangements and accompaniment? Well, you get Songs of a Summer Night at the Chester Theatre Group’s Black River Playhouse. But don’t wait to get tickets; this blockbuster of a musical evening runs only through Sunday, July 25, and you’ll be sorry if you miss it.

[...]

All in all, Songs of a Summer Night is a show to lift your spirits, spirits that might be drooping under the summer heat and humidity outside. This refreshing show (performed in an air-conditioned theater, to boot) is not-to-be-missed!

Thanks, Ruth!

Songs of a Summer Night runs one more weekend, closing this coming Sunday.  Tickets are $20 and reservations (strongly recommended!) can be made by calling 908.879.7304.

See you there!

See you there!

Mini interview with Mr. Stock courtesy of William Westhoven’s Jersey Stages blog:

http://blogs.dailyrecord.com/jerseystages/2010/05/15/composer-to-catch-his-show-in-chester/

(Photo courtesy of Rich Kowalski.)

Better you should just go read the whole wonderful review.

Some highlights:

“By definition, a farce is a silly play, but marry it to lush melodies gloriously sung by seven very talented actors, lots of double entendres and superb physical comedy and you have the delectable confection that is “Triumph of Love,” currently receiving a triumphant production by the Chester Theatre Group.”

“Musical director Thomas Rodgers has put together an eight-piece orchestra that makes the production seem larger and lusher than it has any right to be. Jeff Fiorello and Billy Brisley have choreographed the action and the dancing to a fare-the-well, and Mark Happel’s costumes have just the right touch of commédia del’arte outlandishness.”

“‘Triumph of Love’ caps a terrific season at Chester Theatre Group, which included “The Receptionist” and “Shirley Valentine.” So for comic hijinks and beautiful music, head on out to the Black River Playhouse on Grove Street in Chester for a triumphant “Triumph of Love.”  It’s a real winner!”

Thanks, Ruth! We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

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.

“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

“Director Jeff Knapp has cast four superb actors to portray the characters in this three-scene, one act play. Carla Kendall’s spot-on comedic timing, expressive face and mellifluous voice are perfect for Beverly, office yenta/therapist-of-all-matters. She looks matronly enough for such a know-it-all as she bustles around the office, checking her computer screen, making coffee.

Rachel Dunwoody is a knockout as the beautiful Lorraine, although it’s difficult to believe that she’s lonely and despairs of finding the right man. She sashays around the office and flirts with Martin Dart with élan.

As the aforementioned Dart (great name for the character), Don Pflaster has just the right amount of malevolence to set your antennae humming. He keeps his own counsel, however, not revealing his motives at first and then grabbing your attention when he finally does.

And Stephen Catron is fine as Edward Raymond, especially in a seemingly unrelated scene in the very beginning when he directly addresses the audience about his love of fly-fishing and his decision to set free the fish he’s caught. This seemingly casual conversation resonates long after the play ends.

Jonathan Wentz’s set design is the quintessential anteroom of a busy office, complete with a coat rack, magazines, chairs and a spacious L-shaped desk from which Beverly rules.”

The Receptionist continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 through December 5.  A matinee is scheduled for November 29 at 2 pm.  Due to the size of the house, reservations are recommended and may be made by calling the box office at 908.879.7304.

Get your name in for Saturday before it’s too late! Call 908.879.7304

Rich Maloy - Photo by Scott Hart

The Chester Theatre Group has won two NJACT “Perry Awards” for their 2008-2009 production “On Golden Pond.”

The Chester Theatre Group’s winners were; Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play: Rich Maloy, and Outstanding Properties: Lynn Hart, Pat Dougherty. The Chester Theatre Group performs at the historic Black River Playhouse in Chester, N.J.

The NJACT Perry Awards are given for outstanding achievements in community theater. More than 200 shows produced by theater companies around the state are submitted each year.

Congrats to Rich, Lynn and Pat!!!