Chester Theatre Group

Ruth Ross of the Recorder Newspapers had so many wonderful things to say about our current production of Triumph of Love that we’re having a hard time pulling out the best bits.

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!

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.

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

Ruth Ross of the Recorder Newspapers has posted her review of our production of The Receptionist over at the Recorder Newspapers website. An excerpt:

“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.

Writing in the Recorder Newspapers (Mt. Olive Chronicle, Randolph Reporter, etc.), Sheila Abrams calls our current production of Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopits’ Nine “Spectacular … [t]his may be the theatrical bargain of the year.”

‘Spectacular’ sounds like an odd word for a production staged in the Black River Playhouse, a charming little jewel box of a theater in the round that is home to the Chester Theatre Group.

However, as they say, if the shoe fits… And in the case of the musical “Nine,” now in production there, it fits like Cinderella’s slipper. This very unusual show, with a score by Maury Yeston and a book by Arthur Kopit, has been staged in a style that can only be called spectacular.

Please read the rest of the review at their site: http://www.recordernewspapers.com/articles/2009/07/02/entertainment/doc4a4c9d4265547154632736.txt

Choice tickets are still available for tonight’s performance and Sunday’s.  There’s no show tomorrow, July 4, in honor of our national celebration.