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.

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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.

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.

Candid photos from our production of Nine.

A joyful and moving comedy about an unappreciated housewife determined to shake up her humdrum existence. It WILL make you feel good.  A Tony Award winner for best play.

Written by Willy Russel.

Directed by Cindy Alexander

Opens March 5, 2010

Written by Adam Bock

Directed by Jeff Knapp

Opens November 21, 2009

Click on the image for a PDF suitable for printing and emailing.

The show will be performed weekends from Friday, June 26 through Sunday, July 19, 2009 with no performance on July 4.

Making up the cast are:

• Jeff Jackson (Guido Contini)
• Nathan Kohn, Will Roper (Young Guido)
• Andrea Brooks (Luisa Contini)
• Tina Kaye (Carla)
• Kathleen Campbell Jackson (Claudia)
• Barbara Haag (Guido’s mother)
• Karen Cantor (Lilianne LaFleur)
• Ellen Fraker Glasscock (Lina Darling)
• Roxanna Wagner (Stephanie Necrophorus)
• Marguerie Durant (Our Lady of the Spa)
• Roseann Ruggiero (Mama Maddelena)
• Beth Gleason (Sarraghina)
• Christina Cafaro (Maria)
• Zita Geoffroy-Heinz (Diana)
• Maria Hladczuk (Francesca)
• Brenda Kull (Renata)
• Ericka Traugh (Giulietta)
• Pat Wry (Annabella)
• Annie Groves (Heidi)
• Gayle Hendrix (Ilsa)
• Jodi Maloy (Gretchen)
• Michele Yampolsky (Olga)
• Zachary Catron, Albert Garrido, Terry Peters (Young Guido’s schoolmates)

See you there!

March 6th and 7th at 8PM; March 13th and 14th at 8PM; March 20th and 21st at 8PM. There will be a Sunday afternoon matinee at 2PM on March 15th.

All performances are $18.00. Seniors and students $16.00.

The play is directed by Jay Mills.

The cast is as follows:

• Becca – Sky Spiegel of Morristown
• Howie – Tom Morrissey of Rockaway
• Izzy – Vicky Reed of Hackettstown
• Nat – Alice Regan Moynahan of Lake Hopatcong
• Jason – William Sandoval of Budd Lake

David Lindsay-Abaire has crafted a drama that’s not just a departure but a revelation – an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion and searing honesty - Variety

With RABBIT HOLE, David Lindsay-Abaire has crafted the most serious, simply told work of his career – a painstakingly beautiful, dramatically resourceful, exquisitely human new play – Backstage

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.