Chester Theatre Group

Continuing our year-long “Unheard Ayckbourn” Reading Series, the Chester Theatre Group presents a reading of Alan Ayckbourn’s “GamePlan” on Sunday, May 24 at 3pm at the Black River Playhouse.

Written in 2001 as part of the playwright’s DAMSELS IN DISTRESS trilogy, the play concerns a teenage girl named Sorrel, who will do anything to help out her unemployed mum Lynette and avoid having to sell their London flat – even to the point of ‘going on the game’. But when her first client, a retired dry cleaner named Leo, unexpectedly dies, Sorrel and her best friend Kelly find themselves in a lot deeper than they bargained for.

The cast features Ayckbourn veterans Cody Dalton (Snake in the Grass, Improbable Fiction), Valerie DeLeon, Elizabeth Urcinoli (Improbable Fiction, Wildest Dreams), David Neal (The Norman Conquests, Improbable Fiction, Wildest Dreams, Sugar Daddies), Maria Brodeur (Improbable Fiction), Michael Mooney and Eric Rolland (Improbable Fiction).

General admission is $5. Call 908.879.7304 for reservations.

The Chester Theatre Group, in residence at the Black River Playhouse, continues it’s year-long celebration of Alan Ayckbourn’s 50th year of playwriting with a reading of his rarely staged 1991 play WILDEST DREAMS on Sunday, March 29th at 3pm.   The story concerns a group of misfits who get together on a weekly basis to play a dungeons and dragons-like role playing game and eventually become so wrapped up in the game that they can no longer fit into the real world.

The cast features Carol Holland of Long Valley, Jamie More of South Plainfield, Peter Kendall of  Wayne, Elizabeth Urcinoli of Hackettstown and Whitney Shields of Phillipsburg.

Rounding out the cast are Carla Kendall of Wayne, Suebeth Baumgartner of Califon, David Neal of Fanwood, and Chris Mortenson of Oldwick.

The reading is under the direction of Michael T. Mooney of Budd Lake

$5.00 Donation Requested

The reading is produced by the 4A’s – the Alan Ayckbourn Aficionados of America – a company made up of actors who have performed in many of the author’s 72 plays.   Mr. Mooney, the founder of the 4A’s, has studied theatre in the round with Sir Alan in Scarborough, England.

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.

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.

Download the pass (PDF)

Beat the Winter Blues!

Please join us this Sunday, January 25th at 3:00 pm for a reading of “Sugar Daddies” by Alan Ayckbourn, performed by The Forays – The Alan Ayckbourn Aficionandos of America.

Young Sasha comes to the aid of an edlerly man dressed as Father Christmas. Their relationship develops, but does everyone have good intentions? And who is the mysterious neighbor with the eye-patch?

$5.00 donation at the door