“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.

Lorraine and Mr. Raymond

Someone will be right with you…

Adam Bock’s office comedy, The Receptionist opens at the Black River Playhouse on Friday, November 20, 2009.

To let Samuel French summarize: “At the start of a typical day in the Northeast Office, Beverly deals effortlessly with ringing phones and her colleague’s romantic troubles. But the appearance of a charming rep from the Central Office disrupts the friendly routine. And as the true nature of the company’s business becomes apparent, The Receptionist raises disquieting, provocative questions about the consequences of complicity with evil.”

The show is directed by Jeff Knapp and features Carla Kendall as Beverly, The Receptionist; Rachel Dunwoody as Lorraine; Stephen Catron as Mr. Raymond and Don Pflaster as Mr. Dart.

The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through December 5th with a Sunday matinee performance on November 29 at 2pm. Opening night, November 20, is sold out. Tickets are available for all other performances. The show runs approx 80 minutes and is presented without intermission.

Tickets are $18 at the door (cash or check only) and may be reserved by calling the box office at 908.879.7304.

About the play:

“A deceptively complex work that intends to reinvent the concept of the office comedy, The Receptionist plays with the idea of who knows how much and how good a thing that ultimately is.” – Tom Avila, Metro Weekly

“The genially mundane goings-on in this blandly average workplace are throw into macabre relief when … a single, jarring line of dialogue sets the calm surface of the play rippling with creepy currents.” – Charles Isherwood, New York Times

Save the date!

Auditions for Adam Bock’s play “The Receptionist”, directed by Jeff Knapp, will be held on Sunday, October 11 and Tuesday, October 13 and 7:30 PM at the Black River Playhouse.

The Receptionist is a dark comedy about office life… and it might be about torture.  Or not…

To let Samuel French summarize:  “At the start of a typical day in the Northeast Office, Beverly deals effortlessly with ringing phones and her colleague’s romantic troubles. But the appearance of a charming rep from the Central Office disrupts the friendly routine. And as the true nature of the company’s business becomes apparent, The Receptionist raises disquieting, provocative questions about the consequences of complicity with evil.”

Character Breakdown:

Beverly Wilkins (late 40s-50s), the receptionist:

Lorraine Taylor (late 20s, mid-40s), A co-worker. Single.

Edward Raymond. (Early 50s) Their boss. A young grandfather.

Martin Dart (Mid-30s), Married, with a child

The audition will consist mostly of script readings.

Actresses auditioning for the role of the receptionist, should have a one-sided telephone call prepared.  Portray the OTHER person’s story using only your side of the conversation.  There’s a lot of that sort of thing in the play that may be difficult to convey in a cold reading, so being able to sell your ability to listen and react will be key.  You’ll also be asked to read from the script.

Due to popular demand, here are pages from the script that show Beverly’s one-sided conversation.  Feel free to familiarlize yourself with this instead of preparing your own: The Receptionist – Beverly Side

The show opens November 21 2009 and runs into December.

“A deceptively complex work that intends to reinvent the concept of the office comedy, The Receptionist plays with the idea of who knows how much and how good a thing that ultimately is.” – Tom Avila, Metro Weekly

“The genially mundane goings-on in this blandly average workplace are throw into macabre relief when … a single, jarring line of dialogue sets the calm surface of the play rippling with creepy currents.” – Charles Isherwood, New York Times

At the start of a typical day in the Northeast office, Beverly deals effortlessly with ringing phones and a colleague’s romantic troubles.  In Adam Bock’s twisted comedy, there are plenty of laughs, but the appearance of a charming rep from the Central Office disrupts the friendly routine.

Written by Adam Bock

Directed by Jeff Knapp

Opens November 21, 2009