Chester Theatre Group

Exciting news! Composer Jeffrey Stock is joining us at today’s 2PM performance of our production of his musical “Triumph of Love!”

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.)

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!

Our production of Triumph of Love is off to a rousing start!  Tickets are going fast, so make your reservations by calling 908-879-7304.  More details on the show can be found on the show page; but here’s some eye candy…

Billy Brisley and Eric Harper - Dimas delays Agis

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The Chester Theatre Group will be presenting TRIUMPH OF LOVE based on the play by Marivaux with book by James Magruder, music by Jeffrey Stock and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.  The show will be directed by Jeffrey Fiorello of Montclair with musical direction by Tom Rodgers of Bernardsville.

Performances of the show are scheduled at 8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings 4/30, 5/1, 5/7, 5/8, 5/14, 5/15, 5/21, 5/22 with matinees on Sundays, 5/16 and 5/23 at 2:00p.m.  Tickets are $24.00 with a Student (under 18) and Senior (65+) discount of $2.00 at all performances.

About the Show:

Love can make a woman do strange things.  Like lie about her past.  Or give up her career for the man she loves.  Or throw off her princessly raiment and disguise herself as a young man in order to infiltrate the guarded “men-only” palace compound of an exiled prince she’s admired from afar, who is secretly plotting to murder her and usurp her throne.  Such is the state of things in this hilarious, bawdy, risque, tongue-in-cheek, double-entendre filled, anachronistic adaptation of the classic Marivaux comedy, “Triumph of Love.”

Cast:

• Agis – Eric Harper of Edison
• Hesione – Julie Waldman-Stiel of West Orange
• Harlequin – Chris Mortenson of Oldwick
• Dimas – Billy Brisley of Whippany
• Hermocrates – Michael J. Foley of Hopatcong
• Princess Leonide – Kathleen Campbell Jackson of Far Hills
• Corine – Tina Kaye of Brick

The theater is located at the corners of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester, New Jersey.   For reservations please call the box office at 908-879-7304.  For directions or additional information about the theatre, please visit our website at www.chestertheatregroup.org

We’re holding auditions for our upcoming production of TRIUMPH OF LOVE based on the play by Marivaux with book by James Magruder, music by Jeffrey Stock and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.  The show will be directed by Jeffrey Fiorello with musical direction by Tom Rodgers and will be produced by Penny Hoadley and Jeff Jackson.

Auditions will be held at the theater on Sunday, 2/7/2010 at 2:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, 2/9/2010 at 7:00 p.m.  The theater is located at the corners of Grove Street and Maple Avenue in Chester, New Jersey.

Performances of the show are scheduled for 4/30, 5/1, 5/7, 5/8, 5/14, 5/15, 5/16 (matinee), 5/21, 5/22 and close with a matinee on Sunday, 5/23.

Needed are 4 male and 3 female musical comedy performers. Please come with a resume and a musical theatre song (with sheet music in correct key). An accompanist will be provided.

About the Show:

Love can make a woman do strange things.  Like lie about her past.  Or give up her career for the man she loves.  Or throw off her princessly raiment and disguise herself as a young man in order to infiltrate the guarded “men-only” palace compound of an exiled prince she’s admired from afar, who is secretly plotting to murder her and usurp her throne.  Such is the state of things in this hilarious, tongue-in-cheek, anachronistic adaptation of the classic Marivaux comedy, “Triumph of Love.” 

Cast Breakdown:

• Agis – (age range 20 – 35) a student of reason, a young innocent who has been raised to reclaim his rightful throne, but discovers that his true desire is to find love.  Tenor (ability to sing and sustain a High A).
• Hesione – (age range 40 – 60) Agis’ Aunt. A stern philosopher who wants her nephew to take down the current ruler of Sparta to reclaim the throne that is rightfully his.  A Betty Buckley type.  Mezzo / Strong Belt (up to a high D).
• Harlequin – (age range 25 – 40) the Valet.  Servant to Hesione.  Tenor with strong comedic abilities.
• Dimas – (age range 25 – 45) the Gardner.  Servant to Hesione.  Baritone with strong comedic abilities.
• Hermocrates – (age range 40 – 60) Agis’s Uncle.  A philosopher.  The brother to Hesione, a powerful, forbidding intellectual tyrant.  Feared by those around him.  Baritone.
• Princess Leonide – (age range 20 – 35).  A beautiful young woman, and ruler of Sparta.  A driven woman who will do almost anything to find true love, and hopes to find that in Agis.  Disguises herself as a man for part of the musical.  A strong comedic actress, with the ability to portray the many different characters that Leonide uses to deceive those around her.  High Mezzo – Belt (up to a high D).
• Corrine – (age range 25 – 40).  Princess Leonide’s maid servant.  A little rough around the edges, but would do anything to help Princess Leonide reach her goal.  Strong comedic actress.  Mezzo with a VERY high Belt (up to an E) and the ability to sing the D above high C.

If you have any further questions about the play please contact the director via email at fiorelloje@yahoo.com