Review: JERSEY VOICES at Chatham Playhouse

Chatham Community Players opened last night with yet another successful "Jersey Voices," 6 One-Act plays written by New Jersey playwrights.

The show opens with "Infinite," written by Jackie Jacobi and is Directed by Julie Anne Nolan. This piece, starring Sarah Pharaon and Brian Merrill, gives us a peek into the life of a couple dealing with the rough journey of infertility and the heartbreaking possibility that they may not ever get the results they so hope for. The second piece of the night, "Chair Dancing," was written by Steven Ruskin and Directed by Joann Lopresti Scanlon with help from Assistant Director, Eleanor Anderson. Dan De Guzman, portrays an Occupational Therapist for the elderly who breaks the 4thWall by narrating memories of working with one of his favorite patients, portrayed by Jean Kuras, who has suffered a stroke. "On Pause," written by Lauri MacMillan and Directed by Roseann Ruggiero, stars Gloria Lamourex and Alexander Wolfe. This piece shows us a glimpse into the life of a mother who has shared custody of her son and only has weekends with him. Act Two opens up with "A Visit in the Afternoon," written by Fred Dennehy and Directed by John A.C. Kennedy. A granddaughter (Maya Lerner) begrudgingly spends some time with her Grandfather (Christopher C. Gibbs) who only has a few weeks left to live, but ends up connecting with him through a story he's never told before, not even to his own daughter (Gloria Lamourex). "Rearranging the Ham," starring Jim Clancy and Terri Sturtevant, was written by Eleanor Kennedy and is Directed by Arnold Buchiane. This piece tells the heartbreaking story of a mother and a father who are trying to figure out how to live their lives after the untimely death of their son. The closing piece, "Meet Millie," written by Amanda Sage Comerford, stars Ali Archettie, Colleen Grundfest and Charles Grayson. This comedic one-act follows a young woman who chose a real estate career over college and her parents who are trying to show her how supportive they are by showing up and making themselves comfortable at the first house she is attempting to sell on her first day of work.

The behind the scenes crew is also responsible for the success of this run; Producer Bob Denmark, Co-Producer Jessica Phelan, Assistant Director/Graphic Designer Eleanor Anderson, Stage Manager Aaron Kellner, Production Coordinator Steffi Denmark, Lighting Designer Diane Giangreco, Sound Designer Joe DeVico, Sound Assistant Bob Jakuc, Box Office by Kathy Rex, Casting by Gus Ibranyi, Photography by Howard and Jill Fischer, Program by Chris Furlong, Receptionist Genevieve Anderson, and Outreach by Maria Merkle.

"Jersey Voices" is not to be missed! The remaining performances are: August 2 and August 3 at 8 PM and August 4 at 7 PM. To purchase tickets please visit https://www.chathamplayers.org/ or call 973-635-7363. The show runs almost 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission. Chatham Playhouse is located at 23 North Passaic Avenue in Chatham New Jersey.

Next up on the Chatham Stage, "The Humans" by Stephen Karam in October.

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