Bergen County Players Presents STANDING ON CEREMONY THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS

Bergen County Players (BCP) concludes its 84th season with a staged reading of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Conceived by BCP alum Brian Shnipper and directed by Mark Rinis, this anthology of monologues and short plays began as a series of benefit events in Los Angeles, taking on a life of their own as an inspiring theatrical evening. The show will only run two nights, June 10 and 11 at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office during regular box office hours.

Responding to one of the defining issues of our day -- the ongoing battle for marriage equality throughout the United States -- some of America's most illustrious and Award-winning playwrights, including Obie Award winner Mo Gaffney, Heideman Award winner JorDan Harrison, Pulitzer Prize winner and Tony Award nominee Moisés Kaufman, Tony Award nominee Neil LaBute, Sundance Jury Prize winner Wendy MacLeod, Obie Award winner José Rivera, Obie and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Paul Rudnick, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright, have created a heartfelt, funny and altogether illuminating evening that celebrates the courage to be in a relationship - any relationship.

The nine short plays that make up Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays include:

The Revision by JorDan Harrison, an amusing look at how two men might rewrite their vows to more accurately reflect the limited options available to a gay couple.

This Flight Tonight by Wendy MacLeod, which asks if there is any hope for happiness when a lesbIan Marriage begins in Iowa.

The Gay Agenda by Paul Rudnick, a sadly hilarious plea for understanding by an Ohio homemaker and member of Focus on the Family.

On Facebook by Doug Wright, adapted from an actual Facebook thread chronicling one long fight among friends on the subject of gay marriage.

Strange Fruit by Neil LaBute, the story of two men in love whose plans to get married "the old-fashioned way" are stymied when reality rears its ugly head.

London Mosquitoes by Moisés Kaufman, a poignant story in which a widower tries to make sense of the loss of his long-time lover.

Pablo and Andrew at the Altar of Words by José Rivera, a moving play about two men who use their marriage vows to "say the things we never really say".

A Traditional Wedding by Mo Gaffney, a long-married lesbian couple reminisce about their wedding.

My Husband by Paul Rudnick, a hilarious gay twist on the stereotype of the Jewish mother desperate to marry off her children.

Mark Rinis of New York City returns to the Little Firehouse Theatre after a lengthy hiatus to direct Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. His numerous directing credits include Vanities and Present Laughter at BCP, as well as Sweeney Todd, Candide, Fiorello, A Little Night Music, Cabaret, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, to name a few. An accomplished actor as well, his stage credits include 1776, The Odd Couple, Equus, Scapino, Tartuffe, Deathtrap, Blithe Spirit, Baby, Winslow Boy, and Roar of the Greasepaint. Rinis said, "We are thrilled to present this celebration of marital equality that is not only funny and moving, but also enlightening."

The talented cast of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays includes Ted Cancila of Hoboken, Bill Cantor of Woodcliff Lake, Margie Druss Fodor of Westwood, Robert Golder of Fair Lawn, Joann Lamneck of Midland Park, Sarah Medcalf of North Plainfield, Matthew Rofofsky of Fort Lee, Thomas Vorsteg of New York City, and Marci Weinstein of Teaneck. Ted Cancila is making his BCP debut in this production. His previous credits include Next Fall, She Loves Me and Sunday in the Park with George. Bill Cantor is a BCP Life Member whose credits include Jake's Women, The Most Happy Fella, City of Angels, Into the Woods, Same Time Next Year, The Pirates of Penzance, The Sunshine Boys, Drowsy Chaperone, and Guys and Dolls, among others. By day, Bill is a practicing otolaryngologist.

Margie Druss Fodor is also a BCP Life Member who just completed a two year term as BCP President. She has performed in many productions at BCP including The Mouse That Roared, My Favorite Wife, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Haunting of Hill House, Comic Potential, The Sunshine Boys, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and Over the River and Through the Woods. By day, Margie works as a freelance writer for The Record newspaper, and enjoys doing voice-over work. Robert Golder returns to the BCP stage after a long hiatus. His credits include Noises Off, The Wizard of Oz, Puss in Boots, Our Town, Baby, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, among others.

Joann Lamneck, another BCP veteran has a long list of credits to her name. They include Nunsense, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Dividing the Estate, Company, Side by Side by Sonheim, The Children's Hour, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, among others. Sarah Medcalf is a newcomer to BCP with a previous credit in Tommy. Her continued passion for theater and world languages will bring her back to our stage in the future. Matthew Rofofsky appeared at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Time Stands Still, The Irish Curse, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Aladdin, among others. Matt is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist by day.

Marci Weinstein is a BCP Life Member and six-time Perry Award nominee for set decoration. Her credits include A Shayna Maidel, The Mousetrap, Modern Orthodox, The Sunshine Boys, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Accomplice, Boeing-Boeing, and Proof (Perry Award recipient) to name a few. In addition to having served on BCP's executive board, she has appeared on our stage, produced, stage managed and assistant directed more than 20 productions. Marci's interest in design led her to launch House to Home Affordable Redesign, an interior design company. Thomas Vorsteg makes his debut on the BCP stage with Standing on Ceremony. He previous credits include Exit Strategy, and appearances at the Black Box New Play Festival and Carnegie Hall.

The crew of Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays includes: Steve Bell (Producer), Linda Taub (Assistant to the Director), Howard Kerner (Stage Manager), Marci Weinstein (Set Decor), Jeff Pieper (Construction), Allan Seward (Lighting Design), Annette Jacobs (Properties), Michele Roth (Lighting Operation), Steve Mintz (Photography), and Marci Weinstein (Program Notes).

TICKET AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION

Both performances for Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays will take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949. Performance times are Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.

All tickets for Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays are $11 and may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours. Visa, Master Card, and American Express are accepted.

Those interested in Group Sales of 20 or more tickets can email groups@bcplayers.org or call the main number and press #6.

Row K, Seats #1 and #2 are held to accommodate people with disabilities. They can be purchased by calling the box office at 201-261-4200. These seats will be released for public sale two weeks prior to performance.

Parking is free at the Park Avenue municipal lot, across the street, one-half block north of the theater.

Calendar Listing: STANDING ON CEREMONY: The Gay Marriage Plays RUNS FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 10 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 11. Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pM. Little FIREHOUSE THEATRE, 298 Kinderkamack Road., Oradell, NJ. Free parking at the lot off Park Avenue one-half block north of theater. All Tickets are $11.00. For tickets, please call (201) 261-4200 or buy online at www.bcplayers.org.

The Bergen County Players has grown tremendously from its roots as a small community theater when it was founded in 1932; today, nearly 300 volunteer members, working on and off stage, make possible the nine productions presented each season. The current Main Stage production, Chapter Two, runs thru June 4th.

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