Gore Vidal's THE BEST MAN to Open This Today at Old Library Theatre

Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, OLD LIBRARY THEATRE, announces its upcoming mainstage production of Gore Vidal's play, THE BEST MAN, opening tomorrow, Friday, September 16.

It is the 1960 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, and William Russell, the ex-Secretary of State, is locked in a nomination battle with Senator Joseph Cantwell - with neither of them having the number of delegates needed to win their party's nomination. When each rival gets a hold of personal information he believes disqualifies his opponent, the former President, Arthur Hockstader, steps in with an agenda all his own: to ensure the best man is chosen.

"Written by Gore Vidal, the play expertly explores the uneasy relationships between power and ethics, goodness and ambition, and what the public wants in a president versus what they really need in one," says director Craig M. Tiede. "It's an ideal play for OLT to produce at this heightened political moment.

Presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, this timely production is directed by Craig M. Tiede and produced by Julie Galorenzo, and will star:

William Russell - Mark Mason (Glen Rock)

Joseph Cantwell - Shannon Lenahan (New York)

President Arthur Hockstader - Jak Prince (Totowa)

Alice Russell - Kristine Stringer (South Orange)

Mabel Cantwell - Maureen McNulty (Pearl River)

Dick Jensen - Geoffrey Waumans (Clifton)

Don Blades - Richard M. Bernstein (New York)

Sue-Ellen Gamadge - Cynthia Smith Barry (Fair Lawn)

ShelDon Marcus - Don Pflaster (Jersey City)

Clyde Carlin - Kenny Sandler (Airmont)

Catherine - Alexandria Lefkovits-Callaghan (Roseland)

Dr. Artinian/Photographer 3/Delegate - James Gwyn (Clifton)

Reporter 1/Delegate - Chris Gatterdam (Bloomfield)

Reporter 2/Delegate - Evan T. Charpentier (Lyndhurst)

Reporter 3/Delegate - BrenDan Joel Bartlett (Jersey City)

Reporter 4/Delegate - Thomas Winkler (Maywood)

Photographer 1/Delegate - Matt Cavallo (Tenafly)

Photographer 2/Bellboy - David Yurch (Edison)

Performances will be September 16, 17, and 18, 2016, at 8pm, 8pm, and 2pm respectively. All performances will take place at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation, 10-10 20th Street (corner of Kipp Street), Fair Lawn, NJ 07410.

Reservations can be made by: Phone: (973) OLT-4420; Email: info@oldlibrarytheatre.net; Online: www.onthestage.com/show/old-library-theatre/the-best-man-18767.

Old Library Theatre was started in 1967 by a handful of dreamers who wanted to make the joy of theatre performance available to everyone. It is a community theatre organization committed to producing quality productions at an affordable price.

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