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BWW Previews: SHOWS FOR DAYS at Black River Playhouse
By: Michael T. Mooney Sep. 09, 2017
The Chester Theatre Group (CTG), in residence at the Black River Playhouse in Chester, New Jersey, is proud to present the New Jersey premiere of SHOWS FOR DAYS by Douglas Carter Beane. The troupe is kicking off their jubilee year with this celebration of the joys (and sorrows) of community theatre. SHOWS FOR DAYS is Beane's semi-autobiographical depiction of the introduction of Car, a 14-year-old boy, into the world of the an amateur theatrical organization. A combination coming-of-age story and love letter to the theater, this memory comedy ran Off-Broadway at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater in 2015. Car is played by CTG newcomer BrIan Merrill of Lake Hiawatha who, as adult Car playing himself at 14, recollects how he came to love and understand community theatre and himself as a young man in 1973. New York Magazine called the play "A glossy, curve-hugging Ferrari of a comedy!"
"Community theaters have a social function and it is to be [an] irritant in the shell of their community." ~ Tennessee Williams
Car's introduction is carried out by Irene, the grande dame of the community theatre company in Reading, Pennsylvania played by CTG favorite Carla Kendall of Wayne. Irene rules over Car and her troupe members with dramatic flair. The rest of the cast is made up of CTG regulars including Lauri MacMillan of Wharton as Sid, the gruff but dedicated stage manager, and Will Roper of Berkeley Heights as Damien, the waiter recruited as their new leading man. Rounding out the cast are two performers making their CTG debuts, Jessica Phelan of Montclair as Maria, the insecure ingénue, and Joshua Musgrave of Florham Park as Clive, who is may be a bigger diva than Irene. The show is under the direction of long-time CTG member Roseann Ruggiero.
SHOWS FOR DAYS begins performances on Friday, September 15, 2017 and runs weekends through October 1, 2017. Tickets prices are $ 20.00 for adults and $18.00 for seniors and students. For reservations visit the CTG website www.chestertheatregroup.org or call the box office at 908-879-7304.
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