IN THE CAR WITH BLOSSOM AND LEN Fills Second Slot in Centenary Stage's Women Playwrights Series, 4/23

Family dynamics can be the source of endless comedic material, as is the case in the 2nd play of the CSC Women Playwrights Series, "In the Car with Blossom and Len" by Joni Fritz, which will be presented on Wednesday, Apr 23 at 7:30 PM in the Lackland Center in Hackettstown. In this funny and poignant new play, a basket full of unpaid bills for chemical engineer Lenny Gold's laboratory is discovered one of his adult daughters, unveiling a lifetime of secrets, a mysterious silent partner, and a few other challenges which must be met by this family. "In the Car.." is a delightful family saga about growing up, growing older and where you put the keys.

Playwright Joni Fritz has worked in theatre and television as a writer and actress, with appearances in NYC and regional theatre, film, television and commercials. Her writing credits run the gamut from theatre to videos, documentaries, and sketch comedy for USA Network. Most recently, Joni's play "Girl's Room," starring Broadway legends Carol Lawrence and Donna McKechnie, directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, enjoyed successful runs in NY and LA. Her work has been seen in several theatres in the NYC area, including Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Women's Theatre Company and Dreamcatcher Rep. She is a member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatist Guild, and resides in Pompton Plains, NJ.

Broadway veteran Lynne Taylor-Corbett helps bring this play to life as director in this Hackettstown presentation. Taylor-Corbett has been nominated for Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award for Broadway's Swing!, and received Drama Desk and Lortel nominations for My Vaudeville Man and Wanda's World. She recently directed and choreographed a new production of The Seven Deadly Sins for the New York City Ballet with Patti LuPone in the role of Anna. Her choreography can be seen in feature films Footloose and My Blue Heaven and in Disney's stage show, Aladdin, at the Hyperion Theatre in California, and she also choreographed two hit shows on Broadway, Chess and Titanic, in which CSC Artistic Director Carl Wallnau also performed (First National Tour) . Taylor-Corbett has enjoyed a vast career directing Off-Broadway and regional houses, such as The Minetta Lane, NY Fringe, Hartford Stage, and NJ's own George Street Playhouse.

Now in its 22nd year, the Centenary Stage Company Women Playwrights Series ( WPS) presents 3-4 new plays each year in rehearsed staged readings throughout the month of April. Led by Program Director Catherine Rust, the WPS is dedicated to providing a working forum for the unique and underserved voice of women writing for the theater today. The Series features the finalists in the Susan Glaspell contest, which offers the winner further development support worth $35,000 in a full production on the CSC professional Equity main-stage season, as well as a cash payment to the author.

Centenary Stage Company is an affiliate member of the National New Play Network (based in Washington, D.C.), and participates in the "Extended Life" and "Rolling World Premiere" programs, designed to give playwrights larger exposure and sustained life throughout the country in their first year of production.

Admission to the "In the Car with Blossom and Len" is by donation and reservations are requested. For reservations and information contact the Centenary Stage Company Box Office at 908-979-0900, or visit online at www.centenarystageco.org.

Also featured in this year's WPS are "How Water Behaves" by Sherry Kramer on Sunday, April 27 at 2 PM, and "Cygnus" by Susan Soon Ye Stanton, on Wednesday, Apr 30 at 7:30 PM.

A free writing workshop will be offered on Saturday, Apr 26 from 10 - 2 PM, led by John Pietrowski, of the Playwrights Theatre of NJ. Advance reservations are required, and can be made through the CSC Box office.

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