La Strada Ensemble Theater Announces Two New World Premiere Productions

La Strada Ensemble Theater proudly presents two new productions-RoBert Scott's The Amateur Killer and Mike Sockol's Bris.

The Novershell Players are in rehearsals to perform the thriller Adieu. Then life imitates art when cast and crew find themselves embroiled in a real murder mystery inspired by the actions of the play's script. The Amateur Killer is a clever whodunit staged as a play within a play.

"As a playwright, I'd always known at some point a murder mystery would be on the cards to write," said Scott. "Whilst in the south of England earlier this year I came upon the idea of writing one where the audience actually witnesses the murder take place, but the play isn't always chronological. Writing this was a challenge, trying to put enough clues mixed with dead ends and red herrings. The other twist was to write three alternative endings to the show, not by revealing a different murderer, but by presenting alternative spins on how the characters relate to what occurred. This was something I'd wanted to do for a while and seemed to neatly fit with the piece."

It's 1968, and a young Boston attorney, working for a dead presidential candidate juggles a jealous wife, nagging in-laws, and a seductive stepmother to be while deciding if he should sell-out and take a plumb corporate job-all while planning his newborn son's Bris.

"I'm at an age when I often reflect about the past decisions I have made and the pathways I've traveled," said Sockol. "It's probably a universal theme for those who are slowly transitioning through middle age and find themselves face to face with the elusive concept we call wisdom. So, it seemed like the right time in my life to write a play about the covenants we make with ourselves, our families, and ultimately God. I was fascinated with the idea of using a pending Bris (a physical manifestation of commitment) as a setting for my characters as they struggle with major, life-altering decisions involving commitment during a time period defined by change."

The Amateur Killer

by Founding Ensemble Member RoBert Scott

Directed by Founding Ensemble Member Donna Ault-Jacobson

With Camila Bermúdez, Evan Black, A.J. Ciccotelli, Dennis Gribben, Bailey Henderson, Gabriella Scerbo and Michael Wurzel

Thursday November 3rd, Friday November 4th, Saturday November 5th at 7pm and Sunday November 6th at 2pm

Bris

by Founding Ensemble Member Mike Sockol

Directed by Founding Ensemble Member A.J. Ciccotelli

With Camila Bermúdez, Evan Black, Kevin Gabel, Eric Hackler, Donna Knowlton, Sara Parcesepe, Gabriella Scerbo and Gary C. Walter

Thursday November 10th, Friday November 11th, Saturday November 12th at 7pm and Sunday November 13th at 2pm

Please visit us on www.lastradaensemble.org, call us at 732-455-2748 or email us at lastradaensembletheater@gmail.com for more information, to purchase tickets, and to register for classes.

ABOUT LA STRADA ENSEMBLE THEATER: a registered 501(c)3, is proud to present original plays that examine all aspects of the human condition. Theater that engages, challenges, and transforms audiences through live performance for the cultural and educational benefit of the community...as well as entertainment and inspiration. La Strada is proud to call Jersey Shore Arts Center, located at 66 South Main Street in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, its home. Its founding members will be teaching acting classes on Monday nights (5-7 for teens/7-9pm for adults) in Studio #2 on the first floor.

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