NJ Playwrights Theatre Presents ACROSS THE WIDE AND LONESOME PRAIRIE, 11/4-11/21

In association with The Growing Stage in Netcong, NJ, Playwrights Theatre is pleased to present ACROSS THE WIDE AND LONESOME PRAIRIE by Julie Jensen. The production (appropriate for ages 8 and up) will preview on November 4 and run for three weeks through November 21, 2010 (Press Opening: Friday, November 5 at 8:00pm). The production will be directed by John Pietrowski and features Jane Keitel and Lori Lawrence. Single tickets are on sale now $25 for adults, $22.50 for seniors, $20 for book clubs and groups of 10 or more, and $15 for students. For tickets, visit www.ptnj.org or call the box office at 973-514-1787 X10. Performances take place at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road in Madison, NJ.

Migrating with their parents on the Oregon Trail in 1847, two thirteen-year old girls become fast friends as they grow up together on their humorous and harrowing journey. The Growing Stage will be touring the production and performing the piece at its home - The Historic Palace Theatre in Netcong throughout March and May and information can be received by contacting the theatre directly at www.growingstage.com. A student and senior matinee is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10 at 10:30am and Wednesday, November 17 at 10:30am.

"The great thing about this play is that it is a story that can enjoyed by both adults and youngsters. While it traces the journey of two thirteen-year-old girls on the Oregon Trail, it is being told by those girls after they have reached adulthood," said John Pietrowski, Artistic Director of Playwrights Theatre. "Their looking backward and fully embodying their girlhood selves provides an interesting perspective not only how we have grown up but also how we have not grown up."

Stephen L. Fredericks, Founder & Executive Director of The Growing Stage - The Children's Theatre of New Jersey shared that, "The artistic opportunity and experience that this collaboration creates is an exciting one, not only for our individual companies, but for the audiences that collectively we serve."

Drew Francis will design the set and lights, Lauren Rockman is the Costume Designer and Sound Design is by Jeff Knapp. Danielle Constance is the Production Stage Manager.

In conjunction with the production, Playwrights Theatre will continue its successful book club project. Instead of reading a book, book club members read the play (script provided by Playwrights Theatre). They then see the production and stay after the performance for a post-show discussion with the Artistic Director.

About the Playwright:
Julie Jensen is author of 30 plays and the book 'Playwriting: Brief and Brilliant' (Smith and Kraus), Jensen is Resident Playwright at Salt Lake Acting Company. Her play, SHE WAS MY BROTHER, will be produced this fall (Plan-B in SLC), and THE HARVEY GIRLS (Dramatic Publishing) also comes out this fall. Her plays WAIT!, CHEAT, DUST EATERS and ACROSS THE WIDE AND LONESOME PRAIRIE were all developed with the help of Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. .

Single tickets are on sale now. The New Jersey Writers Project is accepting applications for residencies as well as for residencies in the Poetry Out Loud Program, the national recitation contest created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation that encourages young people to explore poetry through memorization and performance. Submissions are also being accepted for the 28th Annual New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest and Festival. For more information on any of the programs, please visit www.ptnj.org or call (973) 514-1787.

About The Growing Stage - The Children's Theatre of New Jersey:
Founded in 1981, the mission of The Growing Stage remains to nurture the development of the performing arts through education and to create, produce and perform works that engage the entire family. Engaging a community of professional Equity actors and artists, community players, students, teachers and families and based in the historic Palace Theatre in Netcong, Growing Stage programs have become pivotal in delivering arts exposure to thousands of students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theatre.

About Playwrights Theatre:
Founded in 1986, Playwrights Theatre is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit professional theatre and arts education institution dedicated to developing and nurturing the dramatic imagination of artists, students, and audiences. Our New Play Program creates development opportunities for professional writers through readings, workshops and productions, and invites audiences to participate in authentic feedback experiences. Our New Jersey Writers Project, Poetry Out Loud, New Jersey Young Playwrights Contest and Festival, and Creative Arts Academy programs provide a comprehensive and hands-on arts education experience to over 31,000 students, Pre-K through adult.

Writers in the New Play Program are drawn from across the country, including our affiliation with the National New Play Network, a nation-wide group of theatres dedicated to the development and production of new work. Teaching Artists in our Education Programs are professional artists working in their field in the New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. From 2003-2012, we have been designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (along with only four other theatres: The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, George Street Playhouse, McCarter Theatre Center and Paper Mill Playhouse) as "an anchor institution that contributes vitally to the quality of life in New Jersey."

Funding for our activities comes from: the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F.M. Kirby Foundation, Inc., Bank of America, the Bay and Paul Foundation, The Bickford Foundation, Dramatist Guild Fund, Horizon Foundation of New Jersey, The Prudential Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Travelers, The Victoria Foundation, and many corporations, foundations and individuals.

Playwrights Theatre is a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, the National New Play Network, and Madison Arts & Culture Alliance.

To post a comment, you must register and login.