QUARTET to Play Actors' NET, 10/25-11/10

Quartet, Ronald Harwood's comic drama about aging, retired opera singers tempted to perform together one more time promises to bring charm and humor to the Heritage Center stage during its Oct. 25 - Nov. 10 run.

Dustin Hoffman directed the 2012 film adaptation of Harwood's play, featuring cinema stars, so NET director David Swartz of Ambler knew he had to bring out "the A Team" for The NET's production. The Heritage Center productions stars veteran NET actors (alphabetically) Cheryl Doyle of Morrisville, Ross Druker of Lafayette Hill, Doug Kline of Newtown and Theresa Swartz of Ambler.

The four actors play inhabitants of a retirement home for musicians. They're asked to headline a celebration of Giuseppe Verdi's birthday by recreating their acclaimed rendering of the famous quartet from Rigoletto. Were they in their prime, this would be no problem. Time and diminishing health and skills, however, make the task extremely daunting, especially when one of the quartet - too proud to display her lack of vocal prowess - refuses to sing.

"Quartet is a charming play, perfect for this performance space" director Swartz said. "There is nothing like the intimacy of the Heritage Center Theatre to showcase this work. While the film version boasts bankable stars, I believe it made a typical Hollywood mistake. To 'open up' this four-character play for the big screen, they reworked it - adding superfluous elements - and may have lost much of the heart of the story."

Ms. Doyle - The NET's cofounder and artistic director - portrays Cecily Robson, whose mind is slowly slipping into dementia. Druker plays Reginald Paget, who continues to nurse wounds from his failed marriage to diva Jean Horton (portrayed by Theresa Swartz). Kline rounds out the cast as Wilfred Bond, a dashing skirt-chaser.

Matthew Cassidy of Morrisville stage manages. Sanjay Sharma of Langhorne is assistant stage manager. David Swartz designed the set. Andrena Wishnie of Morrisville is lighting designer and Cheryl

Doyle is costume coordinator.

Show times all three weeks are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (62+), $15 for WHYY card members, and $10 for children age 12 and younger. Parental discretion is advised. To reserve, phone 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@aol.com. The company's website is www.actorsnetbucks.org. The Facebook pages is at www.facebook.com/theactorsnet, and the Twitter name is @actorsnet.

The Heritage Center Theatre is located at 635 N. Delmorr Avenue (Route 32), Morrisville - near the Calhoun Street Bridge. Quartet is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Pictured: Doug Kline and Cheryl Doyle in QUARTET.

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