The Theater Project to Host Staged Readings of A JERSEY CANTATA, 1/23-24

The acclaimed stage company, The Theater Project, will introduce itself to Union residents with staged readings of Bill Mesce, Jr.'s award-winning play, A Jersey Cantata, to be directed by Gary Martins.

The event will be hosted at Cioffi's Italian Ristorante on January 23 and 24, thanks to the support of the Union Special Improvement District, and a Union County HEART grant from the Board of Chosen Freeholders. While enjoying performances at Cioffi's, theater-goers will also see Union's growing downtown.

Nominated by The Star-Ledger as the "Best New Play New in New Jersey" when it debuted, A Jersey Cantata hasn't been seen on a Jersey stage since its sell-out 1997 premiere at the now defunct 12 Miles West Theatre Company in Montclair. Written by playwright and novelist Bill Mesce, Jr. of Linden, it captures the author's memories of the blue collar neighborhoods where he grew up in Newark, NJ. Says Mesce "You never get better dialogue than what you overhear at Italian weddings and funerals." The play is directed by Gary Martins of Montclair, who shares Mesce's affection and firsthand experience with family and friends like the characters in this play.

The event is presented by The Theater Project with support from the Union Special Improvement District, and a HEART Grant (History-Education-Arts-Reaching-Thousands) from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through a grant administered by the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.

The script in hand performances will take place Friday, January 23 at 8 PM and Saturday, January 24, at 3 PM at Cioffi's Italian Ristorante. Patrons are invited to come early and order food or beverages from Cioffi's extensive menu. Cioffi's Italian Ristorante is located at 929 Stuyvesant Ave, Union, NJ. Suggested donation is $10. Tickets available at TheTheaterProject.org. Information: 908 809-8865.