THE LAW OF THE MONKEYS by Ken Scarborough

Dani has a lot of love to give, and she gives it freely in this dark comedy by former SNL writer Ken Scarborough.

Ken Scarborough has won four Emmys for his television writing—as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live, as the Head Writer for the PBS series Arthur, and as a writer for Between the Lions. Ken served as Head Writer for the Nickelodeon series Doug and currently serves as Head Writer and Creative Producer for Martha Speaks, a children’s television series he developed for PBS.

Directed by John Pietrowski and featuring Eilis Cahill, Daniel Sullivan, Stacie Lents, Clark Carmichael, David Mason.

Tickets $10 or $25 for a FORUM pass and see all the readings through Sunday. Order online or by phone 973.514.1787 X10.

ARTIST AS A MAN by Joe Sutton

Author Joe Sutton explores the tangled relationship between an author and his agent. Not based on a true story, or is it?

Directed by James Glossman and featuring Paul Murphy, David Mason and Evelyn McGee Colbert.

Joe Sutton’s plays include Voir Dire, As It is in Heaven, Complicit, and Restoring the Sun. They have been produced by such theatres as the New York Theater Workshop, BAM and the Old Vic. Joe is a recipient of fellowships from NYFA and the NEA, and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Last season Joe developed his mystery television show Scales of Justice for the USA network. Joe resides in Montclair, NJ with his wife Anne and their sons James and Nicholas.

$10 for tonight's reading for buy a FORUM pass for $25 and see all the readings this week.

To secure your seat, order online or call the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

JACKASS FLATS by John Simon & C.C. Lovehart

Tuesday, December 14 at 7pm

It's Las Vegas, 1951, and an unusual trio of women take a road trip to a sunrise picnic at the dawn of the Nuclear Age. Funny and relevant, JACKASS FLATS is a heart-warming story of survival in a time and place both mythical and real.

C.C. Loveheart Jackass Flats was first inspired by the personal reminiscences of C.C. Loveheart who grew up in Las Vegas. In her checkered career, she has acted on stage and screens of all sizes from coast to coast. She is a Clio award winner and created the character of Coco for Nickolodeon’s Pinwheel House for which she still gets fan mail. She is a Lifetime Member of The Actors’ Studio. In New Jersey, she appeared in The Gin Game.

John Simon C.C.’s husband and frequent collaborator, is a self-described “compulsive musician”. As a record producer and performer, he has worked with Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen, The Band, Taj Mahal, Gil Evans, Marshall McLuhan and many others. He has released several albums of original songs. John and C.C. have appeared in a self-penned cabaret act called Alone Together For The First Time Again.

Directed by Brendan Burke

Kay..................................................Denise Lute
Ginny...............................................Olivia Gilliatt
Lana Dee..........................................Lucy Eller

The reading will be held at:
Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Road
Madison, NJ 07940
Need directions?

$10 for the reading for reserve a FORUM pass and see all the remaining readings for $25. Purchase your tickets online or by calling the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

Week Three of FORUM

The third and final week of FORUM begins tomorrow. $10 for one reading or $25 for a FORUM pass. Order online or by calling the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

Tuesday, December 14 - 7:00pm
JACKASS FLATS by John Simon & C.C. Lovehart
It's Las Vegas, 1951, and an unusual trio of women take a road trip to a sunrise picnic at the dawn of the Nuclear Age. Funny and relevant, JACKASS FLATS is a heart-warming story of survival in a time and place both mythical and real

Wednesday, December 15 - 7:00pm
ARTIST AS A MAN by Joe Sutton
Author Joe Sutton explores the tangled relationship between an author and his agent. Not based on a true story, or is it?

Thursday, December 16 - 7:00pm
THE LAW OF THE MONKEYS by Ken Scarborough
Dani has a lot of love to give, and she gives it freely in this dark comedy by former SNL writer Ken Scarborough.

Friday, December 17 - 7:00pm
NUMBER OF PEOPLE by Emilie Beck
In this one person show, a Holocaust survivor whose encounter with a German family after his release from the camps comes to define the essence of his life.

Saturday, December 18 - 7:00pm
MARLOWE by James Glossman
An ensemble adaptation of Raymond Chandler's classic film-noir tales of iconic private eye Philip Marlowe, among the sun burnt, violent streets of 1940s Los Angeles.

Sunday, December 19 - 7:00pm
THE EXCEPTIONALS by Robert Clyman
In a new version of last year’s reading, and prior to it’s production at Merrimack Theatre in Massachusetts, this play takes place in the Coordinator for Parent Liaison’s office of a donor insemination research program for “exceptional” children and their parents.

A User’s Guide to Hell, Featuring Bernie Madoff by Lee Blessing

Staged reading tonight at 7:00pm, part of the FORUM reading series.

Directed by John Pietrowski and featuring Al Mohnmann, Jim Ligon, Daniel Sullivan, Andrea Bianchi.

In the time after his downfall, Bernie Madoff is taken on a tour of hell (New York City) by Verge and encounters its various denizens before he learns the truth.

$10 for tonight's reading or purchase a FORUM pass for $25 and see all the remaining readings in the series. Purchase online or call the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

Lee Blessing has written for stage, film and TV for over thirty years. His play A Walk in the Woods ran on Broadway and in the West End. He’s had roughly a dozen plays produced off-Broadway, including A Body of Water and Going to St. Ives in recent years. Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey produced his play Whores in their 2004-05 season, in conjunction with the New Jersey Repertory Theatre.

THE LAST DAYS OF MICKEY AND JEAN by Richard Dresser

A “retired” American couple on the lam in Paris reach the end of the line. A new play from the author of Rounding Third.

Reserve your ticket online or by calling the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

Richard Dresser’s plays have been produced in New York, regional theater, and Europe. His recently published trilogy of plays about happiness in America includes AUGUSTA (working class), THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS (middle class), and A VIEW OF THE HARBOR (upper class). Other plays are: ROUNDING THIRD, which started in Chicago and appeared off-Broadway and has had over one hundred productions, BELOW THE BELT and GUN-SHY, started at the Humana Festival before moving off-Broadway. His most recent play is THE HAND OF GOD.

Directed by John Pietrowski and featuring Eli Ganias, Bonnie Black, Dan Domingues.

TRESPASSER IN A PROMISED LAND by Russell Davis

Tonight kicks off the 2nd week of the FORUM reading series with a new play from Russell Davis, "Trespasser In A Promised Land."

The reading begins at 7pm with an intimate discussion with Russell immediately following. $10 for the reading or get a FORUM pass for $25 and see all the remaining readings in the FORUM series. Tickets available online or by calling the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

From the author of Mahida’s Extra Key to Heaven, Karnik has gone to the house of a cult in a remote countryside to retrieve a friend who has ended up there. Here he comes face-to-face with the elusive cult leader.

Russell Davis’ plays have been produced previously at Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. He is a 2008-10 recipient of a Pew Fellowship in the Arts. He was resident playwright at People’s Light & Theatre for the NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program. He has received grants and fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, McKnight Foundation, New York Foundation for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, as well as two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Directed by John Pietrowski and featuring Ryan Shams, Prentiss Benjamin, Mariam Habib, Daniel Sullivan.

Join Us for Week Two of FORUM

FORUM
Roundtable Reading Series
Week Two: December 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12

FORUM brings playwrights, actors and audience members together to enjoy the creative process of bringing a play to life. Staged readings of 17 innovative new plays by some of the country's best writers with intimate discussions between author and audience following each performance.

$10 per reading or get a FORUM Pass for $25 and attend all the readings.

Wednesday, December 8 - 7:00pm
TRESPASSER IN A PROMISED LAND by Russell Davis

Thursday, December 9 - 7:00pm
THE LAST DAYS OF MICKEY AND JEAN by Richard Dresser

Friday, December 10 - 7:00pm
A USER'S GUIDE TO HELL, FEATURING BERNIE MADOFF by Lee Blessing

Saturday, December 11 - 7:00pm
TEXAS BOOT by Jeffrey Sweet

Sunday, December 12 - 7:00pm
FURIES by Matt Bukovac

To reserve your tickets, visit our website or call the Box Office at 973.514.1787 X10

Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Road
PO Box 1295
Madison, NJ 07940
973.514.1787 X10

http://www.ptnj.org/

Directions to our theatre

Good Things to Do

For the 7th year in a row, Playwrights Theatre will be collecting toys for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots, gently used coats for Jersey Cares and pet items for Randolph Township Municipal Pound.

In the lobby of Playwrights Theatre, there are three marked collection boxes. Items can be dropped off at 33 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ, Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm. The last day for donations is Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

Marine Corps Reserve TOYS FOR TOTS
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Please donate new and unwrapped toys.

14th Annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive
The goal of the 14th Annual Coat Drive is to collect and distribute 35,000 "gently used" winter coats to at-risk men, women, children and infants. Please donate your gently used winter coats.

Randolph Township Municipal Pound
The Randolph Township Municipal Pound makes every effort to find homes for their animals, including placing them with no-kill shelters. Items the shelter needs: dry or canned dog or cat food, dog runs, rabbit hutches, used clean blankets, towels and small rugs, toys for cats and dogs.

REVELATION by Samuel Brett Williams

Tired of the same old, same old holiday shows? Come see an exciting new play!

REVELATION by Samuel Brett Williams

From the author of Fraternity and The Revival, and a National New Play Network-commissioned play, this comic picaresque imagines the End Times as they might occur in New York City.

Performance is tonight at 7pm at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ. Need directions?

Make your reservation online or call the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

Samuel Brett Williams hails from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he was raised in a strict Southern Baptist environment. He received his BA in English and Political Science from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and his MFA in Playwriting from Rutgers University, where he studied under Lee Blessing. REVELATION is the fourth play he has been lucky enough to develop with Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. In 2008, he was the resident playwright at PTNJ.

Directed by James Glossman and featuring Will Manning, Stacie Lents, Liam Joynt, Erin Mortensen.

We'll see you at the theatre!

THE FALLEN by Yasmine Beverly Rana

Week One of the FORUM reading series: A Celebration of New Jersey Writers

continues this evening at 7pm with THE FALLEN by Yasmine Beverly Rana

Survivors of the atrocities in the former Yugoslavia confront their past and assess their future. An expanded version and further development of the play read in last year’s series.

Reserve your seat to tonight's reading online or by calling 973.514.1787 X10.

Performance takes place at:
Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Road
Madison, NJ 07940

Directions can be found here

HUNGRY by Lia Romeo

FORUM roundtable reading series continues tonight at 7pm with HUNGRY by Lia Romeo.

In this black comedy by the author of Green Whales and Super, a high school “misfit” trying out for the dance team takes on the dysfunction of her home and community, getting assistance from an unlikely source.

Tickets $10 or buy a FORUM pass and get into all the readings for only $25. To reserve your seat, call the box office at 973.514.1787 X10 or visit our website.

Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Road
Madison, NJ 07940
Directions

AGUA by Carrie Louise Nutt

The FORUM reading series kicks off tonight at 7pm with AGUA by Carrie Louise Nutt.

The privatization of water rights leads to a violent uprising in a Central American country that ensnares the American businesswoman heading up the plan.

FORUM brings playwrights, actors and audience members together to enjoy the creative process of bringing a play to life. Staged readings of 17 innovative new plays by some of the country's best writers with intimate discussions between author and audience following each performance.

$10 per reading or purchase a FORUM Pass for $25 and attend all 17 readings.

To reserve your tickets, visit our website or call the Box Office at 973.514.1787 X10.

♦ Playwrights Theatre's Season Subscribers receive a FORUM Pass for FREE ♦


Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Road
Madison, NJ 07940
973.514.1787 X10
http://www.ptnj.org/

Directions to our theatre

Final Performances at Playwrights Theatre

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie
by Julie Jensen

"The gap that often exists between children's theater and theater considered satisfying/acceptable entertainment for mature adults has been gainfully closed by playwright Julie Jensen. In her adventurous and appealing Across The Wide and Lonesome Prairie we share the experiences as well as the hopes and aspirations of Hattie and Pepper as they make their way from Missouri to Oregon. Mostly, it is a tale about courage." -- Simon Saltzman, Curtain Up

Final Performances This Week:
Thursday, November 18 at 3:00pm
Thursday, November 18 at 8:00pm
Friday, November 19 at 8:00pm
Saturday, November 20 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 21 at 3:00pm

directed by John Pietrowski

featuring Jane Keitel and Lori Lawrence

appropriate for ages 8 and up

In association with The Growing Stage in Netcong, NJ, Playwrights Theatre is pleased to present Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie November 4 - 21, 2010. All performances will take place at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road, Madison.

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 http://www.growingstage.com/.

Ticket Prices:
$25.00 for Adults
$22.50 for Seniors
$20.00 for Book Clubs and Groups of 10+
$15.00 for Students

Tickets on sale on our website or by calling the box office at 973-514-1787 X10.

FORUM: Playwrights Theatre Reading Series -- 16 New Plays

Playwrights Theatre’s roundtable reading series FORUM will take place at 7pm each evening on November 30, December 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

FORUM brings playwrights, actors and audience members together to enjoy the creative process of bringing a play to life. Staged readings of 16 innovative new plays by some of the country’s best writers with intimate discussions between author and audience following each performance.

The readings will be held at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ. You can attend one reading for $10 or purchase a FORUM PASS which gives you access to the entire festival for $25. Playwrights Theatre’s season subscribers receive a FORUM PASS as a free added bonus.

Reservations can be made online at http://www.ptnj.org/ or call (973) 514-1787 X10.

FORUM Schedule:
Tuesday, November 30 – Auqa by Carrie Louise Nutt
Wednesday, December 1 – Hungry by Lia Romeo
Thursday, December 2 – The Fallen by Yasmine Rana
Friday, December 3 – Revelation by Samuel Brett Williams
Saturday, December 4 – The Sticks by John Wooten
Sunday, December 5 – The Thread of Story by Judah Skoff
Wednesday, December 8 – Trespasser In A Promised Land by Russell Davis
Thursday, December 9 – Mickey and Jean by Richard Dresser
Friday, December 10 – A User’s Guide to Hell Starring Bernie Madoff by Lee Blessing
Saturday, December 11 – Texas Boot by Jeffrey Sweet
Sunday, December 12 – Furies by Matt Bukovac
Wednesday, December 15 – Artist As A Man by Joe Sutton
Thursday, December 16 – The Law Of The Monkeys by Ken Scarborough
Friday, December 17 – Number of People by Emilie Beck
Saturday, December 18 – Marlowe by James Glossman
Sunday, December 19 – The Exceptionals by Robert Clyman

Programs are subject to change, based on artistic need. Please visit the website www.ptnj.org for up-to-the-minutes details.

StrangeDog Theatre returns to Playwrights Theatre

StrangeDog Theatre returns to Playwrights Theatre on November 26 and 27 at 8pm.

We'll See Tomorrow (appropriate for ages 17 and up) depicts a variety of people struggling with their place in a world altering and growing faster than any other time in history, trying to discover where responsibility and the human spirit factor on this exponential curve.

A futuristic, cutting edge, state of the art meld of comedy and drama featuring fifteen characters portrayed by three actors, We'll See Tomorrow promises to be a whirlwind of science, madness, and whatever happens to fill the space in between.

For tickets call 201.500.SDOG (7364) or visit their website.

One-Day Playwriting Intensive for Adults

One-Day Playwriting Intensive for Adults
with Carolyn Hunt, playwright and teaching artist

This one-day playwriting intensive is for beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills. Individual instruction may also exist.

When: Saturday, November 13 from 9:30am-12:30pm

Cost: $125

To Register: Contact our Education Department at 973.514.1787 X21.

A Dream Cast

"If “Menopause” can be a runaway musical success, then perhaps a pre-menopausal musical at Playwrights Theatre in Madison can too.

It’s called “MoM A Rock Concert Musical.”

Because the script requires each of the women to be ace musicians, casting must have been a nightmare. But the result is a dream cast. As accomplished as these five women are as singers, they’re every bit as astonishing as musicians.

Bekka Lindstrom (Melissa) and Jane Keitel (Nancy) each play a mean guitar. Dana Loren McCoy (Ingrid) is terrific in assaulting her keyboard. Donna Jean Fogel (Karen) expertly plays a housewife who’s taking out her sexual frustration on her drum set. And while Stephanie Seskin (Catalina) can slap that bass, she can also play saxophone and flute, too. "

--Peter Filichia, The Star Ledger

Read Peter's entire review.

To purchased your tickets, visiti www.ptnj.org or call the box office at 973-514-1787 X10

Kicking Out the Jams

"Oh, mama, they're kicking out the jams at Playwrights Theatre in Madison.

Harvested from the fertile grounds of a workshop production in the 2009 FringeNYC festival (where it was voted Outstanding Musical), Playwrights has transplanted the one-of-a-kind "MoM A Rock Concert Musical" to where it belongs: the suburbs.

In between, we get memorable songs of rebellion and celebration, sadness and uncertainty. Numbers like "Why Can't He Take Care of the Kids for a Change?" will make you laugh, while the dramatic "Don't Hold Back" speaks to the core of this story, which encourages us to follow our own dreams, come what may."

--William Westhoven, Daily Record

Click here to read the entire review

Get to Know the Cast of MoM

Stefanie Seskin (Catalina) is the founder of blue number nine, a Jersey City based group formed in 1995 that has toured regionally and across the midwest. Seskin is a recipient of ASCAP’s ASCAPLU$ Songwriter Award in the “Popular” category since 2001. Prior to forming blue number nine, Seskin played bass with Bill Popp and the Tapes, sang back-up vocals in several projects, and is credited on 14 albums, on bass, sax, flute, vocals and as engineer.

Jane Keitel (Nancy) Recent Credits: PTNJ: The Good German by David Wiltse (NY/NJ Premiere), Where the Sun Never Sets; American Globe She Bop; Garage Theatre, 7 Good Ways. Jane loves her other work as a teaching artist and director. Directing credits: Les Miserables, School Ed., Pirates of Penzance, WASP. Love and thanks to John, Dani & Richard. Dedicated with love to her mom, Helen, the original ‘Single Mom’. Contact: Facebook: ‘EJ Keitel’ or keitelmusic@aol.com.

Donna Jean Fogel (Karen) has appeared in numerous plays in NYC and regionally as well as in the independent film Nine and Law & Order. Some favorite roles: Sara in Stop Kiss, The Barrow Group; Lady Layle Wingate in Rain from Heaven, Reckless Theatre Co; Supporta in Scenes From an Execution, Blue Light/Atlantic Theatre/Olney; Sister Jane in As It Is in Heaven, Stonington Opera House on Deer Isle, ME; Frankie/Francis in The Voice of the Prairie, Cape May Stage.

Bekka Lindström (Melissa) recently played Sister Betsy in As It Is In Heaven at the Stonington Opera House in Deer Isle, Maine. She last appeared in the NY Fringe as Lori in The Lightning Field, which then went on to a run in London. Other New York credits: Medea in A Jar In The Forest (The Samuel French Play Festival); the suffragette Ellen Gates Star in Jane’s House (The Neighborhood Playhouse); and Sylvia in Stacked (The Bank Street Theater).

Dana Loren McCoy (Ingrid) is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and Berklee College of Music, Performance and Composition Majors. Dana has performed and written songs for Virgin, EMI, Netwerk and Empire Records. Dana loves the girls in “MoM” and Richard more than Nutella, and blows everlasting kisses to the producers and team at PTNJ for supporting this wonderful project. Special thanks to Tracy Wells who has been all our MoM on this journey.

Think Pink - Moms Are Free

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, all MoMs get free tickets this weekend!

Calling all Moms! To kick off the first weekend of "MoM A Rock Concert Musical", we're giving away free tickets to all Moms. All you have to do is wear pink to the show tonight or tomorrow and you'll get in for FREE*.

Performances This Weekend:
Saturday, October 2 at 8pm
Sunday, October 3 at 3pm

Ruth Ross, NJ Arts Maven, thinks the show is great! Read her entire review.

Five "soccer moms" form a rock band to play at a High School benefit. Then they get really famous. Beautiful and terrible things happen to them. MOM A ROCK CONCERT MUSICAL chronicles their rise and rise. The workshop production won Outstanding Musical at FringeNYC 2009.

Appropriate for ages 16 and up, adult language and situations

Call the Box Office at 973-514-1787 X10 to reserve your tickets

*Not valid on previously purchased tickets. No retroactive discounts.

Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Road
PO Box 1295
Madison, NJ 07940
www.ptnj.org
973-514-1787 X10

MoM A Rock Concert Musical Opens This Week

MoM A Rock Concert Musical

Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard Caliban

September 30 - October 24, 2010

(appropriate for ages 16 and up, adult language and situations)

directed by Richard Caliban

featuring:
Donna Jean Fogel
Jane Keitel
Bekka Lindström
Dana McCoy
Stefanie Seskin.

Five "soccer moms" form a rock band to play at a High School benefit. Then they get really famous. Beautiful and terrible things happen to them. MoM A Rock Concert Musical chronicles their rise and rise. The workshop production won Outstanding Musical at FringeNYC 2009.

Tickets on sale now! Adults $25, Seniors $22.50 Groups of 10+ and Book Clubs $20.

To reserve your tickets, click here or call the box office at 973-514-1787 X10.

All performances take place at Playwrights Theatre, 33 Green Village Road, Madison, NJ.

Click here for directions.

Fall Classes for Kids

Fall Classes for Kids at Playwrights Theatre

Playmakers (grades 1-3)
October 2 - December 11, 2010 (no class November 27)
Saturdays, 10:30am-12:00pm

Acting Lab (grades 4-6)
October 5 - December 14, 2010 (no class November 23)
Tuesdays, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Musical Performance (grades 4-6)
October 7 - December 16, 2010 (no class November 25)
Thursdays, 4:30pm-6:00pm

Parents interested in the Creative Play class (Pre-K and K), should call the Education Department at 973-514-1787 X21.

Tuition per class is $275 and $250 for returning students.

For more information and to register, visit our website or call our Education Department at 973-514-1787 X21.

Adult Playwriting Workshop

Playwriting Workshop with John Pietrowski

Oct 18 - Dec 20, 2010
Mondays, 7-10pm
$275 ($250 for returning students)

This will be a basic workshop class where students share work in a supportive environment. Enrollment is open to students of all levels of experience, classes will provide exercises to beginners working on their first play as well as experienced writers who are further down the road.

To register, call the Education Department at 973.514.1787 X21.

Are you wanting to know more about the ABC's of playwriting? Not sure where to start? Looking for the basics? If you are interested in taking a one-day, basic playwriting class, let us know. Drop us an email or contact our Education Department at 973.514.1787 X21.

Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods A Must See

Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods
by Tammy Ryan

a co-production between Playwrights Theatre and Premiere Stages, in partnership with Kean University Human Rights Institute

directed by John Pietrowski

September 2 - 19, 2010

"See. This. Play." Sherri Rase, [Q]onStage

"If you like excellent drama...you must see new, powerful, timely play Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods."Rick Busciglio, Examiner.com

"Almost everything comes together extraordinarily well in director John Pietrowski's crisp production."
Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger

Click here to purchase tickets online or call the box office at 908-737-7469. Please note: All performances take place at the Zella Fry Theatre on the campus of Kean University.

Performances This Week:
Thursday, Sept 9 at 8pm
Friday, Sept 10 at 8pm
Saturday, Sept 11 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, Sept 12 at 3pm

Special Events This Week:
Sunday, Sept 12 - "Sunday Scholars" post-show discussion with Dr. Jay Spaulding, expert on Sudanese History

An optimistic former "Lost Boy" from Sudan meets a suburban mother in desperate need of adventure. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon becomes an unbreakable bond that leads them toward a better understanding of their place in the world.

Click here for directions to Premiere Stages at Kean University

Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods Opens Today

Lost Boy Found In Whole Foods by Tammy Ryan is a co-production between Playwrights Theatre and Premiere Stages in partnership with Kean University Human Rights Institute. The production which previews tonight, September 2, 2010 at 8pm runs through September 19, 2010.


Directed by John Pietrowski
Appropriate for ages 11 and up.

An optimistic “Lost Boy” from Sudan meets a suburban mother in desperate need of adventure. What begins as an unlikely friendship soon becomes an unbreakable bond that leads them toward a better understanding of their place in the world.

Please note: All performances of this production will be held at the Zella Fry Theatre on the Campus of Kean University.

A host of special events will occur in conjunction with the production. For more information, click here.

September 2 - "Pizza Preview" with $10 student tickets and free pizza in the lobby before the show.

To order tickets call the box office at 908-737-7469 or order online.

Daily Record review of Mahida's Extra Key To Heaven

Check out Bill Westhoven's review of "Mahida's Extra Key to Heaven" by Russell Davis in today's Daily Record.

"Mahida's Extra Key to Heaven" is the kind of play you won't want to see alone, because you'll need someone to discuss it with on the way home. That sort of entertainment is torture for some people, but for others, this food for thought will be a gourmet meal." -- Bill Westhoven, Daily Record

Mahida's Extra Key To Heaven by Russell Davis

Mahidas Extra Key To Heaven by Russell Davis
April 22 - May 9, 2010
Directed by John Pietrowski
Featuring Mariam Habib, Jack Moran, Jane Blass and Ryan Shams

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 973.514.1787 X10.

Thomas, a young painter, is visiting Edna, his comfortably conservative and opinionated mother in a small ocean town on an island near the Canadian border. Out walking, he discovers Mahida, an Iranian exchange student who has missed the last ferry back to the mainland. Mahida’s brother, Ramin, an Islamic fundamentalist, seems to have left her after she refused to come back to Iran with him after the death of their father, but she can’t be sure. She reluctantly agrees to stay at Edna’s house for the night. When Ramin shows up for her the next day, two extreme worlds collide thousands of miles from the center of the perceived conflict.

Set Design - Drew Francis
Lighting Design - Richard Currie
Costume Design - Sarah Cubbage
Props Design - Dani Pietrowski
Sound Design - Jeff Knapp
Production Stage Manager - Danielle Constance
Assistant Stage Manager - Walter F. Rodriquez

Calling All Young Writers

If you are a young writer, be sure to check out Script Frenzy's Young Writers Program. The adventure is writing pages of scripted material (screenplay, stage play, TV Script or comic book) between April 1 - 30, 2010. There is no cost to participate and every writer that reaches their page-count goal can celebrate knowing they completed the amazing journey of writing.

To find out more, visit their "How Script Frenzy Works for Young Scriptwriters in Ten Easy Steps" page.