Playhouse 22’s second season at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center is unforgettable
Playhouse 22, East Brunswick’s Community Theater, kicks off their second year at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center with the Broadway classic musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Trying.” Directed by Scott Goldman, the production opens on Friday, September 10 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. though October 10. (There will be no shows on September 17, 18 and 19).
Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” a dramatic thriller about the Salem witch trials opens on October 29 and closes on November 21. Set in 17th century New England, “The Crucible” was written during the time of McCarthyism in the United States. Director Jonathan Wierzbicki explains, “There are striking similarities between the United States in the 1950s and New England in the 1690s, with allegations and systemic fear mongering. I am confident that our production will not be entertaining, but at the same time educate theatergoers.” All shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Thanksgiving weekend will be rocking to the sounds of Patsy Palma and his talented family and friends, as Playhouse 22 welcomes him back with his medley of classic standards like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. Wildly popular during his first appearance at the Playhouse in July, the show is a treat for the whole family. Palma will be performing on Friday, November 26 at 8 p.m. All tickets are $15.
If that is not enough for Thanksgiving weekend, rocker Michael Kovacs returns to Playhouse 22 to perform some good old fashion rock ‘n roll. Kovacs will be performing a collection of Neil Young, Crosby, Stills and Nash to name a few. His performance will be on Saturday, November 27 at 8 p.m.
The holiday season would not be the same without Playhouse 22’s annual rendition of “A Christmas Carol” adapted and directed by Tony Adase. Sponsored by Mayo and Russ, Attorneys at Law, Playhouse 22’s version of the immortal holiday classic first appeared at the Playhouse in 1994. The holiday classic runs December 10 – 19; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12.
In January 2011, Playhouse 22 will kick off its new “On The Edge” series. The series of smaller, more intimate shows will be presented in a truly unique manner as the audiences will be seated on stage as the show is performed around them. The two shows, “As Bees in Honey Drown” and “All the King’s Woman” will be presented as experimental theater set in a “Black Box” setting. “As Bees in Honey Drown,” directed by Amy Levine, follows the life of an upcoming performer and his fifteen minutes of fame, will run January 7 – 16. “All the King’s Women,” an entertaining depiction of Elvis Presley’s life, directed by Walter Placek, will run March 11 – 20. All shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Limited seats are available for $12 each.
“Curtains” is a murder-mystery-comedy-musical which will open on February 4. Garnering eight Tony Awards®, including the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2008, “Curtains” ran on Broadway starting in 2007 starring David Hyde Pierce. Set in 1959 Boston, Massachusetts, it follows the fallout when the supremely untalented star of “Robbin' Hood of the Old West” is murdered during her opening night curtain call. Director Robert Gargiullo explains, “This is one of the funniest new musicals to come out of Broadway in more than a decade. It’s a guaranteed hit!” Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. and will close on February 27.
William Shakespeare stops by Playhouse 22 in the spring 2011 for “The Merchant of Venice.” Veteran Shakespearean director Andrew Parks will be mixing iambic pentameter with humor in one of the Bard of Avon’s most-known plays. Opening April 8, “A Merchant of Venice” will run for four weeks and will close on May 8. There will be no show Easter weekend (April 22, 23 and 24.) Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Playhouse 22 closes out the 2010-2011 season with truly a “hair-raising” event. Broadway and Hollywood blockbuster hit “Hairspray” rolls into East Brunswick starting on June 3. The hit musical, based on the cult-film classic, makes one of its first appearances on any community theater stage in New Jersey. Director Ana Kalet will bring the same screwball humor with the unforgettable soundtrack from the film and stage version that audiences have flocked to see since it first appeared on the Great White Way in 2002. “Hairspray” will undoubtedly be a hit for fans of all ages. “What a thrill! I know that our production will be memorable for years to come,” Kalet explained. The show will run every weekend throughout the month of June, closing on June 26. All shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
As always, all tickets for Playhouse 22’s productions can be easily purchased online at http://www.Playhouse22.org or by calling the Box Office at (732) 254-3939 and leaving a message. A volunteer will call you back. In addition, the website features exclusive information about behind the scenes at the theater including interviews with directors, stage managers and performers. Audition information for most of these shows will appear on the website as well.
Playhouse 22 is located at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center at 721 Cranbury Road in East Brunswick.