Weekend openings: Tri-State, Playwrights

Two notable productions open this weekend in North Jersey. Tri-State Actors Theater in Sussex celebrates the opening of its 20th anniversary season with Shakespeare's "The Twelfth Night," while Playwrights Theatre in Madison presents the New Jersey premiere of "When Something Wonderful Ends."

Tri-State's professional Equity production will continue through May 6 at the Crescent Theatre, 74 Main St. Tickets for regular performances (including tonight's opening-night show, which will be followed by a meet-the-cast reception) are $27, $25 for seniors age 60 and older and $17 for children and students. Tickets for Thursday shows are $18.Tickets and information (including a season brochure) are available online at www.tristateactorstheater.org, by calling the box office at (973) 875-2950 or by stopping by the theater.

Some theater fans in the area may be more familiar with the name “Illyria” than “The Twelfth Night. “Illyria,” a musical based on “The Twelfth Night,” premiered regionally a few years ago at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and was recently revived by the Chester Theatre Group at the Black River Playhouse.

This production also will feature original music, composed by pianist Vince di Mura, a noted New Jersey musician and veteran performer of concert stages throughout North America, Canada and Latin America. Choreography will be designed by Lisa Brailoff.

The cast includes Bill Edwards (as Sir Andrew Aguecheek), a rising star in the region, seen here last season in “Rounding Third” and playing the lead last fall in the Bickford Theatre’s production of “Catch Me if You Can.” Fellow Equity members Celia Montgomery, Katie Tame, Kevin Shinnick and Craig Dudley also will help to anchor a large cast.
Tri-State’s artistic director and founder, Paul Meacham, will direct.

At Playwrights Theatre, Bonnie Black stars in Sherry Kramer’s “one-woman Barbie play,” directed by Artistic Director John Pietrowski.

Performances continue at the theater, 33 Green Village Road, through May 6. The show is considered appropriate for ages 15 and older. Tickets are $25 to $35. For information, call (973) 514-1787, ext. 30.

Kramer’s humorous and touching story presents a character that weaves together the 1964 SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) with Iran, passion for Barbie dolls and thirst for petroleum, with the death of a mother.

“When Something Wonderful Ends” was recently named one of the top ten theatrical events of 2006 by the Austin Chronicle and was recently read at the Tokyo International Arts Festival. Additionally, it was performed at Actors Theatre of Louisville (as part of the Humana Festival of New American Plays) and Interact Theatre in Philadelphia.

Coming Up: Shakespeare Theatre of NJ opens 45th season
As far as I'm concerned, spring doesn't officially begin until the Yanks play the Sox and STNJ is back on stage. I get the former this weekend, but will have to wait until next week for the latter.

Yesterday morning, I spoke to Bonnie Monte, STNJ artistic director and director of the season-opener, "Henry V," or "Hank Sanc," as she says they've renamed it it Madison. I'll save some of the details for an upcoming article, but one exciting item to report while you are considering single-ticket vs. subscription. The plan is to share a similar set and production design for "Henry V" and "Blood and Roses" (the edited merge of Henry VI Pts 1,2 and 3), which will come later in the theater's 45th season. The idea is to tie the productions together dramatically by building the set for V and destroying it for VI.

Also spoke to David Conrad, back for a third go on the STNJ stage as the boy king. Again, Interesting guy. I'll save the quotes for the story, but suffice it to say he's looking forward to a break from "The Ghost Whisperer" and getting back in front of a live audience. For those who may be more familiar with his TV work, let me assure you he's got the chops to be a terrific Prince Hal. He was terrific last year in "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" and even better here a few years back in the title role of "Richard II."

My weekend schedule--flood update
I'll be at Playwrights tonight, and back here with a Review Preview tomorrow. Otherwise, I'll be in my basement all weekend if you need me. What a mess. The good news is that I managed to light the pilot on my hot water heater all by myself. And I'm assured my eyebrows will grow back.

Hire a professional, folks, that's my advice.

See you in the lobby. Go A-Rod!