‘Admit One’ premieres at NJ Repertory Company

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Karen Nowosad

admitone
Admit One, a new comedy by Wendy Yondorf, will have a world premiere on Thursday, Jan. 16 in New Jersey at the NJ Repertory Company theater in Long Branch.

Press notes describe the show this way:

Many a parent succumbs to hysteria when it comes time to getting their children into the best schools. Howard Everett is no exception, but he has a leg up being one of the wealthiest donors to the elite Giddings University, a hallowed gateway that assures access to the American Dream. What he does not anticipate, however, is that he is about to meet the admissions officer from hell with her own agenda and rules. With his child’s entire future at stake, just how far will a father go?

Admit One is directed by Karen Carpenter and stars two NJ Rep veterans, Ames Adamson and Catherine LeFrere. Scenic Design is by Jessica Parks, Costume Design by Patricia E. Doherty, Sound Design by Merek Royce Press, Lighting Design by Jill Nagle, Technical Director Michael “Rusty” Carroll and Stage Manager Jennifer Tardibuono.

Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm; and Sundays at 2:00 pm.

Special reduced price previews are available on Thursday, January 16 and Friday, January 17 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Saturday, January 18 at 3:00 pm. Opening night followed by a reception is Saturday, January 18 at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are $40, previews are $35, and Opening night with reception is $50. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and groups of 10 or more. Contact the NJ Rep Box Office at 732-229-3166 or visit www.njrep.org to reserve seats online.

NJ Rep is a year-round, professional, non-profit theater located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch only minutes from the Jersey Shore. Free on-site parking is available and there is easy access from NJ Transit (North Jersey Coast Line) and Academy Buses.

Posted in New Jersey Theater | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Edison’s Elephant’ to Premiere in New York City

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Karen Nowosad

GildedStagLogoThe world premiere of the play Edison’s Elephant will take place Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7:00 PM. The play, which is presented by The Metropolitan Playhouse and Joe Trentacosta, is a part of the Metropolitan Playhouse Gilded Age Festival which is running Jan. 16 – 22 at 220 East 4th Street in Manhattan.

Edison’s Elephant was written by Chris Van Strander and David Koteles and directed by David Elliott. Press notes describe it this way:

In 1903, on Brooklyn’s Coney Island, Thomas Edison electrocuted an elephant. Moreover, he filmed it, for all to witness. Based on historic accounts, Edison’s Elephant explores the life and death of Topsy, the circus elephant who, after much abuse, retaliated against those who harmed her, and who was ultimately executed for her actions—then made the subject of Edison’s film Electrocuting the Elephant.

Casting for this play includes: Lynn Berg (How I Learned to Drive, Batz. Film: A Day’s Messing and The Clean Up), Kevin Orton (Sir Peter Hall’s Amadeus, Uncle Vanya), Wendy Merritt (My First Lady, Game Changers), Alyssa Simon (Film: They Will Outlive Us All, Off-B’way: Purchase, My First Lady), CJ Trentacosta (BergenPAC’s 42nd Street. Film: Life in a Box) John Thomas Waite (Broadway: Dracula, Amadeus. Off Broadway: The Fantasticks), Rik Walter (K Comma Joseph, “30 Rock,” “Law and Order”) and Sean Gough on piano.

Performances of this new play will be held on :
Thursday, Jan 16 at 7PM; Sunday, Jan 19 at 9PM; Friday, Jan 24 at 9PM; Saturday, Jan 25 at 1PM. Running time is 75 minutes.

Tickets are $15-$18 and can be purchased by visiting http://www.metropolitanplayhouse.org where more information on the festival is available.

Note: The Metropolitan Playhouse explores America’s theatrical heritage to illuminate contemporary American culture. The Playhouse produces early American plays, new plays drawn from American culture and history, and plays from around the world that resonate with the American canon

Posted in New York Theater | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Beautiful the Carole King Musical” Opens the Spring Season of Shows

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Karen Nowosad

beautiful The first of New Broadway shows for the Spring 2014 season opened on Sunday, Jan. 12. Beautiful The Carole King Musical celebrated Opening Night at the Sondheim Theater on W. 43rd Street.

As indicated by its title, Beautiful tells the story of how Carole King came into her own as a songwriter and performer. The story starts back in the late 1950’s when Carole was just 16 years old but already writing music. As she got older, the story of how she and her husband, Gerry Goffin, became a song writing team is told. She wrote numerous songs for some big acts in rock’n’rock and the catalog includes such hits as “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” and “Up on the Roof” among many others. The show concludes with her own entry as a performer as the world famous “Tapestry” album was being enjoyed by so many of her generation.

L-R: Jeb Brown as Don Kirshner, Jake Epstein as Gerry Goffin, Jessie Mueller as Carole King, Jarrod Spector as Barry Mann, and Anika Larsen as Cynthia Weil. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus 2013

L-R: Jeb Brown as Don Kirshner, Jake Epstein as Gerry Goffin, Jessie Mueller as Carole King, Jarrod Spector as Barry Mann, and Anika Larsen as Cynthia Weil. Photo: Joan Marcus 2013

To see what the critics had to say about the show, visit this Review Roundup on www.BroadwayWorld.com. To summarize, there are mixed reactions to the show but a basic enjoyment of the musical aspects presented.

Learn more about the show at the official website of beautifulonbroadway.com. Full priced tickets are available through this site. As of yesterday, discounts were not showing up easily if at all.

Posted in Broadway, New Broadway Shows Spring 2014 | Tagged , | Leave a comment