“Diversion” Now Playing Premiere Stages at Kean

Posted on September 13, 2024 by Karen Nowosad
: Dani Nelson, Michelle Liu Coughlin and DeAnna Lenhart. Premiere Stages 2024 production of Diversion. Photo by Mike Peters.

Diversion– 2023 Premiere Play Festival Winner

Now playing on the Premiere Stages at Kean is the winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival. Written by Scott Organ, the play, Diversion, is a timely selection and one that is ground breaking. It provides a look at a serious problem known as drug diversion. In this play, it involves a group of nurses.

Looking at the use of the word diversion as the title has special meaning. As explained on one of the information boards Premiere Stages created for this show: “Drug diversion occurs when medication is redirected from its intended destination for personal use, sale, or distribution to others.” It can result in a nurse’s criminal prosecution and loss of license. This is a serious situation.

Photo – K. Nowosad – Information boards for this show can be seen in the lobby of Bauer Boucher Theatre.

That definition gives you the basic problem that arises in Diversion. However, there is more to it than that. What makes this new play so timely and ground breaking is that it addresses both the dedication and after effects CoVid 19 had on the nursing profession. The play includes references to those issues. I applaud Playwright Organ and the Premiere Stages for selecting this play as it is time to start talking about this topic.

Drugs are Missing – the Story Begins

Premiere Stages Producing Artistic Director, John J. Wooten, does a marvelous job directing this production. The action drives forward with an air of mystery to it. The story is well written with interesting dialog throughout. It entails meeting the characters. listening to their background issues, and determining if they are a part of the diversion.

Diversion begins with a new nurse on the ICU unit, Mandy (Edit Salas Miller), sound asleep in the break room. When nurse Amy (DeAnna Lenhart) tries to wake her, it becomes apparent that she is in a deep sleep. Several nurses have seen this happen a few times and wonder why this is happening. When she finally wakes up, she explains that she had a late night with her boyfriend.

The other nurses of the unit have issues stemming back from the chaos of CoVid 19. These were the people who were on the front lines treating those who were ill from this virus. They experienced difficulties with having to work double and sometimes triple shifts. Flashbacks of bad experiences haunt some of them as well as some physical problems like a bad knee suffered by Emilia ( Dani Nelson). Also working with this group is nurse is Mike (Lucas Iverson) who has issues with a family member.

The Investigation

Enter Bess ( Jeaniene Green) who supervises the unit. She asks to meet with the entire group. At this meeting, she tells them that drugs were stolen from the hospital. She explains that the hospital has hired a consultant, Josephine (Michelle Liu Coughlin) to try to find out who is involved with the diversion. When Josephine meets the group, she says that she is collecting data; but those who have been there for awhile know better. This inclusion of the consultant seems to be disturbing.

Lucas Iverson, Jeaniene Green, and Michelle Liu Coughlin. Premiere Stages 2024 production of Diversion. Photo by Mike Peters.

As the play moves towards its climax, there are several who could be guilty of the diversion. However, it may come as a surprise when the truth is revealed. Keep in mind the definition of a diversion and that it has several parts to it. That will explain the conclusion that is reached.

The set design add much to this production. You will feel like you are actually in a hospital setting.The professional design team of Bethanie Wampol (Set Designer) and Zack Gage (Sound Designer) deserve a big round of applause for their work. Keep those applause going for Tyler Sautner (Sound Designer), Karen Lee Hart (Costume Designer), Jennifer Bonilla (Props Master), Dale Smallwood (Production Stage Manager), and Jenna Gregson (Assistant Stage Manager).

All in all, Diversion is a play well worth going to see. I hope that this presentation as the Winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival is just the beginning for it.

Go to see Diversion

Diversion runs September 5-September 22 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J.

The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays, September 7 and 14  at 3pm & 8pm. Saturday, September 21 the show is at 3pm and Sundays at 3pm. Newly added to the schedule is a 2pm performance on Friday, September 20.

To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit Premiere Stages at premierestagesatkean.com

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The Book of Will – Preserving the Bard’s Work

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Karen Nowosad

The Book of Will – A Review

Playing through July 28 at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is The Book of Will. Lauren Gunderson wrote this play around 2017 in order to honor Shakespeare for “igniting her ambitions as a playwright.”

This is the first time the play is running at the Madison theater. Bonnie Monte directs this entertaining and historically informative play. It is based on true events as researched by Playwright Gunderson. At a recent audience symposium, Ms. Monte noted that events and circumstances in the play have historic research backing them up. However, the dialog would be something that was written for the play’s purposes and would not necessarily be based on exact information.

The Book of Will is about the search, collection, and printing of Shakespeare’s plays. It begins in 1619, three years after William Shakespeare’s death. It concludes in 1623 with the publication of the completed volume of Shakespeare’s works.

The production does a fine job of showing that this task was no small event. Methods of recording and printing were much different in the 17th Century from current day.

During the play, I recalled my days in college studying English Literature. One of the requirements was to take a course on Shakespeare. I remember going to the bookstore to purchase the textbook. It was a huge book, the largest I owned. It was an anthology of the complete works of Shakespeare. I felt like I owned the world. Because of attending The Book of Will, I realized what happened to make that book be available to me. The play is indeed a tribute to all who toiled so diligently in a time period where preserving written words was not an easy task. I thank them for the work they did.

How It Begins

The play opens with an actor taking center stage and doing a funny interpretation of a scene from Hamlet. It is overheard by people who have been a part of the acting troupe at the Globe theater, performing the true Works of Shakespeare.

As the scene shifts to the Globe Tap House, three members of Shakespeare’s acting troupe, the King’s Men, take center stage. These three are good friends and they enjoyed their friendship with William Shakespeare. John Heminges (Anthony Marble), Henry Condell (Michael Stewart Allen) and Richard Burbage (Brent Harris) get talking about plays they were in. Familiar lines are recited as they denounce a fake version of Hamlet. Alice (Carolyne Leys) John’s daughter, serves them ale.

The next day, the friends learn that Richard Burbage died in his sleep. They meet again at the Globe Tap House and all drink to his memory. However, as they talk, they realize that their departed friend was probably the only person who knew all of Shakespeare’s plays from memory. Sadly, they acknowledge that with no real record of the plays, Shakespeare’s life’s work may be lost forever.

They voice concerns that people are starting to plagiarize and misrepresent the work of their beloved friend, Shakespeare. They decide to make it their mission to find copies of his plays including his side notes. After they find everything, their plan includes sending out to a printer then accumulating the final work into one large volume. 

The Task is Not an Easy One

The first stop is to see Ed Knight (Patrick Toon), the Globe “stage manager,”and ask for every manuscript he has. Ed only has five of Shakespeare’s plays. They learn that the rest were lost when the original Globe Theatre burned down in 1613.

So the task becomes collecting as many manuscripts, prompt books, and actor side notes (cue cards) as they can.

Now that sounds easy, but it wasn’t so easy back then. Writing by hand on parchment didn’t always work out well.

Carolyne Leys as Alice Heminges, Victoria Mack as Rebecca Heminges, Amy Hutchins as Elizabeth Condell, Anthony Marble as John Heminges, Michael Stewart Allen as Henry Condell Photo by Avery Brunkus

As they’re doing that, they realize they have to appoint people to actually go through and edit and make sure everything matches what they remember saying and performing.

Finally they have to locate a printer that will take on the job. They do find the person who is willing to do it, but of course there’s circumstances that make that difficult too.

Guttenberg invented the printing press in 1440. However, the use of the process was not highly encouraged in England. According to notes provided by Shakespeare Theatre of NJ in their Know the Show Guide for this show , “All print shops and book sellers were required to clear their work with government censors, leaving British publishing effectively stunted.” The cost to print was high so plays were rarely printed. Thus the need to come up with money to fund the project becomes a source of great concern that must be solved.

How It Ends

The second act goes into more details about how the process takes place. Along the way, life shows some difficult moments. Several people die, including loving family members. All feel the grief.

Eventually, the project does reach completion. It is a wonderful moment in the show when all the pieces are put together and the large volume is presented to Anne Hathaway (Victoria Mack), Shakespeare’s wife. 

Jack Steiner as Ralph Crane, Isaac Hickox Young as Isaac Jaggard, Michael Stewart Allen as Henry Condell, Anthony Marble as John Heminges, Patrick Toon as Marcus Photo by Avery Brunku

The final scene shows the friends and and going through the book and you hear a number of the very famous plays mentioned as they come across them. This well done scene is a magical moment in the play.

Captivating Moments

Outstanding in the play is the love we see from Shakespeare’s friends to complete their project. This love is shown in many different ways. The acting from this very fine cast brings the story to life.

Parts of the play are funny and parts are reflective.

One of the funniest parts comes from the character Ben Johnson (Pearce Bunting). Johnson was Poet Laureate of England who enjoyed his drinks. At first, he creates some problems with the project. So, the friends decide to create some unity with him. They ask him to write an Introduction to the volume in progress. The scenes where they approach him and his finished product are cleverly written and funny.

A well designed set adds much to the story. The depiction of the Globe Pub helps the audience feel like they are back in the 1600’s. Additionally, there are interesting displays authentic to the time of how paper looked after it was printed.

There is much to like about this show.

Go to See The Book of Will

The Book of Will runs through July 28, 2024. Times include Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and select Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays – Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and select Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.

Performances are at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University: 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Parking is free and convenient.

For tickets or more information, visit the Theatre’s website at ShakespeareNJ.org or call 973-408-5600

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‘Still’ at Premiere Stages – a Powerful, Well Crafted Play

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Karen Nowosad

‘Still’ – A new play by Benjamin V. Marshall

The new season of Premiere Stages at Kean University opens with with a powerful production of Benjamin V. Marshall’s play Still. This play is the true story of William Still, a man who ran an abolitionist office in Philadelphia. Kept under wraps but shown in this play is the work he does as an African American leader in the Underground Railroad. It is said that he helped over 600 slaves escape to freedom. The intensity of all that these pieces of Still’s life entails is brought out through fine theatrical crafting including the use of well written dialog and strong theatrical components.

This play was a recipient of the 2023/24 Liberty Live Commission. According to information about the program on their website, Premiere Stages accepts proposals from New Jersey playwrights for plays that explore compelling stories about a historical event or events. The proposed script must explore a topic from New Jersey history.

Still fits all these categories and descriptions very well as the it is based on true events in 1850s New Jersey.

How the Story is Told

The play opens as a griot dressed in well adorned garb enters center stage and begins the story. This use of the African tribal storytellers occurs three times in the play. It provides a very clever connection to the way stories were preserved in the past through oral traditions and the more updated method of writing them down that William Still uses throughout the play to preserve stories.

We meet the two main characters who are William Still (Carl Hendrick Louis) and Peter Friedman (Brian D. Coats). Peter enters Still’s office a bit hesitantly and begins a conversation with him.

The first meeting between Still and Friedman – Photo by Mike Peters

He explains that he is looking for his family. This is no easy task to accomplish as Peter, who is now a free man, had been a slave. Part of his family left him on the plantation when they fled to the north for freedom. There isn’t much to go on but William and Peter talk over many incidents that Peter recalls to create a search. Theater crafting is on fine display in these sections of the play as well written dialog is expertly performed by actors Hendricks and Coates.

It is critical to notes that as they talk, William writes to record what Peter tells him in a journal style book. This journal become a major source of information after the Civil War because he documented the stories of formerly enslaved Africans who gained their freedom by escaping bondage.

When the first act comes to a close, there is a very beautiful moment between the two and they discover an important relationship they have. This revelation leads to the second act where more about Peter’s family comes out.

The Use of Silhouettes

An example of the use of silhouettes in Still – photo by Mike Peters

An additional powerful theatrical touch is employed by the use of silhouettes showing characters acting and speaking to add to the storytelling. Playwright Marshall describes this method in his Notes as a technique that evokes “the period of the 1850s and earlier eras. Kara Walker, the contemporary artist, is known for her use of silhouettes to comment on racial injustices of the past.” Mr. Marshall explains that the silhouettes allow violence and brutality to be used without crossing the line into exploitation. Rather than just speaking the story between two characters, this technique allows a cast member to depict a character and give the words from that person being represented. And there are some very rough moments described in these stories of tragic events endured by slaves.

A Family Reunites and One of Them Provides Historic Information

The second act shows scenes that take place in Burlington County, New Jersey, where the Still family home is. It would spoil all the surprises that play discloses to tell more than that. However, it can be said that it is a very joyous conclusion with an outstanding scene at the end. The importance of family bonds and the love shared is one of the most important themes of this play.

Another important point to be noted is that William Stills recognized the value of keeping written records of the people he met and helped both as a part of the Underground Railroad and from his office in Philadelphia. He helped hundreds of people escape slavery. His note taking and recording of their stories led to his self-published book The Underground Railroad (1872). The book remains one of the most important documents of what slaves went through to escape to freedom. From oral history shown in the beginning of the show by griots to hand written notes taken for publication in books, a full circle of the importance of preserving historic information is an important message this play conveys.

Director and Cast

Still is directed by Marshall Jones III. His direction brings this true story through some tumultuous moments and leads it to a satisfying conclusion.

In addition to Brian D. Coates and Carl Hendrik Louis previously mentioned, the play features the following actors: Ashley Nicole Baptiste, D. Malik Beckford, Perri Gaffney (Charity), and Nafeesa Monroe. This cast does an outstanding job of developing their characters as they play several roles.

To Attend the Show

Still runs July 11-July 28 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center on the Kean University main campus in Union, N.J. The performance schedule is Thursday, July 11 at 7:30pm, Thursdays, July 18 and 25 at 1:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.

To make reservations, please call the box office at 908-737-7469 or visit Premiere Stages at premierestagesatkean.com .

To Learn More about Still

Still is a well produced play which has historic and cultural value. I encourage you to go to see it. Before going, or even after you have seen it, take some time to learn more about this amazing piece of history. Here are a few suggestions:

Take a look at a video created by Discover Jersey Arts on YouTube and posted here. You will hear important background information about the show from Benjamin V. Marshall, the playwright. Director Marshall Jones III provides insights into the theatricality of the play. Also shown are actors Carl Hendrick Louis (William Still) and Brian D. Coates (Peter Friedman) who provide character insights along with a few scenes from rehearsals.

Visit the Premiere Stages lobby and look at the information boards there. You will read about William Still, The Underground Railroad, and a timeline of events of the era.

One lobby information board – Photo by K. Nowosad

Audience members are invited to engage more deeply with Mr. Marshall’s play in Premiere’s free Community Connections following select matinee (3pm) performances. Three historical institutions will lead talkbacks: the Dr. James Still Historic Office Site and Education Center (Saturday, July 20) and the New Jersey Historical Commission with Liberty Hall Museum
(Sunday, July 21).

Theater goers can learn more about the creative process with featured post-show speakers Playwright Benjamin V. Marshall and DirectorMarshall Jones III (Sunday, July 11) and the cast of Still (Saturday, July 27).

Dates and speakers are subject to change; please call 908-737-4077 or visit
premierestagesatkean.com for an updated schedule of post-show events and speakers.

Final Notes

The professional design team includes Set Designer David M. Barber, Costume Designer Ali Turns, Lighting Designer Zack Gage, Projection Designer Taj Rauch.

Additional design team include Sound Designers David Wright and Nicole Schwarz, Hair and
Make-up Designer Rachelle Dorce, and Mask Designer Marlon Campbell.

Casting is by Stephanie Klapper, CSA. Dale Smallwood is the Production Stage
Manager.

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