Chatham|Local Event
Chatham Playhouse to Host 32nd Annual Jersey Voices: One-Act Festival Starting July 24th
The Chatham Community Players (CCP) will host its 32nd annual Jersey Voices One-Act Festival with six performances between July 24th and August 2nd. This year’s production will include seven original short plays written by New Jersey playwrights.
This year's Jersey Voices features seven pieces by local New Jersey playwrights exploring themes ranging from the integration of AI into society, space exploration, aging, and some laugh-out-loud comedies. The evening is a great opportunity to see brand new stories brought to life by talented members of our NJ theater community. In the 32 seasons of performances, Jersey Voices has brought the work of over 130 playwrights to live on the stage.
“Over the years, Jersey Voices has established a strong community of passionate risk-takers and receptive audiences,” says producer and stage manager Aaron Kellner of West Orange. “For many, participation in some capacity has become an eagerly anticipated summer tradition. It is a privilege to be able to spotlight so many talented local artists and continue a legacy of quality that is the hallmark of CCP.”
“As AI and technology become a bigger and bigger piece of our everyday lives, I love the opportunity to work directly with playwrights on pieces that really explore what it means to be human.” Adds producer Jessica Phelan of Montclair.“ Our pieces this year offer some creative lenses to look at our current world as well as some fun comedies that offer audiences an escape from daily life.”
Performance dates are July 24, 25, 30, 31, and August 1 at 8pm, and August 2 at 3pm at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Avenue, in Chatham. All tickets are $20.
Tickets can be purchased at our Box Office or Online at ccp.ludus.com. For more information, call the box office at (973) 635-7363 or go to www.chathamplayers.org.
We are proud to announce the following pieces that will make up our Jersey Voices production:
“A Real Turkey” by David Weil Baker of South Orange, Directed by Emily Miller of Jersey City: What happens at the Seacrest Diner stays at the Seacrest, or does it? When a couple stops in on Thanksgiving, they might just uncover one of the Mob’s greatest mysteries or become their latest victims. Gobble Gobble!!
Tom Venito of West Orange as Tim
Erin Feith of Florham Park as Mary
Lauri MacMillan of Hackettstown as Waitress
“Asteroid Belt” by Clinton Festa of Congers, Directed by Hunter Wolf of North Caldwell: An astronaut is sent to plant a nuclear bomb on a small asteroid which poses an undetermined threat to Earth. His lander is disabled, he discovers life on the asteroid, and he learns that it may be more difficult to save his planet than he realized. But it’s worth a try.
KC Boyle of Union as Bill
Kylah Wilson of Paterson as Lydia
Tom Drummer of Manville as Prince
“Unlove Me” by Charles Grayson of Netcong, Directed by Maggie Aube of Woodbridge: Love is the most sought-after feeling in the world, and falling in love is easy! The real challenge is trying to unlove someone you never should’ve loved in the first place, preferably with the help of a very confused relationship therapist.
Elizabeth Lewis of New York as Miranda
Joshua Cupid Newark as Carter
Lynn Langone of Cranford as Henrietta
“Keep the Music Going” by Steven Hayet of Springfield, Directed by Kayla Fiore of Scotch Plains: After a mysterious disaster wipes out most of humanity, a stranded astronaut aboard the International Space Station forms an unexpected lifeline with one of the last survivors on Earth through a crackling radio connection. As their bond deepens across impossible distances, they must confront love, isolation, and the painful reality that survival may mean choosing connection or letting it go.
Nicole DeRose of Colonia as Jessica
Sydney Blanchard of Jefferson as Lory
“Rest in Peace” by Jeanne Johnston of High Bridge, Directed by Missy Renwick of Summit: An open and honest conversation between two people who fiercely love each other but have different world views. Ret in Peace explores the vulnerability of the living through comedy and coffee.
Chip Prestera of Florham Park as Gordon
Gloria Lamoureux of Succasunna as Gloria
“Immaculate Contraption” by Matt McHugh of Rutherford, Directed by Wendy Stuart of Union: A woman walks into a church and asks the priest to baptize her robot. Arguments and debates ensue as all concerned grapple with this demand.
Jonathan Richards of Verona as Monsignor Ricci
Nick Lee of Madison as Father Pinter
Joe Cremona of Nutley as Adam
Eileen McShane of Bernardsville as Mrs. O’Leary
“The Stakeout” by Missy Renwick of Summit, Directed by John AC Kennedy of Springfield: Newly-teamed detectives on a late-night stakeout attempt to navigate “Intergenerational Communication and Collaboration Workplace Dynamics” – but then the mysterious stakeout begins to spiral.
Stephen Mennella of Somerset as Marvin
Rachel Gesner of Florham Park as Taylor