"Romeo and Juliet" and "Prelude to a Kiss" are only two of the shows slated for production at Circle Players during its upcoming season.
Located in a former grange hall on Victoria Avenue in Piscataway since 1971, Circle Players has carved out a niche for itself by performing plays infrequently staged elsewhere, such as its recent production of Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart." The theater, which boasts an intimate performance space, also produces children's shows as well as its more adult fare, including an upcoming adaptation of "The House at Pooh Corner."
The fall season begins in September with "Prelude to a Kiss," as directed by Jessica Sherman. Many people who know the story will be familiar with the 1992 film starring Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin, but "Prelude to a Kiss" debuted in California early in 1988 before moving to off-Broadway in 1990.
Contemporary audiences often view the story, which involves a newly married husband trying to find his true love after he discovers that her soul has been moved into the body of an old man, as a commentary on the meaning of commitment and love. At the time, critics saw "Prelude to a Kiss" as an indirect treatment of the AIDS epidemic, which Lucas had written about more directly in "The Singing Forest" and "The Dying Gaul."
November brings "Opus," written by Michael Hollinger and directed by Eric Walby. "Opus" chronicles the drama of a violin quartet as three of the members agree to fire the fourth, a musical genius; and to replace him with a talented but younger violinist still unsure of her career path.
Personalities clash and conflict builds as the quartet strives to perfect their skills, and the dismissed member hopes to return to the group, for a special performance at the White House that marks the culmination of the play.
In January John Dowgin will direct "How I Learned to Drive," by Paula Vogel. Vogel received the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for this play, which premiered off-Broadway in 1997.
The show follows the main character, L'il Bit, from the time she is 11 and is first molested by her Uncle Peck, through puberty and ultimately to her time at college. The play uses driving as a metaphor of freedom and control; addresses issues such as pedophilia, incest and misogyny; and explores ideas such as control and manipulation.
Alicia Harabin will direct "Ravenscroft," a murder mystery by Don Nigro, in March. Nigro's play brings Inspector Ruffling of Scotland Yard to the Ravenscroft estate after a handyman is killed by a fall down the stairs of the
main house, in the same manner that Mr. Ravenscroft died, only months earlier.
Ruffling's investigations are hampered by the conflicting reports of the five suspects from the estate, all of whom are on the dotty side of things — and by the weather, which leaves him trapped with them.
April brings William Shakespeare's timeless tale of star-crossed lovers. Erik Hall will direct "Romeo and Juliet."
Rounding out the season in June is Jane Anderson's "Defying Gravity," as directed by Tina Lee. This play is tied to the 1986 disaster in which the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take-off. Characters in the play include a teacher based upon Christa McAuliffe, who was selected from a national pool of entrants to participate in the mission; her daughter Elizabeth; a waitress who works at a bar frequented by NASA staff, and the Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
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