'Tribute' at Westfield Community Players

"Tribute" will open at Westfield Community Players in a few weeks.

Scottie Templeton's a charming, irresponsible fellow. A sometime Broadway press agent and former scriptwriter, he's everyone's friend, nobody's hero and a great womanizer who's managed to live over fifty years without taking anything seriously, including love, marriage and fatherhood. Life's been one continuous gag. But at fifty one, he finds the script's been rewritten as a tragedy: he is fatally ill. His son Jud, alienated by years of neglect, comes to visit. Scottie's one concern is to make friends with his son, and after a bitter, revealing confrontation, father and son are reconciled. And it is Jud who gets Scottie to agree to be rehospitalized for treatment and then organizes a giant tribute to his father in a theater.

The cast features Russ Ortiz as Scottie Templeton, Bobby Marusiefski as Jud Templeton, Dickson Lane as Leo Daniels, Marguerite Wurtz as Dr. Gladys Petrelli, Katie Engel as Sally Haines, Debbie Badal as Maggie Stratton, and Kathryn Risi as Hilary. It is directed by Steve Lemenille.

The show will run at 8 p.m. March 5, 12, 18 and 19 and at 2 p.m. March 13. Tickets cost $20 per adult and $10 per student or active military personnel.

There are two ways to purchase tickets. Purchasers can either call (908)232-1221 and leave a message stating their name, phone number or email, date of performance and number of tickets; or they can fill out the form here. The Westfield Community Players are located at 1000 North Avenue West, Westfield.