Chatham Residents Direct Acts in Jersey Voices Festival

The announced performance dates for the one-act Jersey Voices Festival, which will run for five performances between July 29 and Aug. 6.

The 17th annual festival includes five one-act plays by New Jersey playwrights, and one original dance piece about the Lenape tribe of Native Americans, who lived in Chatham before the area was settled by Europeans.

Producer Bob Denmark said the plays "range from spy intrigue to an interaction in the Ladies Room - you know, the usual great stuff that New Jersey authors send us."

Two of the plays, a modern interpretation of Biblical stories and a play about a salesman and a little girl, are directed by Chatham residents.

"I’m constantly amazed and excited by the creativity, the resilience, the persistence of the Playwrights of New Jersey whose plays we get to present every summer," Denmark said.

Since 1995, Jersey Voices has produced their annual festival as "a venue for New Jersey playwrights to showcase their work," according to a statement from the Chatham Community Players.

The following pieces are included in this year's Jersey Voices Festival:

• "Dance of the Ahtu," by Desirée Caro and Anthony Rubolotta, directed and choreographed by Desirée Caro. This dance about the Lenape Native Americans. This piece features Daniel Mages of South Amboy; Michael Montalbano of Astoria, NY; Jenna Corine Cataldi of Wayne; Sarah Jes Austell of New York City; Melissa Kaban of Westfield; Megan Ferentinos of Cranford; Samuel Spare of Howell; and James Lopez of Lake Hiawatha.
• "Cold Calling" by Thomas Tunnington, directed by Joann Scanlon of Chatham. A play about a salesman and a young girl, featuring Robert Mackasek of Union.
• "Canaan Wedding, or The Disciples Gone Wild." Written by John Dowgin, directed by Jon DeAngelis of Chatham. A modern interpretation of a Bible story. Jim Clancy of Basking Ridge, Lou Savarese of Randolph, Will McHugh of Bedminster, Paul Bettys of Denville, Steve Gabe of Madison, Colleen Labella of Clark, Daniel Mages of South Amboy, Michael Montalbano of Astoria, NY, James Lopez of Lake Hiawatha and Stacey Simon of Berkeley Heights star.
• "Forsaking All Others," written by G.A. Perrie and directed by Loretta Napolitano of Denville. Before you can get married, you have to meet your new family.  This production features Beth Gleason of Chester, Jean Kuras of Glen Ridge, Lou Savarese of Randolph and Diane Lotti of New Providence.
  
• "Whatever and Delicately," written by Pia Wilson, directed by Beth Amiano Gleason of Chester. First impressions are the most important. Featuring Bridget Burke Weiss of Boonton and Samantha Kaplan of Pompton Lakes.
• "Mr. X," written by Susan Barsky and directed by Arnold Buchiane of Summit. Featuring Jim Clancy of Basking Ridge, David Hoffman of Summit and Nick Clarey of West Orange.

The 17th Annual Jersey Voices Festival will show on July 29 and 30 and August 4, 5 and 6. All performances begin at 8 p.m. at the Chatham Playhouse. Tickets are $15 for adults (19 and over), $10 for youth.

The Chatham Community Players recommend buying tickets in advance by visiting the Players' website and clicking on TicketLeap. For more information, call the Box Office at (973) 635-7363.

Patrons with special needs requiring seating accommodations are asked to contact the Playhouse at least 24 hours prior to the performance. Without prior notice, accommodations cannot be guaranteed.