'Taming of the Shrew' Auditions Next Week

The Chatham Community Players will put on the Shakespeare comedy in March.

The Chatham Community Players announced open auditions for William Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" to be held at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Chatham Playhouse. The play, a fast-moving battle-of-the-sexes comedy, has been made familiar to modern audiences through the musical "Kiss Me, Kate" and the film "10 Things I Hate About You" starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. The plot revolves around the courtship of Katherina, the headstrong "shrew" of the title, and Petruchio, a down-on-his-luck gentleman of Verona who covets Kate's dowry. She, however, is not eager for the match—or any match—and the two engage in a battle of wits and strength for the upper hand. A subplot involved Kate's flirtatious sister Bianca and the men who …

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Gather 'Round the Theater for 'A Christmas Carol'

The Chatham Community Players' put on their biennial production of the musical based on Charles Dickens' holiday story.

The Chatham Community Players bring some of Charles Dickens' most beloved characters to life in their biennial production of "A Christmas Carol" beginning Friday. The musical by Philip Wm. McKinley and Suzanne Buhrer features the author, Dickens himself, as the narrator and a character in the play who guides the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge through a journey of discovery and wonder in Christmases past, present and future. Chris Furlong, the executive producer for the Chatham Community Players, said the story has become a traditional holiday activity within northern New Jersey. "While the script remains true to the original story, the playwright also pulled from letters that Dickens wrote to family and friends," Furlong wrote in a press …

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'39 Steps' Mixes 'Vaudeville and Farce,' Director Says

Bell Wesel said the play is enjoyable for Hitchcock fans and for those who never saw the 1935 film.

Almost 80 years after Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful thriller "The 39 Steps" hit theaters, a play based on the film is about to hit a different kind of theater. "The dialogue is actually lifted directly from the original film [screenplay], but it’s a complete twist on it so it’ll be very funny," Director Bell Wesel said. Wesel drove to Chatham from her home in Brooklyn every day for months for the chance to direct "The 39 Steps at the Chatham Playhouse. The play opens the 91st season for the Chatham Community Players Friday. Hitchcock fans might be surprised to see the suspense turned into what Wesel termed "a combination of vaudeville and farce," but, she said, "we have special appearances from some other of Hitchcock's stories: 'Psycho…

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Chatham Players Hold Auditions for 'Christmas Carol'

Male and female actors and singers needed.

The Chatham Community Players will hold open auditions for their biennial Christmas play, "A Christmas Carol" by Philip Wm. McKinley, beginning Sunday. Director Jeffery Fiorello and Choreographer Megan Ferentinos need a large cast of various types and ages, all of whom must be able to sing and move well. Auditions will take place at the Chatham Playhouse on the following dates: Those who wish to audition should bring their own sheet music in the appropriate key and marked with chord changes for the accompanist. Child actors without previous audition experience or material can choose a traditional holiday or non-rock song. Production dates are Dec. 7 to 23. Major roles for the production include: Additional cast members are: Various other …

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Shopping and Shows, Sales and Sweets

Everything you need to plan your weekend.

Where do you go to find out about what's going on this weekend? Well, since you're here, you probably figured that part out. Ladies Night Out When/Where: Downtown Chatham, 6 to 9 p.m. Why go: Enjoy free gifts and special discounts ... and park closer than you could at the mall! Cost: Free admission Rotary Homebaked Cookie Sale for Mother's Day When/Where: Friday, May 11, 2012, 4 p.m., , Saturday at 9 a.m., Rotary Park, 266 Main St., Chatham Why go: Pick up homemade treats for Mom this year. Cost: Free admission Cabaret When/Where: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., Chatham Playhouse, 23 N. Passaic Ave., Chatham Why go: Come hear the music play in this updated adaptation of the classic Broadway musical. Cost: $25 14th-Annual MHS …

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Chatham Native 'Plays it Cool'

Michael McGuirk talks about his current acting project and reflects on past endeavors.

Michael McGuirk, a Chatham native who grew up next to the entrance of Shepard Kollock Park, is currently appearing in the musical "Play It Cool" at the Acorn Theatre in New York City. McGuirk describes the play as "a film noir jazz musical” which "deals with homosexuality in 1950's Hollywood, [what] people had to deal with in order to have the life that they wanted and the measures they had to take to cover up there true nature." McGuirk plays the role of the "Gum Shoe," a Sam Spade-esque detective who also acts as the show's narrator. He said his favorite part of the role is immersing himelf in the time period and finding the little mannerisms that make it believable, such as the small act of holding a cigarette. “Finding the truth in the…

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On Stage: A Peek At The Performing Arts

Jersey Playwrights Share Their Voices

Chatham Community Players' "Jersey Voices" festival in its 17th year.

It’s not easy for a writer to get a play performed on a stage in front of audiences, but every year the Chatham Community Players gives playwrights from New Jersey an opportunity to do just that. The “Jersey Voices One-Act Festival” at the Chatham Playhouse is an annual summer presentation of short plays written by people from New Jersey. Now in its 17th year, the festival is scheduled for July 29 through Aug. 4 and includes five short plays and a dance piece. Bob Denmark, president of the Chatham Players and the producer of “Jersey Voices,” said the idea started when Cliff Odle, the festival’s founder, thought there should be a venue for area playwrights. “At the time we never really did anything in the summer, our theater was dark all …

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'Twas the Week Before Fishawack

Corpus Christi's Carnival opens Thursday, and the Shakespeare Theatre has a new play.

Every week on Chatham Patch, we bring you some local events near you that are perfect for the entire family. With Fishawack only two days away, Chathamites have the option of walking though the large festival in the borough's downtown, or enjoying the rides at the Corpus Christi Carnival. Here are some events happening in and around Chatham this weekend: Chatham Fishawack Festival Where/When: Beginning at 10 a.m. in Chatham Borough at the intersection of Main Street and Fairmount Avenue. Why Go: The borough's main downtown festival offers food, entertainment and vendors, plus a kid's play area in Memorial Park. Pricing: Free. Chatham Fishawack Lacrosse Invitational Festival Where/When: From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at 314 Shunpike Rd. in…

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On Stage: A Peek At The Performing Arts

'Alice in Wonderland' Truly Spans Generations

Chatham Community Players presents a family-friendly adaptation of a classic tale

Theaters like to promote their children’s shows as being enjoyable for all ages—and in the case of Chatham Community Players’ staging of “Alice of Wonderland,” the multi-generational goodwill extends to the cast. Actors ranging in ages from 10 to 70-plus will be taking stage in the show, running June 10 through 19. Alice, of course, is played by a child, 10-year-old Anya Gunewardena, but more interesting casting choices came with having 10-year-old Jacqueline Pothier playing the Queen of Hearts and septuagenarian N. Kent Loudon playing the King of Hearts. “I went into the auditions saying anyone from 10 and up can audition, all roles are open to any age, so whoever comes in, I’ll know when I see them that that’s the right person for it,” …

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Chathamites to Honor Late Lee Nordholm

A memorial service for the longtime resident, artist and volunteer will begin at 3 p.m in Summit.

A memorial service is being held Friday, May 20 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit for longtime Chatham resident Lee Nordholm, who passed away on April 14 after a short illness. Known for her tireless volunteering in many aspects of Chatham, Nordholm’s passion was the theatre. “The first thing she did when she moved to Chatham [in 1966] was to see if there was a theatre,” said Christina Nordholm, Lee’s daughter, who said Nordholm moved to Chatham from Ohio in 1966. Nordholm got involved with the Chatham Community Players right away, helping direct and produce children’s theatre productions.She was given the Dawler award for her longtime service to the Players. As a tribute to her, the Chatham Community Players will rename their annual …

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