presents:

Hair will be presented at the Country Gate Playhouse, 114 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, New Jersey. The Tony-nominated musical features such popular hit songs as "(The Age of) Aquarius," "Good Morning Starshine," "Let the Sun Shine In," as well as the title song, "Hair." In 1968, this Sixties rock musical set the stage for a new musical genre. Featuring book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Tony Award-winner Galt MacDermot, the ground-breaking Hair electrified Broadway with its vibrant and memorable score, as well as its frank examination of war, peace and sexuality.

Set in 1968, in a Greenwich Village park, Hair is a day in the life of a "flower-children" tribe. The Country Gate “tribe” consists of an eclectic company of energetic performers, demonstrating a wide range of theatrical experience. Principals in the troupe include Michael Fleck, of Easton, in the role of George Berger, the tribe-leader. Fleck has appeared in numerous area productions, including Anything Goes and School Days. Matt Christie, of Tobyhanna, portrays the recently drafted, Claude Bukowski, Christie has performed locally in such productions as HONK!, The Wizard of Oz, and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Maria Stein of Easton, plays Sheila, a protester from NYU, aspiring to spread love. Ms. Stein was most recently featured in the Country Gate production of Kiss Me Kate. Other cast/tribe members include: Allison Lepelletier, of Blairstown; Marisa Delmore, of Wind Gap; Gwen O’Donnell, of Annandale; Katie Smith, of Great Meadows; Jill Erwin, of Belleville; Pam Haus, of Phillipsburg; Melissa Molinari and Beth Crivellaro, of Easton; Tara Wyckoff and Alan Eisberg, of Hackettstown; as well as, Shauna Cutrone, and Mike Helbing, of Washington.

Introduced on Broadway in 1968, Hair became a protest of the Viet Nam War and a symbol of the cultural revolution that changed the rules. By bringing contemporary music and the hippie movement on stage in a “psychedelic sit-in”, Hair captured the experimental atmosphere of the times. The musical became a forum of struggle between tradition and change. The Country Gate production of Hair, is under the direction of Gina Scurato, of Harmony Township, with musical direction by Tierney Jory, of Bangor.

All seats for Hair are reserved at $15.and are available by calling calling Country Gate at (908) 475-1104 or by logging onto the theatre website at www.countrygate.org

present the Neil Simon comedy:

Neil Simon’s classic stage comedy is a valentine to the trials and tribulations of newlywed life. Though the story takes place during a bitter cold, snowy New York City winter in 1963, inside the cozy Greenwich Village five-flight walk-up brownstone apartment, young newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter sizzle! And sometimes, they fizzle ! The leading couple in the Country Gate production is portrayed by Scott Reyes of Hackettstown, and Chelsea Scurato of Phillipsburg. Mr. Reyes was last seen by audiences in the title role of Joseph And The amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Ms. Scurato’s most recent stage credit was the role of Shelby in Steel Magnolias. The couple’s obvious mutual adoration transcends such difficulties as: a hole in the skylight, a lack of heat, and a 25 cent court settlement for Paul. In addition, they are juggling Corie's lonely mother (JoAnn Mazza of Stroudsburg) and a Bohemian Blue Beard, Vivtor Velasco, who lives in the attic (John Musarra of Belvidere.) Other cast members include Frank Delmore, of Wind Gap, as a jovial telephone repairman, and Gary Crivellaro, of Easton, as an out-of-breath delivery man. The production is under the direction of Gina Scurato, of Harmony Township.

presents:

A Chorus Line is a warm, exhilarating, and compassionate tribute to the unsung heroes of the stage, to those who are at the very heart of the American musical: the chorus dancer. It allows us, as the audience, a glimpse into that part of the theater world reserved for insiders: we see the process; we see the sacrifices; and we see the individual performers –the quirky artists complete with egos, weaknesses, talents, desires, histories, and personal dignity. This in-depth look at "theatre people" ultimately possesses universal appeal and becomes a powerful metaphor for all human aspirations.

The premise for A Chorus Line is simple: dancers audition for parts in the chorus of a Broadway show. But this seemingly uncomplicated idea is deceivingly challenging in execution. Cast members must possess universal proficiencies in acting, singing, and dancing. Fortunately, Country Gate has managed to assemble a talented ensemble of performers, from throughout the tri-state area. They include the following: Stacy Higgins, of Washington; Shauna Cutrone, of Bloomingdale; Melissa Hensley, of Allentown; Dave Miller, of Hellertown; Renae Buckenmeyer, of Columbia; Alison Chi, of Vestal; Kelvin Godshalk, of Long Pond Lake; Gene Connelly, of Albrightsville; Matt Christie, of Tobyhanna; Juliet Dunham, of Pocono Pines; and Jessica Attinello and Vinny Foti, of Phillipsburg. Also among the cast are Becky Lieberman and Marisa Delmore, of Pen Argyl, as well as, Mike Fleck, Maria Stein, and Deb Jacoby, all of Easton. The show is under the direction of Gina Scurato of Harmony Township, with musical direction by Tierny Jory, of Bangor. The aforementioned Miss Dunham serves as choreographer.

Memorable musical numbers from A Chorus Line include “I Can Do That”, “At the Ballet”, “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three”, “The Music and the Mirror”, “What I Did for Love”, “One (Singular Sensation)” and “I Hope I Get It.”