presents:
The timeless enchantment of a magical fairy tale is reborn with the Rogers and Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella transports us to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true. As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, the hearts of children and adults alike still soar when the slipper fits.
Country Gate has managed to assemble a talented ensemble of performers from throughout the tri-state area. They include the following: Stacy Higgins, Rachel Acevedo, Allison Jones of Washington; Tammy Yale, Donna Degrassi, Al Degrassi, Melissa Kennedy of Phillipsburg; Betsy Mazza, JoAnn Mazza, and Juliet Dunham of Stroudsburg. Also among the cast are Becky Lieberman, and Stephanie Wain of Mt. Bethel; as well as, Maria Stein, Deb Jacoby, Tom Korp, Ann Moyer, Scott Crivellaro, Gary Crivellaro all of Easton; Diane Hooper of Oxford; Kelvin Godshalk of Long Pond; Emily Brands from Bangor; Mia Zanette from Nazareth; also Gwen O'Donnell of Annandale. Rounding out the cast are Belvidere residents who include Jenny Tammera, Nicole Palmasano, Jenna Tshudy, Joelle Tshudy, Marilou Tshudy, Tiffany McKenna, Alicia Stemler, Elizabeth Frank, Laura Bussard, Cindi Halkola, Keri Race and Meghan Farley. The show is under the direction of Gina Scurato of Harmony Township, with musical direction by Tierny Jory, of Bangor. All seats are reserved at $15, and are available by calling Country Gate at (908) 475-1104 or by logging onto the theatre website at www.countrygate.org .
Based on the J.M. Barrie novel, "Peter Pan" is the magical tale about the boy who refused to grow up. The musical, as presented by Country Gate, is based on the concept of legendary Broadway director Jerome Robbins and originally starred Mary Martin as Peter Pan.
In the title role of Peter Pan is Gina Scurato of Harmony Township. She also is the managing director of the playhouse and appeared earlier this season as Sally Bowles in "Cabaret." John Trembler of Forks Township plays Peter Pan's sinister nemesis, Captain Hook. Trembler, a theatrical producer, is former managing director of the State Theatre in Easton. His last appearance at Country Gate was as Tito Merelli in the 2004 production "Lend Me A Tenor." The Darling children, swept away to Neverland, are portrayed by Karri Siena-Reyes of Hackettstown as Wendy, Brian Petty of Great Meadows as John and Thomas Frank of Belvidere as Michael. Debra Jacoby of Easton is Mrs. Darling; other Darling household members are Stacy Higgins of Washington as housekeeper Liza and JoAnn Mazza of Stroudsburg as faithful dog, Nana. First-mate Smee is portrayed by Melissa Molinari of Martins Creek.
The production is under the direction of Scurato, with choreography by Higgins. Musical director is Tierney Jory of Bangor.
All seats are reserved at $17 and are available at 908-475-1104.
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presents:
Country Gate Players presents Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, the stage musical that spawned the cult-movie classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The production will be staged at the Country Gate Playhouse, 114 Greenwich Street, Belvidere New Jersey. Performances are October 6, 13, and 20 at 8:00 P.M., as well as, October 21, 2007 at 2:00 P.M.
The Rocky Horror Show is a wild, irreverent spoof of B-movie science fiction cinema, Marvel comics and rock n' roll of every vintage. The action erupts when the wholesome Brad Majors (Matt Christie of Tobyhanna) and Janet Weiss (Jessica Attinello of Easton) arrive at the castle of the mad scientist Dr. Frank 'N' Furter (Todd Carpien of Allentown), the sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania. The show is famous for its celebration of the sensual world and gender-bending characters including the macabre Riff-Raff (Wayne Dotter of Stroudsburg), the gothic Magenta (Jessica Steele of Washington), the rippling Rocky (Kelvin Godshalk of Long Pond), the conflicting Eddie/Dr. Scott (Melissa Molinari of Martin's Creek) and the vivacious Columbia (Renae Buckenmyer of Columbia…really.)
Other cast members include Greta Nappa of Newton, Dan Mazelis of Washington, Stephanie Wargin of Martin's Creek, Laura Bussard of Belvidere, Laura Santarelli of Hackettstown, Tiffany Barnes of Stroudsburg, as well as, Deb Jacoby and Scott Schaffer, both of Easton.
"Audiences should prepare for a night of fun, frolic and frivolity," said director Gina Scurato, of Harmony. "The great thing about The Rocky Horror Show is that it crosses generations — people in their 40s and 50s grew up watching the movie, while today's college freshmen also enjoy it as a cult classic. Scurato does warn that the show contain "rude parts and naughty bits. It will be nice to have fun in the theater," she laughed.
Scurato is also encouraging audience members to dress up, either as their favorite Rocky character, or in costumes of their own creation. But audience interaction (typical at screenings of the film) will be somewhat limited in consideration of cast and audience safety. Prop bags will be available for purchase so audience members can get involved. "They'll be filled with noisemakers, glow sticks and other fun things the audience can use, but it will still be safe for the actors" said Scurato.
The musical score is filled with timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet and of course the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp. Tierney Jory, of Bangor is musical director for the production.
All seats are reserved at $17. Senior citizen tickets are available at $15. This show's content is adult in nature, and it is not recommended for children. No child will be admitted without an accompanying adult. Further information may be obtained by calling Country Gate at (908) 475-1104 or logging on to our website at countrygate.org
Country Gate Players Presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever--
Holiday Family Fare
Country Gate Players will present its holiday production, The Best
Christmas Pageant Ever, December 1, 8, and 15 at 8:00 P.M, as well as,
December 9 and 16 at 2:00 P.M. The show will be staged at the Country
Gate Playhouse, 114 Greenwich Street, Belvidere, New Jersey. The Best
Christmas Pageant Ever is based on a 1972 best-selling book by Barbara
Robinson.
It is the story of the Grace Bradley, a young woman who suddenly finds herself in the unexpected position of putting on a church Christmas pageant. Grace and her husband, Bob (Laura Bussard and Dean Tshudy of Belvidere) along with their children Beth and Charlie (Emily Brands of Bangor and Chris Napa of Newton) "step up to the plate" when the regular pageant director becomes unavailable. The endeavor begins well enough, but complications arise with the arrival of the Herdman kids (Juliet K. Dunham of Pocono Pines, Dan Mazelis of Washington, Vinny Foti of Stewartsville, Gina Scurato of Harmony Township, as well as, Scott Shafer and Gary Crivellaro of Easton) – probably the most inventively awful kids in history! When the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head-on, the mayhem and nonstop fun begins.
Other principal roles in the Country Gate production are portrayed by Peace Mazelis of Washington, Tierny Jory of Bangor, Margaret Movokutte of Upper Mount Bethel, Allan Johnson of Washington, Joanne Lee and Steve Matuszek of Great Meadows. In addition to, Melissa Molinari and Stephaie Wargin of Martins Creek. Supporting characters in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are played by Dylan Albergato of Blairstown, Mike Tillson of Mount Bethel, Tarn Hann of Phillipsburg, and Joelle Tshudy of Belvidere. The all-important ensemble characters are played by Vickie Calello and Brian Mazelis of Washington, Meghan Gianni-Bradford of Newton, as well as, Jenna Shaffer and Page Hann of Phillipsburg. Also featured in the ensemble are Scott Crivellaro of Easton, Alicia Stemler and Nicole Palmasano of Belvidere, in addition to, Maggie and Jaimie Weagley of Great Meadows.
Tickets for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever are reserved at $17. for adults and $15 for seniors and children under twelve. Reservations and further information is available at (908) 475-1104 or at http://www.countrygate.org .