April 24, 2000
For more than a decade, TheatreFest, the professional equity theatre-in-residence at Montclair State, has produced innovative musicals, premieres of new works, educational programs and stars in concert for area theatergoers. This year is no exception as Kim Zimmer, Leslie Uggams and Patti LuPone all star in this season's production.
The summer begins with Patti LuPone in "Matters of the Heart," June 8-11. Hot off her sold-out engagement at Carnegie Hall, LuPone comes to TheatreFest in her new one-woman show.
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Next up is Leslie Uggams in "Master Class," June 15-25. Maria Callas takes center stage in Terrence McNally's Tony Award-winning character study of opera's greatest diva. Callas has returned to enlighten, inspire and terrify her students in a brilliant portrait of one of our century's most dynamic artists.
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"Snakebit" by David Marshall Grant is directed by Montclair State's own John Wooten, TheatreFest artistic director. The New Jersey premiere of the cutting edge off-Broadway hit opens the Next Stage season on June 28 and runs through July 9. The play, cited by Time magazine as one of the best new plays of 1999, centers on a Manhattan couple's visit to its closest friend in Los Angeles. Unforeseen circumstances soon force a long-protected secret to the surface, quickly changing the lives and friendship of the trio forever.
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Michael Scheman of New York City is the winner of the 2000 TheatreFest Regional Playwriting Contest. His play, "Running from the Rhyme," which was chosen from more than 250 submissions, can be seen July 13-16.
Susan Kerner of the Department of Theatre and Dance will direct.
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Three-time Emmy Award-winning actress Kim Zimmer (Reva on "Guiding Light") takes center stage in "High Spirits" by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray, July 20-Aug. 6. This production, with music by Cy Coleman, is directed by Geoffrey Newman, dean of the School of the Arts, and choreographed by Roger Bennet Riggle, TheatreFest associate producer (See Q&A on page 3). This delightful ghost story of a musical celebrates Noel Coward's 100th anniversary and TheatreFest's 15th anniversary.
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TheatreFest for Kids will present "Wow! What a Century!" June 14 and 16, and July 28; and "Peter and the Wolf," June 23 and July 14. At the July 14 performance, children can enjoy Camp TheatreFest, which includes the performance, a complete lunch and two specialized workshops in art, music, dance or theater.
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For tickets and performance times, call the Box Office at 5112. Don't forget to ask about Curtain Talk, a unique opportunity for theatergoers to meet the cast, staff and creative team. Curtain Talk takes place following a Sunday performance of each production.