You do not have to look far to find live theatre in Union County this summer. CDC Theatre, New Jersey’s oldest continuously operating community theatre, has two special events coming in August and early September.
The first is Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things which will be produced for a limited run on August, 10, 11 and 12 with performances at 8 p.m. When nerdy Adam Sorenson meets Evelyn Ann Thompson, an attractive graduate art student, at the local museum where he works, his life takes an unexpected turn. Never having great success with women, he is flattered when Evelyn shows an interest in him and, at Evelyn’s suggestion, gets a new hairstyle, begins a regular exercise regimen, eats healthier foods, dresses more stylishly, and acts more confident and dominant. These initial changes are well received by Adam’s friend, Phillip and Phillip’s fiancée, Jenny. Jenny takes such a liking to Adam’s new physique that she makes a move on Adam. The Shape of Things focuses on the nature of stoicism, art, psychopathy, intimacy and people’s willingness to do things for love. Cynthia Ross directs Matthew Blum and Judy Tounsi as Adam and Evelyn, with Will Horner and Lita Zurka rounding out the intimate cast as Phil and Jenny.
The second is the 2017 Short Play Festival. The festival will present a program of short plays and monologues about gay marriage and will feature the collection Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Originally produced in Los Angeles and New York in 2011, the work includes short plays and monologues by such renowned playwrights Mo Gaffney, Neil LaBute, Paul Rudnick, and Moises Kaufman.
For this special event, CDC Theatre has partnered with the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). GLSEN is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create safe and affirming schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Fifty percent of the ticket profits will be donated to GLSEN.
The NY Observer described Standing on Ceremony as “holding a magnifying glass to the highs and lows, joys and fears, courage and silliness, of people bucking trends and making history.” Edgar Hidalgo, who serves as coproducer and one of five directors lending their talents to the festival, explained that “One of CDC Theatre’s goals with this special event is to expand on the conversation that Standing on Ceremony started six years ago. In 2015 the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell made gay marriage the law of the land, and we are presenting the Standing on Ceremony collection together with other short plays about gay marriage to explore what the institution of gay marriage, and the work and struggle to get there, continues to mean to so many in light of that great (above l-r) The Shape of Things cast members Matt Blum, Judy Tounsi, Lita Zurka, and Will Horner. milestone.”
Rounding out the directing team are David Christopher, Alan Van Antwerp, Mary Webb, Howard Whitmore and Elizabeth Howard. Elizabeth Howard also serves as co-producer. The show will run for three nights on September 7th, 8th and 9th 2017 with performances at 8 pm.
Visit www.cdctheatre.org for tickets and further information on both of these special events.
Funding has been made possible in part by the NJ State Council on the Arts, Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.
(above l-r) The Shape of Things cast members Matt Blum, Judy Tounsi, Lita Zurka, and Will Horner.
