Scene On Stage
End Of Summer Signals The Start Of Theater Season
By Philip Dorian
September marks the traditional start of the theater season from Broadway to Community theaters. Monmouth County is no exception. Here, in opening date order, are some of the month's attractions:
In Atlantic Highlands, First Avenue Playhouse opens Old Money on Sept. 3 for a four-week run. The comedy about an unlikely pair of counterfeiters will play Thursday - Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (desserts served from 8) and Sunday at 2:30. Tickets ($20): (732) 291-7552
Big: The Musical, based on the movie that starred Tom Hanks, opens Sept. 10 at Passion Players Community Theatre. The former Eatontown Playhouse folks now call Long Branch home at 195 West End Avenue. Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3. Tickets ($20; $15 seniors/students): (732) 888-0339. (Snacks, coffee and alcoholic bevs available)
On September 17, The King and I whistles its happy tune at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Phoenix Productions will present the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic for two weekends, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3. Tickets ($22-$29): (732) 842-9000.
Two professional theaters open back-to-back later in the month. Two River Theater Company's 2010-11 season opens on Sept. 21 with Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel, about an African-American seamstress who makes elegant undergarments for all classes of women. Through Oct. 10 at the Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. (732) 345-1400 and www.trtc.org
New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, continues its practice of presenting new works with Character Assassins by Charlie Schulman, running Sept. 23-Oct. 31. An upset playwright takes on a venomous critic in a comic-thriller. (Venomous critic? No way.) (732) 229-3166 and at www.njrep.org
A September audition and a peek into October: Holmdel Theatre Company will hold auditions for Godspell, directed by Kelly Lynn Bird, on Sept. 13 and 14 (performances mid-October). www.holmdeltheatrecompany.org for audition details.
And, squeaking in under the calendar deadline, Monmouth Players, based in the Navesink Library Theatre, will present Ray Cooney's Cash on Delivery, opening Oct. 2. The comedy about a pair of scam artists will play weekends through Oct. 24. (732) 291-9211.
