‘Jersey Voices’ In Chatham Through Aug. 15

CHATHAM, NJ — Live theater performances are a part of the scene in the Chathams on Aug. 6, 7, 13, 14 and 15 at the Chatham Playhouse when Chatham’s Community Players host the Jersey Voices One-Act Festival.

There are seven separate pieces that will be performed nightly during the festival, which puts the talents of New Jersey playwrights, players and directors at center stage for the 27th festival, a few from the Chathams.

Plays in the lineup each night are below - for full information about each, click here:

• “Bernice’s Birthday,” by Brigid Amos from Montvale, featuring Fred Dennehy from Cranberry and Jean Kuras of Glen Ridge. Joan Lopresti Scanlon, who is from Chatham, is the director, with Eleanor Anderson of Florham Park assistant director.
• “The Villager Photo,” by Charles Grayson from Netcong, featuring Matt McCarthy from Chatham and David Romankow of Gillette, with William Michael Harper of Roseland, directing.
• “My Dad Is Bald,” by Minjae Kim from Princeton. Kyle Cao of Livingston and Wasif Sami from Hillsborough perform, with John A.C. Kennedy from Springfield, directing the performance.

• “Cloud Illusions,” by Amber Kusching from Cherry Hill, stars Anna McCabe from Morristown and Chip Prestera from Stirling, with Arnold Buchiane, from Summit, who’s directing.
• “A Dave With Destiny,” created by Ken Preuss, who was originally from Bloomfield. Jason Kruk from Madison and Jessica Phelan from Montclair star, with West Orange’s Elizabeth Rogers directing.
• “A Benevolent Alliance of Mourners,” is another by Ken Preuss, with two from Morristown in starring roles, Sarah DeVizio and Megan Pereira, with Parsippany’s Lionel Ruland directing.
• “Bigger Than Pretend” is the work of former Ridgewood resident Robin Rice, with Lauri MacMillan from Rockaway and Gloria Lamoureux of Succasunna starring. Jackie Jacobi of Metuchen directs the show.

Phelan, who is also the event producer, said, “After over a year of virtual theatre and plenty of Netflix, I could not be more excited to be bringing Jersey Voices back to life on the Chatham Stage.”

Tickets are on sale for the shows at the Playhouse on 23 North Passaic Avenue at www.ccp.booktix.com, with advanced ticketing recommended. Performances for Aug. 6, 7, 13 and 14 are at 8 p.m.; and the Aug. 15 performance is at 7 p.m.

The Chatham Players ask that all attendees who would like to come are vaccinated, with mask-wearing encouraged for all shows. The Playhouse will have disposable masks on hand. Anyone with special needs who would like to attend a show, needs to contact the Playhouse for prior arrangements, with about 24 hours required in advance.

Contact the Chatham Players with questions at www.chathamplayers.org or by phone at the box office at 973-635-7363.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.