'Award Winning' Center Players of Freehold Present New Play

FREEHOLD, NJ — The award-winning Center Players of Freehold present Gary Morgenstein's world premiere of "A Tomato Can't Grow in the Bronx," a multi-generational comedy/drama set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1960s.

The production runs from Apr. 1-10, 2022 at the Center Players Theatre.

Directed by Bernice Garfield-Szita, "A Tomato Can't Grow in the Bronx," is a glimpse into a working-class family trying to adjust to the changes in the world around them and their own personal conflicts. The family faces the decision to leave their crumbling Bronx neighborhood in order to seek the American dream of an idyllic suburban home where tomatoes can grow.

"In these unsettling times, theater should light a path through the terror, through faith in ourselves and each other, aided by the timeliness and approved treatment of laughter," the play's creator, Gary Morgenstein, said.

“Art is a reflection of its time, and this play, even though it is set in 1968, examines many of the same issues that we are faced with today,” said Director Bernice Garfield-Szita “From our collective struggle to survive, to communicate, and to connect in a world where there are forces outside of our control.”

The cast features Tracy Howard, Jackie Kusher, Justin Marinelli, Lou Mastro, Gianna Minardi and Andrea Wolff.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets for the production are currently on sale at the Center Players website.