Houseguest Turns Couple's Lives Upside Down

This weekend was as the Bergen County Players (BCP) of Oradell take on Daniel Goldfarb's hilarious romantic comedy, "Modern Orthodox" as a young Orthodox houseguest upends the lives of an Upper West Side secular Jewish couple.

Directed by Steve Bell of Teaneck, Modern Orthodox will be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell until February 4 with shows at 8pm on Friday and Saturday and 2pm on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.

In a Manhattan coffee shop Ben (Jordan Zaretsky), a sweet, sensitive Upper West Side financial consultant, meets Hershel (Darren Carfano), a young self-righteous Orthodox jewelry merchant, to buy an engagement ring. Although both men are Jewish, it is their shared religion that instantly divides them. Tensions mount in the midst of the deal when Ben suggests Hershel remove his yarmulke. Desperate to make the sale, Hershel obliges. This thoughtless deed sets into motion a journey of discovery for both the secular Westside couple and the young Orthodox diamond merchant from Brooklyn.

When Ben proposes to his girlfriend, Hannah (Vanessa Garrabrant), a sensitive yet strong-minded doctor, the moment is muddled by mixed emotions for each of them and the sudden and unexpected arrival of Hershel on their doorstep. He demands that Ben right the wrong he did by helping him find a new bride. Their efforts result in a riotous first dinner date at a kosher restaurant between Hershel and the outlandish bachelorette Rachel (Joanna Koster). In the end, both sides learn a more universal lesson, the importance of faith, whether in God or in love, and the value of maintaining one’s roots.

Director Steve Bell of Teaneck is a long-time BCP Life member and past president who has been active with the Players for over thirty years having directed productions of Curtains, The Little Dog Laughed, The King and I, Urinetown, Deathtrap, Lucky Stiff, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Gypsy, Jerry's Girls, Light Up the Sky, and Baby, among others. In addition, Bell served as musical director for numerous productions including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Seussical the Musical, Sweeney Todd, and The Most Happy Fella. As a performer, he appeared in a variety of musicals and plays, including The Full Monty, A Year With Frog and Toad, Anything Goes, Into the Woods, Noises Off and Follies.

Jordan Zaretsky of South Amboy plays the funny and charming financial consultant Ben Jacobson. Jordan boasts numerous BCP credits to his name including Rapunzarella White, Honk, Bus Stop, A Few Good Men, Six Degrees of Separation, Extremities, and Snow White Goes West.

Darren Carfano of Suffern, NY plays the meddlesome neurotic Orthodox diamond dealer Hershel Klein. His previous credits with BCP include Honk and Comic Potential. 

Vanessa Garrabrant of Harriman, NY plays Ben’s fiancée, the savvy yet sensitive Hannah Ziggelstein. Vanessa’s on-stage credits at BCP include roles in Seussical the Musical, Urinetown, A Year with Frog and Toad, Follies in Concert, and Brooklyn Boy. Vanessa has also served as choreographer for numerous BCP productions.

Joanna Koster of Hoboken plays Rachel, the outlandish Jewish bachelorette who wants to seduce Hershel. A BCP Life member, Joanna has appeared at the Little Firehouse Theatre in numerous productions including Curtains, Gypsy, The...Adventures of Bob, Cinderella, The Most Happy Fella, Urinetown, Seussical The Musical, Our Enchanted Evenings and The Sweetest Sounds.

Some content not appropriate for pre-teens.

Planning on Going

• All performances take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm.
• Tickets for Modern Orthodox are $19 for Friday and Saturday performances and $16 for Sunday matinee performances, and can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours. Visa, Master Card, and American Express are accepted.
• Those interested in Group Sales of 20 or more tickets can call (201) 262-0515.
• Student Rush tickets are available for $5 for students age 25 and under with valid ID, 30 minutes prior to curtain. One ticket per ID. Cash only. Students can also guarantee their seats in advance either online or through the box office for the special student price of just $14.
• Parking is free at the Park Avenue municipal lot, across the street, one-half block north of the theater.