By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
A revival of “Crossing Delancey,” the first play the Center Players staged at the Center Playhouse in Freehold Borough, will mark the 15th anniversary of the group’s intimate theater at 35 South St.
Center Players is a 501(c)3 volunteer organization that was founded by Bernice Garfield-Szita and Bob Szita in 1996.
Garfield-Szita said the company was formed by “local grassroots theater people” who wanted to create a resident theater company.
“We do it for the love of our community, theater and the love of working with like-minded individuals,” she said.
From 1996 to 2001, Center Players staged plays at various locations as its founders worked to raise money to open a permanent performance space. The company’s goals were realized when the 49-seat Center Playhouse opened in 2001 at the corner of South and Mechanic streets.
Garfield-Szita is directing the revival of “Crossing Delancey” which opened on April 29 and will run through June 5. The show is performed on Friday and Saturday evening and on Sunday afternoon.
“We have a new cast, but it is exciting to bring back our first production,” she said. “We have tremendous support, our patrons are very positive and we are grateful.”
Garfield-Szita said plays are selected based on what the organization’s directors believe area residents can relate to.
” ‘Crossing Delancey’ is about an immigrant grandmother living with the values her family came over with at the turn of the century. She is very anxious to have her grand-daughter find love. We may not be living in New York during the turn of the century, but it is a socially relevant theme for our community. We are living in a town with a high percentage of immigrant families who are doing their best to keep their own traditions and adapting. It is about value, hard work, connection and love,” Garfield-Szita said.
Center Players offers training in acting and stage work, such as lighting and set design.
“We feel young people are the future of theater and we want to make them as excited about theater as we are,” she said. “Over the years we have worked very closely with the community to bring people of all ages and backgrounds into our playhouse to enjoy the theater. We have been happy and thrilled to provide an opportunity to share local talent and allow the (actors) to become part of a positive community experience and to make lifelong friendships.”
The 49-seat theater offers audience members an intimate theatrical experience, according to Mafalda Cavanaugh, who is Center Players’ marketing and public relations chair.
“Our space and budget may be small, but we offer top-quality productions thanks to the talent and dedication of everyone involved,” Cavanaugh said.
General admission is $24, with discounts available for senior citizens, students and groups. To purchase tickets to “Crossing Delancey,” call 732-462-9093 or visit http://www.centerplayers.org/tickets.shtml
