New Jersey's George Street Playhouse will host Café Theatre, a short-play summer festival that runs July 11 through Aug. 17.
Produced by David Hoffman, the new project consists of two different programs — "On the Edge" and "Dangerous Curves" — which will showcase short works by leading writers. "On the Edge" will run during the weekends (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) from July 11-27, and "Dangerous Curves" will take place on the same days from Aug. 1-17.
About the festival, which boasts 16 short plays, Hoffman said, "This is a project I’m excited about and everyone I’ve brought in is excited about. In addition to being a nice boost of theatrical activity for summer, we’ll be giving audiences a unique theatregoing experience." In fact, not only will audiences get the chance to view a host of new plays, but they can do so in a relaxed environment where fine desserts and coffees from local eateries will be available. Café Theatre will also utilize "environmental theatre techniques." "What that means," explains Hoffman, "is that you can be enjoying your coffee and biscotti and a new play might begin starring the people sitting at the table next to you. We’re driving for that intimate sense of theatre, giving every audience member literally a front row seat for the show."
The plays comprising "On the Edge" include Norm Foster's Louis and Dave, Sid Frank's Suicide Squeeze, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's The Frog and the Peach, Jenny Lyn Bader's Betrayals, Greg Scot Mihalik's The Doubts, Robert Clyman's Famous Ali and Bader's Popcorn Sonata. "Dangerous Curves" will include these works: Mark Harvey Levine's Surprise, Cathy Celsia's Anything for You, Bader's One Night at Your Local Superstore, Monty Python's The Argument Clinic, Amy Fox's The Man Who Didn't Own a Hat Shop, Ritchie Devet's Technical Sex, David Dewett's May and Her Stories and Jim Doyle's Love Me or Leash Me.
Tickets to Café Theatre are $18.50 for adults ($16.50 for seniors and students with valid ID) and can be purchased by calling (908) 273-3946. Each ticket includes a complimentary cup of coffee, and performances take place at 8 PM. The George Street Playhouse is located on Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Go to www.cafetheatre.bobsville.com for more information. —By Andrew Gans
