FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Iris Weinhouse 201-664-5195
publicity@bcplayers.org
Oradell, NJ, February 27, 2013 -- The Bergen County Players (BCP) in Oradell continues to celebrate its 80th season with a production of Better Late, a comedy by Larry Gelbart and directed by Jerry Pettinati. Gelbart’s final play will make its debut in New Jersey at the Little Firehouse Theatre on Kinderkamack Road in Oradell from March 23 to April 20. Shows will be on Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell during regular box office hours.
The gift of provoking laughter came early to Larry Gelbart and it never deserted him. His distinguished career as a writer of comedy reads like a history of the art over the last four decades. His writing credits date back to the Golden Age of radio. "Larry Gelbart was among the very best comedy writers ever produced in America," said Mel Brooks, whose friendship with Gelbart dated to when they both wrote for Sid Caesar's comedy-variety show "Caesar's Hour" in the 1950s. His other credits include the TV comedy M*A*S*H (the show ran for 11 seasons and picked up countless awards, including the Best Comedy Series Emmy for its debut season.), the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and the film "Tootsie” which earned Gelbart an Academy Award nomination and best screenplay honors from the New York, Los Angeles and National Film Critics organization.
Director Jerry Pettinati (Fair Lawn), a Life member of BCP, has acted in many shows and has directed even more including, Plaza Suite, Side Man, The Diary of Anne Frank and The Gingerbread Lady.
Called a “bitingly funny December-December-December romance” (Playbill.com), Better Late features first husband Julian, played by Jim Lesko (Englewood), who is forced to move in with his ex-wife Nora, played by Cheryl Woertz (Alpine) and her second husband Lee, played by Bill Porterfield (Ridgewood), in order to recuperate from a sudden illness. With each passing day, the awkward situation spirals further and further out of control. As the laughter builds, the question becomes: how long will Julian have to stay? Bill, played by James Parent (Dumont), is the son from the first marriage who is bewildered by the situation while also concerned over his failing marriage.
The production team includes Rhea Smith, producer (Oradell); Michael Smith, set design and construction (Oradell); Kathleen Ruland, assistant director (Lodi); Marissa Dolkart, stage manager (Dumont); Val and James Dolan décor (Ramsey); Ray Poquette lighting design (Westwood); Ruth Morley, costumes (Ridgewood); and Joe Halajian sound design (Teaneck).
TICKET AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION:
The Bergen County Players has grown tremendously from its roots as a small community theater when it was founded in 1932; today, nearly 300 volunteer members, working on and off stage, make possible the nine productions presented each season. The remaining season includes the comedy Boeing-Boeing (May 4th – June 2nd, 2013). The remaining Second Stage production includes The “Sing-Along” Sound of Music (June 21st-23rd, 2013).
###
Bergen County Players, Inc., is a non-equity, non-profit community theater company
dedicated to presenting quality productions for the enrichment of the community.
FOR FULL SIZE PRESS PHOTO IMAGES, PLEASE CLICK ON THUMBNAILS BELOW: