‘One-Act Play Festival' comes to Tri-State

Sussex - The Illustrious Theatre Company of Warwick, N.Y., will bring its 2006 “One Act Play Festival” to Tri-State Actors Theater in Sussex at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 10 and March 11. The program will feature four one-act plays: “Before Nightfall,” a drama about a daughter and her elderly father written by Beverly Wallace; “Fifteen Minutes,” by Dave DeChristopher, a comedy about a woman who hosts her own TV talk show taking place in her bedroom every night; “Enjoying Your Fame,” by Jed Downey, a black comedy about the rewards and pitfalls of one’s moment in fame; and “Coffee with God,” by Kal Wegenheim, a serio-comedy. The cast includes Glenn John Arnowitz, Stephen Craver, Les Ferguson, Victoria Ford, JoAnn McNicolas, Bonnie Schonfield, Tom LiTrenta, Brian Madigan, Kevin McDonnell, Brian Nieves, Ted O’Dell, Carla Randolph, Micki Shortess, and Bettina Skye. The plays will be directed by Robert Smith and Bonnie Schonfeld, both of Warwick, along with Mary Clifford, artistic director of the Illustrious Theatre Company. Clifford and Paul Meacham, artistic director of Tri-State, believe that collaboration and resource sharing benefits the theaters and the audiences of the region. The two have worked together for a number of years in various capacities, usually one directing the other. Most recently Meacham directed “Veronica’s Room,” by Ira Levin, for the Illustrious. This year’s one-act plays were selected from approximately 150 submissions. Tickets prices are $15 and $13 seniors/students. (The plays may not be appropriate for children under 13.) A wine and cheese reception will follow the performances. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 973-875-2950, or at the door the evening of the performance. Tri-State’s theatre, originally know as the Crescent Theater, has been added to the N.J. and U.S. registries of historic buildings. For information on Tri-State and its 2006 season, log on to tristateactorstheater.org.