Tri-State to give new play reading Oct. 25

Sussex - The Tri-State Actors Theater “New Plays Reading Series” will present a reading of JudyLee Oliva’s two-act drama, Fading Alice and the Sandhill Cranes at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the historic Crescent Theater, Main St., Sussex. Admission is by donation. Alice is the only character, though she is supported by a “Chorus of Life,” who perform a variety of roles. Most of the action takes place in Alice’s mind, as she comes to terms with losing a dead-end job that has defined her existence for 20 years. Readers include Suzanne Hayes, Leah Antolini, Fran DeCesare, Jim Opfer and Tom LiTrenta, under the direction of Paul Meacham. Oliva creates an atmosphere that is illusive and vague, as if in a dream; and at times, vivid and harsh as if in a nightmare. The audience learns about Alice as she moves through a difficult period in her life. Estranged from family and friends, fired from her job, disappointed in love, Alice becomes alienated from the world. She is near the edge of insanity as she watches the cranes. “I want to walk with the Sandhill cranes,” she says. “I want to be one of them.” The lessons Alice must learn are the life lessons everyone must know in order to survive. Audiences will be drawn into the lyrical mystery of JudyLee Oliva’s play and will leave with a sense of triumph and joy. In addition to her writing, Oliva works as an actress, lyricist and scholar. Of Chickasaw descent, she has received numerous awards for her work in Native American theatre. Earlier this year she was among the “Dynamic Chickasaw Women” honored by the arts and humanities division of the Chickasaw Nation. She resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tri-State premiered her play, On the Showroom Floor, in 2002. For information, call 973-875-2950 or visit online at tristateactorstheater.org.