FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Jennifer Cottone
201-290-9429 - Publicity@bcplayers.org
Photos: www.bcplayers.org
Oradell, NJ, February 5, 2018 - Bergen County Players (BCP) continues its 85th season with Steel Magnolias written by Robert Harling and directed by Ellyn Essig. Steel Magnolias will run February 17th through March 10th with curtain at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 pm on Sundays. All performances will take place at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office during regular box office hours.
Steel Magnolias focuses on the camaraderie of six Southern women who talk, gossip, needle and harangue each other through the best of times and comfort and repair one another through the worst. The play is alternately hilarious and touching with six female characters that are delicate as magnolias yet as strong as steel.
When asked “Why Steel Magnolias?”, Director Ellyn Essig responded, “I chose Steel Magnolias to celebrate how the power of love, friendship and humor can transform the joys and tragedies that inevitably befall all of us. In the current climate of derision and stress, Steel Magnolias shows us to be proud of whom we are, take care of our friends and everyone has an eccentric side. If Steel Magnolias didn't invent the saying "Live, Laugh and Love"...it should have”.
A Life Member of BCP, Essig’s previous directing credits here and elsewhere include " Getting Away With Murder”, “A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Catch Me If You Can", "A Christmas Carol" and “Hair”. She is the current BCP Decor Chair and has served as Set Decor designer for more than 20 BCP main stage productions, her efforts resulting in a Perry Award for "Table Manners" (2005) and Perry Nominations for "Angel Street" (2008) and "Ruthless!" (2014).
The talented cast of Steel Magnolias includes Chloe Nevill of Ringwood (as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie), Carol Fisher of Teaneck (as M'Lynn Eatenton), Cheryl Woertz of Alpine (as Ouiser Boudreaux), Sharon Podsada of Emerson (as Clairee Belcher), Janica Carpenter of Old Tappan (as Truvy Jones) and Elisabeth Erdmann of East Hanover (as Annelle Dupuy-Desoto).
The crew of Steel Magnolias includes: Ellyn Essig (Director), Rhea Smith (Producer), Michele Roth (Stage Manager), Matthew Blum (Ass’t. to Director), Gerard Bourcier (Lighting Designer), Rob DeScherer (Sound Designer), Cliff Dreispan (Sound Operation), Randi Kestin (Lighting Operation), Jennifer Cottone (Publicity), Katie Lupfer (Costumes), Lynne Lupfer (Décor), Michael Smith (Set Design & Construction/ Photography), Bill Wetzel (Workday Photos), Rhea Smith (Program Notes/Bios), Lawrence Laterza (Props & Crew), Gloria Bumbaco (Props & Crew), Dan Loverro (Crew), James Lugo (Member-at-large), Mariann Felice (Hair & Wigs), Angela Grippo (Hair & Wigs) and Earle Ziff (Voice Overs).
TICKET AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION
Calendar Listing: STEEL MAGNOLIAS OPENS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17 THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 10, PERFORMANCES: Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 2pm; LITTLE FIREHOUSE THEATRE 298 Kinderkamack Road., Oradell, NJ. Free parking at the lot off Park Avenue one-half block north of theater. Tickets range from $17 - $21. For tickets, please call (201) 261-4200 or buy online at www.bcplayers.org. Student and group discounts are available.
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.
Photo Caption: (l-r) Cheryl Woertz, Sharon Podsada, Chloe Nevill, Carol Fisher, Elisabeth Erdmann and Janica Carpenter appear in the Bergen County Players production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, from February 17 thru March 10. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office during regular box office hours. Photo by Michael Smith.
Further information can be found at www.bcplayers.org.
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