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Arts & Entertainment

He Says, She Accuses: Oleanna at the Villagers Theatre

Mamet's play is a challenge—and that's the appeal.

David Mamet plays are difficult enough for professional companies, never mind a community theater group with a limited budget and actors with full-time jobs outside of the theater.

But that hasn’t stopped Kris Longwell from wanting to play the role of John in David Mamet’s 1992 drama "Oleanna," and now he’s finally doing it.

Longwell is not only starring in the play at Villagers Theatre in Somerset through Jan. 22, he’s producing it as part of Villagers’ VIP Series, in which theater groups utilize the Villagers’ venue in Somerset, but handle a show’s production.

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“I had been pitching this show for their black box series because I think it lends itself for a black box type of space,” Longwell said. “They reached out to me and said, ‘This looks like a great opportunity for you to do it, but you’ll have to produce it completely yourself.’”

Longwell’s character is a college professor who has an encounter with Carol, a female student (played by Lauren Renahan). Their interaction becomes uncomfortable, at least for Carol, leading to accusations and a shift in the balance of power in the teacher-student dynamic.

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“It’s been an incredible challenge,” Longwell said. “It being a two-person show, you don’t feel like you have much of a safety net there, it’s just the two of us. We just put in the work to get it done and we’re thrilled with where we landed.”

Mamet presents challenges because of the rhythm of his language, and because his plays often tackle dark subjects (sexual harassment in Oleanna’s case). When done correctly, though, a Mamet play can offer a thought-provoking evening that leaves audiences talking; that’s what the crew behind Oleanna is aiming for.

“We know going into it that it’s not going to get a draw like a big, splashy musical,” Longwell said. “But we also know there are a lot of people in [the area] that respect theater such as David Mamet. There’s a huge network of actors and artists, and I really felt in my heart that they would respond to this, that they would come. And we’re seeing that, that is definitely happening.”

Longwell has done a lot of acting, but Oleanna marks his first stint as a producer. It’s something he did so that he could play John and—along with Renahan and John Correll, the show’s director—do the play his way.

“It was definitely challenging,” he says. “It was a lot of work, but it’s been worth it.”

Oleanna is being performed at the Villagers Theatre, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, Jan. 20 to 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12. The show is recommended for mature audiences. For information, call 732-873-2710 or go towww.villagerstheatre.net.

THE ON STAGE SCOOP

Audition Alert, "Into the Woods:" The County College of Morris' performing arts department will be holding auditions for "Into the Woods" Jan. 18 and Jan. 20 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in the school's Dragonetti Auditorium. The show's music and lyrics are Stephen Sondheim; the book is James Lapine. It blurs the boundaries between fairy tales, as characters from one meet another over and over again. Anyone auditioning should bring a selection to sing. Callbacks will be held Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. For further information, contact Susan Saunders at 973-328-5427 or at ssaunders@ccm.eduor see here.

Where are the M and O Keys? Keyboard-savvy bovines and labor-organized animals—as if farmers don’t have enough problems! "Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type" is coming to the  in Morristown Jan. 19 as part of the Kids Club series. Based on the picture book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin, the 60-minute show shares the tale of Farmer Brown, who hears his cows typing, and that’s just the start of his problems. Recommended for ages 4 and up. The performance is at 4 p.m. and tickets cost $12. See here for more on the show or to buy tickets, or call 973-539-8008.

How do You Spell Quirky? The "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is coming to the  on Jan. 19, with performances continuing through Feb. 13. From the theater's description, it's the story of "six quirky competitors and three oddball adults in search of spelling bee glory." It's a musical that tells its audience, "If you like to laugh, if you like to spell, you'll like this competition very well." On Jan. 19, the director will be available for an hour prior to curtain in the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery, for the curious to gain an insight into the director's point of view.

Getting Nice and Naughty at the : A gay movie star, a male prostitute and his girlfriend, and a ruthless Hollywood agent take center stage in "The Little Dog Laughed" at the Bickford Theatre in Morristown, Jan. 20 to Feb. 13. The comedy by Douglas Carter Beane ran in New York both off-Broadway and on Broadway in 2006, and received a Tony nomination for Best Play. In the play, actor Mitchell Green is poised to become a Hollywood star, but is determined to come out of the closet, leading Diane, his agent, to do whatever it takes to keep him there. The production stars Liz Zazzi, Mark Irish, Scott Tyler and Cynthia Fernandez. Eric Hafen directs. For ticket information, call 973-971-3706 or go to the theater’s website.

He’s Our Only Hope: It's geek heaven at the  when Charles Ross brings his "One Man Star Wars" to the Morristown venue Jan. 20. Ross tells the story of the original trilogy (Episodes IV through VI) himself, playing all the characters and creating sound effects for a comedic evening that no Star Wars fan will want to miss. Unless, that is, you’re going to the Toshi Station to pick up some power converters. See the theater's page on the show for more information ant tickets or call 973-539-8008.

Big Band, Big Sound, Big Fun: The Centenary Stage Company's Jazz in January Concert Series continues Jan. 22 with "Bobby Caldwell and His 14-Piece Big Band" and Jan. 29 with "The Artie Shaw Orchestra, a 16-Piece Big Band featuring Matt Koza." All performances are at the Stinik Theater of the Lackland Center at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown. See here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Voices of Praise: The Harlem Gospel Choir will be at the  in Morristown on Jan. 22. And opening up for the Harlem choir will be the Praise and Worship Choir of the Calvary Baptist Church, based just .6 miles away in Morristown.  The Harlem choir—formed after its founder thought up the idea while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Cotton Club in Harlem—has sung with everyone from Josh Groban to Whoopi Goldberg. It has performed for Nelson Mandela, Elton John and Pope John Paul II, and is a fixture at BB King's Blues Club & Grill. The performance will be Jan. 22, at 8 p.m., at the Mayo Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $27 to $42. We previewed the performance last week, here:

Make 'Em Laugh:The Chester Theater Group of the Black River Playhouse is holding an eight-week comedy workshop, starting Jan. 22. It's Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon (as though there's anything funny about getting up early on a Saturday). For more information, call 908-892-5458 or e-mail KateLynReiter@comcast.net.

Strange Name for a Play, Put on by StrangeDog: "The Virilogy," being performed Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 22 at , watches three friends attempt to discover how to be heartbroken, how to be a man, how to be a friend, and how to fail miserably at all of the above. It's put on by the StrangeDog Theater. Tickets are available at the link.

I Don't Know Art, But I Know It's A Play:  in Montville will stage "Art," Written by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton from through Saturday, Jan. 29. From the theater's description: "How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? These are the questions that confront Marc, Serge and Yvan as they contemplate Serge's latest art purchase. As these three longtime friends square off over the merits of the painting, their differences in opinion provoke a critique of a more personal nature. Friendships are tested, and the aftermath challenges the strength of those bonds, and affirms the power of art."See here for ticket information.

Who's Up for Bridge? The Somerset Valley Players will produce "The Octette Bridge Club" through Jan. 30 at the theater, located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough. The play, set in Rhode Island, focuses on eight sisters who meet to play bridge and gossip. It starts off in 1934, then jumps ahead 10 years for the second act. Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for seniors or students. See here for more information and to purchase tickets.

"The World Goes Round," You Go To Parsippany: The Women's Theater Company in Parsippany will produce "And The World Goes Round, The Songs of Kander and Ebb" in February. The revue features songs from "Cabaret," "Chicago," "Funny Lady," "Kiss Of The Spiderwoman" and other Broadway hits. Performances are Feb. 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27. Friday and Saturday performances are 8 p.m. Sundays are 3 p.m. The show is at the , 1140 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and $12 for students. Call 973-316-3033 or e-mail info@womenstheater.org.

Always Be Closing:  have just wrapped up their performances of "A Christmas Carol" (performed annually at the playhouse since 1988), and are moving on to March's performance of "GlenGarry Glen Ross." This production of the 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by David Mamet—about a cut-throat sales contest that brings out the worst in four Chicago real estate agents—will be directed by Chase Newhart.

It's Better Than Even Money: 's musical for this year will be "Guys and Dolls," March 10, 11 and 12 at 7 p.m.; a matinee will also be March 12 at 2 p.m. Shows are in the West Morris Central High School Auditorium. More information here. (Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated the show would be "42nd Street, which the school performed a few years ago).

Celebrating Young Talent: The Madison Young Playwrights Festival will soon be taking reservations. It's a day-long festival celebrating work written by students in  Madison schools. Watch this space for more information.

Do You Have A Jersey Voice? The  group is seeking original, one-act plays, short musicals or original dance pieces, written by New Jersey authors, for the 17th annual "Jersey Voices." Play submissions of any genre, style and length up to 20 minutes maximum running time will be accepted through March 15. E-mail submissions in Microsoft Word or PDF format to: jerseyvoices@chathamplayers.org. For more information on the festival itself, see here.

Shakespeare Theatre Season to Include Othello, To Kill A Mockingbird and A Christmas Carol: The  recently announced its 2011 season, which will kick off with Moliere’s "The Misanthrope," directed by Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte, June 1 through 26. The theater’s annual outdoor show, staged at the Greek Amphitheater at the  will be "A Midsummer’s Night Dream," June 22 through July 31. A lesser-known Bard play, "Timon of Athens," will continue the season at the Main Stage, in F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of , July 6-24. Next up is Noward Coward’s "Fallen Angels," Aug. 3-28.  Autumn will see Iago, perhaps Shakespeare’s most vicious villain, come to life in "Othello," Sept. 7 through Oct. 2. Monte will direct the Shakespeare Theater’s first staging of the tragedy since 2003. Middle school and high school students are sure to want to see Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird" Oct. 12 through Nov. 20—but  they still have to read the book. The season will close with the return of Neil Bartlett’s adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" (which the Shakespeare Theatre first staged in 2007), Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. For more on the full season and ticket information, .

What Was Your Favorite of 2010? JerseyArts.com is asking arts fans to support their favorite nonprofit groups by casting ballots in this year's JerseyArts.com People’s Choice Awards.

Get Schooled: The educational touring wing of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Shakespeare LIVE!, presents abridged productions of the Bard's work that keeps Shakespeare's language intact. It's offering A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar Feb. 8 to June 10. For more info and bookings, see here.

Get Creative: Growing Stage Theatre in Netcong has opened up registration for its winter classes for children and teens, which begin Jan. 15 on Saturday mornings and run from 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the class. They include Creative Dramatics, the Performing Arts Workshop, The Actor Speaks, Musical Performance Lab and Black Light Puppetry. See here for more information.

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