Long Island Repertory Co. to Launch with LEMON TREE at Theater 294

The Long Island Repertory Co., a new Long Island-based theater group, is launching by presenting its first production, Lemon Tree, a new play opening Oct. 21 at Theater 294 in Farmingdale.

The group is presenting a warm, touching and funny play by Long Island playwright Claude Solnik with a cast of veteran actors, bringing theater back at a location that for decades presented productions.

Judith Anderson, Robert Hagan, Adrienne Pellegrino and Jennifer Alexander star in the space's debut theatrical production, running Oct. 21 to Nov. 6 at Theater 294, 294 Farmingdale Rd. (Route 109), in East Farmingdale. Performances are Fri. Oct. 21 @ 7 p.m.; Fri. Oct. 28 @ 7 p.m., Sun. Oct. 30 @ 2 p.m., Sat. Nov. 5 @ 7 p.m. and Sun. Nov. 6 @ 2 p.m. Tickets are available by clicking here.

The play, directed by Rich Jimenez, tells the story of a couple who meet later in life. Judith Anderson, an accomplished actress (and mother of Edie Falco), plays Claire who meets Deuce, played by Robert Hagan. Adrienne Pellegrino plays Claire's daughter who tries to slow down the relationship and Jennifer Alexander, recently seen in the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait starring Kevin James, plays Rita.

Theater 294, operated by Marlo Roberson, is in a space that for years was part of the Arena Repertory Theater, one of the region's longest running and best known theaters. Arena continues to present theater at the Vanderbilt Museum's Carriage House.

But Lemon Tree marks The Farmingdale space's return to Theater Productions, at once a grand opening of the space for theater and the debut production of the Long Island Repertory Co.

"There was theater at that location for more than 30 years," said Charles Calabrese, a founding member of the Long Island Rep. who also has appeared in numerous plays at Arena. "Now it's back. We're thrilled to be introducing theater at this historic location."

Theater 294 has presented a wide range of performances including singers and stand-up comedians as well as staged readings, before this first, full production.

"I did 40 shows at Arena," said Adrienne Pellegrino, another founding member of the Long Island Rep. and cast member of Lemon Tree. "It was poignant when it closed."

Lemon Tree is the latest work by Claude Solnik, the Long Island Rep's playwright in residence whose "Year of the Iguana," about Tennessee and Rose Williams, was recently presented at Studio Theatre Long Island in Lindenhurst.

Bare Bones Theater also presented his work and he was among the winners at the Northport One Act Festival.

"Long Island has a lot of groups that present well known plays," Solnik said. "I think it's important to do that, but I think we also need to present new work. We need to hear older stories, but also pay attention to our own."

The Long Island Rep plans to present both new and classic works as a kind of Off Off Broadway theater in Long Island's backyard.

"We're putting together a season for the spring that will feature well known plays and original work," Calabrese said. "Right now we're presenting Lemon Tree, a superb play with an excellent cast."

In addition to the Long Island run, Lemon Tree ais being presented one night, Sun. Oct. 23 at 2 p.m., at Theater for the New City (www.theaterforthenewcity.net), 155 First Ave. in Manhattan. Tickets for the Manhattan show are available by clicking on Tix.