Berkeley Light Opera Company to Present LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE
By: Robert Diamond
On the weekends of October 25th and November 1st, Berkeley Light Opera Company (BLOC) will presentLove, Loss, and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron (based on the book by Ilene Beckerman). This witty and touching play about "matters of the heart and matters of the closet" (New York Times), uses clothing, accessories, and the memories they trigger to tell funny and often poignant stories that every woman can relate to. The play will be directed byVincent J. Balzano and will feature Lori Ahrens, Leonie Higgins,Stephanie Long, Danielle Marchand, Karen O'Donnell and Lori Roper.
Premiered in 2008, Love, Loss, and What I Wore received critical acclaim for its honest, and often humorous, portrayal of what it is like to be a woman. The play went on to run 1,013 performances Off-Broadway with a rotation of cast members including actresses such as Rosie O'Donnell, Jane Lynch, Kristin Chenoweth, Debra Monk, and Donna McKecknie. Structured as a series of monologues, the characters share a wide range of experiences from childhood memories to marriage and divorce to battling with cancer, each connected to what they were wearing at the time.
Many of the stories are derived from Ilene Beckerman's book of the same title, but others come from the writers themselves, including a notable story by Nora Ephron about purses from her book entitled I Feel Bad About My Neck. Ephron, who passed away in June of 2012, is probably best known as the screenwriter of films such as When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail and Julie and Julia. She was often praised for giving a voice to women in the film business and for bringing levity to the portrayal of women's issues in film.
Performances will be held at the Judith G. Wharton Music Center in Berkeley Heights, NJ on October 25, 26 / November 1, 2 at 8pm and October 27/November 3 at 3pm and 7pm. Tickets will be $20 in advance or $22 at the door. For more information and tickets please visitwww.BerkeleyLightOperaCompany.org . Proceeds will go to benefit Susan G. Komen North Jersey.
Berkeley Light Opera Company (BLOC):
The company aims to produce creative and inspiring productions of plays, light operas and classic musicals, while promoting arts education in the community through its association with and support of the Judith G. Wharton Music Center. Founded by David Claypoole, BLOC is now in its second season. www.BerkeleyLightOperaCompany.org
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