Centenary Stage Company to Premiere IN THE CAR WITH BLOSSOM AND LEN, 2/20-3/8

Centenary Stage Company to present World Premiere production of Joni Fritz's Susan Glaspell Award Winning In the Car with Blossom and Len on February 20 and running until March 8 in the Sitnik Theatre of the David and Carol Lackland Center. Work-shopped during last season's annual Women Playwrights Series, In the Car with Blossom and Len proved that family dynamics can be the source of endless comedic material and received an overwhelming response.

In this funny and poignant new play, a basket full of unpaid bills for chemical engineer Lenny Gold's laboratory is discovered by one of his adult daughters, unveiling a lifetime of secrets, a mysterious silent partner, and a few other challenges which must be met by this family. A delightful family saga about growing up, growing older and where you put the keys.

Playwright Joni Fritz has worked in theatre and television as a writer and actress, with appearances in NYC and regional theatre, film, television and commercials. Her writing credits run the gamut from theatre to videos, documentaries, and sketch comedy for USA Network. Most recently, Joni's play "Girl's Room," starring Broadway legends Carol Lawrence and Donna McKechnie, directed by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, enjoyed successful runs in NY and LA. Her work has been seen in several theatres in the NYC area, including Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Women's Theatre Company and Dreamcatcher Rep. She is a member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatist Guild, and resides in Pompton Plains, NJ.

Directing the production is Tony Award nominated and Broadway veteran director/choreographer Lynn Taylor Corbett. Nominated for the 2000 Tony Award, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography for the musical Swing!, Taylor Corbett also received a 2000 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography. Her recent stage work includes both directing and choreographing the musical My Vaudeville Man! which, ran off-Broadway at the York Theatre Company from November 2008 through January 2009. She received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography with her collaborator, Shonn Wiley, for My Vaudeville Man!.

In the Car with Blossom and Len features a diverse and talented ensemble of actors. Leading the cast are Emily Jon Mitchell and Peter Levine as the title characters, respectively. The roles of Blossom and Len's adult children, Holly and Fern are filled by Kathleen M. Darcy and Patricia Randell. Rounding out the ensemble is CSC veteran, Maria Brodeur, as Susan.

Performances for In the Car with Blossom and Len are Wednesday and Sunday afternoons at 2pm, Thursday evenings at 7:30pm and Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm. Tickets for In the Car with Blossom and Len range from $27.50 to $25.00 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12 with discounts for students and seniors. Thursday evening performances are our popular Family Nights; $25.00 for all seats with a special 2 for 1 rush discount when purchased at the door 2 hours prior to the performance.

For a comprehensive performance schedule, a full listing of all CSC events or to purchase tickets visit us on-line at centenarystageco.org, call the box office at (908) 979 - 0900 or stop by the beautiful David and Carol Lackland center located on the campus of Centenary College at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. Box office is open Monday through Friday from 1 - 5 pm and two hours prior to every performance. CSC also operates a second box office during the season at 217 Main Street in Hackettstown, NJ open Monday through Friday 3 - 6pm.

The 2014-15 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, and Fulton Bank of New Jersey, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

Photo Credit: Bob Eberle