NJ Rep to Present SWIMMING AT THE RITZ in 2015

New Jersey Repertory Company, located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, will present the U.S. Premiere of Swimming at the Ritz by Charles Leipart, which is based on the real life events of socialite Pamela Churchill Hayward Harriman, who was appointed U.S. Ambassador to France in 1993 by President Bill Clinton.

She was dubbed the ultimate "party girl" among society's elite, the last courtesan of her time. Living the idyllic life at the luxurious Ritz in Paris for years, Harriman, who was married to the son of Winston Churchill, among others, had no problem spending her step children's inheritance on her extravagant lifestyle. But her step children had enough and conspired with their attorneys to shut her down.

On the edge of losing everything, Harriman is left with her only remaining friend, a handsome young Italian valet at the Paris Ritz Hotel. There, she reveals her journey from man to man and bed to bed, in a funny, yet compelling tour-de-force.

The cast includes Judith Hawking and Christopher Daftsios, and is directed by SuzAnne Barabas. Sneak preview performances to this limited engagement begin Thursday, January 8 with opening night Saturday, January 10 at New Jersey Repertory Company (179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ), and will run through Sunday, February 1. Tickets may be purchased by calling 732-229-3166 or online at www.njrep.org.

The production team includes: Jessica Parks (Set Design & Props), Jill Nagle (Lighting Design), Merek Royce Press (Sound Design), Patricia E. Doherty (Costume Design), Michael "Rusty" Carroll (Technical Director), and Jennifer Tardibuono (Stage Manager).