Photo Flash: 'Transit of Venus' Opening at The Bickford Theatre

The Bickford Theatre opened its 14th Season with a starry line-up featuring the talented offspring of two show business greats as it premiered Maureen Hunter’s Transit Of Venus, running through Sunday, October 19.
 
Jake Robards heads the cast as astronomer Guillaume Le Gentil. Prentiss Benjamin co-stars as Margot, Le Gentil’s housekeeper and former mistress. Mr. Robards is the youngest son of theatre legend, Jason Robards. Ms. Benjamin is the daughter of acclaimed stage and screen actors, Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss, who was previously announced to co-star with her da ughter, but will be unable to visit the Bickford this Season due to recent surgery.
 
James Glossman directs Transit of Venus, a love story that charts a celestial course between destiny and desire. Set in a French countryside home in 1760, this New Jersey Premiere is based on astronomer Guillaume Le Gentil and the women in his life, whose lives change during his multi-year absences seeking to observe a rare celestial event: Venus passing between the Earth and Sun.
 
Completing the Transit Of Venus cast are Anthony Blaha as Demarais, Julie Sihilling as Celeste, and NJ theatre favorite Linda Setzer as Mme. Sylvie.
 
The creative team includes set designer Carrie Mossman, lighting designer Richard Currie, sound designer Jeff Knapp, costume designer Bettina Bierly, and stage manager Yumi Matsuura.
 
Main Stage Series performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $28 for Morris Museum and Bickford Theatre Guild members, $35 for general public, $30 for senior citizens, $15 for students 18 and under or those with a valid school ID, and $27 for groups of 10 or more. An additional Saturday Matinee has been added on October 4 at 2 p.m. Lunch packages at Cinque Figlie are available.

The Bickford Theatre is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road, in Morristown, New Jersey, within the Morris Museum. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for all 2009-2009 Season productions are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 973-971-3706 or visiting the Bickford Theatre at www.bickfordtheatre.org.

Wade Kirby and Jake Robards

Max Shulman and Prentiss Benjamin

Anthony Blaha, Julie Sihilling and Linda Setzer

Anthony Blaha, Julie Sihilling, Linda Setzer and Artistic Director, Eric Hafen

Jake Robards and Rachel Robards