Union Township's Fatimah Raymond Honored By Theater Project

At 7:30 PM, Friday, June 1, The Theater Project will honor Fatimah Raymond, Director of Economic Development and Union Township's Center Business District, at a preshow wine and cheese reception open to all ticket holders.

The show is KALEIDOSCOPE KABARET, an annual presentation of short plays written by The Theater Project's member playwrights, hosted in Union Center by Unity Bank in a cleverly converted annex at its Union branch. This is the latest of a series of POP-UP Theater events - art in unexpected places -- designed to bring entertainment to Union and foot traffic to the Downtown Center.

"The Theater Project has been offering Pop Up performances in Union for four years now, performing in banks, restaurants and the library.

"This would not be possible without the support of Ms. Raymond's office, and we want to take this opportunity to thank her publicly," says Theater Project artistic director Mark Spina.

The Pop-Up Theater series has received funding from the HEART Grant offered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and support from the Union Chamber of Commerce, Union Rotary and the Township of Union.

Once a year, short plays from the company's writers workshop are rehearsed and produced for the KALEIDOSCOPE KABARET. Member playwrights participating in this year's Kabaret are Luigi Jannuzzi of Hillsborough, Lynn Marie Macy of Cranford, Joseph Vitale of Denville, Stephanie Griffin of Ocean Grove and Mary Jane Walsh of Basking Ridge. Adrienne Cantine of Vaux Hall and novelist, playwright, screenwriter and workshop founding member William Mesce Jr of Linden will also showcase work at the event.

"Plays by our members have gone on to productions in New York and around the country," says Mr. Mesce. "But now we'll all be able to say, 'It started here in Union' when they hit the big time."

Tickets for the KALEIDOSCOPE KABARET are $20 for adults and $10 for students; they can be purchased at the door or online at www.thetheaterproject.org; reservations are recommended. Complimentary wine and cheese is being offered at 7:30 PM prior to the Friday and Saturday performances thanks to the generosity of Unity Bank.

The Theater Project, an award-winning New Jersey theater company in its 24th year, is known for presenting outrageous comedy as well as drama with social commentary.