Unity Bank hosts Theater Project's Short Play Fest

KALEIDOSCOPE KABARET, an annual presentation of short plays written by The Theater Project's member playwrights, is being 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 designed to bring entertainment to Union and foot traffic to the Downtown Center.

The Playwrights Workshop meets privately so members can share work in progress and get feedback from their colleagues. Once a month, a full length play is read aloud for the public followed by a lively discussion with the author; once a year, short plays are rehearsed and produced for the KALEIDOSCOPE KABARET.

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

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. Novelist, playwright, screenwriter and workshop founding member William Mesce Jr of Linden will also showcase work at the event.

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. 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.