Show Will Go On At New Venues For Freehold Center Players

FREEHOLD, NJ —Center Players, after a 23-year run at the Center Playhouse on South Street, will be performing in new venues, presenting play readings and plays.

Its former site at 35 South St. will be renovated for other uses by the owner, the theater company has said, so its lease ended.

But the show will go on.

"Starting with 'Crossing Delancey' in 2001, and ending with 'Dancing Mad' this past February, we presented nearly 100 Signature Series productions and countless other play readings, musical performances, film screenings, comedy nights and other special events," the theater organization said.

"It is certainly a bittersweet time as we remember all the dedicated and talented people who have performed and worked on our stage and our beloved patrons whom we greeted at our doors."

But as Center Players searches for a new home, it will continue to have a presence in Freehold.

And audiences won't have to wait long.

The American Hotel, right in the heart of Freehold at 18-20 E. Main St., has offered to host Center Players' Monday Night Play Reading Series, which begins May 6 with David Mamet's "Oleanna."

Anthony Marinelli of Manalapan is is directing the reading. He was last involved in a showing of a short film he made at the recent Garden State Film Festival.

Marinelli said that on the first Monday of every month, up to September, the company will offer readings at the Lenox Room at the American Hotel.

There will be a $5 suggested donation, but the readings are otherwise free of charge. They begin at 7 p.m.

"This is a great way to keep audiences engaged with Center Players while we look for a new home," Marinelli said in an interview on Wednesday.

The staged reading of "Oleanna" will have actors sitting on stage, scripts in hand, but there will also be some action. This two-character play reading stars Michael Tota and Pratigya Paudel.

And in a new aspect, there will be an audience discussion and Q&A after the reading, Marinelli said.

"Oleanna" deals with issues of sexual harassment and political correctness, he added, and he thinks the talk with the audience will be a great opportunity for deeper thought.

"The readings will help people have an open mind about the plays," he said.

And an added bonus - "You can keep talking about the play with a drink at the bar," Marinelli said.

Another plus, parking in area lots is now free on Mondays in the borough.

Coming up, Center Players next Signature Series Production will be of the new musical "Coyote," on July 19 to July 28 at the Park Avenue Complex, 280 Park Ave. in Freehold. You can buy tickets here.

"It's all a great interim. We'll keep audiences engaged in Center Players," said Marinelli.