In June, friends and patrons of Center Stage Community Playhouse in Westchester Square raised $8,150 to rescue the penurious theater. Center Stage will perform again. On Monday, September 14, the theater released plans for its 41st season.
Center Stage will do Die, Mommie, Die! by Charles Busch, Proof by David Auburn and All My Sons by Arthur Miller. The theater occupies Foster Hall at St. Peter’s Church on Westchester Avenue.
“We’re excited,” said Center Stage treasurer and Pelham Bay resident Donna Bellone. “It’s going to be a great season.”
Die, Mommie, Die! is a zany parody of cinematic thrillers from the 1940s and 1950s. It pokes fun of silver screen icons Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner and Susan Haywood, and will open on Friday, November 6.
“It’s going to be absolutely hilarious,” Bellone said. “It’s not your typical drawing room comedy. It’s designed to be over-the-top, so ridiculous that it’s funny.”
Proof tells the story of a young woman struggling to cope with the loss of her brilliant but unstable father, and will open on Friday, February 5, 2010. Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins starred in the 2005 film Proof, reminiscent of A Beautiful Mind.
“It’s an interesting story about family,” Bellone said. “It’s a mystery, too.”
All My Sons appeared on Broadway in 2008, with Tony Award winner John Lithgow and Academy Award winner Dianne Wiest. Set in small town Middle America in the World War II era, it spotlights a family troubled by secrets, and will open on Friday, April 9, 2010.
“All My Sons was unavailable for eight years,” said Bellone. “We finally get to do it.”
Center Stage is composed of volunteer actors, administrators and stagehands. Tickets are $18. Center Stage offers student discounts.
“We need a lot of community support,” Bellone said. “Rather than spend $200 on Broadway, see our show for $18. Discover us.”
To join Center Stage or find out more, visit the theater at www.centerstageplayhouse.org.
