Happenings at Tri-State Actors Theater

Sussex, N.J. — Tri-State Actors Theater began its 2006 season with the musical, “Always, Patsy Cline.” The Youth Stages produced a two-actor version of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” and The Illustrious Theatre’s One-act Play Festival was an addition to the early season. In May, the second play in the New Plays Reading Series, “Handicapping,” by James McLindon, will begin performances, and rehearsals for the second show of the season, “Rounding Third,” by Richard Dresser, will begin. Children’s classes in creative dramatics are offered by Fran De Cesare, a professional actor and teacher of classes for children, including classes for Playwrights Theater of New Jersey and The Growing Stage. Paul Meacham, artistic director and teacher of theater at Wallkill Valley Regional High School in Hardyston, N.J., guides teens through their scenes. Tara Bowles directs the Adult Actors Workshop. A “Mystery Night at the Inn” gala fundraiser will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4, at the Sussex Inn. During the evening, actors Freddie Maas and Bill Edwards and the Tri-State board will “trod the boards” in an original thriller that will involve audience participation. Fine food and drink, and an auction of fine art, will cap off the event. An indoor yard sale will be held at the end of June. Several scripts were sent in for the New Plays Reading Series this season. “Handicapping,” by James McLindon of North Hampton, Mass., was selected as the new script to be read at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, at the Crescent Theater in Sussex, N.J. Mary Ann Hay (To Kill A Mocking Bird, Beauty Queen Of Leenane) as the professor, Freddie Maas (Passion Of Dracula) as Bobby, John Rochette (Shakespeare Theater of N.J., Rocky Horror Show, Forum Theater) as Vin, Katie E. Tame (A Christmas Carol) as Angie, and Eric Peterson as Terry, will be featured in the staged reading. Admission is free, though donations are accepted. All reservations via phone or email require payment. To order tickets, visit www.tristateactorstheater.org or call 973-875-2950.