ASTONISHMENT: Life in the Slow Lane

Dreamcatcher is collaborating with our friends at The Theater Project to present a new adaptation of Maplewood resident Jan Slepian’s book ASTONISHMENT: Life in the Slow Lane. Slepian has had a long celebrated career as the author of books for children and young adults. Most recently she has been writing a column in her retirement community’s newsletter. It is these columns, previously collected into a book, that we are debuting as a theatrical presentation.

  Daaimah Talley in Crowns at The Theater Project  

The show is a cornucopia of reflections on aging with humor and grace. Presented in honor of Slepian’s 90th birthday, the hour-long performance comments on the astonishment of being old, the heartbreak and comfort of companionship in later years, and the ridiculous moments in everyday life. It is at once bittersweet and insightful, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Jan Slepian is the author of 28 children’s books and novels for young-adult readers. Her picture book The Hungry Thing is now a classic; her young-adult novel The Alfred Summer was honored by a National Book Award nomination and inclusion on the School Library Journal’s list of 100 books that shaped the century.

Cast & Creative Team Cast: Noreen Farley member of the Dreamcatcher ensemble   Terri Sturtevant     Daaimah Talley
member of The Theater Project   Nancy Lee Ryan (U/S)
  Director: Mark Spina artistic director of The Theater Project Stage Manager:  Paula Clarkson   Music: Don Slepian   Illustrations: Laura Schreiber   Playwright: Jan Slepian   Adapted by: Laura Ekstrand artistic director of Dreamcatcher Rep Tickets & Info

Note: this production was recently added and therefore not included in season passes for Dreamcatcher nor The Theater Project.

• Performances sell out! Buy in advance to guarantee seats
• PRICE: $15 general admission – Save $3 when you buy in advance – no ticketing fees!
• PERFORMANCES:
  • Saturday, January 15 • 2pm • at Dreamcatcher Rep in South Orange
  • Sunday, January 16 • 2pm • at Dreamcatcher Rep in South Orange
  • Friday, January 21 • 8pm • at The Theater Project in Cranford
  • Saturday, January 22 • 3pm • at The Theater Project in Cranford
• LOCATIONS:
  • Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre
    The Baird • 5 Mead Street • South Orange, NJ 07079   Directions
  • The Theater Project at Union County College
    1033 Springfield Avenue • Cranford, NJ  07016   Directions
• 3 WAYS TO PAY:
  • Buy tickets online – use your credit card and save $3 per ticket Buy tickets
  • Order by phone NEW! – use your credit card and save $3 per ticket  800-838-3006 (24/7)
  • At the door – cash only, no advance sales
• RUN TIME: Astonishment runs about 1 hour with no intermission

Both locations are wheelchair accessible. As always, assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired and advance large print scripts are available by prior arrangement.