"Play It Again, Sam" Final Weekend at Center Playhouse

Woody Allen …. to many, a remarkably disgraceful human being …. but to almost no one who is privileged to appreciate American Theater, other than an icon.  Perhaps with but occasional exception, almost no one has written and produced theater or movies as magnificently as has Woody Allen.  Who can forget - in no particular priority or chronological order - Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters, Manhattan… …and, of course, most recently, the Oscar winning wonder writing which surrounded Cate Blanchett in the Woody Allen classic, Blue Jasmine?

But when high-quality actors and actresses …. producers and performers …. stage hands and staff ---- opt to offer a Woody Allen classic, the task is beyond formidable.  At some level, perhaps, it is as attempting to perform the works of Arthur Miller, or Edward Albee, or Neil Simon, or, or ….and while all such comparisons are subject to challenge, the simple reality is that Woody Allen’s work over more than fifty (50) years must be offered without flaw.  It is as is the experience of touching any masterpiece ….. beautiful to caress but with a delicacy which causes even the most experienced holder to simply be overwhelmed or frozen-in-place within an aura of artistic awe.

To perform or present a Woody Allen work requires so, so much more than the attention to “the lines.”  It requires a very being by an actor or actress …. a “being” well beyond the abilities of many. 

And so, in that beautiful, intimate, delightful, cozy, and treasured enclave in downtown Freehold, the decision by Center Players to offer Play It Again, Sam reflects stepping well beyond the routine of typical community theater.   Rather, it suggests the confidence …. and the simply extraordinary talent which has – with increasing intent – represented the strength of – arguably – one of the finest community theaters in all of Monmouth County.  This weekend, that extraordinary ability was present …. line after line, scene after scene, act after act at Center Playhouse.

While just a bit nervously stiff at first, Steven Lerner – making his first appearance at Center Playhouse – quickly “became Woody Allen.”  He did so, not because of his elocution but because his body language, his presence, his very essence IS Woody Allen ….. if a view of the packed audience is any indication.  In a phrase, Woody Allen (oops! Steven Lerner) …. new to Center Players …. Is magnificent!

Along with Steven Lerner, other newcomers to Center Players ….. performing with like abilities …. are Abigail Arscott, Gina Marie Delio, and Taylor Young …. each of whom are supported by the long-standing and beautifully familiar Center Players’ talents of Matthew Gochman, Michael Tota  …. and the remarkably talented Amanda Greer.  (Michael Tota ….. as Humphrey Bogart in the performance…. Was BEYOND PERFECT in the role.  While far, far from a cameo performance, Michael “could have” carried the show on his own theatrical shoulders …. He was simply “that good!”)

Directed by Anthony Marinelli, the production of Play It Again, Sam engaged the audience with joy, with warmth, with laughter, with passion, from the opening scene until the far too rapid conclusion. (The entre audience clearly wanted more.  Not a person in the house was ready for this terrific evening’s quality to end.)

Tucked within the downtown Freehold business district, Center Players almost always offers performances far, far above that which one may often experience in Community Theater.  Play It Again, Sam falls well within that list of remarkably fine Center Players theatrical presentations.  So well worth seeing ….

While ticketing is most limited for the balance of the performance, Play it Again, Sam, is so, so well worth the effort to arrange to do so.  Simply yet one more remarkably beautiful Center Players treasures offered for and within the downtown Freehold community.

(Fred Hertrich is a multi-decade proud resident of Freehold.  With no theatrical experience whatsoever he is the remarkably family-fortunate lifetime husband of Violet, and father of three children, all of whom were educated, in part, in the Freehold Township and Freehold Regional Schools, as is, presently, one of his grandchildren.)

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Play It Again, Sam opened at Center Playhouse, 35 South Street in downtown Freehold, April 4th and runs for five weekends through May 4th, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25 for Adults and $23 for Seniors & Students and includes gourmet desserts and refreshments. Group rates for parties of ten or more are available. Seating is limited so call the box office at (732) 462-9093 or visit us online at www.CenterPlayers.org to purchase your tickets.