Hidden Gem In Montclair: Grove Street Theater Features Low-Cost Plays

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You’re sitting in a darkened century-old theater that smells nostalgically of old dry oak and floor wax when you hear a few gasps from 90 people in the audience. A few minutes later, you hear chortling and a few shrieks of laughter. Just before the lights come on, you hear sniffling and even some light sobbing.

This is what I experienced a year ago in Montclair’s hidden Grove Street Theater, a grand old place which emerges from the mists every autumn for 24 years for two weekends to host a series of plays … and then hibernates until the following October to reemerge full-blown like Brigadoon.

In most years, the production consists of a large handful of short plays and perhaps a monologue. Most of the works have been penned by Eric Alter who is known as the “21st-century O. Henry” for the unique way he has with surprise endings. It’s all part of an ambitious project that brings low-cost theater to both veteran playgoers and the underserved, including seniors and students.

America’s most prolific playwright

The shows by Apricot Sky Productions are underwritten by impresario Eric Alter, who just happens to be America’s most prolific playwright, having authored exactly 175 plays, mostly short-form.

More than 500 actors, directors, and production staff have participated over those 24 years, adding to the resumes of both neophyte actors and experienced Equity performers.

Opens October 18

This year’s collection of eight plays, opening Friday evening, October 18, is called “Superior Mothers,” named after the protagonists of one of the playlets which features a nun, a young child, and his mother. Saturday evening’s presentation is followed by a complimentary reception. Each of the weekends (see calendar listing at end) goes on the boards Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sunday matinees at 2.

I have read some of the plays whose themes include a mutiny in a nursing home, love lost and gained, belated forgiveness, and other dramatic and comedic situations. I have not seen them acted yet, but if past performances are any clue, you can look forward to living through a wide range of emotions and diverse situations. Expect to be carried away. Expect to be surprised. Expect to forget that you are watching actors. Expect to go home thinking that for the price of a cocktail at a good restaurant, you just had a couple of hours of Broadway-caliber entertainment a short drive from home and did not need to take out a loan to attend.

‘Grueling and Emotional’

Twenty-three actors and six directors (some overlap) were convened for the 2024 production. According to producer/impresario Alter, he has willingly undertaken the “grueling and emotional task” of overseeing all participants “because it is immensely satisfying.” This is how he enables “bringing professional theater to local aficionados and to introduce quality acting and writing to younger and older audiences for just a few bucks when show tickets and parking in the city would cost a few hundred. Our aim has always been to bring quality acting to the suburbs. By the way, there are 360 seats in our theater, and every seat is a good one. No traveling, no nosebleed section, and no hassle of lining up on 44th Street for $400 orchestra seats.

My recommendation: Get over to Grove Street in Montclair. Be surprised. Be delighted. Park free. Order one-dollar snacks and coffees at intermission. Go home fulfilled. Congratulate yourself for discovering or rediscovering “the longest running hit in Montclair.”

CALENDAR, FULL DETAILS, SPECIAL PRICING

Two weekends, Friday through Sunday: October 18, 19, 20 … and Friday through Sunday: October 25, 26, 27. Friday and Saturday performances are 8 pm; Sunday matinees 1 pm.

Grove Street Theater is handicapped accessible. Ample free parking. GPS: 130 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ 07042

General admission $25. Seniors and students $20. No credit cards. Cash or Zelle at door or in advance to: apricotskyproductions@gmail.com.

Reserve at (973) 509-2350. Call for group discounts. www.apricotskyproductions.com

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