Charles Busch is the ultimate in off-beat playwrights. He is the author and star of over twenty-five plays including “The Divine Sister,” “The Lady in Question,” “Red Scare on Sunset,” “The Tribute Artist,” “The Confession of Lily Dare” and “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom;” one of the longest running plays in the history of Off-Broadway. His play “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” ran for 777 performances on Broadway, winning the Outer Circle Critics’ John L. Gassner Award for playwriting, and receiving a Tony nomination for Best Play. He also wrote and starred in the film versions of his plays “Psycho Beach Party” and “Die Mommie Die,” the latter of which won him the Best Performance Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

“Psycho Beach Party” is an accurate title for the zany, strange and hilarious play the title represents. Call it Gidget with a personality disorder, or Frankie and Annette go insane, either of which give a sense of the style, wit and comedy of the play. Embracing the era of Hollywood beach movies, it is a parody of 1950s psychodramas, 1960s beach movies and 1980s slasher films. In the plot, Florence Forrest is a Gidget-like character determined to learn to surf, and earns the nickname “Chicklet” from the surfer guys. However Chicklet begins displaying multiple personalities, among them a check out girl, an elderly radio talk show hostess, a male model named Steve and the accounting firm of Edelman and Edelman. Her most dangerous alter ego is a sexually voracious vixen named Ann Bowman who has nothing less than world domination on her mind! Chicklet experiences inexplicable blackouts, and fears that she might be the one responsible for a series of mysterious murders in her beachside town. Hilarity ensues as mischief, madness and the passionate pursuit of the perfect wave delight the audience as beach blankets and Hitchcockian psychological suspense thrillers are tossed around in this rollicking, zany comedy.

The Director of the production is Michael Moore, who directed last season’s Garfield production of “The Laramie Project.” His casting embraces the switched gender aspect of most of Charles Busch’s plays. Chicklet will be played by J.W. Ruth, most recently seen as Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this past December on the Garfield stage, and scene-stealing Max in “The Play That Goes Wrong” in the opener of the 2022 season at the Garfield. Patrick Pearce, also seen in “Joseph” and “The Play That Goes Wrong” plays Yo-Yo. Dominic Delcoco, who played Gingy in “Shrek” in 2021 and one of the brothers in “Joseph,” plays Star Cat. Dylan Lyles, who appeared in “Shrek,” “The Laramie Project” and “The Good Doctor” at the Garfield plays Provoloney. The Great Kanaka is played by Garfield favorite Brad Chaires, most recently seen in “Joseph” playing Potipher, the Elvis-like Pharaoh and one of the brothers. Brianna Johnson, last seen in “The Good Doctor” and “The Laramie Project” plays Berdine. Minnie Maloney, last seen on the Garfield Stage in “The Good Doctor” plays Marvel Anne, Connie Fallon, last seen in “Shrek,” plays Mrs. Forrest, and newcomer Cassi Pinder plays Bertina Barnes.

Director Moore is assisted in the production by costumer Connie Fallon, with props by Wendy Sardo, lighting by Butch Clark, sound design by Nic Carter, motion graphic projections by Steven Arnold, sound board execution by Jordan Dixon, photography by Steven Arnold, and print graphics, playbill and marketing by Francoise Sullivan.

The show opens February 10th and runs weekends through February 26th, with performances at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 PM on Sundays. Tickets are already available online and can be purchased through our website at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling the Box Office at 410-810-2060 on Wednesdays through Fridays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Auditions for the first production of the Garfield Center’s 2023 season, Charles Busch’s “Psycho Beach Party” are scheduled for December 3 at 2:00 PM, December 6 and 7 at 6:30 PM. The play will be directed by Michael Moore, who directed the Garfield’s recent production of “The Laramie Project” as well as performing memorable roles in “Clue” in 2021 and “The Good Doctor” this season. The show performs on weekends from February 10 through February 26th and auditions will be held at the Garfield Center at 210 High Street in Chestertown.

A hilarious cult favorite, imagine Gidget crossed with “The Three Faces of Eve” and “Mommie Dearest.” Chicklet, a perky teenager in Malibu Beach circa 1962, wants to learn to surf and join a group of beach bums led by the great Kanaka. Unfortunately, she suffers from a multiple personality disorder. Seeing red causes her to transform into various other selves, including a sinister vamp out to conquer the world. Complications arise when a movie starlet flees the set of her latest rotten movie to hide among the surfers. The climax is a wild luau scene where hypnosis reveals the shocking root of Chicklet’s psychosis.

The play became a film in 2000, featuring an adapted screenplay by Busch and with performances by Lauren Ambrose, Thomas Gibson, Amy Adams and the story’s creator, Charles Busch, as Captain Monica Stark.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. The play requires 6 female adult actors and 5 male adult actors. If anyone interested in auditioning needs additional information, contact the Director, Michael Moore, at charles.moore@qacps.org.

Putting just the right finish on a very successful season, the Garfield Center has been hard at work on their upcoming production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  Sure to be a hugely popular show, patrons should arrange their tickets sooner rather than later. Tickets can be purchased anytime online at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling the Garfield Center at 410-810-2060 during regular box office hours Wednesdays through Fridays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Garfield Center is pleased to announce that Chesapeake Bank and Trust is the production sponsor for “Joseph.”

Director Jen Friedman has a wealth of experience as a comedienne, actor and director. She never felt too inclined to direct a musical – except for one. She’s always had a passion for “Joseph” and hoped she would finally have a chance to let her years-long ideas and concepts be realized on the stage. “I wanted to direct Joseph because it reminds me of my childhood, and it’s something that my family would enjoy together,” Jen said. “I really enjoy the show and it is a perfect show for the Garfield’s family musical slot. My cast and staff have been working very hard to put on a spectacular show, and I know that Kent County and Eastern Shore families will have great memories from coming to see our work.”

Jen is surrounded by additional expertise within her production staff. Betsy VanBenthuysen is Music Director for the production, Cavin Moore is Choreographer, Hope Dorman is the Stage Manager, Steven Arnold is set designer and photographer, Butch Clark oversees the lighting and set construction, Nic Carter oversees the sound design and Jen Friedman is overseeing costumes and props. Francoise Sullivan designs and publishes the playbill.

The cast that Jen has chosen is an extremely talented group of experienced local performers. Leading the show in the title role of Joseph is J.W. Ruth. He’s been seen in several recent and prominent roles in the area, including the roles of the Prince and Pseudolus in CHT’s Into the Woods and A Funny Thing Happend on the Way to the Forum, along with his side-splitting turn as Max in GCA’s The Play That Goes Wrong. Joining him to co-lead the production is Heather Joyce-Byers as the Narrator. Heather was also in CHT’s Into the Woods as The Witch as well as several past GCA productions including Annie and 2021’s SAST.

Performing featured roles are Herb Ziegler as Jacob, Bradley Chaires as both Potipher and Pharaoh, Lisa Webb as Potipher’s wife, John Mann as the Butler, Patrick Pearce as the Baker, Regan King as the Snake, and Dominic Delcoco as the Camel.

As Joseph’s jealous and devious brothers are Bradley Chaires as Asher, John Mann as Levi, Patrick Pearce as Dan, Joel Tolbert as Reuben, Regan King as Napthali, Dominic Delcoco as Isaachar, Tom Dorman as Simeon, Quentin Bergenholtz as Benjamin, Jim Johnson as Zebulum, Ian Stotts as Judah, and Magdalena Chevaz as Gad.

And performing in the children’s chorus are Lilly Askew, Kyleigh Batchelor, Maria Boone, Olivia Jane Coppage, Addyson Crooks, Daria Fox, Madelyn Hopwood, Aubrey Johnson, Clover King, Jocelyn Matera, Carly Mourlas, Maddison Riley, Riley Rosati and Rooney Rosati.

The Garfield Center strongly recommends purchasing tickets early as the show is expected to be very popular and will likely sell out.

The many moods of New Orleans music will be filling the air in Chestertown’s Wilmer Park for the 26^th Annual Chestertown Jazz Festival this Friday, September 9 and Saturday, September 10.

The festival opens at noon on Saturday with the traditional Gospel featuring Sylvia Fraser and The Anointed Vessels – Lester Barrett, Jr., Zita Seals, Monica Christy, and Kevin Benjamin on piano.

Headliner Don Vappie, 4 string banjo maestro, Creole cultural expert and jazzman extraordinaire has been called a living embodiment of New Orleans music. His band, the Jazz Creole Jazz Serenaders, features vocalist Quiana Lynell, trumpeter Kevin Louis, clarinetist and saxophonist Tom Fischer, bassist Richard Moten, piano and keyboard player Mike Esnault, and drummer Brian Richburg. They will take the audience through the many moods of New Orleans music: traditional jazz, soul-funk, blues, rhythm and blues, zydeco, and Dixieland.

Also on the bill are the Chestertown Festival Brass Band, Dave Robinson and his youth group, the Capital Focus Jazz Band, and local favorites, Philip Dutton and the Alligators.

Thursday, September 8, the Mainstay in Rock Hall presents Zydeco-a-Go-GoIn conjunction with the Jazz Festival

Tickets are still available for the Friday night Big Easy cocktail party and concert featuring the Dave Robinson and the Conservatory Classic Jazz Band and New Orleans style cuisine prepared by Chef Rodney Scruggs and his team from Watershed Alley.

To purchase tickets and for more information on the 26^th Annual Chestertown Jazz Festival, September 8 – 10, visit https://www.garfieldcenter.org/gcaevent/2022-chestertown-jazz-festival/ or call the Garfield Center at 410.810.2060.

Photo: GCA’s “The Good Doctor” in rehearsal. TOP LEFT, an overzealous dentist (Dylan Lyles) goes to war with his patient’s (Bob Chauncey) teeth. BOTTOM LEFT: a man and woman (Jim and Diane Landskroener) debate whether or not to elevate their passing acquaintance into something more. BOTTOM RIGHT: At the theatre, Cherdyakov (Michael Moore) has the terrible misfortune of sneezing on General Brassilhov (Bob Chauncey), shocking Brassilhov’s wife (Minnie Maloney) and as the Narrator (Frank St. Amour) looks on. TOP RIGHT: The cast of “The Good Doctor” includes (front) Diane and Jim Landskroener, (back, left to right) Dylan Lyles, Bob Chauncey, Minnie Maloney, Michael Moore and Frank St. Amour (not pictured are Brianna Lyn Johnson and Ben Gilbert).

The original production of Neil Simon’s comedy “The Good Doctor” opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway in 1973 and featured a stellar cast including Christopher Plummer, Marsha Mason, Frances Sternhagen, René Auberjonois, and Barnard Hughes. The play was a departure for Simon from his usual living room-style comedy.  He set out to celebrate the irony and droll humor of Anton Chekhov’s work by encapsulating the style within short sketches tied together by a narrator suffering from writer’s block. In one sketch, a government clerk over-apologizes and has a nervous breakdown after accidentally sneezing on a general during a night out at the theatre. In another sketch, a crafty seducer goes to work on a wedded woman, only to realize that the woman has been in command from the first overture. And then there’s the visit to the chair of a frighteningly overzealous Dentist. And let us not forget the classic tale of a man who offers to drown himself for three rubles. The stories are droll, the portraits affectionate, the humor infectious, and the fun unending. Sometimes absurd, sometimes melancholy, but always enjoyable, it is a modern take on the essence of Chekov featuring various comedic styles and characterizations.

Directing the production is Bonnie Hill, a seasoned director who has staged multiple productions at The Garfield Center and Church Hill Theatre, among others. The production stage manager is Sheila Austrian, who is no also no stranger to the local stage, having appeared in, and worked on, many productions. Costumes are by Connie Fallon, with assistance from Nita Wieczoreck, Props are by Wendy Sardo, Lights and Sound are by Butch Clark and Nic Carter, the Sound technician is Amelia Plummer, Photography is by Steven Arnold, and the poster and program is by Francoise Sullivan.

The show features a splendid cast of gifted local actors, some of which are new to the Garfield Stage. Playing diverse roles throughout the program are Frank St. Amour, Bob Chauncey, Ben Gilbert, Brianna Lyn Johnson, Diane Landskroener, Jim Landskroener, Dylan Lyles, Minnie Maloney, and Michael Moore.

The show runs weekends from September 16 through October 2, with performances starting at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 PM on Sundays. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling the Box Office on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Comedy and laughter is the theme for this year’s edition of the Garfield Center’s annual Short Attention Span Theatre. Presenting a diverse set of short plays ranging from the outrageous to the hilarious, this year’s SAST received over 350 script submissions from playwrights across the country and internationally. SAST opens for live performances starting June 24th.

Directed by Nic Carter and written by Chicago-based playwright Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, “Beast” is a comedy about the crone responsible for a prince’s transformation into the Beast revisiting her victim with an unnatural proposition in mind. Performing the play is Jen Friedman and Dominic Delcoco.

“Porcelain Seance” is directed by Mark Sullivan and is written by local playwright Rudy Schreiber. A stream-of-consciousness comedy that takes place in a public restroom stall, it tells the story of Reeco, a man who may or may not know the person in the stall next to him. Playing Reeco is Robert Walton and it has a special appearance by Dominic Delcoco.

“Precipice” is a comedy about a crisis-driven meeting on a window ledge between a man and woman as they realize things about themselves and each other. Directed by Jennifer Kafka Smith and written by Philadelphia-based playwright Alex Dremann, the play will be performed by Sharon Herz and Zac Ryan.

In the comedy “Science Friction; or, The Rapid Deconstruction of a Rational Mind,” directed by Melissa McGlynn and written by Florida-based Ken Preuss, a man returns from a trip to discover that his girlfriend has become so immersed in his science fiction collection that she has blurred the lines between fiction and reality. Performing in the piece is Adrienne Wrona and Zac Ryan.

“Stay Golden” is a warm and funny nod to pop culture familiarity. Written by Canadian playwright Jessica Moss and directed by Nic Carter, the play is about three middle-aged friends conspiring to find a way for their fourth friend to join them in living out their golden years together in Miami. The cast includes Simone Collins, Karen Hill, Beverly Hall Smith, Jennifer Kafka Smith and Gil Rambach.

Jen Friedman and Amanda Fry appear in “Taking Sum Lumps,” a comedy directed by John Mann and written by Florida’s Ken Preuss. When a woman breaks a mirror, an agent who dispenses bad luck has an offer: does she want 7 years of bad luck or will she take it in one lump sum?

Steven Arnold directs Chicago-based playwright David Lipschutz’s “Two Pigeons Talk About Sh*tting On People, And Then They Sh*t On People, A Love Story.” In the play, a couple of pigeons pause from “targeting” pedestrians on the sidewalk below to find love. Playing the pigeons are Amanda Fry and Dominic Delcoco.

“Why Did You Bother Killing the Sea Witch” is a comedy written by Florida-based playwright Jenna Jane and directed by Adrienne Wrona. In the aftermath of the Prince’s triumphant battle against the Sea Witch, the Mermaid’s plan for happily ever hits a snag when she realizes that she and the Prince’s want different things. The play will be performed by Brianna Johnson and Robert Walton.

Once again premiering original plays and featuring a large cast of local performers and directors, SAST is produced by Worton resident and GCA Board President Mark Sullivan.

Performances begin June 24th and run at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 PM on Sundays through July 10th. Tickets are $20.00 for general audiences and $10.00 for students and can be purchased online anytime at www.garfieldcenter.org or by calling the box office at 410-810-2060 Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM.