Hillsborough Native Brings Theater Talents Home

Nicky Singer and her cast is presenting 'Little Women' at the Somerset Valley Playhouse.

Phil Barrood, a 17-year-old resident of Hillsborough, will be doing something that Nicky Singer, another Hillsborough native, has never seen: playing two leading roles in the same play. Singer, a playwright and Rider University student, teaches Barrood and other local actors and actresses at the Allegra School of Performing Arts. She is also directing the musical in which Barrood will perform, "Little Women: The Broadway Musical," which is scheduled to appear at the Somerset Valley Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. (understudy performance) and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. "It's been a challenge," said Barrood, discussing his playing of two roles in the musical. "They're such different roles. …

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On Stage: Curtain Goes Up for Genuine Classics

From Shakespeare to "The Music Man," theater groups present big-name performances.

There are good plays and then there are great plays. And the truly great ones endure for decades, or even centuries. William Shakespeare's name is virtually synonymous with classic, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is kicking off its 50th anniversary season with "Henry IV Part I" this week. The play is about Henry IV protecting his kingdom and Prince Hal's rise in power. It also features Falstaff, considered by many to be The Bard's greatest creation. A newer classic play, Thonton Wilder's "Our Town" will be performed by Somerset Valley Players, beginning June 8. And Villagers Theatre in Somerset will soon be marching to the musical classic "The Music Man." Classic TV is even coming to the area when Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in …

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Natalie Davis

2:18 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Thanks, Hank!   more ›

Get Out

Dress for Less at Project Graduation Sale

Project Graduation hosts its annual dress sale March 3.

Months of collection formal dresses, Saturday's the day the goods go on sale. Project Graduation's Annual Dress Sale fundraiser begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and runs until 3 p.m at Hillsborough High School. A variety of semi-formal, formal and cocktail dresses will be on sale, including ones with tags attached. The bargain? None of the dresses will be priced over $50.  Here's what's happening this weekend: Fish Dinner Buffet When/Where: 4:30 p.m. Friday at Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 3. Why Go: To eat several types of fish and support the local firefighters. Cost: $11. "Caring For Kathy" When/Where: Fundraiser to raise money to defray cost of medical treatment for longtime resident Kathy Kelleher, at 7 p.m. Friday at the St. James…

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It's a Happening Holiday Season on Stage

North Jersey's stages are bursting with Christmas shows, along with some non-festive offerings.

If you’re a holiday kind of person, North Jersey’s theaters are sure to have something for you. Sure, thereare a lot of “Christmas Carol” and “Nutcracker” productions going on, but you can also spend some time with George Bailey and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or see “White Christmas” live on stage. Options for kids include “Babes in Toyland,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “The Littlest Angel.” And if Christmas songs are your thing, there are plenty of concerts featuring holiday music to take in, including shows by Crystal Gayle, Kenny G and Wilson Phillips. But if you’re not much of a holiday person, there’s still time to catch “The Wedding Singer,” “Crimes of the Heart” and “Over the River and Through the Woods.” Read on to find out…

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On Stage: A Peek At The Performing Arts

Holidays Hit the Stage in North Jersey

Find on what's happening on the area's stages with this week's On Stage Scoop.

The holidays are fast-approaching. And even though it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, the sounds and sites of Christmas are headed to the area’s stages. “A Christmas Carol” is coming to the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Paper Mill Playhouse is readying its production of “White Christmas,” Frosty the Snowman is coming to Pax Amicus Castle Theatre and a Christmas moose will take stage in Morristown. More holiday-themed shows will follow, and now’s a good time to start planning what you want to see. These productions are popular, so tickets sell fast and before you know it, your schedule will be too busy with Christmas parties and shopping to get to the theater. And if the holidays aren’t your thing, there are plenty of Christmas-free plays…

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Take Five

Five Things You Should Know This Week

Gardening workshops, government and Board of Education meetings, concerts and a lot of high school sports.

1..The Board of Education will have its work meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m.  Budget season isn't for a few months, but the public is invited to share their thoughts on what should be included and what shouldn't.  The meeting is in the Auten Road Intermediate School Cafetorium. 1.5.  The Township Committee meets Tuesday at 7:30 p.m, in the Municipal Courtroom. View the agenda here. 2.  Hillsborough High School's sports teams have games throughout the week.  See the schedules here. 3. The Hillsborough High School bands, orchestra, and choirs have concerts at the high school this week.  The band concert is Tuesday at 7 p.m., and the orchestra concert is Wednesday at 7 p.m. Admission is free, so enjoy the free music. 4. The Somerset Valley …

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'A Christmas Story' in Hillsborough

Somerset Valley Players transforms classic movie from the screen to the stage.

You've seen the movie about 200 times, now get ready to see the play. Old Man Parker is loving his leg lamp, Flick's tongue is frozen to a flagpole, and Ralphie is longing for a Red Ryder air rifle as the Somerset Valley Players stage "A Christmas Story" at the playhouse on Amwell Road through Dec. 19. Philip Grecian's adaptation of the 1983 movie, which was based on the writings of Jean Shepherd, made its debut in 2000 and is a natural for community theater groups. It offers a familiar tale with lots of laughs, along with some heartfelt moments. The story is loosely based on Shepherd's life growing up in a small Indiana town. The central character is Ralphie, a young boy who lives with his parents and younger brother. Ralphie listens to "…

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