Événement

RAINBOW FESTIVAL 2017: PROGRAM ORANGE

La Strada Ensemble Theater presents Rainbow Festival 2017: A Celebration of LGBT Theater. The event features, three programs of varied, cutting edge one-act plays created by playwrights from across the United States. The shows begin June 1st at Jersey Shore Art Center, 66 South Main Street, 3rd Floor Theater, Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Artistic Director A.J. Ciccotelli answers the question why LGBT theater and why now: As a community, we have stories to tell, great stories. But we have much more work left to do to maintain our newly (brand spanking new) rights that we must never take for granted. Expression goes back to the cave people who wrote their stories on walls and gathered by the camp fire and told them -- it's what kept them informed, connected and kept them going. We are a little festival now but it's my goal to get bigger, open our hearts more and let many different voices be heard. It's important to have the younger voice be heard but equally as well the older voice. Our need to be heard later in life is as critical. We experience what everyone else goes through but because of what we survived our voices must be heard.

Program Orange:
Out of the Mouth of Babes by company member and local NJ Asbury Park resident Gary C. Walter is a heartwarming play about enlightenment and taking charge of ones life, as our young protagonist is forced to drag his father out of the closet, kicking and screaming. (World Premiere)

Bernie by internationally renowned playwright Edward Gallardo is a brilliant and powerful look at a youths attempt to be accepted and heard: The year is 1970 and Bernie is going a little mad in the mental hospital. Even after several attempts to end his pain, he still insists he is happy! (NJ Premiere)

A Life Worth Digging by local NJ Somerset resident and founding member Jennifer L. DiOrio is a lyrical and magical play: During her midlife crisis, an archeologist discovers a life worth digging. (World Premiere)

Ripples of Water by artistic director and local NJ Toms River resident A.J. Ciccotelli: A man celebrating his 50th birthday finds a one night stand with a much younger man who has just walked out of his marriage. Will they find solace in each other or never see each other again after a weekend of romance?

This program plays Thurs. June 1 @7pm, Fri. June 2 @8pm, Sat. June 3 @4pm and Sat. June 10 @8pm.

The Festival Stars Kylee Bell, Evan Black, Joey Cashman, Nadia David, Dennis DaPrile, Gian Carlo Durland, Dennis Gribben, Griffin Holland, Donna Knowlton, Phil Korz, Erica Beverly Kostyz, Margaret Leone, Nathan Magno, Benjamin McGowan, Marisa Pangaro, Candy Predham, Clarissa Shirley, Hannah Stphan, Alexa Spinowitz and W. Allen Wrede

Tickets for program Orange are$18/$12 for students & senior citizens and can be purchased here.