House of Blue Leaves

Title: House of Blue: Staged by Lori Pecoraro

Source: Spilled Ink

Date: April 1, 1988

The Centenary Stage Company presented the House of Blue Leaves, directed by Carl Wallnau and written by John Guare The show ran from March 10-1. The setting is a small apartment in Queens, New York City and is a tragi-comedy. Those appearing in House of Blue Leaves were lan Shupeck, Barney Dineen, Mary McLain, Colleen Wallnau, Maureen Joyce, William Feehely, Tami Abbott, Toni Jonel, LeCee Galmichie, Stuart Adamo, and Greg Petroff. The play has a New York 'charm" about it. The show was insanely funny but on he same note, shockingly tragic.

The show was mainly about an older man who wants to have a singing career. He has a girlfriend and his wife is crazy. He almost leaves Bananas for this girlfriend but can*t seem to leave completely.

Bananas is deprived of her husband's love and seems to lose her mind: Artie wants to write music but isn't talented.  The two really do love each other but can’t seem to connect. Bananas is not really crazy, just a little disturbed, but Artie is really the crazy one from another perspective.

This performance was the third and last show for the Centenary State Co. '87' 88 season. The sets were designed by Fony Ross and were very realistic and creative. Two of Centenary’s students in the production were Tami Abbott, and Foni Jonel (Henderson).

This was Tami's first show and she really enjoyed it. As for Toni, she is a real pro at this. She graduated from Newark High School of Performing Arts and has appeared in two other Centenary productions.

The shows are made possible by a grant from Jacob Garabed & Bros., The Sussex County Arts Council, and the rational Endowment of Arts.

The next event at the Little Theatre is on Saturday, April 16 at 8:00 pm. Lionel Hampton and his orchestra will perform.