Trilogy Repertory Co. of Basking Ridge Plans New Theater

Fellowship Village Senior Living in Basking Ridge and the Trilogy Repertory and Light Opera of New Jersey, also based in Bernards Township, have announced a partnership to construct a new, state of the arts community theatre in the Somerset Hills.

Planning and design are well along to build a 240-seat theater at the Fellowship Village property off Allen Road in Bernards Township to serve the entire Somerset Hills area. The center would provide a venue for theater, music, dance and a variety of public activities, the announcement said.

A conceptual plan has been drawn up, and the project will be ongoing for the next few years, said Hank Barre, Trilogy Repertory Co.'s director of development. In the meantime, the company will hold auditions in May for this summer's planned "Plays in the Park" production of Monty Python's "Spamalot."

While the proposed theatre would offer many opportunities to the Fellowship Village residents for activities such as religious services, social activities and speakers, the participation of Trilogy Repertory and Light Opera of New Jersey — also based in Basking Ridge — as “companies in residence” will open the facility to the public for their seasons as well.

The joint effort will provide the area with a presentation space not only for these two groups but also available for many area organizations for performances, meetings, and a variety of other activities, according to the announcement.

Efforts have been made to design the theater to be flexible so it may serve many uses. Features such as retractable seating will allow the space to be used in a variety of configurations from open floor to banquet setting as well as traditional theatrical seating.

Barre later said that the building would be new, and that it would be owned by Fellowship Village. However, he said that the theater company and Light Opera of New Jersey would be responsible for providing some custom installations specifically for productions.

He said that work may be done in stages after the building is constructed.

Careful consideration is being given to make it fully accessible and hearing assisted, the announcement said. The space will also boast a variety of audio-visual systems which will make it viable for a wide range of presentations.

This joint effort will rely on public and private support. Fellowship Senior Living, Trilogy Repertory and Light Opera of New Jersey will be looking for support from individuals, organizations, businesses and other sources of funding to bring this project to completion, the announcement said.

Fellowship Senior Living has scheduled a Gala Evening on April 20 at the Bridgewater Manor, with all proceeds will go to benefit the theater project. Those interested in attending and learning more about the theater endeavor while enjoying an evening of good food, dancing and live entertainment by Ridge Light Opera, should contact Phylis Tranotti at Fellowship Village at 908-580-3806.

Fellowship Senior Living has operated a Continuing Care retirement community in the Somerset Hills for more than sixteen years and has provided a home and care for many area residents. CEO Brian Lawrence and his staff expressed enthusiasm about the benefits this project will bring to the residents and the opportunity it offers to reach out and serve the larger community, the announcement said.

"Dream come true"

Barre said that after more than thirty years of providing the Somerset Hills area with quality entertainment, such as the Bernards Township “Plays in the Park” series, "It will be a dream come true for us to have a permanent year round home in which we can present a full season of theater to our audiences.”

Bill and Lauran Corson of Light Opera of New Jersey which produces September Song and many other musical productions throughout the year in the area, echoed Barre's point of view.

As local not-for-profit organizations, Fellowship Senior Living, Trilogy Repertory, Inc. and Light Opera of New Jersey all exist to serve area residents, so support and involvement in this project and donations to its successful completion will go to help your fellow citizens and the arts in the area, the announcement said.

Trilogy holding auditions for next Plays in the Park production

Meanwhile, Trilogy has announced auditions for Bernards Township’s “Plays in the Park,” presented each summer at the outdoor amphitheater in Pleasant Valley Park in Basking Ridge. This summer’s series features Monty Python’s musical comedy “Spamalot.”
 
Auditions will be held at the Bernards Township Community Center, 289 S. Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge.

Dates and times for the scheduled auditions are 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8. Jaye Barre will direct “Spamalot,” with musical direction by Lois Buesser, according to another announcement from Trilogy.

Scheduled production dates are July 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20.

Those auditioning should come prepared to sing 16 bars of an up-tempo song from a Broadway show and be ready to read from the script. A dance audition also will be included. 

Those who are interested or who have questions should call Jaye Barre at 908-217-2714.

Check the Trilogy website for additional information.