Based loosely on characters and events from her own family, In the Car with Blossom and Len is a comedy that also takes a serious look at the issue of aging parents and the people who take care of them. "I've spent my whole life hearing some of the craziest things from my own family," Fritz said. "I'd go into another room and write down some of these exchanges." Although much of the plot is fictional, those who knew her parents will have no problem spotting them in the play. "Blossom is my mom," Fritz said, right down to her career for 39 years as secretary to the township manager. Blossom - and Phyllis - were known for spending much of their time quietly behind the scenes keeping the ship running straight. And they also share an affinity for fine clothes and style.
Although, In the Car with Blossom and Len, is receiving its first fully staged production with CSC, this marks a two year collaboration between playwright Joni Fritz and Tony nominated director Lynn Taylor-Corbett. Previous readings and workshops of "In the Car..." have been produced in NYC starring Kyra Sedwick and Len Cariou, as well as, part of the National Alzheimer's Association Reading at the John Drew Theater of Guild Hall starring Dick Cavett.
Joni Fritz's segue into a writing career began as a comedy sketch writer for USA Networks' "Commander USA"—for which she was a writer and performer for four years, as well as the syndicated show "Horrible Night at the Movies." As a playwright, her work has been seen in several theaters in the New York area including Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Women's Theatre Company, What Exit Theatre and Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre. Her play Girl's Room, starring Broadway legends Carol Lawrence and Donna McKechnie, and directed by Tony-nominated director, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, enjoyed successful runs in both New York and Los Angeles. Joni's play First a Home, created to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless, was recently performed as part of the New York Society for Ethical Culture's Ethics and the Theater series. Joni has also created well over four hundred live theatrical pieces, films and documentaries for such companies as Arista Records, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer and IBM, among dozens of other Fortune 500 companies. Her writing, which encompasses a wide spectrum of styles and genres, also includes award-winning films and documentaries for the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, as well as the Pfizer Artists' Gallery, an art show that toured internationally for two years; and the anniversary film for one of the first and oldest AIDS initiatives in Africa, Secure the Future. No stranger to the stage herself, Fritz has made numerous appearances on the New York stage, had a recurring role on the daytime drama "Another World" and has appeared in numerous television commercials. For the past several years, Joni has been on the consulting board for the Westchester Ballet Company. She is a member of Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild.
In the Car with Blossom and Len opens February 20 and runs till March 8 in the Sitnik Theatre located in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12 on Fridays and Matinees. Saturday evening performances are $27.50 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12. Thursday evenings are $25.00 for all seats and is also our Family Night offering a 2 for 1 rush ticket discount when purchased in person at the box office 2 hours prior to performance. Discounts are available for students and seniors.
For a detailed performance schedule, more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org, call (908) 979 – 0900 or stop by the box office located at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1pm to 5pm and two hours prior to every performance.
The 2014-15 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, Fulton Bank of New Jersey, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.
