New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Mothers Shine Bright at Glimmerglass Festival This Summer

originally published: 07/07/2022


(COOPERSTOWN, NY) -- Librettist Lila Palmer and Director Chloe Treat join forces this summer on the World Premiere production of HOLY GROUND at the 2022 Glimmerglass Festival. This ‘what-if’ reimagination of a biblical story reflects on Mary’s choice to become a mother. The opera by Damien Geter and Palmer will be performed as part of a “Double Bill” along with Kamala Sankaram and Jerry Dye’s TAKING UP SERPENTS, also directed by Treat. These talented women, both mothers of young children, present the opera in a limited engagement at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, (7300 NY-80, Cooperstown, NY 13326). Performances begin Friday, July 29 and continue on a varied schedule through Saturday, August 20.

Part angelic office comedy, part dystopian Messiah tale, Palmer’s anarchic libretto tracks a familiar story with a new twist: a Messiah is due to save the world, but human women seem uninterested in taking part. Can heaven persuade the right girl to sign up, and should they even have to convince her? Holy Ground is that strange beast, a gut punch comedy with a loving hand that refuses easy answers, reilluminating the only experience to which the entire human race has a relationship: motherhood.

Palmer and Treat welcome the opportunity to address and discuss motherhood. The show raises questions that the two are grappling with in their own lives. What does it mean to be a mother in a society that does not support motherhood or mothers in practice? Can anyone hope to mother well in a society that expects working mothers to ‘mother as if they don’t work and work as if they aren’t mothers?’ 

As Palmer and Treat grappled in the rehearsal room with the Roe ruling, the two spoke powerfully about what it means that the show clearly identifies Mary actively choosing motherhood. Treat said, ‘what I love about the piece is that it’s honest about the cost of motherhood. It doesn’t shy away from the life altering nature of becoming a mom. I think that’s particularly relevant when our society is trying to pretend motherhood is outcome-neutral for people with a womb.’ Palmer adds, ‘It’s important to me that while this is a retelling, I didn’t change any theology to tell this story because I didn’t need to. The biblical God asked the biblical Mary for permission, he asked her to decide if her destiny was motherhood. A deity submits to the free will of a young woman. That seemed worth highlighting.’ 

Despite the serious subject, the show is billed, accurately, as a comedy. Palmer adds, ‘the world has felt like a pretty dark place lately, and part of writing Holy Ground was actually wanting to inject some lightness into a world and an art form that tends heavy. Maybe it’s being English, but I’d rather laugh and then cry than just cry. So there’s also a comedy troupe of well-meaning angels making a complete mess of things and sort of throwing the drama into relief.’




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



The production stars Alyson Cambridge, Carly R. Carillo, Taylor-Alexis DuPont, Joseph Goodale, Jasmine Habersham, Helen Zhibing Huang, Mary-Hollis Hundley, Jacquelyn Matava, Michael Mayes, Jonathan Pierce Rhodes, Jeremiah Tyson 

Lidiya Yankovskaya is the Conductor and Dmitry Glivinskiy‡ is the Assistant Conductor. The production features scenic design by James F. Rotondo III, costume design by Trevor Bowen, and lighting design by Mary Louise Geiger. Joel Morain is the sound designer, Tom Watson is Hair & Make-up designer and Name is the stage manager. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.

Tickets are $10-$149 and are available for purchase online. Running Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Players

Players Guild of Leonia to Hold Auditions for "Where The Time Goes"

​​​​​​​(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for Where The Time Goes on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm each night at their theater. This is a World Premiere musical featuring the iconic songs of The Baby Boomer Generation.



Speranza

Speranza Theatre Company presents "Princess Pals"

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company, joined by students from Speranza Studio's Summer Acting Intensive, presents its summer stage production, Princess Pals, from July 11-19, 2025 outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City History at The Apple Tree House. Written and directed by Nick Radu-Blackburn. Happily Ever was just the beginning... turns out "after" isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Bored after their fairy tale endings, princess-frenemies embark on a mischievous adventure. Can they put their differences aside to save their kingdoms, all while dealing with an unexpected twist?



"RIFT"

"RIFT" Returns To Luna For Two Nights Only Before International Debut At Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage's commissioned World Premiere play RIFT is headed to the Edinburgh Fringe for a four-week run at Traverse Theatre this August. On July 18-19, 2025 at 8:00pm each night, the powerful and timely new play returns to Luna for two benefit performances to support the company's travel to Scotland.



PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Pleasant Valley Productions

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions (PVP) is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC). The production runs July 11-12 and July 17-19, 2025. This groundbreaking musical, which revolutionized the world of theatre, tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



Centenary

Centenary Stage presents Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Featuring a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, this play combines tropical vibes and feel-good humor with a collection of the singer-songwriter’s most beloved hits.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: My Name is Lucy Barton

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info