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originally published: 06/04/2023 

(left to right) Akash Inti, Janine Mills. Photo by Vicki Cardona

(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Round and Round the Garden from June 22-25 on the front porch and in the garden of duCret Center of Arts where Dragonfly is the resident theater company. Round and Round the Garden, by acclaimed British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, focuses on the complicated interactions and tangled relationships of the main character, Norman, who just wants to be loved. The hilarious play explores themes of romance, lust, and the complexities of human nature through the conflicts of his family members and many love interests.

Dragonfly’s production is directed by Catherine LaMoreaux and Assistant Director Julia Stibich, stage managed by Jada Davis, and production managed by Aidan O’Rourke. The cast includes actors Akash Inti as Norman, Janine Mills as Annie, Debjani Banerjee as Sarah, Jim Houston as Reg, Josh Belmonte as Tom, and Danielle Levitt as Ruth.

Round and Round the Garden is part of Alan Ayckbourn’s Tony Award-Winning play trilogy, The Norman Conquest. Director Catherine LaMoreaux expressed appreciation for the trilogy: “I saw one of the plays, Table Manners, when I was in college and fell in love with it. Then I saw all three of them on Broadway in 2009. The action of the plays takes place at the same time but in different parts of a house. When a character enters one play, he or she exits the other. Yet each play can stand alone. It's a remarkable feat of storytelling.”

In order to further advance the production’s storytelling, Assistant Director Julia Stibich has spent an extensive amount of time working with the cast on characterization and the inter-dynamics of their relationships. Julia shared her passion for working with the cast: “It’s been such a delight to explore the complex relationships between them all and help the actors work out a way to make those relationships a little clearer on the stage.”

Dragonfly’s production features diverse casting, which is an integral aspect of all Dragonfly productions. “Dragonfly always strives to assemble diverse groups of actors for our plays.” LaMoreaux explained. “It is important to us that audience members are able to watch our plays and think ‘I could be up there. I could do that because someone who looks like me can.’” For Round and Round the Garden, we were lucky to have a diverse group of talented actors to choose from.”

 

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Performances take place Thursday, June 22, Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 at 6:30pm, and Sunday, June 25 at 3:00pm.  duCret Center of Arts is located at 1030 Central Avenue in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Tickets for Round and Round the Garden are available for purchase online and at the venue. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for seniors and students. Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs to the performances. 

(left to right) Janine Mills, Jim Houston, Danielle Levitt, Akash Inti, Debjani Banerjee, Josh Belmonte. Photo by Jada Davis.

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is dedicated to celebrating diversity through arts education, dramatic performances, and creation of new works. Dragonfly is committed to reaching all the diverse communities of Central New Jersey with classes for all ages and backgrounds; performances that enlighten, entertain, and educate; and opportunities for development of new works.