(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players will open its 102nd Season with the hilarious and heartbreaking play, Grand Horizons by Beth Wohl from October 20 – November 4, 2023 at The Chatham Playhouse. In the play, Bill and Nancy have spent fifty full years as husband and wife. They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other's every sigh, snore, and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out.

As their two adult sons struggle to cope with the shocking news, they are forced to question everything they assumed about the people they thought they knew best. Funny, shocking, and painfully honest, Bess Wohl's new play explores a family turned upside-down and takes an intimate look at the wild, unpredictable, and enduring nature of love. Producer, Alan Ellis explained, “Everyone can identify with these characters.  Whether you're a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling, an in-law, or a significant other, the characters in Grand Horizons explore familial relationships in such a way that will have audiences really thinking and feeling as they leave the theater.”  

The talented cast includes actors from all around New Jersey: Christopher C Gibbs of Pittstown as Bill, Christine Orzepowski of Bloomfield as Nancy, Byron Hagen of Whippany as Brian, Matt McCarthy of Chatham as Ben, Jessica Phelan of Montclair as Jess, Corey Chichizola of East Rutherford as Tommy and Jodi Maloy of Cedar Grove as Carla.

Making her Chatham Playhouse Main Stage directorial debut, Sharon Garry of Summit directs. Garry shared that “At first glance, the play seems to be a comedy about marital malaise and sibling rivalry, but it is, indeed, an exploration of love, marriage, and family dynamics that encourages us to reconsider our own relationships with honesty and hope.”

Rounding out the director’s talented production team, Producer is Alan Ellis, Stage Manager is Joëlle Bochner, Scenic Designer is Roy Pancirov, Costumes by Fran Harrison, Lighting Designer is Alex Fritsch, Sound Designer is Alan Ellis, Scenic Artist is Joëlle Bochner, Props & Set Decoration by Carol Saso. 

Performance dates are October 20, 21, 27, 28, November 3 & 4 at 8:00pm and October 29 at 3:00pm. All performances are at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Avenue in Chatham, New Jersey. Online Ticket Presale is $27 for Adults & $24 for Seniors/Students with In-person Purchase Day of the Show is $30 for Adults & $27 for Seniors/Students. Join us for a Talk Back led by Susan Speidel about the production and meet members of the company, immediately following the matinee on October 29.

 Tickets can be purchased online by accessing the theater’s online ticketing service, where you can now reserve your particular seat, simply go to ccp.booktix.com. Purchasing tickets in person at Chatham Playhouse’s box office will begin on October 10. For information regarding box office hours, please call the box office number at (973) 635-7363. Patrons with special needs requiring seating accommodations should contact the Playhouse at least 24 hours prior to the performance. Without prior notice, accommodations cannot be guaranteed.

The Chatham Community Players has been entertaining residents of Morris County and the surrounding area since 1922. The organization’s mission is to produce high-quality theater for a diverse audience, while elevating its standard of excellence and providing a creative outlet with educational opportunities and outreach programs.

Rehearsal photos taken by Alan Ellis