(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. Coming up is the third episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. The series blends the best storytelling qualities of mainstage performances with the exhilarating fun of improv. Episode 4 runs Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 2:00pm and Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm.

Gemstones is a structured, longform improvisation series that mixes comedy and drama, and that can be viewed in its entirety or singly. Each performance will begin with a recap of previous episodes, so that audience members can either view the whole series throughout the season, or drop in as they wish. Written by Phoebe Farber, each monthly episode will feature recurring characters and special guests, much like a limited series that can be found on a streaming service, but with the freshness and excitement of live theatre.

In this episode, Gary returns to Estelle Jewelry with a new product and a new scheme to raise money for his business. Paula wonders whether her profile for Jewelry Now Magazine can go forward. Billy comes back from the trade show without Skye, but with some complicated feelings about her. The love triangle between Stuart, Miranda and Norma enters a new phase, but who will be the odd woman out? Estelle regrets the path not taken, when Ritchie, a neighborhood kid, appears. He’s now an IRS agent determined to conduct an audit that could ruin the company.

Episode 4 features Noreen Farley (Clinton) as Estelle, and Laura Ekstrand (Livingston) as her daughter Miranda. Scott McGowan (Maplewood) is Stuart, the married accountant who keeps the family’s books and the key to Miranda’s heart. Harriett Trangucci (Summit) is his wife, Norma, and Jason Szamreta (Long Branch) plays cousin Billy, a jewelry designer. Clark Carmichael (Hewitt) is Gary, the black sheep son of Estelle. Daria M. Sullivan (Lyndhurst) is the journalist who is documenting - and sometimes amplifying - the family’s struggles. Special guest Dave Maulbeck (South Orange) plays the troubled kid from the neighborhood, returning to make new trouble for the family. The episode is directed by Laura Ekstrand, with lighting design by Zach Pizza (Weehawkin) and Sound Design by Jeff Knapp (Montville).

The fourth episode of Gemstones will appear at the Oakes Center (120 Morris Avenue in Summit, New Jersey) on Wednesday, January 8 at 2:00pm and Saturday, January 11 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $33, $28 for seniors and $25 for students 25 and younger. Tickets are available for purchase online. Oakes Center is wheelchair accessible; assisted listening devices and large print materials are available upon request.

Vivid Stage was founded in 1994 as Dreamcatcher Rep, and is a non-profit professional ensemble of actors who build community with the audience by sharing contemporary, life-affirming stories that challenge, energize and entertain. Their work has at its heart a belief in the essential goodness of people and the power of live performance to connect people through our shared humanity. They expose theatregoers to ideas and lives like and unlike their own with the intention of awakening their imaginations and creating empathy for others. They deepen the experience of all their patrons with personal contact through receptions, talkbacks, and interactive programs.

The company’s activities include mainstage productions, improvisational comedy and cabarets, new play readings and a variety of educational and senior outreach programs.

Vivid Stage’s programs are funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and many other corporations, foundations and individuals.  Vivid Stage is an Equity Producing member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Vivid Stage, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.