By John Posada
originally published: 12/08/2022
(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre is presenting The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare from December 9-11. In this play, the lives of a Queens, New York, family get turned upside down as Pope Paul VI visits New York City. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
Artie Shaughnessy, a zookeeper/failed singer-songwriter, longs to find fame in Hollywood with his girlfriend, Bunny. Artie’s mentally ill wife, Bananas, with whom he lives, imagines herself to be animals. Artie has found an institution for her–with trees with blue leaves–and will take her there before moving to California with Bunny, hopefully to find fame, fortune, and favor from his best friend, Billy, a Hollywood director.
Artie and Bananas’ son, Ronnie, is illegally home from the Army attempting to assassinate the Pope, and soon, the family’s evening is disrupted by three nuns and Billy’s deaf actress-girlfriend. Chaos erupts when characters’ lives intersect as they all try to be in the presence of the Pope on this historic day.
The House of Blue Leaves is a hilarious, heartbreaking, farcical journey through one New York apartment where characters engage directly with an audience who will at the same time adore–and admonish–them all.
The cast includes Alexander M. Oleksij (Artie Shaughnessy); Meg Renton (Bananas Shaughnessy); Ann Alfano (Bunny Flingus); Gabe Weiss (Ronnie Shaughnessy); Becca Corrado (Corrinna Stroller); Cynthia Smith Barry (Head Nun); Leticia Diaz (Second Nun); Maritza Puzino (Little Nun); Dan Bocchino (Billy Einhorn); James Phillips (The Man in White); Joseph Christianson (The Man at the Piano); and Brendan Bartlett (Military Policeman).
The creative team includes Bob Russell (Director); Craig Tiede (Producer); Alana Garcia (Stage Manager); Pearl Hart (Production Assistant); and Amy Kurfist (Costume Designer/Props Master).
Tickets - Adult: $20.00; Senior: $18.00; Member/Child Under 12: $15.00. Tickets are available for purchase online. Performances take place Friday, December 9th at 8:00pm; Saturday, December 10th at 8:00pm; and Sunday, December 11th at 2:00pm.
“The House of Blue Leaves” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Here are more photos from the production.
Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department’s resident theatre company, is a community theatre organization located in Bergen County, NJ. They want to acknowledge that they are on the traditional territory of the Lenape, the indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands.
Old Library Theatre was started in 1967 in Fair Lawn by a handful of dreamers who wanted to make the joy of theatre performance available to everyone. The original theatre was on River Road, but the company relocated to the George Frey Center for Performing Arts in the Fair Lawn Community Center in 2006. hey aim to continue the tradition of providing quality community entertainment at an affordable cost.
About the author: John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.
EVENT PREVIEWS
The 1964 Civil Rights Act Takes Center Stage with "All The Way" at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on July 27th
(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its acclaimed Revolutionary Voices play reading series with Robert Schenkkan's Tony Award-winning drama All the Way on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 7:30pm at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. This special one-night-only event brings together an exceptional cast to dramatize one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
The Road Company presents "The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition"
(WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition from July 30 through August 1, 2026. This is a 60-minute, kid-friendly stage adaptation of the classic 1939 film. It follows Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as a tornado sweeps them to Oz. Joined by new friends, Dorothy must outsmart the Wicked Witch to ask the Wizard for a way home.
CDC Theatre presents Stages of Madness
(CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre presents Stages of Madness from July 30 to August 1, 2026. This a slightly unhinged night of original works by emerging and established playwrights.
Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory presents "New Voices of 2026: On Vacation"
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theater Conservatory presents New Voices of 2026: On Vacation at Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University. This is a world-premiere, full-scale concert that takes audiences on a musical journey around the world. Three performances take place over July 31 and August 1, 2026.
Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents "Annie"
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center’s Performing Arts School presents its Summer Theater Program's production of Annie from July 31 through August 2, 2026. The production celebrates the program's 15th anniversary and highlights bergenPAC's commitment to nurturing young talent and providing outstanding arts education within the community.
North Star Theater Company presents "The SpongeBob Musical"
(HAMBURG, NJ) -- North Star Theater Company brings the colorful world of Bikini Bottom to the stage with Nickelodeon's The SpongeBob Musical, running July 30 through August 2, 2026 at Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
Mile Square Theatre's summer program students present Roald Dahl's "Matilda Jr."
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's summer program students present Roald Dahl's Matilda Jr. from July 31 to August 2, 2026. The summer program includes students aged 7-15.
Playwright Tom Cavanaugh Launches The Book Writers Group with Staged Reading Showcase on August 2nd
(BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- The Brook Writers Group, a newly formed theater collective dedicated to developing original theatrical works in Central New Jersey, will present its inaugural Staged Reading Showcase on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at the historic Brook Arts Center (10 Hamilton Street) in Bound Brook. The event begins at 5:00pm.
Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "Guys and Dolls"
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents Guys and Dolls from July 29-August 8, 2026 with performances at 8:00pm. Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. The production is directed by Matt Muccigrossi.
Magnolia Productions presents "Are The Bennet Girls Ok? "
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents Are The Bennet Girls Ok? across two weekends from July 31 to August 8, 2026 at The Theater at The Navesink Library. This is an adaptation of Pride & Prejudice by Emily Breeze.
FEATURED EVENTS
