Derek Simmons Jr. as "Franco Wicks". Photo by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22
(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Called "a very entertaining comedy-drama with a whole lot of heart", Superior Donuts by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts is coming to Playhouse 22 on April 21 and runs weekends through May 7. Directed by Jon Heron, the play follows the relationship between despondent Arthur Przybyszewski, a former 1960s radical who owns a rundown donut shop in Chicago's Uptown, and Franco, his energetic but troubled young African American assistant, who wants to update the establishment with lively music and healthy menu options.
Peter Reimann plays “Arthur Przybyszewski” and Derek Simmons Jr. as “Franco Wicks.” Rounding out the cast includes Mark Kalet as “Max Tarasov”; Lisa Sudfield as “Officer Randy Osteen”; Carmen Vasilio Balentine as “Officer James Bailey”; Joyce Porter as “Lady Boyle”; Emilio Cutaneo as “Luther Flynn; Matthew Gustavsen as “Kevin Magee” and Leon Weyhknecht IV as “Kiril Ivakin”.
Playhouse 22’s production will run April 21 to May 7, with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are $24/adults and $22/seniors and students, and they must be purchased at Playhouse22.org or over the phone at 732-254-3939.
Peter Reimann as "Arthur Przybyszewski. Photo by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22
Due to some adult language, parental discretion is advised.
Recognized by MyCentralJersey.com as one of the top theaters and the top community theater in Central Jersey, Playhouse 22 is conveniently located at the Elliott Taubenslag Theater at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.
Playhouse 22 is an all-volunteer run community theater located in Central Jersey. Founded as the East Brunswick Community Players more than 60 years ago, the Players were theater "nomads" traveling throughout the region putting on shows wherever space was available.
Twenty-two years after its founding, the Players, through a partnership with the Township of East Brunswick, moved into its first home -- "Playhouse 22". The original Playhouse 22 was a mix of a nearly century old schoolhouse, a retired public works garage and trailer which served as its home until 2005.
In the early 2000's, the Playhouse 22 board was approached by the Township once again with the opportunity to vacate the theater in hopes of moving into a new state of the art Community Arts Center being designed down the street. After a series of meetings and discussions, it was decided that the troupe was moving.
After a longer-than-expected wait, the Players moved into the Arts Center in the fall of 2009 with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple: Female Version opened in September 2009. Since 2009, Playhouse 22 has grown into a home for all types of theatrical arts ranging from their mainstage musical like Into the Woods, The Producers, 1776, to plays such as Death of a Salesman, Noises Off, and Rumors. Playhouse 22 has also staged an original production of A Christmas Carol since 1994.
Derek Simmons Jr. as "Franco Wicks" and Peter Reimann as "Arthur Przybyszewski". Photo by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22
