Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 12/15/2022
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Holmestead, a play with deep Montclair roots, has been nominated for three awards at the prestigious New York Theater Festival's Fall/Winterfest 2022, including the festival's top prize of "Best Production."
The play’s other nominations, for actors Bill Barry and Faith Blasi, are “Best Actor” and “Best Actress.” The third cast member is Xandt Wyntreez. All three actors live in Montclair.
A one-act play set in the 1880’s, Holmestead tells the story of a fictional meeting between two literary giants of the 19th century, Arthur Conan Doyle and Emily Dickinson. Beneath the façade of Victorian-era politeness, the two writers engage in a spirited debate about writing, fame, marriage, religion, and the mysterious disappearance of a boysenberry pie.
“It’s a clash of ideas, of ways of thinking about art and the world,” says Glen Ridge playwright James Broderick, a professor of English at New Jersey City University who wrote much of the play in the Trend Coffee & Tea House in Montclair. “Is it better to be driven by pure artistic impulse, or by the desire for commercial success and recognition?”
Broderick and director Bruce Benway, who lives in Montclair, originally wanted to make the play into a film, but were derailed by COVID. Looking for another venue, they entered the play in the New York Theater Festival, the largest theater festival in the U.S. with over 80 plays and musicals. Once it was accepted, they had two months to find a cast and conduct rehearsals.
Benway, who also produced the play, reached out to Barry and Blasi, whom he and his wife had seen perform in It’s Only a Play at the Studio Players in Upper Montclair. He then found Wyntreez, a brilliant comic actor, for the play’s supporting role. Rehearsals were held at the Unitarian Church in downtown Montclair through the month of October.
“We were fortunate to find a great cast who loved the parts,” says Benway. “I felt we had something special from the first walk-through, and these nominations confirm that.”
The New York Theater Festival awards for Fall/Winterfest 2022 will be announced December 20th at the Latea Theater, 107 Suffolk Street, New York.
Cast Bios
Bill Barry (Arthur Conan Doyle) previously appeared as John Proctor in The Heights Players Production of The Crucible. Other roles include Lee in Jumbo Productions’ version of Sam Shepard's True West and Chuck (Outstanding Actor nominee, 2020 Perry Awards) in the Studio Playhouse original production of Complete Game.
Faith Blasi (Emily Dickinson) performed as the effervescent socialite Julia in Studio Players’ It’s Only a Play and the Tin Man in their production of The Wizard of Oz. Presently pursuing a Masters of Theatre Education at NYU, Faith believes in the transcendent power of theatre, especially when a story stirs our humanity.
Xandt Wyntreez (Rory Palmer) has appeared in A Christmas Carol and A XanXmas (author & star), as well as independent films. In 2022, he portrayed rapper/inciter “Tucker” in the musical drama Humanity Denied. A spoken word artist, he has appeared at The NY Poetry Festival; Xandt at The Ant (NJ), and is often heard in YouTube concerts.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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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"
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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.
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