(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center, is presenting the first episode of an original series, Gemstones, on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 8:00pm and Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 2:00pm. Gemstones is a structured, longform improvisation series that mixes comedy and drama, and that can be viewed in its entirety or singly. 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. Here is a conversation with Phoebe Farber.
Tell us a little about yourself as a playwright and your history with Vivid Stage.
I have been writing plays for a number of years. I have always written, mainly in other genres, such as fiction and academic writing. After a playwriting workshop at my local library that I wandered into, I was hooked. I had worked as an actor and as a dancer, so I was familiar with theater, but had never written a play. I immediately loved the action of creating dialogue and the imaginative thrill of creating a world of characters and story. I was particularly interested in the music of dialogue—the rhythm, pace and dynamics of language.
I was also drawn to the words one uses in conversation, and the many ways we say things we don’t mean, that we want to be true, or that are half true. I am a psychotherapist by training, so I’m always interested in people’s emotional reality, what motivates them, what self they are presenting to the world and what they might be hiding.
I initially learned of Vivid Stage, formerly Dreamcatcher Rep, through Jason Szamreta, a friend and long-time company actor. He approached Laura about a play I was working on called Psychodrama. This play ultimately became part of the 2019 season at the theater.
How did you become involved in Gemstones, and what are some themes you wanted to explore in the project?
Last spring, Laura approached me about writing a play in serialized form as an experiment for the theater’s 30th season.
I immediately said yes. Even though I didn’t really understand it, I had faith that I would figure it out, with the help of Laura and the company. It seemed like a chance to experiment and play with a bunch of talented actors, so while it seemed overwhelming, I knew I couldn’t say no.
I was interested in the premise of a family business, as the backdrop of the story. I think family-run businesses are inherently dramatic and have a lot of potential for humor and pathos. The themes I’m most interested in exploring are loyalty, rivalry, and the way family relationships reflect old wounds that get played out in the context of running a business.
Did you write with Vivid’s ensemble in mind? If so, how did knowing the actors inspire your writing?
I know many of the company members and definitely wrote with them in mind. This was really helpful in the process, as I could envision their character in great detail.
Gemstones is “a play in serialized form” – what does that mean? What’s challenging about writing in this serialized format? What’s exciting about it?
The series is comprised of 7 episodes, with each installment revolving around the same broad storyline and characters.
There are many exciting parts of this project for me. First, I get to work with all the talented actors of the company. I love working with an ensemble. This serialized form is new for me, so that’s exciting. The challenging part is the breadth of the story—having to create coherent storylines that continue over 7 episodes is entirely new.
I know you’re still writing, but can you give us a quick summary of the plot/an elevator pitch for the series?
Estelle Jewelry, a family-owned business is on the brink of bankruptcy, since the patriarch Hal died. The children vie for control and attention from their mother Estelle, who is still grieving the loss of her husband. Conflict escalates and secrets are revealed when a pair of journalists show up to do a story on the company.
Will each episode stand on its own? Will audiences have to catch every “episode” to understand the next one?
Gemstones will function like a television series. Each episode will stand on its own, but there will also be mini recaps at the beginning, in case the audience hasn’t seen the previous episode.
Episode 1 features Noreen Farley (Clinton) as Estelle, Clark Carmichael (Hewitt) and Laura Ekstrand (Livingston) as her children Gary and Miranda, Harriett Trangucci (Summit) as Norma, who married into the family, and Harry Patrick Christian (Montclair) and Daria M. Sullivan (Lyndhurst) as the two journalists who hope to create a story from the family’s travails. Joining them will be Guest Star Joshua T. Crockett (Nutley). The episode is directed by Laura Ekstrand, with lighting design by Zach Pizza (Weehawken) and Sound Design by Jeff Knapp (Montville).
The first episode of Gemstones will appear at the Oakes Center (120 Morris Avenue) in Summit on Saturday, September 21 at 8:00pm and Sunday, September 22 at 2:00pm. 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 our 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.
Sarah Cuneo is the Outreach and Community Engagement Manager at Vivid Stage
