Graphic by Dave Maulbeck/Yolanda Fundora

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. Coming up is the second episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 2 runs Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 2:00pm and Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 8:00pm.

This series blends the best storytelling qualities of mainstage performances with the exhilarating fun of improv. 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, the family jewelry business is struggling to keep up with the times, having never made the leap from brick and mortar to online sales. Estelle, the matriarch, is determined to hang on to their physical home base in Poughkeepsie, NY, while several of her children are clashing over whether the business is already doomed, or whether there is a strategy for revival. Meanwhile, a pair of journalists have been invited to create a feature story on the business to attract attention. But can a family with so many secrets withstand the scrutiny?

Episode 2 features Noreen Farley (Clinton) as Estelle, and Laura Ekstrand (Livingston) and Becca Landis McLarty (Montclair) as her children Miranda and Skye. Harriett Trangucci (Summit) appears as Norma, a distant relative who would like to be less distant, and Scott McGowan (Maplewood) is Stuart, her husband and the business’ accountant. Jason Szamreta (Rahway) is the cousin who designs the jewelry the company sells. Harry Patrick Christian (Montclair) is a journalist who is documenting the family’s struggles. Special guest Lulu French (Maplewood) plays the big-spending consultant they hire to create a fashion show for the new line. The episode is directed by Laura Ekstrand, with lighting design by Bryan Clarendon (Ridgewood) and Sound Design by Jeff Knapp (Montville).

The second episode of Gemstones will appear at the Oakes Center on Wednesday, October 23 at 2:00pm and Thursday, October 24 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, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

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.