Graphic: 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 fifth episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 5 runs Friday, February 28, 2025 at 8:00pm and Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2:00pm.

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 discusses the possibility of Estelle Jewelry filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They are quarrelling over whether to throw in the towel when the patriarch, Hal, appears to Estelle as a ghost to guide her through this difficult decision. Each member of the family, and the journalists who are there to cover them, are unconsciously influenced by his supernatural presence. Will the business finally fold? Or will Hal provide the magic needed for the family to emerge from its downward spiral?

Episode 5 features Noreen Farley (Clinton) as Estelle, and Laura Ekstrand (Livingston) as her eldest daughter, Miranda. Clark Carmichael (Hewitt) is Gary, the black sheep son of Estelle, and Becca McLarty (Montclair) is the dreamer youngest daughter, Skye. Harriett Trangucci (Summit) is cousin Norma, a wannabe jewelry designer. Daria M. Sullivan (Lyndhurst) and Harry Patrick Christian (Montclair) are the journalists who are documenting - and sometimes amplifying - the family’s struggles. Special guest John Pietrowski (Long Valley) plays the ghost of Hal, the patriarch who took secrets about both the family and the business to his grave. The episode is directed by Laura Ekstrand, with lighting design by Zach Pizza (Weehawkin) and Sound Design by Jeff Knapp (Montville).

The fifth episode of Gemstones will appear at the Oakes Center on Friday, February 28 at 8:00pm and Sunday, March 2 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 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’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.