(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Center Players of Freehold will present The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno as its first Signature Series production of the 2026-27 season. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Michael Tota, the production will run from October 2-4 at the Herbst Theatre at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, marking the first time Center Players has performed in the venue.
The dramatic comedy explores modern relationships, mortality, and the truths we share next-door. The play centers around two suburban couples who have even more in common than their identical homes and their shared last names. As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities.
“We are thrilled to present this sharp, satirical play in an exciting new venue in a vibrant arts community and we believe it will be the start of a successful relationship with the Jersey Shore Arts Center,” noted Tota.
The cast features Michael Gonzalez (Manasquan, NJ), Pamela Wilterdink (Point Pleasant, NJ), Kate McCracken (Howell, NJ) and Ankit Sharma (Woodbridge, NJ).
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are priced at $28 and are available online at www.centerplayers.org or by calling 732-462-9093. Specially priced $25 tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. The Jersey Shore Arts Center is located at 66 S. Main St. in Ocean Grove with free parking available in the North lot (Main Ave) and South lot (accessed from Lawrence Ave) of The Jersey Shore Arts Center.
To help fund the production which will require a larger budget due to the location and scope of the venue, Center Players, a 501©3 company, has established a tax-deductible GoFundMe campaign which can be accessed via: https://gofund.me/5bf8bc593
Michael Tota serves as the Artistic Director for Center Players and recently directed Rabbit Hole for First Avenue Playhouse. He can be seen playing Fr. Mark in the regional touring company of Tony and Tina’s Wedding. His select acting credits include: Mel in The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue; Ben in The Sunshine Boys, Leo in Chapter Two, and Teach in American Buffalo. His directorial credits include: Last of the Red Hot Lovers, California Suite, Lend Me a Tenor, Lovers and Other Strangers. Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods and Sugar. Film Credits: The Struggle (available on YouTube) and Who’s Jenna? (available on Amazon).
Following The Realistic Joneses, Center Players’ next production will be It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry on Sunday, November 8th at the American Hotel in Freehold and Sunday November 15th at Mattison Crossing in Freehold. Tickets and exact performance times will be available shortly.
Center Players, currently celebrating its 29th season, is a respected, award-winning community organization. Located for 23 years at 35 South Street in downtown Freehold, the company recently lost its lease and is currently performing at various locations near its former home including the America Hotel and Mattison Crossing in Freehold. In addition to their signature plays, the theater also sponsors free play readings and other special events.
