Summer theater season runs June 14-Aug. 12

By Eric Quiñones on June 14, 2007, noon
Gillian Holroyd and Shep Henderson

The Princeton Summer Theater season kicks off with a production of "Bell, Book and Candle," a romantic comedy by John Van Druten. Shannon Clair (left) of Princeton's class of 2009 plays the lead role of Gillian Holroyd, a brilliant New York City woman with magical powers who casts a love spell over book publisher Shep Henderson, portrayed by company member John Hardin. The performance runs June 14-17 and 21-24 in the Hamilton-Murray Theater.


Above left: Members of the cast rehearse a scene with director Lileana Blain-Cruz (right), a 2006 Princeton graduate. From left, the actors are: Dan Kublick of the class of 2008, who plays Gillian's brother Nicky Holroyd; Clair; and Heather May of the class of 2010, who portrays their eccentric Aunt Queenie.
 

Andy Hoover

Andy Hoover, a 2007 Princeton graduate, is Sidney Redlitch, a drunken author researching a book on witchcraft. Above left: Gillian, who ultimately must choose between true love and her powers of witchcraft, discusses her plight with Aunt Queenie. Below left: Gillian shares a moment with her immature younger brother Nicky, a warlock who uses his own magic powers for mischievous purposes.     

Photos: John Jameson

Members of the cast rehearse a scene with director Lileana Blain-Cruz

The Princeton Summer Theater's lineup of productions -- ranging from plays by Neil Simon and Agatha Christie to new interpretations of children's classics -- will run Thursdays through Sundays, June 14 through Aug. 12, at the Hamilton-Murray Theater.

Princeton Summer Theater is a summer stock company of young professionals and students from Princeton and other colleges interested in pursuing careers in theater and drama.

The season begins with a production of "Bell, Book and Candle," a romantic comedy by John Van Druten about a beautiful, brilliant New York City woman with magical powers. "Bell, Book and Candle" will run June 14-17 and 21-24.

Gillian discusses her plight with Aunt Queenie

Other mainstage performances include:

  • "Biloxi Blues" by Neil Simon, June 28-July 1 and July 5-8.
  • "Ten Little Indians" by Agatha Christie, July 12-15, 19-22 and 26-29.
  • "Art" by Yasmina Reza, Aug. 2-5 and 9-12.

Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays.

Gillian shares a moment with her immature younger brother Nicky

For all evening shows and Sunday matinees, tickets are $18 for general admission, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. For Saturday matinees, tickets are $16 for general admission, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. Season tickets are available.

Princeton Summer Theater also will present the following classic children's tales, adapted for the stage by two recent Princeton graduates:

  • "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Andy Hoover, July 5-7 and 12-14.
  • "The Nightingale" and "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" by Julia Cain, July 26-28 and Aug. 2-4.

Show times for children's performances are 2 p.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. All tickets are $5; children under 3 are admitted free.

For more about the performances or to make reservations, call (609) 258-7062 or visit the theater's website.

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