As part of its 40th anniversary season, Princeton Summer Theater will present William Inge's "Bus Stop" June 26-July 6 in the Hamilton-Murray Theater. The play features a cast from Princeton and New York University's Stella Adler Studio of Acting, led by Princeton's Tyler Crosby '09 as Bo Decker and Veronica Siverd '10 as Cherie, who is shown here belting out "That Old Black Magic."
At left: To pass the time during the blizzard, those stranded in the diner decide put on a show. Elma (Tara Richter Smith, NYU '11) and Dr. Lyman (Lovell Holder '09) enact a scene from "Romeo and Juliet," while Cherie listens.
Photos: Brian Wilson
Princeton Summer Theater presents Inge play June 26-July 6
William Inge's "Bus Stop," which had its world premiere in Princeton in the 1950s, will return to town June 26-July 6 as part of Princeton Summer Theater's 40th anniversary season.
The all-student theater company based on the Princeton University campus will present the play at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, June 26-28 and July 3-5, with 2 p.m. matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays, June 28-29 and July 5-6, in the Hamilton-Murray Theater.
The show originally was performed some 50 years ago at nearby McCarter Theatre. It moved to Broadway, where it became immensely successful, and eventually was made into a classic movie starring Marilyn Monroe.
The current production is directed by Whitney Mosery, a member of Princeton's class of 2008 and stage managed by Max Rosmarin '11. It features a cast from Princeton and New York University's Stella Adler Studio of Acting, led by Princeton's Tyler Crosby '09 as Bo Decker and Veronica Siverd '10 as Cherie.
"Bus Stop's" action takes place in the middle of Kansas during a March blizzard. The roads are blocked, and the 2 a.m. bus to Topeka has to stop at Grace's Diner. Grace is played by Shannon Lee Clair '09. Off comes Cherie, a singer from Kansas City who is on her way to marry Bo in Montana -- like it or not. Drunk Dr. Lyman (Lovell Holder '09) comes in from the cold next, lecherous and charming all at once. He sets his eyes on Grace's waitress Elma (Tara Richter Smith, NYU '11) the minute he walks in, though she’s just 17. Then Bo comes in looking for Cherie, but gets stopped cold by Sheriff Will (Shawn Fennell '10). With all seeming calm, Grace heads to bed, the sheriff heads out to check the roads, and Carl the bus driver (John Hardin, NYU '10) decides to go for a walk in the snow. It is up to Elma and cowboy Virgil Blessing (Aaron Strand, NYU '11) to keep a lid on things until morning.
From left, Dr. Lyman thinks about Elma and Bo thinks about Cherie during Virgil Blessing's (Aaron Strand, NYU '11) guitar performance.
Princeton Summer Theater has been student run since 1968, and many of its alumni have gone on successful careers in theater.
For all evening shows and Sunday matinees, tickets are $20 for general admission and $16 for senior citizens. For Saturday matinees, tickets are $16 for general admission and $14 for senior citizens. Season tickets are available.
The schedule also includes: "An Inspector Calls" by J.B. Priestly, July 10-27; and "Blithe Spirit" by Noel Coward, July 31-Aug. 10.
For more information or to make reservations, call (609) 258-7062 or visit the theater's website.
