“BRINK OF LIFE” AT DREAMCATCHER REPERTORY THEATRE
May 10, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ -- Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, the professional theatre-in-residence at Bloomfield College, concludes its season with the workshop production of a new musical, “Brink of Life,” opening Friday, May 31.
The world premiere, which runs until Saturday, June 16, is written by Laura Ekstrand (book), Oliver Lake (music) and Steve Harper (lyrics). It tells the story of a group of high school seniors on the day of their big college entrance exam, as they grapple with the test, their demons, and their futures.
This project is one of many collaborations that were facilitated by the “Meet The Composer” grant received by a partnership that includes Oliver Lake, Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Bloomfield College, the Renaissance School, Sharron Miller’s Academy of the Performing Arts of Montclair, and the Discovery Charter School of Newark. Through this national grant program, renowned composer like Oliver Lake, a Montclair resident, can share their time and talent with arts and educational organizations that otherwise would not be able to work together. The opening night performance of “Brink of Life” will be a benefit to support this “Meet The Composer” partnership, now in the last of its three years.
With humor and honesty, “Brink of Life” introduces us to Louise, a feminist poet who may be in love with her best friend; Margaret, the valedictorian who has never given herself a break on the road to M.I.T.; and Jessie, a young woman who isn’t sure college is the right choice for her at all.
The boys taking the test are Mark, the outwardly successful athlete who is raising his little brother in a troubled home; Ricky, the wanna-be filmmaker who wonders whether he should ditch college to pursue fame and fortune; and Luke, the drifter who only knows he doesn’t want to follow his parents’ chosen path for his life. These characters, and several unexpected visitors from their subconsciousnesses, slog their way through the test that serves as the obstacle course between their present and their future.
Dreamcatcher’s all-New Jersey cast of young people features Larissa Auble (Livingston), who appeared on Broadway in Harold Prince’s production of “Showboat,” Eben Gordon (Millington), Seleena Harkness (Bloomfield), Daisy Hobbs (Maplewood), Justin Lopez (Sussex), Oscar Martinez (Elmwood Park), Dave Maulbeck (Summit), Dana Jones (Montclair), and Justin Robertazzi (Ridgewood). The show is directed by Linda Key, who has helmed such past Dreamcatcher projects as “Three Days of Rain” and “Painting Churches,” and musically directed by Peter Candela, who is currently a substitute pianist for “The Lion King” on Broadway.
“Brink of Life” will run at Dreamcatcher from Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 16. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 general admission, and $15 for seniors and students, with special rates for subscribers and groups. Performances are in the Robert V. Van Fossan Theatre of the Westminster Arts Center, located on the Bloomfield College campus just a few blocks from Exit 148 off the Garden State Parkway, on the corner of Franklin and Fremont Streets.
For information and tickets for any of Dreamcatcher’s programs, please call (973) 748-9008, ext. 995.
