For several years, the Weehawken Cultural Affairs Committee’s Skyline Players were the township’s resident theater group, entertaining audiences at the Senior Nutritional Center on Highwood Avenue twice annually. But then, the company just stopped performing.
The plays and productions ceased to be. It left a void in the Weehawken artistic community that wasn’t easily filled.
That is, until a few months ago, when the Skyline Players made a comeback. The theater group performed a staged reading of Truman Capote’s Christmas story at the Weehawken Free Public Library.
“That was the start,” said Elizabeth Mulcahy, who has directed and performed in many of the Skyline Players’ productions over the years. “It kind of just fell apart for a while, but that performance for Christmas really got things going again. It had been a while, but we all felt there was a need to get it going again.”
With that, the Skyline Players are ready to hit the boards again – and this time, they’ll produce a very unique production, written by one of the most famed comedic writers of the 20th century.
The Skyline Players will present “Adaptation,” a comedy by Elaine May, a satirical look at game shows, at the Nutritional Center for two weekends.
“Adaptation” will be presented Friday and Saturday April 5-6 and April 12-13, with the curtain at 8 p.m.
Mulcahy, who will direct this show as well, has been pushing to do “Adaptation” for over a year.
“There is a game show frenzy in America, with ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire,’ and the other shows,” said Mulcahy, a professional actress and long-time Weehawken resident. “I did the play when I was in high school and it was a lot of fun. You watch as one of the contestants goes through life experience in a game show setting. It’s a very interesting show.”
Mulcahy said that the one-act comedy is also different, because it interacts with the audience and encourages them to become contestants in the fictional game show.
“It really is a very light show, but some of the aspects are very true to life,” said Mulcahy, who is directing her fifth production for the Skyline Players. “Part of the play asks the contestants to find the security square. And that’s true what we do in our lives. We’re always looking for someone to validate us and we never validate ourselves. It’s very light and funny and pokes fun at politics, life, parenthood.”
Fellow Weehawken resident Duane Baker, who portrays Phil Benson in the show, was definitely interested in the uniqueness of the show.
“I’m also a game show freak,” said Baker, who considers “Jeopardy” his favorite. “I remember the play and was always interested in doing it. I’m glad to be a part of the cast.”
Jim Black is a newcomer to the group. A native of St. Louis who has been acting since he was 8 years old, Black moved to Weehawken a year ago as he pursues his dream of becoming a professional actor.
“I met one of the cast members in Hoboken, where I work, and I was interested,” Black said. “I hadn’t been doing much acting, so I felt like I needed something to do. This was a great challenge for me.”
That’s because Black plays the roles of about 13 different characters throughout the course of the play.
“I’m the jack of all trades,” Black said. “It’s a very proactive play and everything changes so quickly. The play says a lot about life and it’s a lot of fun. It also gives you something to think about, so I like that. The cast has been great and I’m glad I met them.”
Others in the cast include Weehawken resident Elyssa Gundersen and former Weehawken resident Tom Ahlers-Mack, who now resides in Secaucus.
Mulcahy is just anxious to get the show going.
“We’re already looking for a production to do in the fall,” Mulcahy said. “We’re hoping to do two productions a year. It’s been a while, so we’re kind of finding our way. We’re just hoping that we can do things more regularly.”
Weehawken theater enthusiasts are hoping for the same.
The Weehawken Cultural Affairs Committee’s Skyline Players will present Elaine May’s comedy “Adaptation,” at the Weehawken Senior Nutritional Center, 201 Highwood Ave., Weehawken, for two weekends, Friday and Saturday, beginning Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance, $3 for seniors and students and $7 at the door. For ticket information and reservations, call (201) 867-8447.