Maurena Luzzi wrote “Left to Rewrite” in 161 hours, and it went on to become the North Bergen Players’ upcoming production. She tailored each of the characters to the players who would fit the role.
Luzzi, 70, began directing the acting troupe 25 years ago with her late husband. Since then she estimates there have been around 400 North Bergen Players who’ve worked on productions. More than 100 of them recently attended the first reunion of the group, some flying in from across the country.
It was around the same time that Luzzi wrote a new play for her current members. Perhaps she had been reflecting on her many years as a playwright, because the topic centers on rewrites before the opening night of a show.
In the play, Steve, the producer and director, and his ex-wife Cloris, the playwright, are getting set for a production in a Massachusetts theater that they have rented for three weeks – except that Cloris keeps rewriting her dramatic play.
“I think we’ve all become friends over the years.” – Anna Hernandez
________
Cloris knows that the drama will fail and saves the show by getting a friend to send her an old comedy script that she had written years ago.
“I can do comedy,” said Luzzi. “[I can’t] make people cry, but yes, they do cry with laughter.”
The production deals with everything from marriage to college, largely due to the fact that the cast ranges in age from 10 to 60.
Luzzi’s granddaughter, Anna Hernandez, 10, is the youngest cast mate.
“I think we’ve all become friends over the years and close, and we stick up for each other,” said Hernandez.
There were no generation gaps because community theatre brings everyone together, said Luzzi.
A learning experience
Cast member Terry Lee King said that he comes back to the North Bergen Players because each production is a learning experience and because the cast is like his family.
“One thing I’ve learned is that the more serious you are about your part, the funnier it is,” said King.
Megan Ricigliano, a High Tech High School graduate who is now a Montclair University student, said that the show was a different premise then she had seen before.
Abrahim Mahdi, a North Bergen High School alum who now attends New Jersey City University, explained that he stuck with the group because of how enjoyable productions are.
“It’s great having a role written for you,” said Norberto Cancel, who plays the part of Steve.
He said that he really liked his part in this play because of some of his funny lines. He said that much of his role somewhat mirrors what Luzzi does as a writer, since she is “probably writing from her own experience.”
Mandi said that the group also represented the diversity of the area in their ages and backgrounds.
Thankful for theatre
Cancel attended the North Bergen Players reunion, which was held two weeks ago. He said that as a newer cast member, he was surprised that so many people came out and praised her for the work she has done.
“It was nice to see that because you don’t think about that when you come here sometimes and those people and how they appreciate her,” said Cancel.
After the reunion former cast members arranged a memory book for Luzzi with personal notes of thanks. For some people, the reunion was the first time in 20 years that they had seen each other.
“It’s absolutely incredible and the things they wrote there, I never even knew they felt this way,” said Luzzi, who explained many of them said she was like a mother to them.
Looking forward
While Luzzi is happy for those she taught that went on to go into television, acting, and beyond, she currently is focused on the production at hand.
They have been rehearsing twice a week, while next week rehearsals with be grow to three and more as the show gets closer.
Tickets are $12 per person and the funds go into a special trust created by the town of North Bergen for the group’s expenses.
Performances will be on Nov. 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 8 and 15 at 5 p.m.
To reserve tickets, call the theater at (201) 854-7074 or Luzzi at (201) 854-6246.