For North Bergen Player Terry Lee King, this spring’s original production of “Gone Legit” is especially important to him.
On March 7 his sister passed away, and to console himself, he has thrown himself into the production, taking on more responsibilities, such as stage manager and choreographer.
“I was very close to her, so I’m going to dedicate my performance in this show to my sister,” said King. “She really used to like to watch me perform. This is the first show that I’m doing since her passing, so this means a lot.”
“In North Bergen, as well as other towns in New Jersey, the performing arts are really disappearing.” – Terry Lee King
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Moe knows
King will don the role of Moe Davis, a reformed gangster who is trying to clean up his act while he helps juggle his bosses’ finances.
The comedy, set in 1934, was written by Luzzi, who is also a member of the North Bergen Board of Education. She said she pulled the idea of the play from personal experience. Before marrying her now deceased husband, she was previously engaged and about to buy a house in Westchester, N.Y.
“We found a box full of pictures of gangsters of that time,” said Luzzi. She said the photos were from the late 1920s through the 1930s.
Original script
The story focuses on Tess and Angelo Mattarazzo, played by Felice Pelson and Henry Marrero.
Marrero, a North Bergen police sergeant, plays a man who is pressured by his wife to stop his involvement with “numbers and booze” and go “legit.”
Luzzi said that the couple opens up a restaurant and goes abroad in their attempts to “get some culture,” but while they are gone, the restaurant fails. Their employees, Moe Davis and Don Mancuzo, who were once the boss’ henchmen, can’t keep a good cook.
“In reality, the boys are working the back end still doing dirt,” said Marrero.
Meanwhile the Mattarazzos’ daughter Caryann is coming home to introduce the family to her fiancé and his family, who are “old money.”
Marrero said that speaking in 1930s jargon was a challenge, but that it helped make the play realistic.
Luzzi said that this comedy may be her best writing yet.
Pelson agreed. “Even though it’s a comedy…it’s harder because of the timing,” she said.
Community oriented
This will be Marrero’s third show with Luzzi. He admits that he didn’t know that a theatre company existed in North Bergen until a few years ago, but since then, he has developed an enormous appreciation for what the program provides to the community.
Maggie Barata plays the mother of James Howard Nelson, who is engaged to Caryann. Her daughter Nina Ibarria takes the role as her daughter in the play as well.
This is her first theatre performance ever.
“The people here are very creative, said Barata. “Everyone is very talented…with Maurena directing, all of her knowledge and experience has really reflected on all of us.”
Ibarria said that the experience had always allowed her spend time with her mother.
Marrero said that the North Bergen Players is a great way for the community to have an outlet.
“People should come out because in North Bergen, as well as other towns in New Jersey, the performing arts are really disappearing,” said King. “A lot of the younger folks and even a lot of the old folks are at risk for getting in trouble and doing things they shouldn’t be doing and this takes a lot of your time and gives you a positive energy.”
Showtime
“Going Legit” will be held at the theatre troupe’s location in the North Bergen Public Library, located at 8411 Bergenline Ave., on May 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23.
Friday and Saturday performances will be held at 8 p.m., while curtains will rise on Sunday shows at 5 p.m.
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.
To reserve tickets, call the theater at (201) 854-7074 or Luzzi at (201) 854-6246.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.