Spoken Word, Salon Readings, and a Festival
Spoken Word, Salon Readings, and a Festival
Monday, May 22, 2023 7pm
THE LAST ASCENT by Kristin Idaszak, directed by Katrin Hilbe
When Iris, a professional alpinist, is diagnosed with a heart condition that may prevent her from ever climbing again, she reluctantly turns to a therapist/guru, who specializes in working with elite rock climbers. But Iris begins unpacking a whole lot more than she bargained for, as her therapist pushes her to open up about a tragic accident that changed her life forever.

Monday, August 7, 2023 7pm
HEEL TURN By Joel Stone
Pro wrestler, Jonas Dalton, pays a long-delayed visit to his brother and tag team partner Eli, who is recovering from a potentially career-ending injury. As the brothers covertly plot their return to the ring, all sorts of secrets are revealed –including backstabbing betrayal, corporate shenanigans, marital problems, sibling rivalry, and the correct way to apply a Figure Four Leg Lock.

Monday, August 14, 2023 7pm
THE TWO HANDER
By Julia Blauvelt, starring Jill Eikenberry and Ella Dershowitz
Therapy first-timer Claire feels immediately understood by Diana, her sharp and witty therapist. But there are obstacles in the room as patient and doctor come to rely on each other in a way that transcends the office.

Monday, August 21, 2023 7pm
THE SCIENCE OF LEAVING OMAHA
By Carter W. Lewis, directed by James Glossman
After dropping out of school, Iris takes a job at the Belladonna Funeral Home. Now three years later, she is trying to find her way out of the job - and out of Omaha. One winter evening, a young man breaks into the funeral home to say goodbye to his recently deceased wife. As they wait for the police to arrive, the two try to understand the dismantling of their working-class lives as well as their present and past transgressions.
Doors open at 6:30. Open seating. Readings begin promptly at 7pm followed by a discussion. For tickets call 732-229-3166.
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A Special One Night Stand

Just announced - David Mills as Langston Hughes - Monday, June 19 at 7pm
Langston Hughes - What better way to celebrate Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes--affectionately known as Shakespeare in Harlem--than a one-hour-and-twenty-minute, one-person-dramatic rendition of Langston Hughes’ poems and short stories. The show is no mere recitation of Hughes’ work. Actor and writer David Mills’ performance takes the audience on an odyssey spanning five decades—from the 1920s-through the 1960s-- of Hughes’ writings, where Mr. Mills portrays Hughes’ notable characters, such as Madam Alberta K. Johnson and Jessie B. Simple. Mr. Mills enacts excerpts of Hughes’ iconic, poetry collection “Montage of A Dream Deferred,” too. Hughes’ work lends itself to dramatic interpretation because Langston frequently wrote persona poems (poems in the first-person voices of people such as the aforementioned Alberta K. Johnson). Mr. Mills brings to life Hughes’ black characters--individuals who migrated to Harlem during the early 20th century. Mr. Mills’ performance highlights Hughes’ unending love for Harlem--with its foibles and fantasies, its beauty and brutality. Mr. Mills plays both white and black Americans, young and old, and male and female characters whom Langston created. While bringing all these voices to life, Mr. Mills also sings snippets of songs from the different eras Hughes wrote about. The show explores Hughes’ penchant for both humor and pathos. And Mr. Mills dramatically interprets Langston Hughes’ contribution to modernist poetry--the blues poem. Hughes’ classic pieces such as “I’ve Known Rivers,” “Mother to Son,” “Theme for English B” and “I, Too” are enacted alongside lesser-known, but equally powerful Hughes poems such as Merry Go Round, and Advice, giving the audience a nuanced look at Langston. Mr. Mills also performs the short-stories “Thank You Ma’am and ‘There Ought to Be a Law’—where he portrays Hughes’ iconic character, Jesse B. Simple. The hilarious, ironic and little known Hughes short story, “Rock, Church.” is one of the show’s centerpieces.
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A Monumental Event
Pridefest 2023, Long Branch!
June 3 - June 25

Art, Photography, and 5 Unique Productions
West End Arts Center 132 West End Avenue, Long Branch

Opening Reception for "Our Way" Art Show and "Out" Photography Exhibit, Meet and Greet the Artists  June 3 from 4pm-7pm
The Silver Bell
by Alan Flanagan
June 8-18
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Miss Delta Township
by Joanne Callum Powers
June 15-18
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What Doesn't Kill You
by James Hindman
June 8-11
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Sister Mary's Playtime
by Tim McArthur
June 22-25
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Our Way Art Show Curated by Mare Akana
Democracy Sucks
by Monica Bauer
June 22-25
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Out Photography Exhibit by Andrea Phox
Out Photography Exibit by
Andrea Phox 
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