The Great Work HAS Begun

I have used Tony Kushner's incredible quote, "The great work begins", from "Angels In America: Millennium Approaches" as the mantra of this company from the very beginning of this journey. As I sit here on the last day of 2010 I look back on a year that brought a dream to fruition....the christening of a new theatre in Camden. A new theatre anywhere in the world is a reason to celebrate but this one, sharing a zip code with some of our poorest of neighbors in the country, brings us a true triumph. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of our journey so far. We will continue to bring the most professional theatre possible to the corner of 4th and Jasper. I don't think that Tony would mind that in this one case we adjust his quote. "The great work HAS begun".

Happy Holidays from SCTC and Annual Appeal

We have been so blessed this year. Our new theatre opened in September bringing the city of Camden it's first theatre built for stage plays in over 100 years! We have you to thank for bringing us this far and over 1200 people have come to our first two plays! In this wonderful season of giving we also would like to ask you to help us once again as we continue to bring our new season to life. Please help us reach our annual appeal of $10,000. If everyone on our friends list donates only $25 we will reach our goal which will help pay for the sets and other costs. Go to http://www.southcamdentheatre.org/support.html to make your tax deductible contribution. Our low ticket price of $15 could never be enough to support the level of work we bring to you and your support makes everything possible. Happy Holidays and we'll save a seat for you.

"Waiting For Lefty" first rehearsal

I had to tell you of the excitement today at our first rehearsal for 'Waiting For Lefty". The energy brought forth from the cast was remarkable and we are set for the rehearsal period with an incredible vigor. This play has never been more relevant and I really hope you will be coming to Waterfront South Theatre in February to be a part of it. We all found so many moments in this play so personal to all of us in today's US and today, are only at the beginning of our journey. Tix are on sale at www.southcamdentheatre.org. Don't miss out on this exciting production with this incredible cast.

Dominica Foundation Event at Waterfront South Theatre

This past Sunday, Waterfront South Theatre was the site of a recognition event sponsored by Pepe Piperno and his Dominica Foundation. Through Pepe's and his foundation's incredible generosity the theatre was built and now will host theatre and other events far into the future. It was also the first non-SCTC event in the theatre and we all could not be prouder. On behalf of Board President Bob Bingaman and myself who were in attendance, thank you to the Piperno family for their continued generosity. We also made new friends at this event and received many promises that they would be joining us for "Waiting for Lefty" in February as well. Thanks again to all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone is having a great, relaxing Thanksgiving Day weekend. We at SCTC have so much to be grateful for from the generosity of Helene Pierson and Heart of Camden to Pepe Piperno and his Dominica Foundation to Michael Doyle and especially to all of you who have come to Waterfront South Theatre this season see a show. The first half of the season is already behind us and we are now beginning to work on our next show "Waiting For Lefty" which will come to you in February. The play, written by Clifford Odets, is set during the Great Depression and is, unfortunately , so relevant today. This play won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and is very rarely performed due to it's large cast. We at SCTC are honored to bring it to you and hope that you will join us during our season of "the past, in the present, is our future". We auditioned over fifty actors over two days to find these great actors and I could not be happier with our cast.

Enjoy the holiday...we are so grateful for all of you. Please join us as we all "Wait for Lefty".

Busy weekend at SCTC

It's hard to believe that we have already completed the first half of Season 1 in Waterfront South Theatre. This weekend, casting will begin for our next play "Waiting For Lefty" by Clifford Odets which will open on February 4th. This play changed American theatre in the 1930's and has always been a dream of mine to direct. 'Lefty" is rarely produced and our production will give you an opportunity to see why this play is so important to the American theatre. Tickets have been selling for the past few weeks already. Please preorder your seats today at www.southcamdentheatre.org. The closing weekends of both "Last Rites" and "The Old Settler" had capacity audiences. I'll be keeping you informed on the plays progress through rehearsals. Stay tuned.....

"Old Settler" closes to capacity audiences

Thank you to everyone who made the clsoing weekend of "The Old Settler" such a resounding success. Thank you, also, to the incredible cast and crew who brought this beautiful play to you for the past three weeks. We will bring Clifford Odets' Pulitzer Prize winning play "Waiting for Lefty" to you in February. Keep an eye out for some special announcemnts over the next few weeks as we all "Wait for Lefty".

Old Settler sold out last night

Thank you to everyone who was a part of the sold out audience of last night's performance of "The Old Settler" at SCTC. Thank you also to Joe and Frank from New Jersey Network Television who came last night to film SCTC for a future NJN broadcast concerning the rebirth of Camden. Limited seating is still available for tonight and tomorrow afternoon. Please don't wait to buy tickets! Last night we had to turn people away [thankfully they bought seats for tonight]. Go to www.southcamdentheatre.org for tickets. Come and be a part of all of this excitement. Come to Waterfront South Theatre and visit with "The Old Setter"!

Thank you to the Gloucester City Business Association

Thank you to Bob and Susan from Gloucester Travel [one of our sponsors] for the invitation to speak at this past week's GCBA meeting. We had a great discussion about the excitement of a professional theatre so close to Gloucester City and I am already working with a local business to bring a group to a future play. Consider bringing a group to a show. Please remember there are six more performances of "The Old Settler"that begin on Friday evening. Don't miss this great play full of wonderful performances. Go to http://www.southcamdentheatre.org/ for tickets.

Old Setter Opens!

Congratulations to Theresa and our incredible cast and crew of "The Old Settler" that opened last night in our beautiful new home at the Waterfront South Theatre. This play and cast will make you laugh, make you cry and give you an evening in the theatre that truly should not be missed. When you come, you will be transformed back to the 1940's with music and a most incredible set designed by Robert Bingaman. There are 8 more shows for you to join us. Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM and Sunday afternoons at our new time of 2PM. Go to www.southcamdentheatre.org for tickets. Don't miss this great theatre event......."shoot".

"The Old Settler" arrives Friday in Camden

Please join us for one of the nine performances over the next three weekends of John Henry Redwood's beautiful play "The Old Settler" directed by Theresa Devine Banford which opens this Friday night at 8PM. The play is set in Harlem in the late 1940's and gives a beautifl glimpse of love, jealousy and old secrets between two sisters "of a certain age". Also please note we have changed our Sunday performance time to 2PM from 1:30PM. This will give you more time to come spend an afternoon with us in Waterfront South. Final rehearsals are this week. I saw Thursday's rehearsal and I guarantee you will fall in love with these characters and play. Tickets can be reserved at www.southcamdentheatre.org. See you this weekend at the theatre!

Over 800 People saw "Last Rites"...Thank you!

Thank you to everyone for making the opening of Waterfront South Theatre such a huge success by coming to see my play "Last Rites". After each show, I was told so many stories from people who had ties to the yard, Camden and other cities and situations that were both beautiful to hear as well as heartbreaking. Please feel free to share your stories on our Facebook page. We are already preparing for "The Old Settler" beginning on Friday, October 22nd. Reserve now for the nine show run. It is a beautiful play and we can't wait to bring it to you. Professional theatre is alive and well in Waterfront south!

Thank you and 3 shows remaining!

I wanted to take a minute to thank the over 600 people who have seen my play "Last Rites" up to now during this run. This has been an incredbile experience. We have had three weeks of large audiences and the cast and myself are so grateful. Limited tickets remain for this weekend's final three shows and I hope you can come out to see the play that started the entire idea of Waterfront South Theatre. Go to www.southcamdentheatre.org to reserve. Join us in Camden and see what all of the excitement is about.

From Provincetown to Camden....

What an incredible Tennessee Williams Festival this year! Beautiful weather, good bartenders and the wonderful words of a true American master Tennessee Williams. Now, after a bus ride [rough sea alert, so no ferry] and a short plane ride I am back in Camden getting ready for the final three shows of 'Last Rites" this weekend. You have three more chances to go back in time and visit Walt's Cafe as the shipyard closes and a city changes. A great review and wonderful word of mouth have resulted in brisk ticket sales. Don't miss it! Reserve now online at www.southcamdentheatre.org. "The Old Settler" will be coming after that opening on October 22nd.

We are working on next season already. Many wonderful surprises to come!! En avant!

Tennessee Williams Festival Closes

I am sitting here listening to the increasingly angry surf crashing under my window after the closing party for the very successful 5th Annual Tennessee Williams Festival here in Provincetown. Rain is moving in and....it seems a fitting end to an incredible week. The more I come up here the more friends I make and it is always so great to see them and...so sad to say goodbye. Many good things are happening and my dream is to find a way to connect SCTC with this incredible festival here to bring this quality of work to Camden. and..to bring SCTC to P'Town. Thanks to everyone that made this week so special. Art continues to flourish here and Camden's own art travels well to the tip of Cape Cod. 3 more performances of "Last Rites" this weekend. Tickets are going fast. Don;t miss out. See you at 4th and Jasper and...as Tennessee ended all of his letters....en avant!

Floating with the wind

I was just getting ready to meet my friend, playwright Gail Phaneuf for lunch when I looked out the window to the harbor and just above my head was a gull, motionless except for the wind propelling it wherever it took him. He chose not to fly, instead just let the wind push him wherever it wanted. It was a purely majestic sight and I realized that, at times, we must all just let the winds of life take us where they lead. I had to use my effort to get up here but since then I have been letting the winds lead me where they will. As the festival draws to a close and I head back home I intend to let the wind take me more and more as majesty is there for all of us if we trust in it. Provincetown is a magical place. I feel O'Neill's and Tennessee's energy everywhere. En avant!

"A man ain't a plaster saint"

I just saw Eugene O'Neill's "Diff'rent" at the Tennessee Williams Festival in P'town. Tenn saw this play here in the 1940's which is why it is included here now. O'Neill's poetry on a P'Town wharf [where he wrote so much] ....tide lapping gently under the boards, spume under your feet, with lighthouses over your shoulder has never brought him more to life. He wrote such personal, painful poetry so long ago that is still so relevant in 2010 and far beyond. We can all see ourselves in his work. "A man ain't a plaster saint" will stay with me forever. One needs whiskey after such magic. I'm off....

Early Saturday Morning in P'Town

One more day of theatre and Tennesse Williams behind me. At about 5 AM the street sweeper cleans Commercial Street, breaking the silence of the early morning with the sound of a loud truck. It is harbinger of next week when I return home to the reality of my non P'Town existance. The reality of everyday life again invades my space as a writer. Necessaary....but...unpleasant. I saw two small plays called "Escape" tonight. I now understand Tennessee more than ever.

Of P'Town, Tennessee Williams and Jupiter

So, I was privileged to be in the audience tonight for Tennessee Williams' "Orpheus Descending" at the Tennessee Williams Festival in Provincetown, MA. It was a remarkable night as I was in Tenn's sometime home, seeing one of his incredibly intense and poetic plays, in a production produced by my friend Beth Bartley that was incredible. I mention Jupiter in the title since, on my way to the theatre, a man next to me told me to look up and see Jupiter as close as it would be for the next twenty years. This bright light next to a full moon cast a beautiful blue-green light as the tide gently washed ashore as we were preparing for an evening of Tennessee Williams.

Never lose sight of what theatre truly can be. A chance to see a rare manifestation on a random night because we venture out and see a work of a master. This is a magical place and I have just witnessed true magic on this earth. Art WILL save us.

6 Performances of Last Rites left...don't miss it!

We completed our 6th show yesterday and I am so proud to say that over 450 people have already seen the play in the first two weeks! We are on target to break our attendance record for a single show and we are so grateful. Tickets remain for the last 6 shows this and next weekend [some days much tighter than others]. Don't miss out on seeing the play performed by a tremendous cast on the corner the play is set...and... in the theatre that was built because of this play. I have received so many compliments from the audience on Last Rites and this production. I am humbled and grateful. Please...don't miss the chance to see our first production in our new home. Reserve your tickets online at http://www.southcamdentheatre.org/ today. Come see what all of the excitement is about. See you at 4th and Jasper!

First amazing weekend of "Last Rites"

Thank you to everyone who came out to the new theatre this past weekend to see my play "Last Rites". The first three shows were sold out and Sunday's audience was large and enthusiastic. You have nine more shows over the next three weeks to come out to Waterfront south and see this excellent cast work so hard. We had people come this weekend from as far as northern New Jersey and Delaware. Please tell your friends to join you. Seeing this play in the new theatre allows you to travel back in time forty years and see what happened to Camden as well as many other US cities from your seat in Walt's old saloon; now a new theatre. Come feel the happiness of a close knit neighborhood and feel with the characters it's change and decline. It's easy to reserve online at www.southcamdentheatre.org. Please join us and help bring Camden back to life.

LAST RITES OPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night was one of the most emotional nights of my life. We opened "Last Rites" after an incredible opening ceremony that brought 4th and Jasper to exciting, vibrant life. Thanks to an incredible cast and crewwho have taken my play and made it their own. A special thanks to Mayor Dana Redd for her wonderful speech and for the two proclamations that were given to the theatre company and myself. It is such a high honor and is so appreciated. You have eleven more chances to see the play that changed a corner. "Last Rites" runs until October 3rd. Come to Camden and join the emotion and excitement. Heal Camden!

Open Dress Rehearsal last night

What a night I am just waking up from! Last night over 100 people came to the new Waterfront south Theatre to see an open dress rehearsal of my play "Last Rites". It was an emotional evening as we all honored Pepe Piperno for his incredible generosity in building our new home. I will never forget the look on Pepe's face when his children unveiled the sign over the theatre "Dominica Hall". Dominica was Pepe's mother and the theatre will forever honor her. After, a performance of the play to all of our seat sponsors who were the first people to go back in time and see a play in the old bar. Opening night is tomorrow which begins a a four week run. Please join us. For times and schedule go to www.southcamdentheatre.org. The emotional impact of this on us will spread to you as we all sit in Walt's Cafe at 4th and Jasper. Art will save us!

Labor Day 2010 - Shifting Gears

I couldn't let Labor Day pass without saying thank you to all of the people who have worked so hard to get the Waterfront South Theatre ready to open this Friday. To all of our staff, donors, volunteers and especially everyone from Heart of Camden led by Helene Pierson...thank you. So now...construction is over and a different kind of labor is occurring. Our talented cast led by "Jumbo" have been working for months to bring my play to life with rehearsal after rehearsal. Bob Bingaman has designed and built a set you will not believe. Adrian, Jim and Katie have been setting light and sound cues to put you back into Camden in the late 1960's. Brad, Ashley and Erika have been gathering props, costumes and putting it all together.

Producing a play requires the same hard work ethic as any other endeavor, and by many talented, professional artists. The long wait is almost over. The magic begins on Friday.

Please join us.

Walt's Cafe reborn!

Today, thanks to my cousins Suzanne Metzgar and Rob Derowski, I picked up the cash register that my grandfather used during the days of Walt's Cafe from 1928 to 1968. We carried it back into the bar, now theatre, and rang up a sale where for so many years my grandfather rang up the sales of shipbuilder after shipbuilder. The register will be used onstage in my play "Last Rites" which opens next Friday. Bringing it back into the building was yet another emotional moment in this long journey. We have a long rehearsal tomorrow getting ready to bring the past back to life in the present. Please come to Camden over the four week run to see "Last Rites". And...while you are there.....take a real close look at that register to see how cheap beer was back in my grandpop's day! En avant!

Thank you Michael Smerconish on Talk 1210 AM Philadelphia radio

I wanted to thank Michael Smerconish and his producer T C Scornavacchi for interviewing me this morning live on their show in the "Local Treasures" segment. Michael was very excited and enthusiastic about the play, theatre and Waterfront South neighborhood and we at SCTC are so grateful for their support. We are two weeks from opening night. Excitement is starting to build in our cast, crew and neighborhood. Come and see what all the excitement is about. Come see 'Last Rites". Opening night is sold out but tickets remain for all other performances. See you at the theatre!

Watching Act II...three weeks until "Last Rites"

I decided to stop by the theatre last night and catch up on rehearsals for the second act of my play 'Last Rites". Watching these incredible actors work [led by director Chris "Jumbo" Schimpf] ended up keeping me at the theatre much later than I had intended. The combination of the play, performance and space was truly coming together. Watching the scenes set in the bar in a seat ON THE SITE OF WALT'S CAFE was an incredible experience for me. A moment that I had dreamed about for years and now was playing out. There is much more work to do, but, as many have told me along the way, there are moments one needs to take in, enjoy and appreciate. This was one of them.

Three weeks from tonight, the brand new Waterfront South Theatre will open with this, the play that started it all. Please go online and order tickets and join us during our four weeks of performances. The past, alive in the present, is our future.

Brad and Ashley....

So...tonight our theatre family and the new Waterfront South Theatre had our first event. Our acting Managing Director, Brad Reiter, asked his long time girlfriend and our stage manager, Ashley Chambers to marry him on the new stage...under some romantic lighting.. Thank God she said yes...and the new theatre begins with the new life that only a young couple in love can bring. What a wonderful ride we all are on..... Karma is a wonderful thing.......angels continue to fall.....

Last Rites cast onstage at Waterfront South Theatre

There have been so many wonderful moments in the past month. From the sidewalk to the seats, the railings leading up to the third floor, many a moment has occurred that leads us all to celebrate...and...express constant thanks. Something happened on Saturday that brought it to the next level. After spending the morning with many others putting down the final top pieces on the stage the cast began to arrive for their afternoon rehearsal. Then...the magic really happened. For the first time ever I watched actors working on the new stage. Seeing and hearing them made me realize that this rebirth of the corner, all started from the pages of my play was now coming full circle. My grandparents and the other characters in the play were bringing the Camden of 4th and Jasper circa 1967 into 2010 right before my eyes. When you come to see Last Rites starting September 10th the lights will go down as the show begins. When they come up, time has gone back forty years and you, sitting in your seat in the old Walt's Cafe are there to witness it....right where it happened. Angels continue to land....

Please take your seat

I just got home from the theatre where eight of us spent the morning putting half of the new seats into the space. We now have 46 seats installed with more to be done this coming week. At around 12:30 PM, I was finally able, after years and years of planning and hard work by so many people, to take a seat in the front row of the new theatre. It was an unbelievable feeling to be sitting in a front row seat looking onto a stage where dreams really can come true. I looked up into the three stories of space over the stage and realized that this could be the only 96 seat venue anywhere that has such a large stage with such a small house. I kept looking up, to just maybe see the angel that was the inspiration for me writing in the first place [from the play Angels in America]. After a few seconds, I turned and looked around me. When I did, I saw many angels, hard at work, who had already landed. They were laughing, putting in sound, putting in seats and with one special angel taking pictures of it all happening. Angels have come to earth at 4th and Jasper. It's getting so close..................

Remembering my aunt Olga Derowski

I had just posted last week about the death of my aunt, Helen Sokolowski, one of my grandparent's Walt and Sue's daughters who died last week so close to the rebirth of her old home at 4th and Jasper. Last night, after Helen's funeral, I recieved a call from my cousin that my aunt Olga, the youngest sister in the family, had passed away last night. Olga had been suffering from dementia for some time and died peacefully. As hard as one death is to fathom we now have another to mourn. So close to new life we always are.........things over the horizon are always close to us....and....always led by angels.

Read this article in today's Boston Globe

The art of saving a city - The Boston Globe

As you can see by reading this, Camden has sister cities all over the country. Here is yet another example of a city being saved through the arts. Come down to 4th and jasper and be a part of the excitement. Camden will rise. Heal Camden!

Remembering my aunt, Helen Sokolowski

My aunt Helen died Monday morning. She was one of my grandparent's four daughters and was raised in Walt's Cafe, so soon to be reborn as Waterfront South Theatre. I remember back in the spring when, on one of our volunteer painting days, Helen came into the theatre for the first time through the same old doorway that for years was the entry to her father's bar. I walked her around and showed her the lobby, theatre and then went up the steps to show her the other two, new floors, then in the midst of their creation. As she came down into the lobby she looked out the two large windows, exactly the size and type that were there so long ago when she was a girl. At that time I saw that she had tears in her eyes and just kept telling me "this is great...this is so great". Cancer took her swiftly this past Monday morning, so soon before the corner's rebirth. So...now instead of watching "Last Rites" from her seat she will instead watch it with her parents from a much higher venue. Life...in all of its shifting forms always continues. Although I will miss her so badly at the opening I have a feeling that she, along with my grandparents, have already taken their seats. See you soon at 4th and Jasper.

A high spot in Mr. O'Neill's memory...jogged into mine by LBI

......And several other times in my life, when I was swimming far out, or lying alone on a beach, I have had the same experience. Became the sun, the hot sand, green seaweed anchored to a rock, swaying in the tide. Like a saint's vision of beatitude. Like the veil of things as they seem drawn back by an unseen hand. For a second you see- and seeing the secret, are the secret. For a second there is meaning! Then the hand lets the veil fall and you are alone, lost in the fog again, and you stumble on toward nowhere, for no good reason. [He grins wryly] It was a great mistake, my being born a man. I would have been much more successful as a sea gull or a fish. As it is, I will always be a stranger who never feels at home, who does not really want and is not really wanted, who can never belong, who must always be a little in love with death!

Long Days into Night - Eugene O'Neill

Brick by brick.....

I stopped by the theatre about an hour ago to watch a crew of people install our new steps and handicapped ramp....brick by brick. This will be the path that, hopefully, many, many people will take into our new home; a home where this season the men who built the ships of World War II and their neighborhood will again rise, Harlem of the 1940's will come to back to glorious life and the words of Clifford Odets and Eugene O'Neill will again ring. All of this.......brick by brick. This is so symbolic of how we got to this point. Meeting by meeting......donor by donor.....play by play.........craftsman by craftsman....and now...brick by brick. A foundation must be solid for a building to rise...the same is true with a theatre company. Thank you to all of the "craftsmen" out there who...dollar by dollar....and dream by dream are putting 4th and Jasper back together again. Heal Camden!

Air, Light, time and space [Buckowski quote of the day]

“ you know, I’ve either had a family, a job, something has always been in the way but now I’ve sold my house, I’ve found this place, a large studio, you should see the space and the light. For the first time in my life I’m going to have a place and the time to create.”

No baby, if you’re going to create you’re going to create whether you work 16 hours a day in a coal mine or you’re going to create in a small room with 3 children while you’re on welfare, you’re going to create with part of your mind and body blown away, you’re going to create blind crippled demented, you’re going to create with a cat crawling up your back while the whole city trembles in earthquake, bombardment, flood and fire.

Baby, air and light and time and space have nothing to do with it and don’t create anything except maybe a longer life to find new excuses for.

Charles Buckowski Words to live by.

Craftsmen at work in the theatre

I just walked through the theatre and watched two men install the final tiles in our new bathrooms in the lobby. They are the old type tiles one would have seen in old saloons back in the day of Walt's Cafe, selected to bring as much of the past to our new home. On a normal day I wouldn't share what our bathrooom floors look like but watching these craftsmen work, carefully bringing the corner back to life, tile by tile, with detail and talent, brings us all one step closer to our new reality. We'll be there Saturday morning until noon or so working on finishing doors and sanding steps. We love volunteers!! Come on by if you have some time on this busy holiday weekend. And when you do...trust me.......check out the bathroom floors!!

Winging back to Camden and saying goodbye [for now] to Tennessee Williams

Another amazing thing happened as we took off into the blue, clear Key West sky headed north . As I adjusted my earphones [badly as I am prone to do], I heard Dick Haymes singing "Blue Skies" on the XM radio. This is very special as it is Dick Haymes' version of "I'll Get By" that opens my play "Last Rites". Because of the song's message, I wrote the opening song into the script years ago and now, hearing his velvety baritone voice as we left Key West, I realized that it was in Camden I needed to be as Waterfront South Theatre's opening of my play was now only 76 days away. My week visiting with Tennessee was over and it was now time to get back to work. It is time for a new theatre to be born in a section of Camden that is crying to be healed. You have the same opportunity to hear your own siren leading you home starting September 10th. Come see what all of the excitement is about. Come back to Camden and join us.

Seventy Seven Days

Relaxing in inspiring locations is always wonderful. We all know that, though, the time for relaxation is fleeting and must always come to an end. After returning from my third time visiting Tennessee Williams' home I took a look at the calendar and realized that we are 77 days from the opening of my play "Last Rites" in our beautiful new theatre. It is with my internal batteries recharged that I head back to the work and preparation that is required and cannot wait to see this corner in Camden reborn. We all need to recharge from time to time in all that we do and my visit with Tennessee has done exactly that for me. So get ready, recharge and move forward. Waterfront South is rising before us. We will all need our energies to meet the call. As Tennessee ended many of his letters....En Avant!

Waterfront South Theatre - Waterfront Playhouse

At the beginning of the process of the design of our new home, the Waterfront South Theatre, I was asked what we should name our beautiful new building at 4th and Jasper. One of the names that was also considered was Waterfront Playhouse. So, it came as a big surprise to me, that upon arriving in Key West I discovered that one of the theatres here is indeed called Waterfront Playhouse and that Tennessee Williams not only supported it financially but actually performed here in 1970. He read from his poetry during a fundraiser for the local library. Our shared waterfront reaches from Camden to Key West with theatre serving as our long cable of connection. The angels continue to land........

Of Key West, Tennessee Williams and Angels

One place I always wanted to visit is Key West, where Tennessee Williams spent a lot of time and wrote some of his finest plays. So..on the plane to Key West, Gus reaches into the seat in front of him and pulls out one page from the NY Times. On this single page is a review of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE now being presented in Chicago. Why that seat? Why that page? That was the first sign he was leading me. So, after, I look out the window, and think of the ending of GLASS MENAGERIE with his line [to paraphrase] "bright colored small perfume bottles like pieces of a broken rainbow". Just then, a large cloud ahead of us passes and UNDER us, as we are at 30,000 feet, I see my first rainbow from above. Another sign that the man himself is guiding me to his home that I have so long wanted to visit. Tennessee Willimas is here among us in his work, and, luckily for me at 30,000 feet and in Key West. Angels continue to gather.......

Happy Bloomsday!

Take a moment today to remember James Joyce. Remember him in his work. I'd like to share with you my favorite Joyce quote from his short story"The Dead".

"Better pass boldly into that other world, in full glory of some passion, than fade and wither dismally with age."

A lesson for us all.

THANKS VOLUNTEERS!!!

Thanks again to everyone who helped with the staining, painting and cleaning up of Waterfront South Theatre yesterday. I would also like to thank Councilman William Spearman for taking time to come into the theatre and take a personal tour. We are starting to discuss some exciting work involving young people in Camden and I will keep you informed. Bill was at the Hearts and Hands Festival to hear his son play with the HS of Creative and Performing Arts Jazz band. All of this on a sunny afternoon in Waterfront South!

LAST RITES OPENING NIGHT IN THREE MONTHS!!!

I stopped by the theatre yesterday afternoon and found four different work crews working on different parts of the theatre. One crew was finishing the drop ceiling, working high on the theatre ceiling, another was installing the heating and air conditioning system in our new rehearsal space, the electricians were there bringing light to a long darkened corner and the theatre lighting men were there installing our light grid that will bring many plays to life in the theatre for years to come. It was an absolutely amazing sight to behold. All of this preparation in advance of the opening of Waterfront South Theatre and our new season 3 MONTHS FROM TODAY! Please go online and buy your season pass. Be a part of all four plays this season as Camden returns to it's former glory. we will also begin selling advertising space in our season program. Please email me or any board member to find out how your business could be listed in our program. THREE MONTHS TO GO!

Plays and Players Gala

I wanted to thank Tom Tiernan, Phialdelphia Regional Director of the Dramatists Guild of America and board chairman of Philadelphia Dramatists Center for inviting me to Plays and Players Theatre's Gala on Wednesday evening. I met many Philadelphia theatre artists and plans are afoot to bring even more art to Waterfront South Theatre with some other theatre groups. You'll be hearing a lot more about Tom and his work in the near future. We're still in the planning stage but our goal is to bring more new plays and writers to Camden. Stay tuned!

NJ Theatre Alliance Visit

Thanks to John McEwan and Bob Carr of the NJ Theatre Alliance for visiting Camden and the theatre yesterday for an updated tour. Along with our board president Bob Bingaman we discussed SCTC's future and how the Alliance will continue to assist us in bringing professional theatre to Waterfront South. We discussed many exciting things to come and I will fill you in on all of them as we go forward. Don't forget your season passes! "Last Rites" opens the new theatre three months from tomorrow!

John Cazale Special on HBO

I just finished watching the special about the late, great actor John Cazale [Godfather, Godfather II, Deer Hunter and others] and his work reminded me why we at SCTC started in the first place and now exist....and that is.... to bring intensity and reality and stories about real people to you. As a company we always pledge to do our best and bring whatever we need to to the stage every night to make your evening with us the most intense theatre experience we can create. I just felt after all of my blogging about our wonderful, new bricks and mortar that I needed to discuss the heart of our company...the plays we produce. THIS is who we are at SCTC. Inspiration is what guides us.

Join us.

I hope to see you this season.

Waterfront South Theatre on the rise

Thank you to Margie Silvante, Director of the Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia and Karen Delossi, Assistant Director who visited the theatre last week for a tour. This week we are welcoming John McEwen, head of the NJ Theatre Alliance who we will be showing off our new theatre this coming Wednesday. Waterfront South Theatre needs to be a centerpiece for the redevelopment in our neighborhood and we appreciate the interest of these theatre leaders in continuing our development. Please purchase a season pass online and come see what all of the excitement is about in Camden. Camden will rise...art will save us!!!!

Season Passes on Sale today!

For the first time, SCTC is offering a season pass. For only $48 dollars you can but a seat to all FOUR productions this year. Please go on our website and purchase your pass. We have such an exciting season for you as "The past, in the present, is our future" comes to life at the brand new Waterfront South Theatre. There are many options for you to select and you can pick the dates you want to attend online. We look forward to our biggest season ever with your help. And, if you haven't done so as of yet, please become our friend on FACEBOOK. We will keep you constantly updated on all of the exciting things to come. Heal Camden!

Brian Dennehy Visits Waterfront South Theatre and South Camden Theatre Company

This past Tuesday Tony Award and Golden Globe Award winning actor and film star Brian Dennehy came to the new Waterfront South Theatre for a personal tour. He was truly impressed by the new space as well as Heart Of Camden's ability to get it built in such trying times. He is a true gentleman and incredible actor and he shared stories with us of his friend the late William Hickey (his long

time friend, great actor and acting coach)as they did theatre together in New York in the 1970's and 80's as well as stories of his success in the plays of Eugene O'Neill over the years. Having Brian visit us was an incredible honor and thanks tare due to our board member Tom Erhardt as well as Msgr. Mike Mannion who made it possible. Come out this fall and see what all of the excitement is about. A theatre is about to rise in Waterfront South. Heal Camden!!

Patco Meeting This Thursday - Light rail for Waterfront South!

There will be a new light rail line connecting Camden to Glassboro, NJ. The line will cross Ferry Avenue three blocks above Broadway and four blocks from the theatre. A new stop at that location would allow people to take a train to Waterfront South and leave you just blocks from our new theatre meaning a person in New York who wanted to come to a play in Camden can board at Penn Station and arrive in our own neighborhood for just a few dollars. This Thursday, May 6th, you have a chance to tell DRPA -PATCO that we need to be a destination on the new line in Waterfront South. Please come to the meeting at:

Place: Camden County College
Broadway and Cooper Street
Time: 5:30PM.

Your voice CAN be heard! If enough people come we will definitely make an impact. If you need transportation to the meeting you can call Clarence Bagwell at 609-315-2565 or Marianna at 856-614-1052

Please come. Waterfront South is rising and a train stop on the new line is vital. See you there.

Interior Painting Starts This Saturday! Volunteers needed!

We will be starting the painting of the new theatre this Saturday, May 1st at 8:30AM We will meet at the corner of 4th and Jasper and work on all three floors of the theatre [inside only...the outside has been done]. You don't need to be a great painter. We ask that you bring your own materials [brush, roller, disposable pan, roller covers, paper towels] . The drywall will be complete this Thursday and it is time to start painting our new home on Saturday. Please come if you can. Please bring friends, neighbors or students [painting the inside of the first theatre built just for theatre in Camden's history is great for earning high school service hours]. We can't have too many people! The more the merrier. Please come out. The primer will be waiting and all we need is you! It's also a great time to see the theatre from all three floors! Email me at joep@southcamdentheatre.org with any questions or to let me know you can join us. This is how Camden changes....people working together towards changing a neighborhood. Heal Camden!

Michael McAteer

I received a call this afternoon from my long time friend Ron Chiumento that Michael McAteer had been found dead in LA this morning, having died in his sleep. Michael had produced Howard Zinn's great play "Marx In Soho" directed by my friend John Doyle and featuring my friend Bob Weick this past February in Santa Monica where I was privileged to be invited. A couple weeks before the show, we were stunned by the sad death of Howard Zinn, a death I learned about from Michael via a phone call. It is a sad irony that I found out at noon today of Michael's passing in the same way. Michael had a true passion for right and wrong, Howard Zinn and Camden. He and I were both "Camden kids" and our friendship was quickly a deep one. I cannot attempt to describe the grief his wife Barbara and children feel at this time. I am deeply saddened, as we all are who knew him. We just spoke Friday and had drinks together on Good Friday. There is a seat in the new theatre named after him, a gift of his great friend John Finn. I had planned on sitting next to him in it.

He will always be remembered as a compassionate friend and a true native son of Camden. He will be sorely missed.

Walls go up today!

I was in the theatre for a while yesterday afternoon and was happy to see the insulation was installed preparing for the drywall to start going up today. For the first time, one could really feel the size and warmth of the new theatre. I went room to room imagining what was about to be with such hope for our future. Theatre has the power to transform. It changed me forever and, hopefully, this new space will do the same for people who may have never seen the type of plays we produce. This season we will take you everywhere from Camden in the late 1960's to Harlem in the 40's to New York in the 30's and end the season in Eugene O'Neill's heart.

This year will be all of our transformations...both internally as well externally as a neighborhood comes to blossom. Please join us on the ride we are about to take. We need you to be a part of it. Heal Camden!

"Last Rites" opens Waterfront South Theatre September 10th

I am proud to announce South Camden Theatre Company's sixth season of producing professional theatre in Camden, New Jersey which will be the first season in our new home Waterfront South Theatre. We had hoped to bring you my play "Last Rites" this spring but due to snow delays we decided it is better to bring you a full season starting in the fall in our beautiful new theatre. "Last Rites" will be directed by Christopher "Jumbo" Schimpf and will open September 10th for a full four week run. In October, we celebrate the return of "The Old Settler", written by John Henry Redwood and again directed by Theresa Devine Banford. Our third production is Clifford Odets groundbreaking play "Waiting For Lefty" that I will direct in February 2011. Our season will close next May with a fourth play "A Moon For The Misbegotten" written by Eugene O'Neill and directed by Randy Petersen. Next season's theme is "the past... in the present... is the future". We will have a fundraising event in the theatre this spring that I will tell you about soon. Until then we will be hard at work finishing the theatre and making Camden shine! Heal Camden!

Belmont close / Theatre tour

Thank you to everyone who came out to see "Belmont", a truly outstanding play and well acted and directed production. . If you were there this past Sunday, I hope you enjoyed the tour of the new Waterfront South Theatre after the show. Electricians will begin installing our lighting system today as well as the staircase will go in this week. We are aiming for an April 29th opening of my play "Last Rites" for a full four week run. There is lots to do before we can open but we hope to make that date a reality. Remember, there are still 29 seats in the "please save a seat" program. Go to www.southcamdentheatre.org. We are also still raising money for our lighting system. If you can help, please see our website as well. We are also auditioning actors for "Last Rites" this Saturday. We seek two caucasion males,who look 19-21 years old. Email me for details. I cannot thank Msgr. Michael Doyle enough for allowing us five plus years of productions in the church basement theatre. We now cross the street to our new beginnings. See you at 4th and Jasper!

Final Show at Sacred Heart This Sunday

This Sunday will be SCTC's final show in our beloved theatre in Sacred Heart Basement. In April, we will be moving to the new Waterfront South Theatre as my play"Last Rites" brings up the curtain. If you have ever acted, directed, managed or written for SCTC in the last five years please join us on Sunday. We want as many "SCTC family" members with us as possible to say goodbye to our old space and carry us across the street to our new one.

If you have already seen "Belmont" please come again on us. If you haven't, please come and support SCTC and see a great, biting, political play by Bruce Graham that has left our audiences thrilled.

Art WILL save us. Camden WILL rise again...with your help. We are getting ready to make a major step in our journey and want to there with us.

I hope to see everyone this weekend. Heal Camden!

Bruce Graham in Camden!

Thank you to playwright Bruce Graham for answering questions after last night's great performance of his play "Belmont Avenue Social Club". Bruce was funny and engaging and I am sure everyone who was there had a great time and learned a lot about the writing process. I told Bruce in his car on the way to O'Donnell's after the play that everytime a writer or artist of his magnitude comes to SCTC and Waterfront South we are fulfilling our mission of bringing art to Camden. Art WILL save us. When asked at the bar how he liked the play last night he pointed at me and answered "well I drove him here, didn't I?" A typically funny answer from a brilliant writer.

If he wasn't happy I suppose I'd have had to walk home.

You have four more chances to see this show. Please come. Don't miss it! It's riveting, funny, biting theatre. See you there.

Belmont Opens Tonight!

Streets are plowed, plenty of parking for Belmont Avenue Social Club tonight at SCTC! It was a fantastic dress rehearsal last night and the actors and all of us at SCTC are extremely excitied to open! Forget about the weather and come into the world of backroom deals and local politics at their worst! This play wil make you laugh and cringe at the same time. We are so proud to bring this play to you. Heal Camden! See you at the theatre!

Opening night this Friday!!!

As we all shovel out, don't forget that "Belmont Avenue Social Club" opens this Friday night! The weather looks fine so please come out and welcome Barrymore winning playwirght Bruce Graham. Also, please become a friend of SCTC on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SouthCamdenTheatreCompany. There are interviews with the cast who tell you about their characters. I saw a runthrough Monday and couldn't be more excited about this play. Please come out, see a great play and support SCTC in our final play in our Sacred Heart Basement Theatre before we move to the new Waterfront South Theatre.

Remembering Howard Zinn

I just recieved a call from my friend Mike McAteer in LA that Howard Zinn died an hour ago in Santa Monica, CA. Professor Zinn was a world respected writer and testified in support of the Camden 28 and Michael Doyle in the early 1970's. I am going to LA in two weeks to be a part of a production of his play "Marx In Soho" that Bob Weick brought to SCTC so brilliantly two years ago. Only 3 weeks ago Howard sent me a check for SCTC to help us buy our lighting system. Howard's passing is a tragedy for not just us but for the nation. A true voice of truth and peace has been lost. I am still going to LA for the play on 2-13. The play will now be in memorial of this giant of American literature and culture. A giant of a man whose voice help stop the Vietnam War and who's book, "A People's History Of the US" will resonate with all us forever. The " moving train" has stopped sir, you deserve your rest. You will be greatly missed.

"Last Rites" for sale at Barnes and Noble stores!

"Last Rites" will be sold in Barnes and Noble stores shortly according to my publisher, Jon Hansen. Up to now it has been available online at numerous locations but this news will now put it on the shelves of local bookstores. Thanks to everyone for your support.

Only four weeks until "Belmont Avenue Social Club" opens. Rehearsals are going great and the set is coming together. Get your tickets now at www.southcamdentheatre.org. Theatre has never been so alive in Camden. See you at the play!

Good Luck Dana Redd from SCTC!

Dana Redd was sworn in as Mayor of Camden this week. Mayor Redd has deep ties to Waterfront South and a deep love for Camden and theatre. Waterfront South Theatre is being born at the same time a new light is shining on our city. Good luck, Mayor Redd. I hope to see you at many SCTC productions and look forward to your ongoing support for art and light in Waterfront South. Heal Camden!