Talking Heads, with bodies dressed to match!
Port Jervis. Join to Presby Players for a new twist to their annual night of monologues.
| 30 Oct 2023 | 02:37
L-R: Charles Terrat, Tom Park, DeBorah Green, Donna Dale, Marlene Van Houten, Joe Rudy. Seated: Pat Rogers Corcoran.
The audience at “Talking Heads: 2023,” the annual night of monologues by the Presby Players’ community theater, will see something extra this year: the actors will be dressed in costume.
“Costumes help in characterization,” said Jeffrey Stocker, artistic director. “Dressing the part can help the actor with intention and meaning behind the spoken word.” Stocker noted one of the actors will be dressed as a Greek soldier to deliver a monologue from the movie, “The 300” and another will have a contemporary costume when she performs a monologue from the movie “Barbie.”
Not all monologues will be from movies. DeBorah Green-Mattar will be dressed as a housewife when she appears on stage as Rose from August Wilson’s play, “Fences.” “I chose this play because it reminds me of a dark period in my life when I was going through a divorce,” she explained and added, “Rose is a housewife, a stay-at-home mom. She didn’t have a career, but she had dreams.”
The audience will also hear from Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Wendy Gavis-Lainjo chose a Ginsburg speech from the movie, “On the Basis of Sex,” written by Ginsburg’s nephew. “It’s not a woman asking for equal justice, but a man, ” said Gavis-Lainjo, “I like doing monologues that have meaning for me and they’re often about social justice issues.” She said she looked at Felicity Jones’s outfit for the role and will wear a skirt suit.
A dozen actors will each perform at least two monologues. Stocker said there is a great diversity this year with monologues about different topics and from various media. Said Stocker,“The variety is quite interesting.”
“Talking Heads: 2023” will be performed at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis (60 Sussex Street, Port Jervis) at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 10 and 11. No reservations are needed and tickets can be purchased at the door. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students.)