Willow Glen Resident
Community
Photograph by Mark Tantrum
Center Stage Production cast members react to a family member speaking for the first time. The production 'Greetings!' includes (from left) Brenden Shepard, Mat Lindstedt, T.J. Paganini and Richard Hume.
Dudzick play brings the importance of family front and center stage
By Emilie Crofton
The upcoming holidays mean a time of stress, chaos and overspending for many Willow Glen families.
The cast and crew of the holiday play "Greetings!" by Tom Dudzick hope to remind families of the true holiday message of love and family, without emptying wallets.
"People can lose sight of the original meaning of the holidays," says Susan Overland, managing director. "We're hoping the audience can recapture that message of family, hope and joy by seeing the play."
The family-oriented play is about a son bringing his new fiancée, a Jewish atheist, to meet his religious Catholic family, which includes his mother, his cynical father and mentally handicapped brother, on Christmas Eve.
The family dinner is filled with disasters and problems until a mysterious visitor shares an unexpected message, which will forever change the lives of the family.
"The play uses the miracle of the holidays as a catalyst for bringing the family together," says Willow Glen resident Richard Hume, who plays the cynical father. "Everyone in the audience can relate to the characters."
The play is being performed at Willow Glen-based Center Stage Productions, a community-owned theater company funded by the Center for Spiritual Living. The nonprofit company relies entirely on volunteers, donations and community support. Ticket prices are the lowest of any Bay Area theater company, says Overland, who founded it.
Although Overland admits there are some challenges to being a small community theater, she says the environment is very positive.
"There's no ego between the actors here; we're all having fun and enjoying ourselves," she says. "We're really a teaching production. We teach while we act."
The company crew says they are grateful to Willow Glen businessman Michael Mulcahy, who has advertised the play with posters in the Garden Theater lobby display case as well as on the building's marquee.
Mulcahy says he is taking the opportunity to help promote local theater group performances.
With the added advertisement, Overland is looking forward to the upcoming play.
"Our goal is to put on a good quality show and to touch and inspire as many people as we can," she says. "And, a sell-out crowd would be nice, too."
Center Stage Productions is located at the Center for Spiritual Living, 1195 Clark St. Tickets are available at the door or by phone at 408.294.1828 ext.116 or online at http://www.sanjosecenter.org/center_stage_productions.htm.
The performances are at 8 p.m. on Nov. 16-17, 23-24, 29-30 and Dec. 1. A special performance is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 2:30 p.m., and it's "Pay What You Can Night."
