South Jersey Players to perform in Ventnor Memory Park again this summer

Edward Shakespeare, Joe Chialstri and Amhad Marshall rehearse for Jeff Dunne's, 'Words are Useless.'

VENTNOR - South Jersey Players, Inc. will be producing PICNIC&PLAYS in the PARK at Ventnor Memory Park for a second season. Performances will be held 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 26. Raindates are 3 p.m. June 25 and 26.

The show features several short one-act plays, including:

• "The Memory Park" by Tom Chin


• "Words are Useless" by Jeff Dunne


• "Do Stuff!" by Phyliss Merion Shanken


• "Fit" by Nancy Swartz"


• "The Birthday Bash" by Sondra Mandel


• "Under the Elephant" by Edward Shakespeare


• "Monologues" by August Wilson

Directors include Tom Chin, Tish Becker, Judy Privetera-Parrish, Nancy Swartz, Edward Shakespeare and Tony Vraim. Guitarist Phil Stocker, will provide live music, and stand-up comedian Scott Friedman will be the production's Master of Ceremonies. Sound will be provided by Spellcaster Productions with Jim Erickson as technical director.

Kim Halverson and Marlene May discuss production details.

The plays feature local actors, including Dayle Friedman, Joe Casella, Jack Parrish, Joe Chialastri, Ahmad Marshall, Edward Shakespeare, Parker Smith, Shirley Belitsky, Allison Parlin, Barbara Giorgio, Yamirah Williams, Leesa Toscano, Debra Share, Shirlee DiBacco, Nancy Swartz, Carlee Pons and Robert Losasso.

The outdoor special event includes a sumptuous picnic-in-a-basket with Atlantic City Subs providing a variety of sandwiches. Also included are chips, dilly bites, clementines, Sasscer's homemade cookies and a beverage.

Tickets are $25 and $30. For information and/or required reservations call Marlene May at 347-920-6399.

The Ventnor Memory Park is located at 5000 Ventnor Ave. between Nashville and Oakland avenues.