The play Family Ties, which deals with a family coping with a father who has a serious illness, is part of “Dynamic Characters, Dramatic Situations – An Original Play Festival Competition” presented by Circle Theatre Players. Fourteen plays were chosen out of 83 entries, some from first playwrights like Sue Frost and some from experienced playwrights and authors. The performances begin on December 2 at 7:30 pm and continue on December 3, 4 and 5. Tickets cost $10 for one evening and $15 for two evenings.
The eleven directors come from the Capital Region and also include the novice as well as the experienced. Joan Fuess and Valerie Kavanaugh of Averill Park are the co-producers of the project.
The cast includes award winning actor Dick Griffin of Cherry Plain who has appeared in numerous CTP productions as well as community theater in Pittsfield, MA. He is remembered for his role as the father in Life With Father, the first production that CTP held at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts. This summer he appeared on stage in Our Town at the Williamstown Theater. Also in the cast are Myrna Bernstein of Albany, Melissa Gamello of Castleton and Brian Molis Sebastian of Clifton Park.
The plays are diverse and range from 10 to 30 minutes in length capturing real life drama, comedy and fantasy. The Festival is a competition with audience voting and the evenings will be adjudicated by a Roving Adjudicator from TANYS (Theatre Association of New York State). For information and reservations call 518-674-2007 or visit slca-ctp.org. The Sand Lake Center for the Arts is located at 2880 NY 43, with handicapped access and a large parking area, one half mile east of the blinking light in Averill Park.
