Experience Humorous, Family Drama when “War in Paramus” Opens at Bergen

“War in Paramus,” a satirical comedy that centers around a suburban family in Paramus, New Jersey during the 1970s, will be performed at the Ender Hall Laboratory Theatre on Bergen Community College’s main campus at 400 Paramus Road in Paramus at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26, Saturday, February 27, Friday March 5 and Saturday, March 6. Matinees will be performed at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for students and seniors (65+) and are available by calling Bergen’s Office of Community and Cultural Affairs at (201) 447-7428 or visit them on the Web at www.bergen.edu

The play, written by author and playwright Barbara Dana, tells the story of 15-year old Thelma Gardner, who feels that her family doesn’t understand her, not because she is a rebellious teenager, but because her family is dysfunctional. While the Vietnam War is raging on the other side of the world, Thelma Gardner is dealing with her own personal struggles at home in Paramus.

Bergen Community College student Adam Koubek, of East Rutherford, designed the playbill for the performance. His design was chosen from among twelve other student finalists who submitted their works.

The Cast:
Stephanie Fitzsimmons, from Hawthorne, as Thelma Gardner
Douglass Smith, from New Milford, as Kevin Parnell
Melissa Abaunza, from Montvale, as Violet Gardner
Brendan Ryan, from Lyndhurst, as William Gardner Jr.
Christina Watson, from Glen Rock, as Jennifer Gardner
Ian Cassel, from New Milford, as Harry Toronto
Ian Schmidt, from Tenafly, as Philip Riser

Production Team:
Director: Ken Bonnaffons from Central Valley, NY
Producer: Jim Bumgardner from Upper Nyack, NY
Technical Coordinator: Thomas O’Neill from Long Island City, NY
Set Designer/Scenic Artist: Michael LaPointe from Metuchen
Lighting Designer: Rachel Budin from Sloatsburg, NY
Costume Designer: Marie Natali from Hawthorne
Sound Designer: Patrick Ryan from Rockaway
Stage Manager: Anthony Mendola from Ridgefield

Bergen Community College’s Student Productions represent the efforts of students, faculty, staff and alumni and are presented by the Theatre/Performing Arts Discipline, the Theatre Club, the Student Government Council, the Student Activities Board and the Office of Community and Cultural Affairs.

Photo Caption: (Clockwise from Top Left) Brendan Ryan as William Gardner, Jr., Christina Watson as Jennifer Gardner, Stephanie Fitzsimmons as Thelma Gardner, and Melissa Abaunza as Violet Gardner