Zoe Comes Home at the Tusten Theatre
Saturday May 6th, 7 PM Show
Friday May 5th at 7 PM
The Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) is thrilled to invite audiences back to the Tusten Theatre for an encore performance of ZOE COMES HOME, a dark comedy about depression, backyard “art” and one errant pooch. The play, written by Melissa Bell, directed by Laurie Guzda, premiered in October of 2022 at the Tusten Theatre, produced by DVAA.
Audiences have spoken! After stellar readings this winter at the Cooperage Project in Honesdale, PA and Foundry 42 in Port Jervis, the play returns to The Tusten in Narrowsburg for three shows, Friday, May 5th at 7 PM, Saturday, May 6th at 2 PM and 7 PM. Tickets are available online at www.delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.
The play features a cast, creatives, and artists all living and performing in the Western Catskills Region: Jess Beveridge, Thomas Cambridge, Susan Mendoza, and R. Scott Porter.
“A wonderful surprise…an amazing evening of theatre”
–Cate Cammarata, CreateTheater founder
“It’s a story about mothers and daughters. It’s about an aging woman artist who has been discounted, discarded, and overlooked. It asks how the opinion of one critic who deems her work “garbage” can alter and affect not just the artist but those closest to her. It celebrates the courage to create with belief in your vision against the haunting demons of doubt that can only thrive through the healing power of love.”
– Laurie Guzda on what attracted her to directing ZOE COMES HOME
SYNOPSIS
Zoe arrives home for a rare visit and finds her estranged mother Gloria, once a respected sculptor, creating monuments from discarded objects in her backyard, causing a conflict with the new neighbor who has a different view of her work. Buried deep in this statuary lies a trauma that must be recognized if mother and daughter are ever to heal.
ABOUT THE CAST
Jess Beveridge, in the title role of Zoe, has created roles with Farm Arts Collective and NACL Theatre, such as TAVERN AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD and COURAGE.
Susan Mendoza plays Gloria, an artist suffering from depression. Susan is a founding member of the comedy troupe Up & Coming/Comedy Tribe, appeared in the Deep Water Literary Festival ’22, has appeared in numerous film, tv, and stage productions both in the US and Canada, and is a voiceover artist for animation, tv & radio.
R. Scott Porter, another member of Up & Coming/Comedy Tribe, plays cousin Fred. A graduate of Pacific Northwest College of Art, where he studied sculpture and printmaking and as half of “Sincerely, John Head” provided performative art experiences to bystanders in Portland, Oregon, and beyond. He can be seen locally in his recurring role as Captain Lava with the Lava/ Narrowsburg Volunteer Fire Departments.
Thomas Cambridge, also active with Comedy Tribe, recently completed shooting the new Indie feature thriller “An Angry Boy,” appeared in the Deep Water Literary Festival in Narrowsburg, plus many film and TV roles, plays the role of Randall Geoffrey, the neighboring art critic.
Amber Schmidt, a member of the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, will be the Production Stage Manager.
Director Laurie A. Guzda is an artist, director, and actor, with theatre roots in comedy. A co-founder and director of Up & Coming/Comedy Tribe, Laurie also co-founded Curtain Call Inc., a theatre arts company in Stamford, CT, providing performance and education. She has directed numerous theatrical productions in CT, NY, TX, and CA. Actor, artist, and Creative Director for LAGuzda Creative Arts & Services.
Playwright Melissa Bell writes plays that explore women’s agency as they navigate their power and repression. Co-writer on NACL’s COURAGE (Honored Finalist, Women in Arts & Media Coalition Collaboration Awards 2019) and is a playwright and ensemble member with Farm Arts Collective. Her play LADY CAPULET, nominated for “Best Adaptations & Modernizations” of 2020 &2021 by New York Shakespeare and Henley Rose Finalist 2017, premiered by Barefoot Shakespeare in Central Park, and is upcoming with other classic regional theatres.
Special acknowledgement: “Zoe Goes Forth” sculpture by Ace Thomas. Music “She No Want Take” recorded by Evan Francis Group, composed by Marcus Stephens; Used by permission.
COMMUNITY TAPESTRY PROJECT
In conjunction with Zoe Comes Home, DVAA and the Community Tapestry Project are welcoming submissions throughout the month of April which will be displayed on DVAA’s Balcony Gallery and will become the stage set for the encore presentation of Zoe Comes Home.
Each artist-contributed “little” sculpture will be added to the “BIG” sculpture. Individual pieces will be created out of found objects, recycled, or repurposed items, and culminate when joined together into something new and beautiful, a community tapestry! Once complete, the tapestry will be transported to the Tusten Theatre to become part of the set.
More information about the Community Tapestry project available here.
ABOUT DVAA
DVAA serves as a home in the Upper Delaware Valley and Sullivan Catskills Region, giving artists platforms to share their voices in our galleries, on our stages, or at our festivals including the Big Eddy Film Festival held every September. DVAA funds local creatives and cultural organizations through our role as the Arts Council of Sullivan County.
TICKETS & LOCATION
Performances take place at the Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street in Narrowsburg, NY.
Tickets $25 advance / $30 at door ($20/$25 DVAA Members). Kids 12 and under are free. Box office/concession opens 30 minutes before shows.
Tickets may be purchased by calling (845) 252-7576 or online.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS
COVID Safety protocols apply to attending DVAA’s events. For a complete list of current safety protocols and attendee requirements, click here.
SUPPORT
ZOE COMES HOME received early development from 29th Street Playwrights Collective and CreateTheater.
