Entertainment
JIB Productions charts new course
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Aug 30, 2010 - 5:29 AM

Domestic Violence by Fred Stroppel was presented during Play With Your Food's 2010 season, featuring Susan Vanich (from Fairfield) and Brian Carter (from Westport) at Fairfield Theatre Company.

When JIB Productions open its box office at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, the nonprofit arts agency will be heading into new waters. Building on the long-time success of their Play With Your Food series, JIB principals Carole Schweid and Nancy Diamond have added to this season’s offerings two evening programs: “Short Cuts,” a two-part film series, and “Seasons Readings,” a holiday theater production.

Since 2003, Play With Your Food (PWYF) has provided patrons with a dynamic midday theater experience that includes a gourmet buffet lunch, a selection of one-act play readings and discussions with actors and playwrights – all packed into a 90-minute program. The PWYF concept, and caliber of performances, has been praised by the New York Times as well as local media, critics and audiences.

“Our mission has always been to offer our audiences high-quality, entertaining and provocative programs” explains Diamond. “We’re excited about adding new elements to our flagship Play With Your Food series.”

JIB Productions produces PWYF annually at Toquet Hall in Westport, the Fairfield Theater Company in Fairfield and the Greenwich Arts Council in Greenwich, as well as at residential senior communities and in collaboration with other not-for-profits. “We often get requests to present a PWYF program as a fundraiser or special event,” said Diamond.

Barbara Bangser of Westport, an ardent follower since its inception, embraces PWYF as a social occasion, which she shares with her husband and friends.

“Attending the Play With Your Food performances is like taking a mini-vacation,” enthuses Bangser. “It allows a nice break in the day that I really look forward to, without being too much of a time commitment. “

Carole Schweid, left, and Nancy Diamond, right, founders of JIB Productions, Inc. have added a two-part film series and a holiday productions to this year's offerings. Tickets for the season go on sale Sept. 21.

She applauds the productions – both in content and performance caliber — that consistently hit stage, season after season. “Carole and Nancy do a great job with the selection of the plays, including a lot of humor that makes me laugh out loud as well as drama that just hits me. And, the actors in the productions always do an excellent job,” Bangser says.

Expanding the JIB programs is a win-win for the entire community, according to Bangser “It is great that they are adding to the mix so that more people can enjoy the productions,” she says. “Everything I have seen to date has been top-notch.”

“Short Cuts,” will launch this fall at the Garden Cinemas in Norwalk. “We realized that, just as with short plays, there are no venues regularly showing short films,” explains Diamond “’Short Cuts’ will offer the community an opportunity see what’s out there, internationally, in short films. This first season, we will screen two programs of the 2010 Oscar-nominated live action and animated shorts…a real treat.”

“Short Cuts” will take place on Thursdays Oct. 14 and Nov. 11. The programs begin at 6:30 p.m. with wine and pizza, hosted by Fountainhead Wines and Fat Cat Pie Co., followed by the films at 7. A discussion led by Connecticut Post film critic Joe Meyers concludes the program at 8:30 p.m.

“We'll explore a wide range of filmmaking in the two programs, and Joe will help put it all together during the discussions,” says Diamond.

"These shorts represent emotions and views from around the world,” she adds. “Kavi, filmed in India, exposes the country’s current day slave trade, while Pixar's tender Partly Cloudy and Logorama, an animated French commentary on American culture, will keep you smiling. The Danish show themselves to be particularly irreverent in New Tenants.”

The evening JIB offerings will fill a void in the area, points out Dr. Richard Epstein of Westport. “The lunchtime series is really desirable for people who have a time break in the middle of the day, but not everyone can do that,” he says. “It is a great idea to add evening programming so that more people can enjoy these arts events. The programming is unique and innovative and I really get a kick out of it.”

JIB will present its holiday program, ’Seasons Readings,’ at two locations. On Dec. 9 the show will be held at the Greenwich Arts Council and on Dec. 16 it will be repeated at the Westport Woman’s Club. Both productions will be held 7-9 p.m.

“For ‘Seasons Readings,’ we have picked a range of amusing and soul-stirring short plays and stories by Wendy Wasserstein, Frederick Stroppel, William Leder and Grace Paley,” says Schweid. “We also will include excerpts from the hilarious A Tuna Christmas, and, in the spirit of the holidays, we invite the audience to join the cast for eggnog and dessert after the performances.”

PWYF, too, has expanded on its traditional offerings. JIB Productions recently got the rights to present musical selections from the repertoire of Rogers and Hammerstein. “A little music in the middle of the day is a nice infusion to the series,” says Schweid.

Schweid has devoted the past year to reading plays by old favorites and new voices to prepare for the upcoming season. “We always are seeking new and provocative programming,” she says. “During the season, audiences will enjoy beautifully written short plays...some of which the public rarely sees...written by both award-winning writers and young, new, compelling artists.”

Thrillers, comedies and musicals are expected to be part of the season’s offerings. Productions on the roster include “Diaries of Adam and Eve” by Mark Twain, “Judgment Call” by Fred Stroppel, “The Wedding Play” by Alexandra Gersetn-Vassikas, “Sorry, Wrong Number” by Lucille Fletcher, “Lynette at 3 a.m.” by Jane Anderson and “Civilization” by Gary Dotzig.

The flagship PWYF series, held from noon to 1:30 p.m., will begin its season in 2011. Performances at Toquet Hall in Westport are set for Jan. 11-13, Feb. 8-10, March 8-10 and April 5-7. At Fairfield Theatre Company, productions will be held Jan. 18, Feb. 15. , March 15 and April 12. Greenwich Arts Council programs are offered Jan. 19-20, March 2-3 and April 13-14. Tickets, priced at $43 per show, include lunch.

All tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Sept. 21. Those interested in attending any of the JIB Productions offerings should visit www.playwithyourfood.org or call the box office at (203) 293-8831 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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