The world premiere of Wasabia opens April 3 and runs through April 13 at Centenary Stage Company. A part of the Spring 2024 Women Playwrights Series and selected for the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation Award, the story details the friendship of an unlikely pair while helping each other through life’s decisions.
Written by Wendy Herlich, Wasabia details the story of fiercely independent Vivian, and Carla, a young hospice volunteer, a pair who strike up an unlikely and unforgettable friendship. Enter Val (Valium) and Di (Digoxin) who lend a hand in exploring life’s choices. Through a series of red-carpet rants, Lifetime interviews, and a truly unique game show, Vivian and Carla help each other in making some life-altering decisions.
The cast includes some veterans of the CSC stage, along with several newcomers to the Lackland Performing Arts Center. The cast features Ellen Fiske who plays Vivian, Aurelia Shanga as Carla, Amy Griffin playing Val, Joelle Zazz will play Di, and Michael Covel in the role of Brody.
Directing this production is Zoya Kachadurian, a multi-faceted director, production coordinator, stage manager, show caller, and scriptwriter for live theater, television, and corporate events. In 2004, her theatrical career expanded into directing, with Stones In His Pockets.
Her directing credits also includes The Miracle Worker, The 39 Steps, and the world premiere of The Ride, dramatic musical at the Majestic Theater in Massachusetts. For NJ Rep she directed the acclaimed world premiere of APPLE SEASON. In New York, Zoya has directed for the Estrogenius Festival, and best solo show Georgia And Me, which continues to be performed nationally.
A developmental program from Centenary Stage Company, The Women Playwrights Series highlights new works created by female playwrights, who are often the underserved voices in the theatre community. The program has featured and helped to develop new work of over 80 female playwrights from around the country and has produced 20 World Premieres in as many years.
Tickets range from $15 - $29.50 for adults with discounts available for students, children under 12, and seniors for select performances. Thursday nights also feature buy one, get one tickets at the door only, beginning at 5pm.
For more information, visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at 908-979-0900. The Centenary Stage Company box office is open Monday through Friday from 1-5 pm and two hours prior to performances.
The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center on the campus of Centenary University at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. Centenary Stage Company can also be found across social media platforms; Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter. Like and follow to receive the latest in CSC news and special offers.
The 2024-25 Season of Performing Arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors and grantors like the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, the John and Margaret Post Foundation, the CSC corporate sponsors, including Explore Warren, the House of the Good Shepherd, Hackettstown Medical Center Atlantic Health System, Heath Village, Visions Federal Credit Union, and Fulton Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.
Women Playwrights Series featuring Wasabia @ CSC
The World Premiere of Wasabia, written by Wendy Herlich and featured in CSC's Spring 2024 Women Playwrights Series, takes center stage with the unexpected friendship of Vivian and Carla, two women helping the other through life's tough decisions.