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Holiday Fairy Tale "Magic Flowers" Makes Its Annual Somers Point Return

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 12/02/2023

Kate Brandt is making her SPQR Stage Co. debut as Ethel in “Magic Flowers.”

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- “Magic Flowers,” an award-winning play that has been produced nationwide and, more recently, become a local annual holiday classic, returns to Studio;Space in Somers Point for performances on Saturdays and Sundays December 9-10 and December 16-17. Short and sweet, “Magic Flowers” is a 30-minute one-act by award-winning playwright Bill Sterritt. This fairy tale quickly became an annual tradition for audiences in both Atlantic and Cape May counties.

The plot is simple, yet sweet. Two ad agency co-workers, Ralph and Ethel, seemingly have nothing in common except work. When Christmas Eve arrives, Ethel buys the cheapest bottle of Burgundy she can find and resolves herself to spend yet another Christmas home alone. On the way to her apartment, she runs into a homeless man who sells her “magic flowers” that are supposed to bring her love.

“’Magic Flowers’ has nothing to do with magic in the traditional or popular sense,” said Sterritt. “The magic lies within each character, as they learn to put down their walls and look beyond common stereotypes.”

Dave Polgar returns as Ralph in “Magic Flowers”. Photo by Katelin Keane

Portraying Ralph and Ethel are Dave Polgar and Kate Brandt. Polgar has become a regular on the SPQR stage, having performed in “Derby Day” and “Calliope Rose” in addition to his return as Ralph.

“This show has become a unique holiday tradition for Somers Point,” said Sterritt. “I like to think of it as a nice theatrical ‘snack’ during the holiday season. It’s a great way to break up a hectic day. You get to sit back and enjoy a charming story for a half hour before heading out to the mall again.”




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“Magic Flowers” runs at 3:00pm on the following dates: Saturdays, December 9, 16; Sundays, December 10, 17. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash) or can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. More info can be found at StudioSpaceSPNJ.com or Facebook.com/spqrstagesco. For reservations, email [email protected] or call 323-793-2153. Studio;Space is at 112 Woodland Ave. in Somers Point, New Jersey.

Since 2004, SPQR Stage Company has been testing and redefining the limits of Theatre, in theme, form, and purpose. SPQR Stage Company’s productions have exhibited ingenuity, in language, concept and staging. Though performing in a 40-seat house in Hollywood, SPQR has strived to think big and outside of the box. SPQR has always preferred to be ambitious and in front of the curve in all of its undertakings.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

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(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system. 
Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

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(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce encore performances of their production of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Following a sold-out run of the show in downtown Morristown earlier this year, the original cast and production team have partnered with Chatham Borough to present an encore weekend July 11-12, 2026 at the Stanely Center.

Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"

(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.

Main Street Theatre Company presents "The Music Man JR."

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents The Music Man JR. across two weekends from July 11-19, 2026. There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian in this adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway classic.

Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.

The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
Iron Mountain Stage Company presents "46 Plays For America

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(RINGWOOD, NJ) -- Iron Mountain Stage Company presents 46 Plays For America's First Ladies from July 11-19, 2026. A biographical, meta-theatrical, genre-bending ride through race, gender, and everything else your history teacher never taught you about the founding of America.
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"Chip and Gus" - a comedy with balls comes to Florham Park on July 20th

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The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann

The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 summer season will begin with a bang with a production of Having Our Say, Emily Mann’s 1995 Tony Award-nominated drama about "two 'maiden ladies' with century-old stories to tell", July 11-21, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theatre.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Shrek: The Musical

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


My Fair Lady

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


IHCA-NJ presents Natya Darpan 2026

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 12:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


Shrek: The Musical

Sunday, July 12, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ



 

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