New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "God of Carnage" at Nutley Little Theatre


By John Posada

originally published: 12/11/2022

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre is currently presenting their "holiday" production, God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton begins its run Friday, December 9, 2022 through Saturday, December 17, 2022.  A traditional holiday story it isn't, but the setting takes place in December at the Brooklyn, NY apartment of Michael and Veronica Novak.  The theatre is transformed for the actual holidays while the show keeps you involved with the meeting between the two sets of parents. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

A playground altercation between two eleven-year-old boys (Henry and Benjamin) brings together the two sets of parents, The Novaks (Michael and Veronica) and The Raleighs (Alan and Annette) for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples vulnerable to each other with more than just their liberal principles in tatters.  It is a comedy of manners. . . without the manners.

God of Carnage is directed by Mead Winters. He just finished a run of GEMINI at Nutley Little Theatre this past June, which has been nominated by the Broadway World 2022 Awards with Best Supporting Performer (Heather Cozine), Best Director (Mead Winters) and Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical (Mead Winters). Mead has also directed a one-act show for Apricot Sky Productions this past fall and will be directing another one-act show at Old Library Theatre come January 2023. Nutley Little Theatre is delighted to have Mead's production of God of Carnage and another amazing set grace their theatre.  The production stage manager is Erin Sabat (who also previously worked with Mead on GEMINI). 

"I couldn't have a better stage manager than Erin.  She is professional, dedicated, and has made this show run as smoothly as possible with all the effects required.  She is the best and I am so grateful to be working with her again", states Mead. Jim Brown, our co set designer, lighting and sound designer and engineer is also back working with Mead from the GEMINI production.  Again, Jim's eye for detail, incredible ideas, and his rapid pace of creating a set, has brought Mead's vision of this apartment as real and spectacular as always.

While the holidays are a tough time to produce a show, particularly when so many other holiday productions are enticing to ALL family members, what makes this a special production for the holidays is the transformation of the set and theatre to bring you right into a warm and welcoming environment. Since Carnage isn't your "traditional" holiday show, you will find that it is only an hour and a half in duration, so you can still see the other holiday productions in the area or take a break from your holiday shopping or even let these two sets of parents entertain you with their own issues (something which is always better than dealing with our own). This black comedy will make you laugh and feel the intensity of the characters throughout the show. The performances of the cast are so real and engaging that you sometimes forget that they are actors performing on a set.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



The cast includes Nick Pascarella as Alan Raleigh, Holly Cerelli as Annette Raleigh, James Parent as Michael Novak, and Emily McSpadden as Veronica Novak.  From their auditions until the current dress rehearsals, these four ensemble members brought such research, talent, creativity, dedication, and passion to their roles.  The collaboration in building the back stories for their characters and their interaction both on and off the stage make for an incredibly entertaining and believable show.  Each actor has come with a plethora of experience and each one knew this was the show they wanted to star in, one even said this was on their bucket list of shows to do while they all said how much fun and learning they achieved throughout the rehearsal process thanks to the direction in which they were taken.

As a director, Mead chose to present God of Carnage as a realistic piece in real time with four adults together in a room dealing with issues that sometimes touch the nerves of their inner layers. The play could be done in a farcical manner, but Mead chose to keep it real so the audience could relate to the intensity of the situation while laughing at situations that might not normally be funny - but as we all do, laughing at something tragic is a part of human nature.   The references to Nibbles the hamster is key as to how the actors feel in this apartment trapped with no escape until someone lets it free.  It is a thought provoking, but yet entertaining show not to be missed this holiday season.

Performances are Friday, December 9 at 8:00pm, Saturday, December 10 at both 2:00pm & 8:00pm, Sunday December 11 at 2:00pm, then again next Thursday, December 15 at 8:00pm, Friday, December 16 at 8:00pm & Saturday, December 17 at both 2:00pm & 8:00pm.  

Tickets are available for purchase online, which is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  They welcome walk ups on the day of the show as well.  Doors open 7:30pm for the evening performances and 1:30pm for the matinees. Seating is "open seating" on a first come first serve basis.

God of Carnage is a one act show which runs approximately 90 minutes; therefore, there will be no intermission.  This show may not be suitable for children.

Here are more photos from the production.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Love, Loss, & What I Wore"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Love, Loss, & What I Wore from July 5-11, 2025. Based on Ilene Beckerman's bestselling book, this tender and witty play weaves together monologues and ensemble pieces to explore the deep connections between clothing and memory, touching on themes like mothers, prom dresses, bras, purses, and the timeless appeal of black clothing. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.



Classic

Classic American Tales presents "The Specialist" and "The Wizard of Oz" this week

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- This week, Classic American Tales presents two different events in two different Cape May locations: The historic Dormer House B&B and Rea's Farm.



East

East Lynne Theater Company presents Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning, Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) – now in its 45th year–will present its first show of the company's Mainstage Season, Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise," from June 19 to July 12, 2025 with a special performance to honor Veterans on June 27. The heartwarming love story features Liz Mattera, an East Lynne veteran, as Louise, and New York-based actor Xander Furman as Jack, with Mark Edward Lang (ELTC's "Possessing Harriet") directing and lush period costumes by NYC designer Travis Chinick.



Montclair

Montclair Township Declares 'Montclair Theater Day' Ahead of Vanguard Theater's Inaugural Festival

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Known for its vibrant and lively arts scene, the town of Montclair continues to find new and meaningful ways to celebrate creativity within its community. One of the town's newest initiatives includes the inaugural Montclair Theater Festival, presented by Vanguard Theater and The Essex County Board Of Commissioners. This eagerly anticipated event is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Glenfield Park in Montclair's historic Fourth Ward.



Dragonfly

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" in Metuchen and Plainfield

(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Not long after a revival of Thornton Wilder's play Our Town closed on Broadway, New Jersey audiences will have the chance to see the classic drama close to home. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic play in both Metuchen and Plainfield in July. Directed by Dragonfly's Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux, Our Town invites audiences into the heart of small-town America through the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: Where is Everybody?

Wednesday, July 09, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre