New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


PHOTOS from "A Tomato Can't Grow In The Bronx" at Chain Theatre


By John Posada

originally published: 12/02/2022

(NEW YORK, NY) -- A Tomato Can't Grow in the Bronx, an acclaimed drama by playwright/novelist Gary Morgenstein, opened at the Chain Theatre in New York City on Friday, December 2nd for a limited engagement through December 17th. The play premiered at Center Playhouse on South Street in downtown Freehold, NJ, in April, 2022. Center Players’ Artistic Director Bernice Garfield-Szita will once again direct the play, which was named  “Best Original Play” at the 2022 Perry Awards by the NJ Association of Community Theaters (NJACT). Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Set in a working-class neighborhood of the Bronx during the racial and political unrest of the 1960s, the multi-generational play portrays the dysfunctional family dynamics between married couple Sammy and Eleanor and her overbearing parents Harry and Gladys, who live in the apartment next door. When the couple's rebellious teenage son Elliot gets mugged, it triggers Sammy’s desire to defy his powerful father-in-law and move to Long Island to claim his share of the American Dream. 

The cast features Jackie Kusher* (Joyland) as patriarch Harry, Andrea Bell Wolff* (2022 Perry Award Winner, Best Actress) as Gladys; Mike Roche* (Night Over Taos at INTAR, Estelle Parsons director) as Sammy; Holly O'Brien* (Two by Two, Martin Charnin director) as Eleanor; Marina Rebecca Chan (Asian American Girl/developed at Pan Asian Rep) as realtor Madeline and Spencer Neumann (Les Miserables) as Elliot.  (*Members of Actors Equity).

“Although the play takes place during 1968, a particularly tumultuous year, these richly identifiable and flawed characters confront many of the same social issues that we face today, struggling to communicate, connect and love each other. Their hopes, fears and dreams belong to any family, and to any age,” notes Garfield-Szita. “We were so proud to discover and present this new work at Center Playhouse this past spring, and are beyond thrilled to have the unique opportunity to bring it to off-Broadway and expose it to a greater audience in New York City.”  

The production’s NJ contingent includes Bernice Garfield-Szita who resides in Manalapan, Andrea Bell Wolff who lives in Holmdel and Jackie Kusher who resides in Monroe.




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



A Tomato Can't Grow in the Bronx runs at the Chain Theater (312 W. 36th Street, 4th floor) from Friday, December 2nd through Saturday, December 17th. The performance schedule is as follows: Friday 12/2, Saturday 12/3, Thursday 12/8, Friday 12/9, Saturday 12/10, Friday 12/16 and Saturday 12/17 at 7:30pm with matinees on Sunday 12/4, Sunday 12/11 and Wednesday 12/14 at 2:00pm. All tickets are $25 and are available for purchase online.

The play was performed to sold-out houses at Center Playhouse last spring, winning three 2022 Perry Awards from NJACT including Best Original Play and Best Actress. Morgenstein’s plays include the award-winning play A Black and White Cookie and Free Palestine. His seven novels include a critically acclaimed dystopian political trilogy culminating with A Dugout to Peace soon to be published by BHC Press.

Here are more photos from the production.

Center Players is a respected, award-winning organization, presenting high quality, engaging productions featuring local talent in downtown Freehold. In addition to their signature plays, the group also sponsors free play reading events and offers dinner and theater packages with several local restaurants. 

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


FEATURED EVENTS

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


Here

Here There Are Blueberries

Wednesday, February 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 

Dunbar

Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running"

Thursday, February 06, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

Here

Here There Are Blueberries

Thursday, February 06, 2025 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 

Dunbar

Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running"

Friday, February 07, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Cher Show

Friday, February 07, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




EVENT PREVIEWS

"James

"James and the Giant Peach" heads into final performances at Kelsey Theatre

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- A classic children’s story, along with its magic and wonder, comes to life with the Spirit Players's production "James and the Giant Peach" now through February 9, 2025 at the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC). The tale has captured the imagination for generations of children, and has been adapted for television, screen, stage, and as a stage musical.



George

George Street Playhouse presents "King James"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents King James from March 18 through April 7, 2025. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), the production is directed by Ryan George (GSP's The Club). King James is a funny and heartfelt look at loyalty, ambition, and celebrates the connections that keep us going.



SPQR

SPQR Stage Company presents 7th "New Works Weekend"

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- SPQR Stage Company will host its seventh "New Works Weekend," a two-day festival of nine new, original short plays that will make their world premieres at Studio;Space in Somers Point, February 15-16, 2025, with the option to livestream on February 15th.



Bergen

Bergen Catholic High School presents "Grease: School Edition" at HACPAC

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Bergen Catholic High School presents Grease: School Edition at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) February 7-9, 2025. Step back in time to Rydell High's senior class of 1959, featuring the iconic "Greasers" and their hip-shaking "Pink Ladies."



Playhouse

Playhouse 22 presents "Sylvia" - a Light-Hearted Comedy About a Man and His Dog

(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22 presents Sylvia, a comedy by A. R. Gurney, weekends from February 7-16, 2025. Directed by Christian Confalone, Sylvia is largely about Greg, a middle-aged, empty-nester tired of his finance job and looking for meaning in his life.