(ORADELL, NJ) --  Love, laughter, and a few moving boxes set the stage for Things My Mother Taught Me, a charming, engaging comedy by Katherine DiSavino, presented by Bergen County Players, one of America's longest-running little theater companies.  The show opens on Saturday, March 15, and runs through Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.

Directed by Terri Caust of Glen Rock, Things My Mother Taught Me explores the joys and stresses of a young couple moving in together for the first time, followed by inevitable mishaps and the “endearing” advice that only moms and dads can provide. Olivia and Gabe drive halfway across the country to begin their new life in Chicago.

Excited (and naïve!), they think they are prepared for this adventure—but an oversized chair and the sudden arrival of BOTH sets of “helpful” parents toss more than a few wrenches into their best laid plans. What follows is a series of mounting misfortunes, familial misunderstandings and plans gone awry, all wrapped up in heartfelt moments among an extended family that really does care. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doomed to become my mom or dad?” Things My Mother Taught Me replies with a resounding and comical “yes!”

Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets cost $28 on Fridays and Saturdays, and $26 on Sundays. They can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.

“Things My Mother Taught Me is superbly written...[it's] a wonderful, sentimental, true-to-life comedy about love and family, guaranteed to leave young and old with knowing smiles, because we've all had mothers of our own." - Intelligencer Journal

The production features a talented ensemble cast starring Angelina Aragona of Washington Township as Olivia, a determined young woman navigating new beginnings, while Juston LeBaron, from New York City, plays Gabe, her equally eager but slightly overwhelmed fiancé. The parents, portrayed by Leslie Darcy of Oakland (Lydia), Jody Laufer of Hawthorne (Wyatt), Rachel Alt of Ridgefield (Karen), and Chris Caira of Leonia (Carter), add to the fun with their well-meaning interference. Jenna Stewart of River Vale rounds out the cast as Max, the quirky building super who offers wisdom with a side of humor.

“Things is a sweet love story and a look back to our parents’ love for us,” said director Terri Caust. “It’s a reminder that life is messy and crazy, but full of love if we want it to be.” She added, “So many plays and movies center on dysfunctional families. By contrast, Things My Mother Taught Me is a love letter to our mothers and our fathers. Audiences can expect to laugh A LOT.”

The production team is comprised of Lynne Lupfer (Producer), Michele Roth (Assistant to the Director, Stage Manager), Gerard Bourcier (Set Design and Construction), Szczesny Lipinski (Set Construction), Jessica Lohsen (Decor), Olga Garey (Costumes, Props), Jen Bancks (Props), Kathleen Ruland (Lighting Operator), Angelina Aragona (Makeup), Allan Seward (Lighting Design), Rob DeScherer (Sound Design), Sound Operator (Michael Fleischer), Marci Weinstein (Program Notes), Richard Frant (Photography), Alan Zenreich (Videography) and Felicia Benson-Kraft (Member-At-Large).

TICKET AND SCHEDULE INFORMATION

* Things My Mother Taught Me runs from March 15 through April 5, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm.

* Tickets are $28 on Fridays and Saturdays and $26 on Sundays and can be purchased at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200, or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell.

* All performances take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949.

* Group sales and benefit theater parties are available; call (201) 261-4200 (option #6) for details.

* BCP offers wheelchair-accessible seating, which can be reserved by calling the box office.

* A post-show Questions & Artists talkback session with the cast and crew will take place on Friday, March 21.

* Advance discount tickets for students aged 25 and under with valid ID are available for $19 by phone or in person.

* Rush tickets for students aged 25 and under are available for $10 at the box office window, starting 30 minutes before showtime. Cash only.

* A new program is now available for qualified non-profit organizations to use one performance of each production as a fundraising event. The group will book all 200 seats at a deeply discounted price and then resell the tickets at a price of their choosing, with the difference in price kept by the group. The available date is the Thursday of each show’s final weekend. Interested groups can email fundraising@bcplayers.org for more information.

* Parking is free for their patrons at the Park Avenue municipal lot, across the street, one-half block north of the theater, as well as street parking on Kinderkamack Road and various side streets, all within easy walking distance.

Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-Equity, non-profit community theater company dedicated to bringing quality productions to the community.

PHOTOS by Richard Frant