West Essex Masquers to Perform 'Noises Off'

The Masquers will perform Michael Frayn’s hit comedy Noises Off on Thursday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., in the school's auditorium.

The play within a play features slapstick comedy with a lot of innuendos about an American theater group traveling to Britain to perform a show, according to director Christa Sorrentino. It is recommended for families.

Audience members will receive a playbill for the main show as well as a second playbill for the show-within-a-show, Sorrentino noted.

“When the show-within-a-show falls apart,” things get out of hand, notes actor and cast member Mark Mascera, adding the show is fun to do “because it has such a small cast” of nine students.

The cast is composed of Marisa Malanga, Mark Mascera, Ciku Wathika, Alexa Farnese, Nicole Pigott, Matt Sigler, Jesse Asche, Jon Hilaire and Cheyenne Paydar.

Highlights of the show include “silent comedy, timing, facial expressions and body language,” said Ciku Wathika.

Nicole Pigott said performing in Noises Off has been a great experience for her. “It is helping me to grow as an actress to take on so much physical humor," she said.

The set was designed by industrial arts teacher Lee Oberg, who also serves as the Masquers’ stage crew advisor, and was assisted by 25 students who helped paint, build and decorate the set.

Tickets to the show are $8 in advance; $10 at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 973-228-1200, ext. 245 or visit www.westex.org/masquers.

The show was originally scheduled to be performed Friday and Saturday nights, but was changed to accommodate the Friday night at 7 p.m.