Sweet Sue at the Burgdorff

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SWEET SUE, by A.R. Gurney, Jr. presented by The What Exit? Theatre Co. Sweet Sue, A.R. Gurney?s sexy romantic comedy, explores the flirtation, romance, and erotic tension between a lonely middleaged woman and her son?s college roommate. This timely look at love between generations will be presented by the What Exit? Theatre Co., at the Burgdorff Cultural Center, 10 Durand Road, in Maplewood, NJ, beginning Friday, April 1, 2005. Susan Weatherhill, a greeting card artist living in the New York suburbs, welcomes Jake, her son?s devilishly cute college roommate, into her home for the summer. Sue at first serves as a surrogate mother for Jake, feeding him home-cooked meals and giving advice on life and love. But as the summer progresses, so does the relationship. In her mind?s eye, Sue sketches Jake in the nude -- while in reality, he reveals more than just his body to her. Sue and Jake find themselves battling a powerful attraction to one another -- and the question becomes whether or not they?ll act upon their desire. Sweet Sue is not only a sexy look at modern love, it also presents a subtle examination of human psychology, as Gurney pushes the boundaries of what constitutes a ?character.? Although only Sue and Jake appear on stage, the pair is created by four actors -- two each playing Sue and Jake. This adds a fascinating dynamic, as the characters? inner conflicts are played out on stage. Pulitzer-prize-nominee Gurney is a genius at laying bare the complex emotions underlying middle-class American life. New Jersey audiences will remember What Exit?s productions of his plays The Dining Room and Sylvia. Sweet Sue was originally produced at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and was a Broadway hit with Mary Tyler Moore and Lynn Redgrave. What Exit? is pleased and excited to present this revealing and touching comedy. Performances are: April 1 through April 24, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm and 7pm. For reservations and information, call 973 763 4029. The cast includes Bev Sheehan and Emily Zacharias as Sue. The two Jakes are played by James Nardella and Joe Tuttle. Susan Kerner directs the production. NOTE: Sweet Sue features partial nudity, and is for mature audiences only.