The cast of “Stoney Brook.” Image courtesy of Open Stage.
Childhood friendships are rekindled and redefined in “Stoney Brook,” an all-new, original parody play lovingly sending up “The Baby-Sitters Club,” opening this month at Open Stage.
At the intersection of nostalgia and adulthood, this production brings together six women, who were all friends in their youth, for one riotous, hilarious and emotional evening. This play will have you both laughing and crying (maybe at the same time) and serves as the perfect excuse for a girl’s night out.
Written by Rachel Landon, “Stoney Brook” tells the story of a group of friends who are no longer preteens taking part in their shared babysitting business but adult women in their forties who have since grown apart and experienced all of life’s ups and downs. When a tragic death brings them back together in their hometown of Stoney Brook, the women reconnect, reminisce, joke, weep and maybe drop a few “f-bombs.”
“In this play, there are a lot of women speaking frankly,” said Karen Ruch, its director. “Menopause, periods, sex—when women are alone, they speak very differently about those things. There’s a level of safety and comfort and some shared experience.”
The new play explores themes of friendship, grief, privilege, motherhood, identity and all the complexities of being a woman.
The new comedic play is a parody of “The Baby-Sitters Club,” the famous book series by Ann M. Martin, published by Scholastic from 1986 to 2000. The story of these girls became a source of inspiration for several spin-offs and adaptations, including a 1990 TV series, a 1995 film, a 2020 TV series and an ongoing graphic novel series since 2006.
“This was a series that was very close to me, and to get to think about these women as adults fascinated me,” Landon said. “This is pure parody, but it’s written with a lot of love.”
Those who have read the books may catch some Easter eggs, but if you haven’t, no problem. You will get to know these women very quickly, and everyone will find someone on stage they relate to.
“Stoney Brook” proudly features an all-female cast and creative team, including Alexis Campbell as Mary, Stacy Erdman as Stace, Tara Herweg as Kris, Kelsey Markey as Shae, Danielle Woods as Jess, J’aime Elizabeth as Mall and Nikki Heckermann as Freya. Jasmine Graham, Rachel Landon and Adrienne Thoman serve as swing understudies. The play is stage-managed by Brianna Dow, who also serves as sound designer. Lighting design is by Karen Gasser, set design by technical director Kalina Barrett, and costume design by Carol Manzer.
“Stoney Brook” will leave you remembering the times in your life when you danced around your room pretending your hairbrush was a microphone, and if you’ve been thinking of an old friend or two, it may just urge you to finally make the call.
“Stoney Brook” runs Feb. 7 to March 7 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For tickets and more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736
“Stoney Brook”
The babysitters are back—and chaotic
Feb. 7 to March 7
Black NewsBeat
“Rhythm, Rest & Regulators”
An evening of resistance and radical joy
Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
EFF Live!
Outrageous, raunchy, and hilarious
Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.
BaRPG
Live-action RPG meets comedy
Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Court Street Cabaret
Broadway favorites, shared live
Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
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