New Jersey Stage February 2015 | Page 22

nese restaurant. They’re just gathered and talking and having fun. There’s crazy stuff and some serious stuff, but it’s quickly covered in comedy. It’s just the way it is when you’re out with your friends. All kinds of stuff come up during the course of a two hour dinner. I think people can identify with that. They can see their friends at the table and can feel their lives in this play. “I guess we all secretly inside would love to have somebody look out for us,” he continued. “Someone to point us in the right direction. I think the City of Camden, being in such bad shape at the time, these four friends just for the sake of keeping their friendship alive kept coming back. There’s a line like ‘So many work friendships are like vacation ones — we’ll stay in touch, we’ll talk, but you always disappear from each other.’ Yet, these people have stuck it out. They’ve stuck it out New Jersey Stage by going back to Camden just to keep that friendship alive because they know that Monday night each month is their night — no spouses, no boyfriends, no girlfriends — it’s just for them.” As we’re talking, Paprzycki suddenly makes the connection that it’s not just the characters who are returning for the 10th year, it’s his audience. They’ve been coming back to the same spot in Camden for each show over the past ten years just to keep the dream of live theater and a revitalized Camden alive. Maybe there is a little magic in those fortune cookies after all. Fortune Cookies is running February 27 through March 15 at the South Camden Theatre, located at 400 Jasper Street in Camden, NJ. For more information visit southcamdentheatre.org Article Index Next Article 22