Belvidere Director Leads
World Premiere Production at Centenary

Kate Lyn Reiter

Who will ever know all the hidden talents that reside in the nooks and crannies of Northwest New Jersey? Writers, actors, artists and directors too many to mention are drawn to the beauty and quality of life that this Skylands region of the state offers. One of them is Belvidere resident and director Kate Lyn Reiter, who is currently directing the World Premiere production of the new play at the professional Centenary Stage Company, "Daphne Does Dim Sum" by San Francisco playwright, Eugenie Chan.

"Yalies" both (graduates of Yale University), Reiter and Chan have been collaborating on the development of the play since the fall, with Chan flying into New Jersey on three working occasions over the past 4 months. The first stage of their collaboration (sponsored by the Centenary Stage Company) included a workshop of the play at the respected "New Dramatists" organization in New York City this past January. Working with a veteran professional New York cast over a period of several days, the artists rehearsed and incorporated changes to the text before a presentation for New Dramatists members and friends at the theatre on 44th Street in Manhattan.

The next phase of the development involved casting and rehearsing the show for its World Premiere at the professional Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown, where the show will run through March 9th.

Reiter relaxing with her dog "Duncan"    in her Belvidere back yard

A one-time stand-up comedian in New York's late night comedy scene, Reiter is veteran performer, playwright and director. She began her directing career while at Yale, and continues to pursue it throughout the region today. Reiter also teaches acting and comedy classes throughout the area and has directed several times in CSC's Women Playwrights Series, as well as at the Chester's Black River Theatre. During her free time, she enjoys working with her "family" of Golden Retrievers, and training them for obedience and agility competitions.

Reiter's comedic skills are in evidence in full force in this new comedy about two old friends who meet weekly in a cavernous Dim Sum restaurant in a competition to determine who has the best conpoy, the best emerald ring, the best dance partner, and who will pay the check ("Mai Dan!"). Working with a veteran professional cast of actors, whose credits include numerous Broadway (Miss Saigon, M. Butterfly, Flower Drum Song), television (Law and Order, The Cosby Show, All My Children and more) and stage appearances (La Mama, E.T.C., NY Public Theatre, The Kennedy Center), Reiter has crafted a production with broad comedic flourishes and precise comic timing, and even a scene which involves a humorous tango between Daphne and Bessie's brother Alan, with Bessie trying her best to join in the action.

Daphne Does Dim Sum runs at the professional Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown through March 9th. For more information, see our Daphne Does Dim Sum event page or call the Box Office at 908-979-0900.

Return to Daphne Does Dim Sum event page

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Revised: March 4, 2008