The Cumberland Players

The Cumberland Players originated in 1946 as the Little Theatre of Vineland. After presenting plays to a local elementary school and receiving a great response, the group decided to establish a full-fledged community theater. With 14 members, the group began their first major production ‘Ring Around Elizabeth’ in the Vineland Methodist Church. The group renovated the church and continually built more space to house their theatre.

In the late 1970s the group produced three major productions per season, several children’s plays and changed the name to Cumberland Players to draw attention to an expanded group of people. Ever since, the group has provided an enriching arts environment for the community.

In 1994, Cumberland Players created the Children’s Theatre as a specifically-designed program to educate and entertain children on the art of theatre. With shows such as Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and Puss-n-Boots, the program is an excellent way for aspiring actors to learn their craft.

The Cumberland Players offer an exciting schedule of shows throughout the year. The remainder of the 2004 season includes

Extremities, on June 3, 4, and 5 at 8pm. Extremities examines a woman's struggle to survive a brutal attempted rape and turns the tables when the rapist becomes the victim. The play deals with issues of rape, power, and victimization. The language and content of this play may not be suitable for all audiences. Cumberland Players will donate a portion of the proceeds from this production to help victims of violence.

Cabaret on July 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31 at 8pm. The leering Emcee welcomes you to performances at the Kit Kat Klub, a tawdry nightclub in 1930s Berlin. The relationship between singer Sally Bowles and writer Clifford Bradshaw unfolds just as the Nazis come to power.

Much Ado About Nothing on October 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 8pm, and on October 17 at 2pm. Love, romance, villainy, and mischief are bubbling up in passionate Sicily. Don Pedro and his men return from war, but have they escaped from the fighting?

The Lion in Winter on November 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 8pm and November 28 at 2pm. This witty tragic comedy is the story of a royal family at love and war. It is Christmas 1183, and Henry the II of England is deliberating over which of his sons shall be his successor.

Cumberland Players is located on 66 East Sherman Avenue in Vineland. For more information, contact (856) 692-5626 or visit CumberlandPlayers.com.

Information collected from the Cumberland Players website.

For an extensive list of South Jersey Attractions, with links to websites and other information, check out our Attractions page.

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Author: Melissa Samuelson