The Jersey Journal

You may know that Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City can be a bit of a mess, but what you may not have known is that the area was just as interesting a mess in the 17th century.

?A Legend of Communipaw: The Play? aims to take you into that world, or at least a version based on the Washington Irving short story. The play, which premiered yesterday and runs through Dec. 15 at St. Paul?s Episcopal Church, follows two men who meet in Communipaw during its days ruled by the British crown. One of the men is African, the other Dutch; together they team up to overcome what each man couldn?t face alone. Pirates, the supernatural, and stormy seas are all in their path.

The themes in ?A Legend of Communipaw,? including commercial ambition and pan-ethnic business and personal relationships, are rooted in the early days of European settlement and are as familiar and fresh to people today as they were to Washington Irving almost 200 years ago.

?This play combines history, literature and theater in a new way that offers entertainment and education in one delicious serving,? said director Trish Szymanski.

Each evening will begin with a talk about the New Netherland period as well as the impact of Dutch culture in Jersey City and beyond by a local historian and expert in the field from the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy.

The play is the directorial debut of Jersey City actress and artist Szymanski, who also adapted the play using only Irving?s words and plays Floris Valstrikker, a supporting role.

The play stars Yvonne Hernandez, Charles Herrion and Tim Kutka. Supporting actors include Mike Fass, John Jayme, Julia Lomba, Dolores Reyes, Juliette Reyes, Trish Szymanski, Patrick Taaffe, John Timon and Mitchell Vargas.

The production will also feature set design by artist Loura van der Meule and music by ethnomusicologist and world-music specialist Neva Wartell.

?A Legend of Communipaw? will run Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. except for two showtimes: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. All shows will be at St. Paul?s Episcopal Church, 38 Duncan Ave., Jersey City, NJ. Tickets are $20, $10 for students and seniors and are available at ALegendofCommunipaw.brownpapertickets.com.

VIP tickets are available for $30 and include priority seating with advance sale and a copy of the mastered audio recording of the original Washington Irving short story read by director Trish Szymanski.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/egendOfCommunipawThePlay.