Speranza Theatre Company presents A Chain Around the World and The Nellie Bly Book Club



(JERSEY CITY, NJ) — Speranza Theatre Company presents A Chain Around the World and The Nellie Bly Book Club. The latter is part of the company’s first book club! They will have two sessions – one for adults and one for children – which are both free and open to the public – with limited courtesy copies of each book for families in need.

The Nellie Bly Book Club will feature book club events for children and adults happening on September 13th (adults) and September 17th (kids). All events are FREE and open to the public, reservations required. Travel around the world with Nellie Bly as she races to beat the record set by the fictional Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days!” On November 14, 1889, The World’s convention- defying reporter set sail from Hoboken NJ on a daring adventure that awed the nation and changed her life forever.

Adult Book Club: Around the World in 72 Days by Nellie Bly on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 6:30pm-8:30pm. *Note: This book club session will take place after a special VIP dress rehearsal performance. Wine & cheese will be served! (20 Available Slots). PLEASE RSVP BY 9/12

Children’s Book Club: Who Was Nellie Bly? by Margaret Gurevich on Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 1:30pm-3:00pm. *Note: This book club session will take place after Sunday’s matinee. Children are asked to bring a picnic lunch! PLEASE RSVP BY 9/16

Both play performances & book club sessions will take place at The Apple Tree House (298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306). Reserve your FREE tickets at https://www.speranzatheatre.com.

A Chain Around the World was written by playwright, Jennie Contuzzi. Performances will run September 16-17th at The Apple Tree House, 298 Academy Street, Jersey City, NJ, with additional performances in Jersey City and Hudson County parks throughout September and October.  A Chain Around The World is a family-friendly play which will be performed outdoors in Hudson County parks. This historical play is recommended for ages 6-adult and has a runtime of approximately 35 minutes. 

Directed by Mikaela Kafka, Stage Managed by Maxinne Spann, Costumes/Props by Marci Elyn Schein, Sound Engineering by Nicholas Von Hagel, and Produced by Heather Wahl. Cast includes: Rachel Brudner, Samantha Resnick, Kimberly Bollard, Joelle Zazz, Patrick O’Konis, Scott Tomjack, and Jason Faust. 

Performance Dates: Sat 9/16/2023 @ 6:00pm at The Apple Tree House; Sun 9/17/2023 @ 1:00pm at The Apple Tree House; Sun 9/17/2023 @ 4:00pm at The Apple Tree House; Fri 9/22/2023 @ 6:00pm at Berry Lane Park; Sat 9/23/2023 @ 6:00pm at Van Vorst Park; and Sun 9/24/2023 @ 1:00pm at Canco Park.

This program is made possible by support from The Jersey City Arts Trust Grant, The Museum of Jersey City History, and a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

Speranza Theatre Company, a member of The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, is a non-profit women’s theatre company focusing on the presentation of plays to live audiences. Founded to provide an opportunity for artists, particularly females, to share their voices through entertaining and challenging theatre, Speranza continues to meet this mission by presenting competitively priced professional theatrical performances, free readings of new works, and educational programming. Donations are welcome and can be made online.

This program is made possible by support from The Jersey City Arts Trust Grant, The Museum of Jersey City History, and a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Thomas A. DeGise, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.