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Description: "The Fourth State of Matter" (world premiere) written by Joseph Vitale, directed by Robert Angelini. Cino Theater - Sunday, August 21 at 2:00PM; Monday, August 22 at 9:00PM; Monday, August 29 at 9:00PM; Saturday, September 3 at 5:00PM; Sunday, September 4 at 5:00PM. Running Time: 90 minutes | Tickets: $12 -
Based on the shootings at the University of Iowa in 1991, "The Fourth State of Matter" explores the incidents and forces that drove a gifted Chinese astrophysics student to murder his dissertation advisor and several other students. The presentation, played by a large cast, ponders an unlikely killer’s motive and makes us think about who, the why and the how.
Joseph Vitale received his B.A. in English Literature from Rutgers University, where he graduated magna cum laude and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While at Rutgers, he received the Alpha Psi Omega Award for playwriting for his first play, "The 49th Cup," which was produced at the Rutgers-Newark Theater Workshop. He has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a master's degree in Liberal Studies from the New School for Social Research. He spent fifteen years in journalism, working as a reporter for the Bergen Record newspaper and as an editor for United Features Syndicate and Channels magazine. He joined New Jersey Monthly in 1987, eventually serving as the magazine's executive editor. He has been published in The Boston Herald, the San Francisco Review of Books, and several magazines. He was a theater critic for the New York Arts Weekly. He is currently the Executive Director of College Advancement and Planning and Vice President of the County College of Morris Foundation. In addition to his work at Rutgers, he studied playwriting at HB Studios in New York, working with playwrights Dick Longchamps and William Packard. He is currently a member of the Theater Project Writers Group in New Jersey. Vitale is the author of six plays: "The 49th Cup," "A Reasonable Facsimile," "The Company," "Murrow" (which was optioned by David Susskind in 1985), "The Interpreter," and "The Fourth State of Matter." Vitale also wrote a novel, "Image." He is currently working on his seventh play.
Robert Angelini is making his acting and directorial premiere in New York City with this production of Joe Vitale's "The Fourth State of Matter." Bob began directing with the West Park Players of Ocean Township High School in New Jersey in the spring of 1996. In his tenure at the school, Bob has directed over 30 musical and dramatic productions including "A Chorus Line," "Into the Woods," "Curtains," "Ah, Wilderness!," "The Miracle Worker" and "Our Town." He was awarded the Best Director Award for his work in "The Laramie Project," "Cats" and "Les Misérables" by the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, NJ. Angelini's credits include: Film: "Project Nim" (Lab Tech), James Marsh, Dir.; Regional: "The Full Monty" (Reg) ReVision Theater, NJ; Cabaret: "Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens" (Walter), Cabaret For Life; Community: "To Whom It May Concern" (Homeless Man), "Picnic" (Alan), Atlantic Stage Company. Angelini has also appeared in various New Jersey college, community and civic theater productions over the last 30 years. His career as veteran police officer of 26 years informs his theatrical life.
