'By the Water' at Summit Playhouse Through November 1

The Summit Playhouse, at 10 New England Avenue in Summit, is staging By the Water through Nov. 1. Union County Life is summarizing a review of the production by Liz Keill, published by TAPinto.

The play, written by Sharyn Rothstein, is set on Staten Island and deals with memories of damage from Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. It opens in a largely destroyed living room. The Murphys’ home has been devastated. Marty Murphy, played by David Romankow, is trying to persuade neighbors to stay and rebuild. His wife, Mary Murphy, played by Gloria Lamoureux, supports the plan at first.

The couple’s sons, Sal and Brian, no longer live at home, and both would prefer that their parents move. Gabriel Aprea plays Sal, and Justin Montanaro plays Brian. Neighbors Philip and Andrea Carter, played by Charles Grayson and Sharon Garry, have decided to start over somewhere else. A subplot follows Brian and Emily Mancini, played by Marie Correa, as they rediscover each other.

The review notes that the play has no intermission. It says the moment when Marty and Sal accept each other appears to be the end, though more follows. The review also hints that Marty made secret and disturbing financial decisions long before the storm.

Karen Thornton directs the production. Roy Pancirov designed the living room, Mark Reilly did the lighting, Ann Lowe did the costumes, and Corina Lupp did the props.

Find more Summit arts, events, and local news at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

Where is By the Water being staged?
The Summit Playhouse at 10 New England Avenue in Summit is staging the production.

How long does By the Water run?
The production runs through Nov. 1, 2026.

What is the play about?
The play is set on Staten Island and deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, following the Murphy family as they decide whether to rebuild or move.

Does By the Water have an intermission?
No. The review notes that the play has no intermission.