Scenes from a restaurant comprise ‘Cafe Twilight’

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 8:59 a.m.

In theater and film, there have been restaurant scenes and there have been funny restaurant scenes.

In his latest student showcase local director Joseph Bernard, of the Joseph Bernard Acting Studio, has tied together an assortment of memorably comedic scenes to create "Cafe Twilight," a sequential arrangement of fantasy and reality in a cafe setting.

Taking scenes from comedies such as Christopher Durang's "Beyond Therapy" and Kanin Garson's 1946 "Born Yesterday," "Cafe Twilight" will be performed Tuesday and Wednesday at the Winchester Center Theater.

"We're trying something different," Bernard said. Normally the productions are comprised of different scenes from a variety of plays and movies, he explained.

"Usually we do scenes," Bernard said. "In this particular instance it's more of a play. (Actors) will walk in and out. Various (actors playing) customers have to relate to different scenes. So it will integrate."

Bernard, a former Broadway actor and former director of Strasberg's Theater Institute in Hollywood, has been teaching locally for 20 years to first-time acting students wanting to test the theatrical waters.

"It's sort of a baptism of fire," Bernard said. "Some of these people have never been on the stage before.

"The ultimate purpose is to give them a chance in front of the audience, to see how they feel about performing and how the audience feels about them."

Bernard said he's directed nearly 150 local student productions and taught at least 1,800 students.

"Some of them really pursue it ... and are doing quite well, he said. "A few went to Hollywood. (But) the majority are finding it takes a commitment to be an actor -- and patience."