PHOTOS BY FRANK GALIPO Top: Cast members (l-r) Joe Richichi as Michael; Barry Brokaw as Mr. Duffy; Branson Zoppi as Dudley and Coral Sanchez as Julia Brougham rehearse Dec. 4 for the production of 'The Bishop's Wife' at the Eatontown Playhouse. Above: Zoppi (l) and Paul Nixon as Professor Wutheridge rehearse. EATONTOWN — Adapted for the stage and directed by Long Branch resident Dave McGrath, "The Bishop's Wife" is being performed at the Eatontown Playhouse throughout the month of December.

The play is a story of an overworked bishop's desperate attempt to construct a cathedral and along the way loses sight of what is truly important. It takes an angel named Dudley to open his eyes to the treasures of family, friends and a world that needs him.

The play is based on the 1947 movie and McGrath has written an original stage adaptation. It is produced by "Performance with a Passion Players," which is headed by Mike and Debbie Schwartz.

The rewrite of the Bishop's Wife is directed to today's current situation of fiscal downturn and the sense of fear and loss of hope many are experiencing, according to McGrath.

The play is starring Joe Zedeny as Bishop Henry Brougham, Coral Sanchez as Julia Brougham and Perry Award winner Brandon Zoppi as Dudley.

Performances were held Dec. 5, 6 and 7 and future performances include Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and Dec.14 and 21 at 3 p.m. The Eatontown Playhouse is located at Tower Market Center on Route 35 across from Eatontown Television. Tickets are $22 for adults and $17 for seniors and students. For more information, call 732- 888-0339.

McGrath is a graduate of the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, Brookdale Community College and has taken courses at the School of Visual Art in Manhattan. A founding member of the Blackwell Street Gallery, he is currently active with the Guild of Creative Arts, the American Artist Professional League and the Joyce Browning Artists Association.