For Worse
New Jersey Repertory Company - 179 Broadway, Long Branch
After three daughters and 30 years of marriage, Peter informs his wife that he has been having an affair and has fallen in love with a younger woman. He says he’s leaving her, but she says, “No, you’re not!”
It’s been called a modern day Private Lives. A story of love, trust, friendship and betrayal - examining the question, “Is old-fashioned, monogamous, committed marriage even possible anymore in today’s world?”
New Jersey Repertory Company presents this world premiere play by Deborah Rennard. The production runs March 10 through April 10.
Heathers: The Musical
The Eagle Theatre - 208 Vine Street, Hammonton
A hilarious and homicidal new show based on one of the greatest teen comedies of all time. Westerburg High is ruled by a shoulder-padded, scrunchie-wearing junta: Heather, Heather and Heather, the hottest and cruelest girls in all of Ohio. But misfit Veronica Sawyer rejects their evil regime for a new boyfriend, the dark and sexy stranger J.D., who plans to put the Heathers in their place - six feet under. It’s a moving love story with laugh-out-loud hilarity, an irresistible score, and an unflinching look at the joys and anguish of high school.
Heathers: The Musical is presented by Eagle Theatre March 18 through April 24.
The King and I
Algonquin Arts Theatre - 173 Main Street, Manasquan
East versus West makes for a dramatic, richly textured and ultimately uplifting tale of enormous fascination. It is 1862 in Siam when an English widow, Anna Leonowens, and her young son arrive at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, having been summoned by the King to serve as tutor to his many children and wives. The King is largely considered to be a barbarian by those in the West, and he seeks Anna’s assistance in changing his image, if not his ways. With both keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions and values, Anna and the King grow to understand and, eventually, respect one another, in a truly unique love story. Along with the dazzling score, the incomparable Jerome Robbins ballet, “The Small House of Uncle Thomas,” is one of the all-time marvels of the musical stage.
This classical musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein is presented by Algonquin Arts Theatre April 1 - April 10.
Pump Boys & Dinettes
Paper Mill Playhouse - 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn
A raucous good time! A musical full of joy‚ a little bit of heartbreak‚ and lots of hilarity. This visionary tribute to life by the roadside takes place on North Carolina’s Highway 57. Somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna stands a rest stop. The four hardworking fellas at the gas station have been known to do some auto repairs‚ but only when aided by some great tunes and a few beers. Next door there’s the Double Cupp Diner‚ where the Cupp sisters offer up their famous home cooking and gift for song. A celebration of life‚ love‚ Dolly Parton‚ and catfish!
Presented by Paper Mill Playhouse from April 6 to May 1.
Old Love New Love
Luna Stage - 555 Valley Road, West Orange
A mother and daughter navigate the choppy waters of infidelity under very different circumstances: Gloria’s husband Colin has fallen for another Alzheimer’s patient at the facility where he resides. Michelle’s husband Matt has strayed after losing a local election and wrestling with his unfulfilled ambitions. A play about what we can’t remember and what we can forgive, Old Love New Love explores what happens when old love faces new challenges.
This world premiere by Laura Brienza is presented by Luna Stage April 7 through May 8. Nancy Robillard directs the production.
Fly
Crossroads Theatre - 7 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Fly, by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, is the soaring tale of the first African American Army Air Corp pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen, returns in April to Crossroads Theatre Company where it premiered seven years ago, culminating a bicoastal tour of the critically acclaimed production.
Fly is told in flashbacks by one of the black airmen on the day Barack Obama is inaugurated as president of the United States. The movement and sounds of Tap Griot (Omar Edwards) accentuate the drama, lending suspense and emotion to the action.
Crossroads Theatre presents Fly, April 7 through April 17.
My Mother, My Sister and Me
Bickford Theatre - 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown
It’s the summer of 1969 – Man on the moon, Woodstock, mini-skirts and Motown and in the Bronx, and boy is it hot! Change is everywhere for thirteen year old Holly Abrams. Gramma Sylvia rules the roost, older sis Robin rebels in bell-bottoms and Mom and Dad may split up for good. Will Holly get her first kiss from Marco Lopez? Amid the quickly changing Bronx’s cultural and social landscape, witness the struggles, hopes and dreams of the Abrams family in this warm-spirited comedy about family. Starring Broadway’s Loni Ackerman.
A world premiere presented April 7 through April 24.
Ears On a Beatle
Alliance Repertory Theatre - 426 Springfield Avenue, Summit
It’s the 1970s. President Nixon is very concerned about John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s opposition to the Vietnam War, so J. Edgar Hoover assigns two FBI agents to maintain surveillance on Lennon. As the agents’ outlooks evolve, major news events of the ‘70s fly by, and amazing conspiracy theories bloom.
Alliance Repertory Theatre presents Ears On a Beatle by Mark St. Germain and directed by Joe Porter at MONDO (426 Springfield Avenue in Summit) on select days from April 8 through April 24.
Start Down
Centenary Stage Company - 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown
Start Down is a funny and startling glimpse into the world of technology, education and its potential (or consequences) for educators and students alike. Influenced by his girlfriend’s teaching career and driven to produce a cutting-edge product, a San Francisco software developer Will, creates a program which will change the face of teaching forever. It’s a brilliantly profitable idea until it threatens some deeply held core values and ultimately his own relationship.
Centenary Stage presents this play by Eleanor Burgess from April 8 through April 24 in the Edith Kutz Theater of the Lackland Center.
Goodnight Moon
Mile Square Theatre - 1408 Clinton Street, Hoboken
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—he says goodnight.
The Mile Square Theatre present an adaptation of Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd. The production features book, music and lyrics by Chad Henry and runs Saturdays and Sundays from April 9 through April 24.
The performance run time is approximately 75 minutes and is recommended for audiences 4 years and up.
My Name Is Asher Lev
George Street Playhouse - 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Asher Lev is a young Jew growing up in post-war Brooklyn. His artistic talent was apparent from an early age, and he can’t imagine himself doing anything else. He must create art at any cost, regardless of the will of his family, his community and tradition. The award-winning play by Aaron Posner based on the best-selling novel by Chaim Potok.
George Street Playhouse presents My Name Is Asher Lev from April 12 through May 1. The production stars Bob Aria, Miles G. Jackson, and Lena Kaminsky. It is directed by Jim Jack.
Pericles
Two River Theater - 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank
Shakespeare’s thrilling and epic tale of adventure, shipwreck and romance. When Pericles uncovers the King’s dark secret, he is forced to flee his Kingdom and navigate the roaring sea and its islands’ lovers, magicians & pirates. Brought to life with original songs by Rinde Eckert, choreography by Dan Knechtges, and directed by David Schweizer, this production will be an exhilarating and mystical event you will not want to miss!
The production stars J. Clint Allen, Phillipe Bowgen, Rinde Eckert, Ellen Harvey, Kevin Mambo, Nikki Massoud, and Mary Testa.
Two River Theater presents Pericles from April 16 through May 8.
The Groundling
Burgdorf Cultural Center, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood
After stumbling upon an outdoor Shakespeare play in Manhattan, Long Island landscaper Bob Malone is inspired to write a play about his troubled marriage -- in verse. He’s putting it on in his garage, and he wants you to be in the front row.
“THE GROUNDLING is half comedy and half tragedy, half verse and half prose. Though it begins as a formulaic showbiz farce, it takes an unexpected swerve toward heartbreak…Borrowing a neat trick from Shakespeare, Palmieri tops off this saccharine comedy with a nicely bittersweet finish. Plenty of audience members were dabbing eyes with sleeves and tissues as the lights came up.” —The New York Times.
The Theater Project presents The Groundling by Marc Palmieri from April 14 through April 24.
