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"The Show Must Go On!" at the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ

By Susan Wallner, JerseyArts.com

originally published: 08/08/2020


(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Honk if you need a laugh! Mayo Performing Arts Center, in partnership with the Morris County Park Commission, will present A Drive In version of its popular Manhattan Comedy Night series at Fosterfields Historical Living Farm on Thursday, August 20 at 6:30pm. Scheduled to perform are Tom Cotter, Johnny Lambert and Kerri Louise.

Tickets are $125 per car (preferred seating) and $100 per car (general admission). All proceeds will benefit MPAC's recovery.  Tickets must be purchased in advance through the MPAC Box Office or 973-539-8008. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Additionally, commemorative Drive in Concert T-Shirts are available for $20 per shirt.

The Fosterfields site will be able to accommodate approximately 160 cars that will be spaced out with social distancing guidelines provided by local authorities. Attendees can watch from the comfort of their vehicles, or can bring a lawn chair and sit in their marked out space. Please bring a face covering.

Since March 12, MPAC, a non-profit performing arts center, has had to cancel over 60 events and reschedule another 25 as a result of the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Much like other local businesses, MPAC's revenue has been significantly impacted by the shutdown, with no date in sight to reopen. 

Comedian Tom Cotter has taken the comedy scene by storm since finishing as runner-up and becoming the breakout star from Season 7's "America's Got Talent." He lost to a dog act, but don't hold that against him; Tom was the first comedian ever to be a finalist on the show and was the highest finishing human being on the show that year. In January 2019 Tom was again invited back to the AGT stage - this time to perform against the best of the best "Got Talent" performers from other years and around the world in "America's Got Talent: The Champions." In one the most talked about sets of the entire competition, Tom received a standing ovation from the adoring crowd. Tom's other numerous television and radio credits include "The Tonight Show," "Last Comic Standing," his very own "Comedy Central Presents... Tom Cotter, "The Howard Stern Show, Comics Unleashed, multiple appearance on CBS' "The Late Late Show" and Celebrity Host of "Gotham Comedy Live" on AXS-TV.




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High-energy, commanding and versatile, Kerri Louise can entertain any audience with her warmth and razor-edge wit. She just filmed the hit, new, stand-up show "Gotham Live" on AXS-TV. Kerri was a regular correspondent on the Oprah Winfrey Show and that lead her to be a guest on the very first episode of The Dr. OZ Show. NBC took Kerri all the way to the finals in the show Last Comic Standing. Her performance on that show prompted The Women's Entertainment Network to make her the star of her own reality show called "TWO FUNNY".

Johnny Lampert is considered one of the premier comedians in the country. He is a regular at New York City's and Los Angeles' best comedy clubs including The Gotham Comedy Club, The Comic Strip, Caroline's Comedy Club and The Improv. Johnny has also made numerous appearances on national television including featured performances on MTV, A&E, Comedy Central, NBC, HBO Comedy Showcase and most recently on AXS TV's Gotham Comedy Live!

Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is located at 100 South Street in Morristown, New Jersey. MPAC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2020-2021 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals. Mayo Performing Arts Center was named 2016 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres, and is ranked in the top 50 mid-sized performing arts centers by Pollstar Magazine.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents their 2026 One-Act Play Festival from August 28-29. The festival features one-act comedies from practicing and promised playwrights from around the world!

George Street Playhouse presents "Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares - a comedy show with original songs from August 26-30, 2026. Direct from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements comes this one-woman comedy show from the mind of Tony Award® winner Laura Benanti.

Spring Lake Theatre Company presents "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret"

(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre Company presents two performances of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret from August 29-30, 2026. This is a one-act play from the experiences of America's longest war, blending heartfelt storytelling with a unique cast of combat veterans and military family members.
Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31

Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- In 2022, as the world was finally coming out of COVID-19, Aaron Lazar was invited to return to the stage to lead the cast of The Bridges of Madison County, playing opposite Kate Baldwin at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. Just days into rehearsal, Lazar received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. Thus began Lazar's "extraordinary" journey.
Light Opera of New Jersey to Hold Auditions for "Amahl and The Night Visitors"

Light Opera of New Jersey to Hold Auditions for "Amahl and The Night Visitors"

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey will hold auditions for Amahl and the Night Visitors, a heartwarming holiday opera, on August 27th and September 3rd from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Callbacks will be on September 5th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Auditions will be in Basking Ridge. Registrants will be advised of exact location after registering. All roles are opened and paid.

Haddonfield Plays & Players presents "Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis"

(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- What happens when fantasy meets 50-something reality? Find out when Haddonfield Plays & Players presents Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis from September 4-6, 2026. This is a sharp-witted, satirical play written by Amy Ferris and adapted from her best-selling memoir.
Fifth Annual Broadway in the Park concert to Take Place September 7th

Fifth Annual Broadway in the Park concert to Take Place September 7th

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- SOMA Stage presents the fifth annual Broadway in the Park concert on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 at the Memorial Park Amphitheater in Maplewood. This year's concert, Broadway in the Park: Let's Rock!, features Broadway's biggest rock and pop hits from the 1950s through today. Showtime is 4:30pm.

East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey Premiere of "Lunar Eclipse" by Donald Margulies

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey Premiere of Lunar Eclipse by Donald Margulies from August 27 through September 20, 2026. In the play, George has been waiting for this night – the seven stages of a lunar eclipse are viewable from the farm that he shares with his wife Em – and she decides to join him in taking in the view.

Nutley Little Theatre presents "A Doll's House, Part 2"

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Fifteen years after leaving her family and stagnant marriage, Henrik Ibsen's Nora returns home in Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House Part 2. Nutley Little Theatre presents this sequel to Ibsen's classic play across three weekends from September 11-26, 2026.
Center Players to present "The Realistic Joneses" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center

Center Players to present "The Realistic Joneses" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Center Players of Freehold will present The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno as its first Signature Series production of the 2026-27 season. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Michael Tota, the production will run from October 2-4 at the Herbst Theatre at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, marking the first time Center Players has performed in the venue.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


All The Devils Are Here

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ


11 Days The Story of Operation Pineapple Express

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ


George Street Playhouse presents Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Thursday, August 27, 2026 @ 2:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ



 

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