Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 12/22/2015
On November 2nd, the New Jersey Theatre Alliance (NJTA) held its annual Curtain Call event at Kean University. The event celebrates the wonderful professional theater in the Garden State and honors theatres and individuals for their work. This year, Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Luna Stage, and Premiere Stages were honored along with Natalie S. Watson, Esq. who served as the Alliance’s President for the past six years.
Watson received the Alliance’s Star Award, which is presented to organizations or individuals who have made an impact on the Theatre Alliance and its member theatres. She thanked her partners and colleagues at McCarter & English for the firm’s belief that to be a leader in the law you must also be a leader in the community, including the theater and arts community.
“The Alliance does amazing work for our community, particularly for our member theaters and, by extension for our state,” said Watson. “Whether through bridge loans to help theaters as they await funding to come, whether the Cultural Access Network project which I am so profoundly proud of or even our annual combined auctions. There is a range of things that the Alliance does that makes theater in New Jersey work more efficiently and provides greater access to all of our fellow citizens. So I am so honored to be part of a team that cares so much for the member theaters, for the artists in our community and the patrons that attend theater here.”
The first of three Awards of Excellence went to Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University. The company recently celebrated its 10th anniversary under the leadership of Artistic Director John Wooten. They were honored for providing a wide range of training programs for artists and students, while developing more than 40 new theatre works — many which have gone on to be produced in New York and regional theaters around the country.
“Premiere Stages finds unique ways to introduce the art of playwriting into a variety of settings and has formed a wide range of innovative partnerships with schools, community based organizations, and healthcare organizations,” said Todd Schmidt, Chairman of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and Managing Director for Paper Mill Playhouse.
Wooten accepted the award and recalled how a little over a decade ago, neither the building in which Curtain Call was being held nor the company Premiere Stages existed. He asked John McEwan of the Theatre Alliance to speak at Kean University on the benefits of having an Equity theater.
“For those of you who don’t know much about Premiere Stages, everything we do is dedicated to new play development,” said Wooten. “We do an All Play Festival, and commission a new play about New Jersey every other year. We develop student playwrights here at Kean University; we have the John Bauer and Nancy Boucher award that applauds and awards aspiring and growing Kean University playwrights or alumni. One of the things I love most about our New Play Development program is our Play Factory. We work with schools, with after school organizations, with community groups, senior centers, to work with students of all ages to learn about playwriting then bring in a company actors to perform their work.”
Luna Stage was the second recipient of the Award of Excellence. The company was described as being a transformative power of West Orange since HANDS Inc. (Housing and Neighborhood Development Services) invited them to be the anchor of the Valley Arts District five years ago. Larry Capo, the President of the Theatre Alliance, praised Luna for their productions of new works and ability to give new life to classic plays along with their innovation educational programs.
Cheryl Katz, the Artistic Director at Luna Stage, accepted the award, thanking Jane Mandel, who founded the company, for having the foresight to look towards the Valley Arts District for its home.
“Even more so than being honored, tonight I feel fortunate, so very fortunate to be one of the blessed few who gets to spend a lifetime making art,” said Katz. “In the deepest, darkest days of deficits and contract negotiations and casting crises, I try to always remember that we get to spend our days and nights making plays, making magic, and maybe, just maybe, a drop at a time, changing the world a little bit for the better.”
The final recipient of the Award of Excellence was Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre. John McEwen praised Laura Ekstrand and Dreamcatcher for two decades of challenging and entertaining audiences with works that celebrate the human spirit.
“I have had the pleasure watching the growth of Dreamcatcher since its early days and I have been so impressed by their growth, quality of their work, the talent of its ensemble, and the dedication and support of its board,” said McEwen, Director of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
Laura Ekstrand, Dreamcatcher’s Artistic Director accepted the award and thanked the Theatre Alliance for their support over the years. “I guarantee without them, we would not be around 20 years later,” said Ekstrand. “It is only because of them that we are still here. It is that spirit of collaboration and partnership that we enjoy here in New Jersey because of the Theatre Alliance that kept us and many of you going when things get hard. I think what we share, even though we do a lot of different things here in the state, is just a love of the process of creation. We love it so much we don’t want to do it project by project, we want to do it our whole lives. That is what we are doing. It is the love of the creation and the love of the relationship we have and the collaboration over time that we develop that keeps us going when things get tough.”
The night was full of performances from a collaborative piece presented by Premiere Stages featuring artists from Matheny Medical & Educational Center’s Arts Access Program to a musical number from Luna Stage’s production of Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story to improv comedy provided by Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre. Judging from the performances it’s clear that theatre in the Garden State is very much alive and well. Visit njtheatrealliance.org and see for yourself.
Photo by Jerry Dalia
George Street Playhouse Presents Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-woman Show
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJWritten by and starring
Vicki Lawrence Two Performances Only
Vicki Lawrence, the legendary actress, comedian, and singer, brings her signature wit and charm to the stage in Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show. Best known for her iconic role as Thelma Harper, or "Mama," from The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family, Lawrence delivers a hilarious and heartfelt performance that takes audiences on a journey through her extraordinary career. From her Emmy-winning years alongside Carol Burnett to her chart-topping hit, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” she shares behind-the-scenes stories, comedy, and music—all with her trademark humor. Whether reminiscing about her Hollywood adventures or embodying the feisty Mama, Lawrence proves that laughter is timeless.
Kean Department Of Theatre Presents "the Drowsy Chaperone"
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJMusic and lyrics by
Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Princeton’s Famous Triangle Show: Roswell That Ends Well
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJIf you’re feeling all alone in the universe – or even if you’re not – Triangle’s newest musical comedy is for you! Join us as Triangle explores what it means to have friends in high – or should we say “sky”? – places. Extraterrestrial visitors, crazy conspiracy theories, and intergalactic shenanigans power this year’s annual laugh-fest of witty jokes, lavish production numbers, and, of course, Triangle’s famous kickline. Can interplanetary goodwill blossom in the dystopian desert of our current times? Get your Triangle tickets now and learn if
Roswell That Ends Well!
George Street Playhouse Presents Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-woman Show
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJWritten by and starring
Vicki Lawrence Two Performances Only
Vicki Lawrence, the legendary actress, comedian, and singer, brings her signature wit and charm to the stage in Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Woman Show. Best known for her iconic role as Thelma Harper, or "Mama," from The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family, Lawrence delivers a hilarious and heartfelt performance that takes audiences on a journey through her extraordinary career. From her Emmy-winning years alongside Carol Burnett to her chart-topping hit, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” she shares behind-the-scenes stories, comedy, and music—all with her trademark humor. Whether reminiscing about her Hollywood adventures or embodying the feisty Mama, Lawrence proves that laughter is timeless.
Kean Department Of Theatre Presents "the Drowsy Chaperone"
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Kean Stage - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJMusic and lyrics by
Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
EVENT PREVIEWS
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Christmas at the Playhouse 2026
(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Christmas at the Playhouse 2026 from November 10 to December 20, 2026. Celebrate the season with this spectacular holiday production filled with the music, memories, and traditions audiences have cherished through the years.
Ferrell Studios presents "Carrie, the Musical"
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios presents Carrie, the Musical at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center from November 12-15, 2026. Based on the classic novel by Stephen King, the musical poses the question: What happens when someone is pushed too far?
Centenary Stage Company's Fringe Festival presents "Ghost Dance: Picture of a Madman"
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Fringe Festival continues with Ghost Dance: Picture of a Madman, a captivating one-woman play written and performed by Erica Knight. Running November 12–15, 2026, in the Kutz Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on the campus of Centenary University. The production explores the turbulent life and legacy of Ralph Albert Blakelock, one of America's most celebrated yet tragically overlooked nineteenth-century painters.
Fool Moon Theatre Company presents "Love, Loss, And What I Wore" at The Eagle Theatre on November 12th
(HAMMONTON, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents a special, one-night-only presentation of the hit play Love, Loss and What I Wore on Thursday, November 12 2026 at Eagle Theatre. This exclusive event is a benefit for the Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary in Mays Landing. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Middlesex College presents "She Kills Monsters"
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex College Visual, Performing and Media Arts presents She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen from November 12-18, 2026 at the Performing Arts Center - Studio Theater in Edison. She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly.
CherryBlossomPlayers:LLC presents Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher"
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- CherryBlossomPlayers:LLC presents Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher from November 12-14, 2026 at Philhower Chapel at Vincent United Methodist Church in Nutley. This is an exciting new original adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale.
Theater League of Clifton presents "1776" in November
(WAYNE, NJ) -- Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of opinionated, stubborn and deeply divided delegates gathered in Philadelphia and somehow managed to create a new nation. This November, the Theater League of Clifton brings their story to the stage with 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical about the tumultuous days leading to the Declaration of Independence. Directed by Maren Sugarman, the production will be presented November 13–15, 2026, at the Wayne Community Center.
Lomotion Live presents "Etiquette" by David Lee White
(BOONTON, NJ) -- Lomotion Live presents Etiquette, a timely and biting comedy by playwright David Lee White, directed by Lauren Moran. The production will run November 13–15, 2026 at Lomotion Live at Parsippany Arts Center in Boonton.
NJ Rep presents Theatre Brut Short Play Festival 2026: "Through The Window"
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- What happens when we look through a window? Do we see the world as it really is, the world as we wish it could be, or something we never expected? New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) invites audiences to discover the unexpected with NJ Rep presents Theatre Brut Short Play Festival 2026: "Through The Window" a festival of eight original short plays presented over two weekends, November 13–15 and November 20–22, 2026 at the West End Arts Center in Long Branch.
Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical"
(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical weekends from November 13-28, 2026. In this musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic, The Herdmans – widely known as the "worst kids in the history of the world" – crash Sunday School lured by the promise of free snacks and end up hijacking the annual church Christmas pageant!
