Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/06/2022

Hudson Shakespeare Company returns for its 30th season of traveling Shakespeare with a medieval take of “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”. The show stars Zach Hendrickson as the prince directed by the ghost of his father to avenge his murder at the hands of his uncle Claudius (Jon Ciccarelli), but at what cost? Who can Hamlet trust and what should do? Can the supernatural vision be trusted in a court where conspiracy and intrigue operate around each corner?
His life-long friend Laertes (Alyssa Gray) now becomes an enemy. A budding romance with Ophelia (Emily Glaser), the daughter of the king's right-hand man Polonius (John C. Short) is upended. A once close relationship with his mother Gertrude (Noelle Fair) now becomes strained as she marries his father's murderer. Shakespeare shapes a classic tale of revenge is shaped into a both a light-hearted and tragically thoughtful meditation on duty to family and duty to yourself.

HSC presents the play with 6 actors playing multiple roles in a briskly paced 1hr, 55min sword and pageantry presentation at:
* Kenilworth Public Library, 548 Boulevard, Thursday, June 16 @7:00pm.
* Community Park North Amphitheater, Princeton, NJ, Sunday, June 19 @6:00pm. In case of rain, the show will be presented at Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ
* Springfield Town Green in front of city hall, 100 Mountain Ave, Springfield, NJ, Tuesday, June 21 @7:00pm. In case of rain the show will be presented at Springfield Public Library, 66 Mountain Ave, Springfield, NJ
* Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC), outside amphitheater, 102 State Street, Hackensack, NJ, Wednesday, June 22 @7:30pm. In case of rain the show will be presented in the arts center's indoor theater, 2nd floor.
* Kinnelon Public Library, 132 Kinnelon Rd, Kinnelon, NJ, Thursday, July 23 @7:00pm
* Hamilton Park, 9th street and Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, Tuesday, June 28 @7:00pm
* Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC), outside amphitheater, 102 State Street, Hackensack, NJ, Wednesday, June 29 @7:30pm. In case of rain the show will be presented in the arts center's indoor theater, 2nd floor.
* Wayne Museum, Van Riper House, 533 Berdan Ave, Wayne, NJ 07470, Thursday, June 30 @7:00pm. In case of rain the show will show on Friday, July 1 at the same location.
Hudson Shakespeare Company, now celebrating its 30th season tours north Jersey regularly with Shakespeare and modern productions and has been. Admission is free for all shows. The company will return in July with the same cast in a 1970s set production of "Much Ado About Nothing".
EVENT PREVIEWS

The Montclair Theater Festival takes place on Saturday
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Theater Festival takes place Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm in Brookdale Park. Step into a day of theater magic, live performances, and community fun! Presented by Vanguard Theater, this vibrant one-day event features family-friendly shows like Suessical: The Musical and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, alongside performances from local artists, food trucks, and hands-on activities for all ages.

Nutley Little Theatre presents "The Worst Fairy Tale Ever"
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- The Narrator is ready to start the show, but how is that supposed to happen when nobody else in the cast has read the script and the costumes haven't even arrived yet? Children, families, and the young at heart will find out when Nutley Little Theatre presents The Worst Fairy Tale Ever by Todd Wallinger July 25-26, 2026.
The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret
(UNION, NJ) -- Kaleidoscope Kabaret (that's Kabaret with a K), The Theater Project's annual festival of live music and short comedic plays, will liven up the stage of DMK Black Box Theatre in Union Township's new Arts Center from July 24-26, 2026.
Aspire Performing Arts presents Disney's "Descendants: The Musical"
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company, an award-winning performing arts company based in Wayne, will present Disney's Descendants: The Musical from July 24-26, 2026 at the Barn Theatre in Montville. The production features two casts of young performers and is directed by Joey Nasta with musical direction by Shannen Lynn and choreography by Charlize Dominguez.

Mile Square Theatre presents "Urinetown: The Musical"
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre (MST) is proud to present its first-ever Pre-Professional Theatre Program production, Urinetown: The Musical, book and lyrics by Greg Kotis, music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann. The entire production is led by a team of professionals - the assistants and cast are all young artists ages 18 to 25, based in Hudson County and from across North and Central New Jersey. The production runs from Friday, July 24 through Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Country Gate Players presents "The Addams Family Musical" (Youth Production)
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(GARWOOD, NJ) -- Before taking their award-winning production to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this August, Cheese Platter Productions will present one final hometown performance, and one final opportunity for audiences to help send the company overseas.

The 1964 Civil Rights Act Takes Center Stage with "All The Way" at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on July 27th
(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its acclaimed Revolutionary Voices play reading series with Robert Schenkkan's Tony Award-winning drama All the Way on Monday, July 27, 2026 at 7:30pm at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. This special one-night-only event brings together an exceptional cast to dramatize one of the most pivotal periods in American history.
Mystic Vision Players presents "Seussical, the Musical"
(LINDEN, NJ) -- Mystic Vision Players presents Seussical, the Musical across two weekends from July 24 through August 1, 2026 in the Susan L. Hudak Auditorium inside Linden High School. The musical features a Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty; Music by Stephen Flaherty; and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. It was Co-Conceived by Eric Idle and Based on the Works of Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss).

The Road Company presents "The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition"
(WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition from July 30 through August 1, 2026. This is a 60-minute, kid-friendly stage adaptation of the classic 1939 film. It follows Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto as a tornado sweeps them to Oz. Joined by new friends, Dorothy must outsmart the Wicked Witch to ask the Wizard for a way home.
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