By Gina Marie Rodriguez, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 06/02/2023
As the birthplace of baseball, Hoboken is the perfect New Jersey city to celebrate our national pastime; and Mile Square Theatre, the perfect venue.
Annually, the Hoboken theater commissions seven playwrights to each write a 10-minute play involving the American game. This 19th year of “7th Inning Stretch” runs June 16th and 17th. The sentiment of the plays rounds the bases from heartwarming to hysterical; realistic to absurd.
Jersey Arts speaks to Mile Square Theatre’s Artistic Director, Kevin R. Free, and two of this year’s “7th Inning Stretch” playwrights, Michelle Tyrene Johnson and Tim J. Lord.
Kevin R. Free, Michelle Tyrene Johnson and Tim J. Lord
About the author: Gina Marie Rodriguez is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and actress. Her foray into filmmaking began at a young age as a way to avoid public speaking in school. From there, it grew into a love of telling stories and creating new worlds. Gina Marie boasts a Bronze Remi win from Worldfest Houston, Best Female Filmmaker from the Cosmic Film Festival, and a Best Actress in a Comedy from the Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival alongside nominations from the Golden Door International Film Festival, Official Latino Film and Arts Festival and Los Angeles Cinefest among others.
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Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey presents Meredith Willson's The Music Man
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Meredith Willson's The Music Man for four performances from May 8-10, 2026. There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian.
Class Act Performing Arts Studio presents "Wizard of Oz" at SOPAC
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Class Act Performing Arts Studio presents Wizard of Oz at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) from May 8-10, 2026. We're off to see the wizard! Follow the yellow brick road to the SOPAC stage for a delightful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the classic MGM film.
bergenPAC's Performing Arts School to Hold Auditions for "Annie"
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- This summer, bergenPAC's Performing Arts School will light up the Taub Stage with the beloved Broadway classic Annie, running July 31 through August 2, 2026. Auditions for the production will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Digital audition submissions will also be accepted now through May 13th. Callbacks will be on May 20th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
Burlington County Footlighters presents "The Pirates of Penzance"
(CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- Burlington County Footlighters presents The Pirates of Penzance across three weekends from May 1-16, 2026. This is a swashbuckling operetta full of hilarity, hijinks, and heart. It features Book and Lyrics by William Gilbert; Music by Arthur Sullivan.
The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "House Rules" by Jack McGrath on May 16th
(CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 New Play Readings series will present a staged reading of Jack McGrath's House Rules on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. The play tells the story of Bobby Ray – a man who has walked across America to return "home" to try and avert a family tragedy. The problem is that the family he returns to refuses to recognize him, and his homecoming has come 10 years too late.
Stage Players presents "Alice By Heart"
(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Stage Players (ages 13-17) at Haddonfield Plays and Players presents Alice By Heart from May 14-16, 2026 at Haddonfield Methodist Church. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Pippin"
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is proud to announce the full cast for its upcoming production of Pippin, running May 8–17, 2026. From Stephen Schwartz, the renowned creator of Wicked, comes a dazzling and thought-provoking musical about a young man's journey to find purpose.
Blue Moon Theatre presents "Glengarry Glen Ross" by David Mamet
(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- Blue Moon Theatre presents Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet across two weekends from May 8-17, 2026. Get ready for a high-octane evening of desperation, greed, and the cutthroat pursuit of the American Dream.
Villagers Theatre presents "On Time" by Wesley Cappiello
(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents On Time by Wesley Cappiello across two weekends from May 8-17, 2026. In this gay epic spanning 160 years, the play follows five couples, weaving together moments of love, heartbreak, and survival across centuries.
American Theater Group presents "The Unwitting Magician"
(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) will once again present The Unwitting Magician, a special work in development by Jeremy Dobrish, May 16-17, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center. The piece was successfully presented last December as part of ATG's Free Monday Night Play Reading Series.
MORE EVENTS
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George Street Playhouse presents "My Lord, What A Night"Friday, May 08, 2026 @ 7:30pmNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
