Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 04/05/2024
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point will open its 2024 mainstage season with William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The beloved comedy will run for one weekend only, April 19-21, 2024 with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm and a 2:00pm matinee on Sunday. The comedy revolves around two couples in love: Claudio and Hero—whose ultimate coupling is almost ruined due to baseless accusations by Don John, the play's villain; and Benedick and Beatrice, whose witty banter provides much of the show's humor.
This is the third time that Director Ryan Daly has tried to stage this production. The first time it was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, on the second attempt, an actor left right before opening night and there was not enough time to recast.
Now with a cast of 25 actors, Daly is thrilled to have this show finally come to fruition at the Gateway.
“This is a huge cast, yet everyone is helping each other—there are no egos in this show. That’s what I like about this cast. It’s the best cast I’ve ever worked with,” said Daly, who actually teaches Shakespeare at Atlantic City High School. “I appreciate everybody trusting me with this. It’s been really fun to work on.”
Daly chose to put a modern spin on this Shakespearean comedy. Instead of setting it in Messina, Italy, as The Bard intended, Daly is setting his production in “Messina, Florida,” during the 1950s.
“With Shakespeare, you can set it in any time period. I’ve seen Twelfth Night set during WWII and Taming of the Shrew set in the Old West,” Daly said. “I love the 1950s, and then I thought of setting this somewhere tropical. I just thought it was a neat setting.”
According to Daly, Much Ado is Shakespeare’s best comedy, but he knows that some people shy away from Shakespeare’s works.
“I’m not asking people to like Shakespeare–they don’t have to like it. But I want them to appreciate him,” he said. This (story) is still relevant, it’s still important. The fact that we’re still doing it says so.
“I see audiences getting something good out of this show, and I think they will have a lot of fun.”
Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at GatewayByTheBay.org or by calling the box office at 609-653-0553. Gateway Playhouse is located at 738 Bay Avenue in Somers Point, NJ.
Much Ado About Nothing opens the Gateway’s 2024 mainstage season followed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat May 31 to June 2 and June 7-9; Crying on the Camino July 13 and 14; and Little Shop of Horrors September 27-29 and October 4-6. Additional spring, summer and winter shows can be found on GatewayByTheBay.org now with other performances being announced soon, including a surprise holiday production.
Since its reopening in 2017, Gateway Playhouse, a 501-(c)3 nonprofit, has provided quality and affordable year-round entertainment to residents and visitors alike, as well as offered educational opportunities to grammar and high school students, in the hopes of creating future generations of actors, directors and audiences. Aside from an annual mainstage season, the Gateway also produces a variety of comedy and cabaret shows throughout the year. As the saying goes, “see you at the Gateway!”
EVENT PREVIEWS
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.
The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase, its biennial festival of original one-act plays, from June 19-21, 2026. This three-day event showcases new works of up-and-coming playwrights from the NJ/NY area and beyond and other theatrical talent.
Chatham Community Players present a reading of "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players present a reading of Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.
Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a reading of What Would Meryl Do? by Neal Lerner on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Middlesex County's Plays in the Park presents "All Shook Up"
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays in the Park kicks off its season with All Shook Up from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park presents "All Shook Up" by Joe DiPietro
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents All Shook Up by Jersey's own Joe DiPietro from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955 and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Cumberland Players presents "Reefer Madness, the Musical"
(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents Reefer Madness, the Musical across two weekends from June 19-28, 2026. When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed polticial satire will go straight to your head!
Pioneer Productions presents "Merrily We Roll Along"
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions presents Merrily We Roll Along, the groundbreaking musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth. Based on the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the musical premiered in 1981 and has since become one of Sondheim's most daring and emotionally resonant works. The show will run weekends from June 19-June 28, 2026 at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located inside the Morristown United Methodist Church.
Bell Theater at Bell Works presents "We'll Meet Again"
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Bell Theater at Bell Works presents We'll Meet Again from June 18-28, 2026. This is a patriotic and life-affirming story inspired by the life of Heinz "Henry" Stern, a true American original. This is a new musical by James R. Harris with Musical Arrangements by Mark Hayes. The production is directed by Daniel Kutner.
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