Photo by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22
(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Althea & Angela, a play inspired by the real lives of tennis players Althea Gibson and Angela Buxton is making its New Jersey premiere at Playhouse 22 with performances across two weekends from February 13-22, 2026.
A play by Todd Olson, Althea & Angela tells the story of their meeting at an exhibition game pairing up, and winning the French Open and Wimbledon – the first Grand Slam events that any African American - male or female - had ever accomplished. It also tells the story of the unlikely events that occurred 40 years later, when one fell upon destitute times...and the other saved her life by a mass appeal to the tennis world.
Playhouse 22's production is directed by Erin Leder with Tara Hines as "Althea Gibson", Kristin Schrier as "Angela Buxton" with Scott Karlin.
Photo by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22
Althea & Angela is part of Playhouse 22's "On the Edge" black box series focused on smaller, little-known plays. The traditional stage is transformed into a new theatrical experience with the audience sitting on stage, close to the action unlike anything you have ever seen before at the theater.
The show runs Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm; and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. All general admission, non-assigned tickets are $20 and are available on the theater's website at Playhouse22.org or by calling the Box Office at (732) 254-3939. Performances take place at the Elliott Taubenslag Theater at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center (721 Cranbury Road) in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
Playhouse 22 is East Brunswick's award-winning and critically-acclaimed non-profit community theater troupe since 1958. Driven and run by all volunteers, Playhouse 22 produces and stages four mainstage and three black-box shows as well as an annual holiday show every season.
Photo by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22
