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PODCAST: How Basement Productions Prepared Sarah Rasmussen for McCarter


By Maddie Orton, JerseyArts.com

originally published: 05/01/2022


You could say that Sarah Rasmussen, McCarter Theatre's new Artistic Director has been training for this role since the 7th grade. From auditioning kids in the backyard of her South Dakota home to presenting her artistry on major stages across the country, Sarah has maintained her sense of playfulness with the art form. Now her McCarter directorial debut, "Ride the Cyclone", combines that whimsy with music, stunning design, and a perfect story for this moment in time. The show began preview performances on April 30th.

Ride The Cyclone: The Musical plays at McCarter Theatre Center (99 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey) from April 30 through May 29th. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.




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About the author: Maddie Orton is an Emmy-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. She has worked on several PBS shows including: "Take on Fake," "NJTV News," "MetroFocus," "WLIW Arts Beat," and "Treasures of New York." A life-long theater lover, Maddie created the documentary "I Can't... I Have Rehearsal," exploring New Jersey's arts education through high school musicals. She studied theater and American Studies at Rutgers University, and lives in the great Garden State with her husband and kiddo.

Content provided by Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.




EVENT PREVIEWS

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Middletown Arts Center presents the seventh edition of The MAC One-Acts Play-Reading Festival on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. The festival features original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors. Admission is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated.
The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "House Rules" by Jack McGrath on May 16th

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"

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.
American Theater Group presents "The Unwitting Magician"

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.
The Levoy Theatre presents "Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical"

The Levoy Theatre presents "Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical"

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical from May 15-17, 2026. Based on the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Book Series by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Studios Films, the musical contains a Book by Kevin del Aguila; Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler.
Center Drama to Hold Auditions for "Grease" this week

Center Drama to Hold Auditions for "Grease" this week

(DEAL, NJ) -- Center Drama will hold in-person auditions for Grease on May 14 and May 17, 2026 at JCC Performing Arts Theater (100 Grant Avenue) in Deal, NJ. Virtual auditions are accepted until May 15th. With a hip-shaking rock 'n' roll score featuring hits like "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin" and "We Go Together," Grease celebrates Rydell High's class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory.
Red Bull Theater presents a reading of "Cymbeline, Refinished" on May 18th

Red Bull Theater presents a reading of "Cymbeline, Refinished" on May 18th

(NEW YORK, NY) -- The award-winning Red Bull Theater will conclude their spring Revelation Readings Series on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:30pm with Cymbeline, Refinished by William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw and directed by Michael Sexton.
New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman

New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman on Monday, May 18, 2026 at the West End Arts Center. The production is directed by James Glossman and features an outstanding cast: Richard Kind, David Strathairn, and Michelle Wilson.
Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on May 19th

Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on May 19th

(LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at American Legion Post #1 in Leonia. Admission is free, showtime is 7:30pm. The production is presented by Roland Weimer.
Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour"

Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour"

(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour" by Fay Corinotis on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. Admission is free ($10 cash donation suggested).

 

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