Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 01/31/2022

(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- What better way to get through the darkest time of the year than with a good laugh? The Spring Lake Theatre Company presents Neil Simon’s Rumors across the first two weekends in February (Feb 4-5 and 11-12). In the play, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself at a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse.
Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe shock. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife and the servants are nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get "the story" straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusion and mis-communications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
Performances take place on February 4, 5, 11 and 12, with a 7:30pm curtain on Fridays and Saturdays, and an additional 2:00pm matinee on Saturdays. The Spring Lake Theatre Company is located at 300 Madison Avenue in Spring Lake, New Jersey.
Rumors is the first show of 2022 at the Spring Lake Theatre. It is produced by Patricia Barry and directed by Ian Moore, a long time director and actor at the Spring Lake Theatre. He recently directed Mamma Mia in October 2021, and could last be seen on the stage as the titular character in Sweeney Todd in 2019. Set and Lighting design is by Andrew Dagostino.
Among the amazing comedic talent on display in this hilarious production are many Spring Lake Theatre veterans, including Sean Openshaw as Ken Gorman. Sean recently took to the stage as Harry Bright in Mamma Mia. Ken’s wife will be played by Nicole Grassano.
Husband and wife Bill and Chrissy Reinhard fittingly portray Lenny and Claire Ganz. Both could be seen in comedies at the Spring Lake Theatre in 2021, Bill as Lancelot in Spamalot, and Chrissy as Tanya in Mamma Mia.
Cookie Cusack is portrayed by another Spring Lake Theatre veteran, Claudia Noto, who the audience might recognize as Erma in Anything Goes or Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. She is joined by Jim Watson as Cookie’s husband, Ernie.
The final couple, Glenn and Cassie Cooper, are portrayed by Kevin Feehery and Lauren Cook, who both are returning to the Spring Lake Theatre after a longer break.
Brian Craig and Reid Henderson portray the police officers Welch and Pudney.
To ensure the safety of all patrons, employees, and performers, the Spring Lake Community House and Theatre is implementing the following requirements for anyone attending a performance.
1. All patrons older than age 12 will be required to present their physical vaccination record or documentation contained within the Docket smartphone app. Some form of identification (driver’s license, passport, school I.D., work I.D., etc.) must be presented
2. If unvaccinated, patrons must present identification along with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test performed by a medical provider within 72 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test. Any PCR test done by a medical provider is acceptable.
3. All patrons under age 12 are not required to present test results but must remain masked during all events. Masks are required for all patrons.
EVENT PREVIEWS

Playwright Tom Cavanaugh Launches The Book Writers Group with Staged Reading Showcase on August 2nd
(BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- The Brook Writers Group, a newly formed theater collective dedicated to developing original theatrical works in Central New Jersey, will present its inaugural Staged Reading Showcase on Sunday, August 2, 2026 at the historic Brook Arts Center (10 Hamilton Street) in Bound Brook. The event begins at 5:00pm.
Gas Lamp Teens present "Fame: The Musical"
(GLEN RIDGE, NJ) -- Gas Lamp Teens present Fame: The Musical on August 7-8, 2026 at the Ridgewood Avenue School. Fame has inspired generations to fight for fame and light up the sky like a flame!
Two River Theater presents ¡Festejo! Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents the 15th anniversary of ¡Festejo! Celebrating Latine Stories Onstage, from August 6–9, 2026. Curated by José Zayas, the annual festival, formerly known as Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras), will feature five new play readings by acclaimed and emerging Latine playwrights.

Gateway Playhouse to Hold Open Auditions for "9 to 5: The Musical"
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse of Somers Point is holding open auditions for their third MainStage production of the year, the incredibly fun 9 to 5: The Musical. Auditions will take place from 6:00pm-8:00pm Monday and Tuesday, August 10 and 11, 2026. All roles are open and any performance experience is welcomed (must be 16 or older).
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park to Host Auditions for "Curious George: The Golden Meatball" on August 12th
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park is holding auditions for its fall 2026 children's production of Curious George: The Golden Meatball on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:00pm at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre located inside Roosevelt Park in Edison. Everyone's favorite mischievous monkey and his friend in the yellow hat sing and dance up a storm in this adventure-filled musical.

Chimera Productions presents "Job" at Paul Robeson Center for the Arts
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- New Jersey-based theater company Chimera Productions will present its 17th production, Job by Max Wolf Friedlich, from August 13-15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. The play, presented in the intimate 60-seat theater inside Princeton's Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, is a psychological thriller that offers a sharp, darkly funny, and unsettling examination of our addiction to work, the internet, the cost of modern life, and what we're willing to sacrifice to belong.
Villagers Theatre's TeensVill program presents "The Wedding Singer"
(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre's TeensVill program presents The Wedding Singer across two weekends from August 7-16, 2026. Based on the popular movie, the play takes place in New Jersey in 1985. A wannabe rock star (aka a professional wedding singer) is left at the altar and finally changes his tune.

The Levoy Theatre presents "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical"
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical across two weekends from August 7-16, 2026. This is the inspiring true story of Carole King's journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Theater Project presents "Alabama Story" by Kenneth Jones
(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project will wrap up its 2026 summer season with the first New Jersey production of Kenneth Jones's Alabama Story, about the clash between censorship and civil rights in the Jim Crow South, August 6-16 at the DMK Black Box Theatre. Alabama Story blends fact and fiction.

The Premier Theatre Company presents "Jesus Christ Superstar"
(RUMSON, NJ) -- The Premier Theatre Company presents Jesus Christ Superstar in the Rumson School District Auditorium across two weekends from August 7-16, 2026. This is a timeless work set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events, but seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.
FEATURED EVENTS
