Here are previews of plays taking place from April 9-16, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. Click on the title to go to the full preview. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
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Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater & Music Theater presents "Flight of a Legless Bird" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University presents Flight of a Legless Bird, a new play by Princeton senior Ethan Luk. The play follows and braids the lives of Robin and Leslie, two queer artists, from the 1980s to the 2000s. Robin, a filmmaker in New York's West Village, confronts the reality of a HIV/AIDS diagnosis; Leslie, an accomplished Cantopop star and actor, grapples with his personal hurdles and newfound fame in Hong Kong. The production is directed by Luk, who is also in the cast, in collaboration with playwright and retired Lecturer in Theater R.N. Sandberg. Performances are April 5, 11 and 12 at 8:00pm and April 6 and 13 at 7:30pm at the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Fiddler on the Roof" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents the classic musical, Fiddler on the Roof from April 6-21, 2024. A journey of love, loss, faith and family, Fiddler on the Roof is a celebration of life and all its challenges. The original production won ten Tony Awards, including a special Tony for becoming the longest-running Broadway musical of all time.
Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents "The Importance of Being Earnest" (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents The Importance of Being Earnest across two weekends (April 12-14 and April 19-21) in the Black Box Theater at Grunin Center for the Arts. Experience Oscar Wilde's comedic masterpiece where two witty bachelors craft alter egos to escape their mundane lives.
CDC Theatre to hold auditions for "The SpongeBob Musical" (CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre is holding auditions for The SpongeBob Musical on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. They are seeking performers in grades 8-12. If Sign ups are filled, walk-ins will be welcome. Callbacks, if needed, will take place on April 15th by invitation only.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents "Gun & Powder" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Gun & Powder from April 4 – May 5, 2024. The new musical features book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri and music by Ross Baum. Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, choreographed by Tiffany Rea-Fisher and music directed by Austin Cook, Gun & Powder is a new musical inspired by the true story of Mary (Renée) and Martha Clarke (LaFontaine), African American twin sisters who take extraordinary measures to settle their mother’s sharecropper debt and save her home.
Middlesex College presents "Footloose, the Musical" (EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex College's Visual, Performing, and Media Arts Department presents Footloose, the Musical across two weekends (April 4-6 and April 11-13, 2024) at the Performing Arts Center in Edison. This is a stage adaption by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie based on the original screenplay by Pitchford. The musical includes music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford with additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and Jim Steinman.
Centenary Stage Company presents "Backwards Forwards Back" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jaqueline Goldfinger's Backwards Forwards Back as part of the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Performances take place April 4-6, April 11-14, 2024 in the Kutz Blackbox Theatre. The play tells the story of a soldier who returns from war carrying the ghosts of their tour, they're then faced with a sobering decision: address their alarming PTSD with Virtual Reality therapy, or risk losing access to their family forever.
Salvador Dali and Sigmund Freud Meet in Lisa Monde's Play "Dali's Dream" (NEW YORK, NY) -- Salvador Dali's wish to meet the famous psychoanalyst comes true in a dream... where Dali finds himself at Dr. Sigmund Freud's sanitarium and becomes part of the famous sessions conducted by the "father of modern psychology". All of this happens in Lisa Monde's play Dali's Dream. The limited engagement runs April 5-27, 2024 at The Gene Frankel Theatre in NoHo. The play is produced by MONLI International Company LLC and The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company.
Dover Little Theatre presents "Talk Radio" by Eric Bogosian (DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents Talk Radio by Eric Bogosian across three weekends in April. This is a thought-provoking play that delves into the world of media and the power it holds over society.
Two River Theater presents the World Premiere of "A Thousand Maids" by Tony Meneses (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere comedy, A Thousand Maids, by Two River favorite Tony Meneses (The Hombres, Guadalupe in the Guest Room), directed by Drama League Director's Project Fellow and recipient of the Yale 2019 Kauffman Memorial Prize, Aneesha Kudtarkar (Water by the Spoonful, Queen). The show will run April 6–28, 2024 in the Marion Huber Theater.
The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society presents "The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time" (TEANECK, NJ) -- The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, presents The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens. The acclaimed play will be presented live on stage in the new Ma'ayanot Performing Arts Center in Teaneck from April 9-11, 2024.
Ocean County Library Toms River Branch presents When Radio Entertained People (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Return to the era when families gathered around the wireless set for "theater of the imagination." The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch will host a live presentation by When Radio Entertained People (WREP) on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 7:00pm.
Centenary Stage Company presents 2024 Women Playwright Series Readings (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Women Playwrights Series returns this spring with three brand-new play readings. Readings will take place on Wednesdays throughout April at 7:00pm in the Sitnik and Kutz Theatres of the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ on the campus of Centenary University. The Women Playwright Series readings are free to attend with donations welcome, advanced reservations have a $5.00 fee. Centenary Stage Company will also offer a live streaming option accompanying the in-person performances. Live stream access is free to participate with donations appreciated.
Holmdel Theatre Company presents "Peter and the Starcatcher" (HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Holmdel Theatre Company is staging a new production of Peter and the Starcatcher, the Tony-award winning play that explores the origins of "The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up" (a.k.a. Peter Pan). The production will run for two weekends (April 12-21, 2024) and is directed by Kirk White and co-produced by Laurie Devino and Jessica Randell.
North Star Theater Company presents "Deathtrap" (SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The North Star Theater Company presents Deathtrap across two weekends (April 12-14 and April 19-21, 2024) in Schaffer Hall at St. Mary's Episocopal Church. The classic play by Ira Levin involves Sidney Bruhl, a playwright who is struggling to write his next big Broadway thriller. He invites one of his students to his home after reading his script. The twists and turns begin as Sidney sees an opportunity to turn his situation around.
Old Library Theatre presents "A New Brain" (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, will present the musical, A New Brain, over two weekends from April 12- 21, 2024. Created by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist William Finn and playwright James Lapine, this is an unexpectedly funny show that gives a glimpse into the inner world of Gordon Michael Schwinn (played by Patrick Dwyer), a frustrated composer for a children's television show.
Playhouse 22 presents "Steel Magnolias" (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22 presents "Steel Magnolias" by Robert Harling, weekends from April 12-28, 2024. Better-known by the film with the same name, the play is a comedy-drama set in rural Louisiana about a group of gossipy women who are concerned about relationships with their families, loved ones, people in the community and most importantly themselves. The production is directed by directed by Ken Webb
Black Box Studios presents "Keith Moon: The Real Me" (TEANECK, NJ) -- Black Box Studios presents a special one night only performance of Keith Moon: The Real Me, the story of the legendary drummer of The Who, on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall. Doors open at 6:30; showtime is 7:30pm.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Tuesday, April 9 @ 7:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Wednesday, April 10 @ 7:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Thursday, April 11
7:30pm - National Theatre: Broadcast in HD - Dear England at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
8:00pm - Flight of a Legless Bird at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday, April 12
7:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
7:30pm - The Importance of Being Earnest at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
8:00pm - Fiddler on the Roof at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
8:00pm - Flight of a Legless Bird at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, April 13
12:00pm - CDC Theatre Holds Auditions for "The SpongeBob Musical" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
2:00pm - Fiddler on the Roof at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
2:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
7:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
7:30pm - Flight of a Legless Bird at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
7:30pm - The Importance of Being Earnest at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
8:00pm - Fiddler on the Roof at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Sunday, April 14
1:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
2:00pm - The Importance of Being Earnest at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
3:00pm - Fiddler on the Roof at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
6:00pm - Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Ella Dershowitz and Jill Eikenberry to Star in World Premiere of "Two Hander" at NJ Rep (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRep) will continue its 27th Season with the World Premiere of Two Hander by Julia Blauvelt, directed by NJ Rep Artistic Director SuzAnne Barabas. The play stars Ella Dershowitz and Jill Eikenberry and runs from April 18 through May 12, 2024.
Vivid Stage presents NJ Premiere of "Kodachrome" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center (120 Morris Avenue) in Summit, will present the New Jersey premiere of Kodachrome, a play about love, nostalgia, the seasons and how we learn to say goodbye, written by Adam Szymkowicz, from April 18-28, 2024.
Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents their spring musical production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical from April 18-28, 2024 in the Sitnik Theatre on the Centenary University campus. The musical was written by Joe Tracz, Composed by Rob Rokicki, and adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan with an original rock score.
Pushcart Players Presents "Velveteen Rabbit" at Algonquin Arts Theatre (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, celebrating 50 years, presents "Velveteen Rabbit" at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10:00am & 11:45am. "Velveteen Rabbit" is based on the beloved children's book by Margery Williams, adapted for the stage by Pushcart Players' artistic director, Paul Whelihan. Choreography is by Stacie Gogo, music and lyrics are by NJ composer, Paul Farinella, and orchestrations are by Tony award-winner, Larry Hochman.
The MTM Players presents "Nunsense" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Tainted food, nuns in freezers, and lots of laughs are in store when The MTM Players brings the hilarious musical comedy Nunsense to the Kelsey Theatre stage, April 19 to May 5, 2024, on Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) West Windsor Campus.
Gateway Playhouse presents "Much Ado About Nothing" (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.
Bergen County Players presents "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, concludes its 2023-2024 mainstage season with the critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, and directed by Alyson Cohn of Wyckoff, this play tells the story of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old who is wrongly accused of killing his neighbor's dog.
The Puffin Cultural Forum presents "Fly More Than You Fall" (TEANECK, NJ) -- Fly More Than You Fall, a new musical with sights set on Broadway and the West End will make its New Jersey premiere with a live musical concert presentation and talk back on April 20-21, 2024 at The Puffin Cultural Forum. Fly More, invites audiences to join Malia, a courageous young girl who bravely faces her mother's terminal illness. Harnessing the power of storytelling and imagination, Malia transforms her challenges into opportunities for growth and strength. Her journey is a testament to resilience and grace, as she embarks on a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and the beauty of growing up.
East Lynne Theater Company presents a Staged Reading of "Jersey Lawman: A Life on the Right Side of Crime" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company presents "Jersey Lawman: A Life on the Right Side of Crime," a staged reading based on the memoir by Jim Plousis and George Ingram on Saturday, April 20 at 8:00pm. Adapted for the stage by Thomas Raniszewski, the story highlights the 40-year law enforcement career of Plousis from his days as an Ocean City patrolman, to the harrowing and heartwarming tales of his time as Cape May County sheriff, to being nominated to United States Marshal by former President George W. Bush.
Curtain Up! "Broadway at the Shore" at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch (WARETOWN, NJ) -- Enjoy the melodies that light up New York's theater district without traveling to New York City. Join singer Cosette Lyncheski for "Broadway at the Shore" at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch on Monday, April 22 at 6:00pm.
George Street Playhouse presents "tick, tick...BOOM!" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse has announced the complete cast and creative team for tick, tick...BOOM!, directed by Artistic Director David Saint (The Club) with a book, music, and lyrics by Tony® Award winner Jonathan Larson (Rent). Featuring a script consulted by Tony® Award winner David Auburn (Proof) and vocal and orchestral arrangements by Tony and Grammy® Award winner, Stephen Oremus (The Book of Mormon), tick, tick...BOOM! will run from April 23 through May 19, 2024. The cast includes Daniel Marconi (Sweeney Todd) as Jon, Cathryn Wake (53% Of) as Susan, and John Yi (KPOP) as Michael.
Black Box PAC presents a Staged Reading of "Me, Myself & I" by Edward Albee (TEANECK, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box PAC presents a staged reading of Me, Myself & I (2008) on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall. Showtime is 7:30pm. This is part of the company's exclusive staged reading series of all of Albee's plays.
The Summit Playhouse presents "Is He Dead?" by Mark Twain (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents Is He Dead? from April 26 to May 11, 2024. This is a play by Mark Twain based on an earlier short story. In it, a young painter of genius is in love but in debt. To achieve fame and fortune, he fakes his death while passing himself off as his own sister. Now rich, he must find a way to get out of a dress, return to life, and marry his love.
Molière in the Park presents "The Miser" (BROOKLYN, NJ) -- Molière in the Park, in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance and LeFrak Center at Lakeside, and in collaboration with Brooklyn Public Library, presents a re-imagined version of Molière's The Miser, translated and adapted by David Chambers, and directed by Molière in the Park's Founding Artistic Director Lucie Tiberghien. The Miser runs April 27 – May 19, 2024 for 21 performances in a limited engagement at Prospect Park’s LeFrak Center in Brooklyn. Enter at 171 East Drive between Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Road.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "CLUE" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy, with four performances from April 27-28, 2024. Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they'll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench?
