Here are previews of plays taking place from January 16-23, 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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George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents Ibsen's Ghost by Charles Busch from January 16 through February 4, 2024. Based on a few irrefutable facts, the play tells a tall (and hilarious) tale of the legendary Norwegian playwright's wife Suzannah the week after the great man's state funeral. The production is directed by Carl Andress.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "DEATHtrap" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents DEATHtrap, a murder mystery by Ira Levin, from January 19-28, 2024. Sidney Bruhl would do anything to publish the next great play. He would even kill for it. This dark comedy, thriller will have audiences laughing one moment and screaming in terror the next as Sidney discovers he may not be the only murderer in the room.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Lend Me a Tenor" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre opens their 2024 season with the Tony award winning comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, weekends from January 12-28, 2024. The play is set in September of 1934 and we see the Cleveland Grand Opera Company's gala season opener, centered on world-famous tenor Tito Morelli, performing as Canio in "Pagliacci," his greatest role. But the opera is jeopardized when Morelli falls into a drunken stupor.
Westfield Community Players Presents "God Of Carnage" (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- The Westfield Community Players presents "God of Carnage", a dark comedy with five performances from January 13-27, 2024. After an altercation between two young boys results in an injury, the two sets of parents get together with the objective to discuss and resolve the incident in a civilized manner. As the evening progresses, however, the parents become more childish, the "civilized" meeting devolves into utter chaos.
WHATCo to Hold Auditions for "Deadly Dessert Championship" (WEST HUDSON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Co (WHATCo) will host open auditions for its annual dinner theater fundraiser, Deadly Dessert Championship, an original murder mystery written and directed by local award-winning playwright, author, and WHATCo Board Member Allyssa Hynes. Auditions will be held in person at the Theater at WHATCo, 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South, Harrison, NJ on Tuesday, January 16th and Wednesday, January 17th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Call backs (if needed) will be January 19th.
Edward Albee: From A to Zoo Series at Black Box Starts Off 2024 with "The Lady From Dubuque" (TEANECK, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box PAC presents 1980's The Lady From Dubuque on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall: 1409 Queen Anne Road b/w State Street and Walraven Drive in Teaneck. This performance kicks off 2024 with the monthly staged reading event Edward Albee: From A To Zoo, An Exclusive Stage Reading Series of Edward Albee's Plays.
Black Box presents reading of "The Lady From Dubuque" as part of Edward Albee: From A to Zoo Series (TEANECK, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box PAC presents a reading of 1980's The Lady From Dubuque on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall (1409 Queen Anne Road b/w State Street and Walraven Drive) in Teaneck as part of their Edward Albee: From A To Zoo, An Exclusive Stage Reading Series of Edward Albee's Plays.
Black Box to present Staged Reading of "Life After Warsaw: The World of Isaac Bashevis Singer" (TEANECK, NJ) -- Local playwright and author I.M. Gurin's brand new play, Life After Warsaw: The World of Isaac Bashevis Singer, will receive a staged reading on Thursday, January 18th at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck. Presented by Black Box Studios, this event is FREE to attend, with reservations strongly requested at www.blackboxpac.com. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Haddonfield Plays & Players to Presents Monty Python's "Spamalot" (HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Haddonfield Plays & Players will present Monty Python's Spamalot weekends from Friday, January 19 to Saturday, February 3, 2024. Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur's quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. With a mashup of several Monty Python bits, this show will not only delight the Monty Python enthusiast, but any fan of musical comedies.
Aspire PAC presents "Into The Woods" (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- The cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, the slipper as pure as gold…these are the things you must remember to find as you go Into the Woods, which will be presented by Aspire Performing Arts Company from January 19-21, 2024 at the Fair Lawn Community Center.
Players Guild of Leonia presents "Deathtrap" (LEONIA, NJ) -- Players Guild of Leonia, New Jersey's oldest continuing community theater group (since 1919), presents their first show of 2024 – the comedy thriller Deathtrap weekends from January 19 to February 4, 2024. With plot twists aplenty, Deathtrap tells the story of a has-been playwright, Sidney Bruhl, who is desperate to regain his prestige, and his young protégé, Clifford Anderson, who unwittingly offers an intriguing solution. How desperate remains a secret, and to tell you any more would be a crime!
The North Star Theater Company presents "The Full Monty" (NEWTON, NJ) -- The North Star Theater Company presents The Full Monty across two weekends (January 19-21 and January 26-28) at The Performing Arts Center at Sussex County Community College. The Full Monty is a story full of heart. Right to the end, audiences will be wondering if these lovable misfits will pull it off. With a raucous mix of razor-sharp humor and toe-tapping pizzazz, this heartwarming, upbeat comedy is a must-see for any theater enthusiast.
Off-Centre Stages presents "Into The Woods" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Generations of favorite storybook characters come together for one stellar production during "Into the Woods," presented by Off-Centre Stages at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre, January 19-21, 2024. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take characters known and loved by all and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece – and a rare modern classic.
American Theater Group Continues Free Monday Night Play Readings with new play "Des Trucs" (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), a professional theater company in Central New Jersey, will continue its free Monday night play readings on January 22, 2024 with Des Trucs by JD Scalzo at Hamilton Stage in Rahway at 7:00pm. This will be first public reading of the drama.
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Thursday, January 18, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Growing Stage Studio Series: "The Big Bad Musical" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Thursday, January 18, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Friday, January 19, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Growing Stage Studio Series: "The Big Bad Musical" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Friday, January 19, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Deathtrap at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Friday, January 19, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, January 20, 2024 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, January 20, 2024 @ 4:00pm - Growing Stage Studio Series: "The Big Bad Musical" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Saturday, January 20, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Deathtrap at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Saturday, January 20, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, January 21, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Growing Stage Studio Series: "The Big Bad Musical" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Sunday, January 21, 2024 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, January 21, 2024 @ 3:00pm - Deathtrap at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Monday, January 22, 2024 @ 7:00pm - Jacqueline Remembers All of This: Screenplay Reading at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
"A Matter of Faith" to have World Premiere at The Chain Theatre (NEW YORK, NY) -- A Matter of Faith, a new play by Ian Richard Barnes, will have its world premiere beginning January 24 for a limited off-Broadway engagement. Directed by Augustus Childres, A Matter of Faith will run thru February 4 at The Chain Theatre at 312 West 36 Street. The cast of this three-person, 85 minute play, features Ava Paris Locknar, Henry Frontini and Ian Richard Barnes.
Black Box Studios presents Selections from "The Rock Musical Soul Searching" and a Staged Reading of "Second Chances" (TEANECK, NJ) -- Featuring the music of Avi Kunstler, a special evening of Selections from The Rock Musical Soul Searching, preceded by a staged reading of the play with music Second Chances, will be presented by Black Box Studios on Wednesday, January 24th at 7:30pm at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck, NJ.
NiCori Studios & Productions to present NJ premiere of "CATS: Young Actor's Edition" (BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- NiCori Studios & Productions will be the first in New Jersey to produce "CATS: Young Actor's Edition", the brand new, one-hour adaptation of the world renowned Andrew Lloyd Webber TONY Award winning musical on Thursday through Sunday, January 25, 26 and 27, 2024.
"Senior Moments - Big Beaver" to Have World Premiere in Middletown (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- From the team that brought you the award winning Off-Broadway production Camp, A New Musical; Dealing, The Musical; and Accidentally On Purpose comes their brand-new original comedy, Senior Moments - Big Beaver which has its World Premiere at the Middletown Arts Center with a limited engagement from January 26-28, 2024.
National Tour of "Hairspray" comes to MPAC (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hairspray, Broadway's Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for three performances Friday, January 26 at 8:00pm; and Saturday, January 27 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm. This is the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV's most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
Count Basie Center for the Arts presents "All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Rupert Holmes on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:00pm. Over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, the play presents an intimate portrayal of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a true American original.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "Annie" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents an all-new tour of the iconic Tony® Award-winning musical Annie for four performances from February 2-4, 2024. The world's best-loved musical returns to State Theatre New Jersey with all your favorite songs including "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard-Knock Life," and "Maybe."
Paper Mill Playhouse presents "After Midnight" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents After Midnight from January 31-February 25, 2024. Conceived by Jack Viertel (former Artistic Director of City Center Encores!), this Jazz Age rhythm and dance extravaganza is an electrifying musical revue that transports you to the Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance, an unparalleled time in New York City when jazz and swing were king. The production is co-directed by Dominique Kelley and Paper Mill Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director Jen Bender and choreographed by Kelley.
Two River Theater presents the World Premiere of "The Scarlet Letter" by Kate Hamill (RED BANK, NJ) -- A new year, and a world premiere! Riding the wave of its 30th anniversary season, set in motion by audience sensation Hair this past fall, Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for its second production of the season: the world premiere of The Scarlet Letter by Kate Hamill (Pride and Prejudice, Little Women), one of the American theater’s most widely produced contemporary playwrights, and directed by Shelley Butler (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, A Doll’s House Part 2).
Bergen County Players presents "Pride and Prejudice" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Heed the invite from some of the most memorable characters in fiction! Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will open its first mainstage production of the new year with a comedic retelling of Jane Austen's great romantic tale Pride and Prejudice. Performances run weekends from February 3-24, 2024 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.
Passage Theatre Company presents World Premiere of "Ghetto Gods in Divineland" (TRENTON, NJ) -- In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Trenton's only professional theater company is paying homage to the Poor Righteous Teachers. Trenton's first superstar hip-hop group—the philosophers and messengers for good and for the 'hood—inspired Passage Theatre Company's upcoming show Ghetto Gods in Divineland, a brand-new play co-written by Richard Bradford and Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Directed by Ozzie Jones. The production runs from February 8-25, 2024.
Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of "RIFT or White Lies" (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of RIFT or White Lies by Gabriel Jason Dean, directed by Ari Laura Kreith, from February 8-March 3, 2024. Two brothers--one a progressive novelist, the other a convicted murderer and high-ranking member of a white supremacist prison gang–are united through their traumatic childhood. Now adults, these men navigate the edges of their brotherly bond. Are they truly so different? Is it possible to love someone whose beliefs you hate? RIFT is a story of estrangement, ideological divide, and the fight to change one another.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "The Cher Show" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the Tony® Award-winning musical, The Cher Show for four performances from February 9-11, 2024. The Cher Show is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Tony® Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical.
Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents "Rabbit Hole" (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents Rabbit Hole across two weekends (February 16-18, February 23-25). The play by David Lindsay-Abaire was the recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize. Performances take place in the Grunin Center for the Arts' Black Box Theater.
Vivid Stage presents "Gone Missing" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage presents Gone Missing from February 22 through March 3, 2024 at the Oakes Center in Summit. Featuring a Book by Steve Cosson and Music and Lyrics by Michael Friedman, this is a wry and whimsical documentary musical of loss devised from interviews with real-life New Yorkers by The Civilians, the acclaimed New York-based company.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Misery" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Misery by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King. The show runs from February 24 through March 3, 2024. Made popular by the Kathy Bates, James Caan film, Misery becomes stranger than fiction when an acclaimed romance novelist wakes up in the home of his "Number One Fan."
