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This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place July 29 to August 5, 2024

originally published: 07/29/2024

Here are previews of plays taking place from July 29 to August 5, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.

Send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Click here for more information on our event pages. Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

FEATURED EVENTS

BCCT presents Disney's "The Little Mermaid, Jr." at Grunin Center for the Arts  (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- BCCT presents Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. from August 2-4, 2024 at the Grunin Center for the Arts. From classic literature to the Academy Award-winning film and Broadway musical, Ariel's undersea journey is a beautiful love story for the ages. Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends.

PHOTOS from "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" at Old Library Theatre  (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, is presenting Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella over two weekends, July 26 through August 4, 2024. Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.




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Cape May's East Lynne Theater Company Presents 'Dial M for Murder'  Do you like a good mystery? If so, mark your calendar for the East Lynne Theater Company's (ELTC) upcoming production of "Dial M for Murder," with 7:00 PM performances Wednesdays through Saturdays from August 1-31, 2024, at the company's current home at 500 Hughes Street in Cape May.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Scott Ehrenpreis Shares His Inspiring Mental Health Journey in solo show, "Clowns Like Me"  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Mental illness is no laughing matter, but in the new solo show Clowns Like Me, audience members are encouraged to laugh, cry and enjoy the ride into the unknown. Clowns Like Me will have its New York Off-Broadway Premiere at the DR2 Theatre this summer. The witty, timely, and inspiring story is based on Sarasota actor and storyteller Scott Ehrenpreis’ true life struggles with mental illness and its stigmas. The play was written by Jason Cannon, who also directs. Previews begin on June 21, for a limited engagement through August 18, 2024.

Centenary Stage Company's Summer Musical Series Includes 'Grease' and 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change'  (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- This summer, Centenary Stage Company presents the 2024 summer musical series featuring Grease and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Performances for Grease will run July 11–21 and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run August 1-11 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus in Hackettstown.

NJ Rep presents the World Premiere of "The Bookstore" by Michael Walek  (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) presents the world premiere of The Bookstore by Michael Walek from July 11 through August 4, 2024. The play takes place in a small independent bookstore in New York City, like the ones we all love to frequent and are rapidly dying out. Carey, the owner, rolls up the grate, unlocks the front door, carries in boxes, turns on the heater, turns on the kettle, and turns on the lamps and her computer. And so her day begins.

Summer Heats Up at Cape May Stage with the New Jersey Professional Premiere of "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B"  (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents the New Jersey professional premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, a fast-paced, comedic, and modern reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth and sidekick. Written by award-winning playwright Kate Hamill, this lively production is set to open on July 17th and runs through August 25, 2024, with shows Tuesday through Sunday nights at 8:00pm.




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The Theater League of Clifton presents Madcap Whodunit "Murder on the Menu"  (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will present its second dinner/theater production of the season, "Murder on the Menu," beginning on Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm, at Mario's Restaurant (710 Van Houten Ave) in Clifton.

Chatham Playhouse to Host 30th Annual Jersey Voices: One-Act Festival  (CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players (CCP) will host its 30th annual Jersey Voices One-Act Festival with six performances between July 26 and August 4, 2024. This year's production will include seven original short plays written by New Jersey playwrights. The evening of seven one-act plays enables writers to showcase original scripts while allowing directors and actors to experiment with new roles.

Dover Little Theatre presents "Pterodactyls"  (DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents "Pterodactyls" by Nicky Silver across three weekends from July 26 to August 10, 2024. This is an absurdist black comedy about the demise of the Duncan family, and, by extension, the species.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "The King and I"  (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents a four-weekend run of The King and I from July 26 – August 18, 2024. This is the classic musical from the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It is the tenth mainstage show of MMT's 2024 season.

Old Library Theatre presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella  (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, will present Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella over two weekends, July 26 through August 4, 2024. Performances are on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.

Triple Threat Workshop presents "Spring Awakening" at Eagle Theatre  (HAMMONTON, NJ) -- Triple Threat Workshop presents Spring Awakening from July 26 to August 4, 2024 at the Eagle Theatre in Hammonton. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening, with a stunning Broadway score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, explores the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood.

13th Annual Crossing Borders Festival Preview  (RED BANK, NJ ) -- Two River Theater's highly acclaimed Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) Festival of new plays by Latine playwrights is set to run Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 4 in Two River's Joan and Robert M. Rechnitz Theater. In its 13th year, the festival is the theater's annual joyful celebration of the power, diversity, creativity and talent of Latine theater artists. All festival events are free to the public.

Pebble Players presents first college age production with "Alice By Heart"  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Pebble Players launches its first college age production with limited performances opening August 1-4, 2024. 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.

Bergen County Players to Hold Auditions for "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical"  (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) is pleased to Bring on the Monsters! at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell with open auditions for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Theatre for Young Audiences Edition) on August 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th, 2024. There are numerous opportunities for actors to shine in multiple roles in this 75-minute family-friendly rock musical.

NiCori Teen Performance Ensemble Brings Tony Award Winning "The Drowsy Chaperone" to Morris Plains  (MORRIS PLAINS, NJ) -- With music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, and a book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar The Drowsy Chaperone will be performed at the Red Oakes School with four performances from August 1-3, 2024. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.




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NJ Rep to Hold Auditions for 2025 Season  (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company will hold auditions for their 2025 season on Monday, August 5 and Tuesday, August 6 for the 2025 season by appointment only. No walk-ins please. Auditions will be held at New Jersey Repertory Company’s West End Arts Center (132 West End Avenue) in Long Branch, NJ. Free parking and entrance to the building is in the parking lot off of Sairs Avenue.

Original Stories of Somers Point's Own Richard Somers and Legendary Figure Molly Pitcher to Come to Life at Studio;Space  (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- SPQR Stage Company, the Jersey Shore's "Original" theater company, will present a combined performance of two one-acts, "Molly Pitcher—Revolutionary Girl Power" and the world premiere of "Richard Somers—Anatomy of a Hero," both written and directed by Bill Sterritt, SPQR's artistic director. Performances will take place August 5-7, 2024 at Studio;Space in Somers Point. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.

EVENT LISTINGS

Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.

Friday, August 2, 2024 @ 7:00pm - The Little Mermaid, Jr. presented by BCCT at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Friday, August 2, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Girls Night: The Musical at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Saturday, August 3, 2024 @ 2:00pm - The Little Mermaid, Jr. presented by BCCT at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Saturday, August 3, 2024 @ 7:00pm - The Little Mermaid, Jr. presented by BCCT at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Sunday, August 4, 2024 @ 2:00pm - The Little Mermaid, Jr. presented by BCCT at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River

COMING SOON

Voorhees Theatre Company presents "Legally Blonde, The Musical"  (VOORHEES, NJ) -- Voorhees Theatre Company presents Legally Blonde, The Musical from August 8-10, 2024. A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances- this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!

Light Opera of New Jersey presents "Seussical"  (WAYNE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey presents Seussical from August 9-11, 2024 at Rosen Performing Arts Center YMCA, in Wayne. Seussical is a fantastical magical, musical extravaganza! Step into the world of Dr. Seuss with LONJ's professionally staged production. This beloved show brings to life all your favorite characters from the iconic books, including the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and Gertrude McFuzz.

The Theater Project presents "The Interpreter" by Joseph Vitale  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Theater Project, a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for New Jersey artists, will present award-winning playwright Joseph Vitale's thought-provoking play, The Interpreter, August 15-25, 2024 at the Oakes Center.

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents "The Soapranos"  (AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Soapranos from August 16-18, 2024. Tony's retiring and Paulie Peanuts is throwing him a surprise party in this hilarious, interactive parody of the hit TV series.


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Stargazer

Stargazer Performing Arts presents Inaugural Jersey Shore Young Playwrights Festival

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Stargazer Performing Arts will present the inaugural Jersey Shore Young Playwrights Festival on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Duncan Smith Theater in Holmdel. This is a brand-new celebration of emerging talent from teen writers across Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties. The festival will showcase original plays written by students ages 13 to 18, brought to life in a staged reading by local actors and directed by Stargazer's co-director, Jim DeVivo.



Luna

Luna Stage presents a new solo adaptation of "The Ground on Which We Stand (abridged)"

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents a new solo adaptation of The Ground on Which We Stand (abridged) from June 5-21, 2025. The play was inspired by the history and legacy of The James Howe House, the first home owned by a formerly enslaved person in Montclair. The project was conceived and is directed by Ari Laura Keith.



Studio

Studio Players presents "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon"

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis across three weekends from June 6-21, 2025. Over two hundred Fairytales in two hours... what could go wrong?



Sussex

Sussex County Resident's Original Play Selected to Be Performed at New York Theater Festival's "SummerFest 2025"

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Sparta resident Allison Ognibene, and lead faculty of Theater at Sussex County Community College (SCCC) has written an original play called "Mile 59" that will be featured in the renowned New York Theater Festival, "NY Summerfest" in June 2025 at the Hudson Guild Theater.



Prospect

Prospect Musicals presents "The Oscar Micheaux Project"

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Prospect Musicals presents eight developmental performances of The Oscar Micheaux Project, a new jazz musical between June 13–21, 2025 as the part of the company’s residency at Baruch Performing Arts Center (55 Lexington Avenue).



FEATURED EVENTS

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Play

Play Festival Reading Series: "Lia Del Mar"

Friday, June 20, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Best

Best of the Eagles

Friday, June 20, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Friday, June 20, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 

Play

Play Festival Reading Series: "Mala Aria"

Saturday, June 21, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Saturday, June 21, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre