Here are previews of plays taking place from May 14-21, 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. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
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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.
Mile Square Theatre presents NJ Premiere of "Show Up, Kids!" (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre is pleased to announce their Theatre for Family and Young Audiences Production for their 2023-24 season: Show Up, Kids!, directed by Michole Biancosino, which has a four-week limited engagement at Mile Square Theatre from Wednesday, April 24 through Sunday, May 19, 2024. Show Up, Kids! is a semi-improvised comedy where a hapless host uses audience suggestions for the plot, props, characters, and setting of a completely original story.
Vivid Stage presents Meet the Artist New Play Readings Wednesdays throughout May (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage will present its annual Meet the Artist new play reading series on Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15 and 22. All readings will take place at the Summit Community Center (100 Morris Ave) at 7:00pm. Works are by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, Philip J. Kaplan, Erik Gernand, and Laura Ekstrand.
Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Once Upon a Mattress" (BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company presents Once Upon a Mattress across 3 weekends in May 2024. The popular play features Music by Mary Rogers; Lyrics by Marshall Barer, and Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and The Pea," you may be in for a walloping surprise!
Let the Sunshine In! "Hair" is coming to CDC Theatre in Cranford (CRANFORD, NJ) -- The American classic rock-musical Hair, the final production of the 105th season at CDC Theatre, celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. To an infectiously energetic rock beat, the show wows audiences with songs like "Aquarius," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Hair," "I Got Life" and "Let The Sunshine In." Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace, Hair remains as relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world.
Elephant & Piggie's "We Are In A Play!" ARRIVES at The Growing Stage (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is thrilled to present the final main stage production of the 2023-2024 season, ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "We Are In A Play!" from May 3-19. Based on the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems, this production has Book & Lyrics by Mo Willems and Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Tuck Everlasting" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Tuck Everlasting across three weekends (May 3-19, 2024). Based on the children's novel by Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is a new musical about love, family, and living life to the fullest.
American Theater Group presents the World Premiere of "Canned Goods" by Erik Kahn (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) presents the world premiere of the provocative new play, Canned Goods, by Erik Kahn, May 9-11 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway and May 16-19 at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. Canned Goods is a historical drama about the little-known incident which contributed to the launch of World War II. NY-based Director Charlotte Cohn will helm the production.
The Strollers presents the World Premiere of "Beethoven's Wrong Note: A Steampunk Opera" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Strollers present the World Premiere of "Beethoven's Wrong Note: A Steampunk Opera" across two weekends (May 9-19, 2024). This is a light-hearted look behind the scenes as Beethoven attempts to write "the greatest opera yet written!"
Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Once Upon a Mattress" When Burlington-based Bridge Players Theatre Company originally planned to produce the classic 1959 musical "Once Upon a Mattress," it was 2020 and the pandemic disrupted the planned performances. Now, four years later, the company finally gets the chance to put on this production with many of the same cast members that were originally supposed to be in the show.
Playground Theatre Project presents "Lost Angels" (RED BANK, NJ) -- During a lock down, 11 high school students are stuck in a classroom without a teacher and only texts and the PA system to let them know what is happening in the rest of the school. Amidst the confusion and for some, panic, these students will learn a great deal about each other. That's the premise behind Lost Angels, a play written and directed by Ralph Columbino (Artistic Director for the Actors Playground School of Theatre), which has performances at The Vogel on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Performances are at 6:00pm and 8:30pm.
Colt Coeur presents "Still" by Lia Romeo starring Jayne Atkinson and Tim Daly (NEW YORK, NY) -- Colt Coeur presents the New York premiere of Still by Lia Romeo from April 18 through May 17, 2024 at DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street). Directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Jayne Atkinson and Tim Daly will reprise their acclaimed roles as Helen and Mark in this new play for anyone who's ever wondered "what if?" The two had a successful run at the Dorset Theatre Festival in 2023.
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.
Chatham Community Players presents "Nine" (CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players concludes its 102nd Season with the critically acclaimed and modern musical classic, Nine with music & lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Arthur Kopit from May 3-18, 2024 at The Chatham Playhouse (23 North Passaic Ave) in Chatham. Based on iconic film director Federico Fellini's legendary work "8 1/2", this spectacular musical adaptation features one man and the dozens of women in his life. Celebrated but impetuous film director, Guido Contini, succumbing to the pressures of filming his latest film epic, suffers a midlife crisis.
Asbury Park Theater Company presents "The Mountaintop" (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Park Theater Company presents The Mountaintop by Katori Hall from May 10-19, 2024 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. The Mountaintop examines Martin Luther King Jr.'s last night on earth, set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. The play is Hall's fictional reimagining of what may have happened in that motel room on the night before MLK's assassination.
Art House Productions presents 2024 INKubator New Play Festival (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents the 2024 INKubator New Play Festival from May 13-21. This year's playwrights are Upasna Barath, Amanda Sage Comerford, Leo Layla Díaz, Neil Levi, Dave Osmundsen, and Marcus Scott. Audiences who attend the festival will have the opportunity to participate in conversations with the writers, directors, and actors following each performance. All readings are free to attend, but advanced registration is required.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Wednesday, May 15
6:00pm - Lost Angels: A Play in One Act at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
7:00pm - Vivid Stage New Play Reading: "The Totality of All Things" at Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue, Summit
7:30pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
8:30pm - Lost Angels: A Play in One Act at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
Thursday, May 16
2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
7:30pm - Canned Goods at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge
7:30pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
8:00pm - StageWorks Theatre Group presents "Violet" at StageWorks at Studio 237, 237 Hamburg Turnpike, Pompton Lakes
8:00pm - The Strollers presents "Beethoven's Wrong Note: A Steampunk Opera" at Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood
8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Friday, May 17
7:30pm - Canned Goods at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge
8:00pm - Grease at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Hair" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford
8:00pm - StageWorks Theatre Group presents "Violet" at StageWorks at Studio 237, 237 Hamburg Turnpike, Pompton Lakes
8:00pm - The Strollers presents "Beethoven's Wrong Note: A Steampunk Opera" at Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood
8:00pm - Music Mountain Theatre presents "Tuck Everlasting" at Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 NJ - 179, Lambertville
8:00pm - Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Once Upon a Mattress" at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E Broad Street, Burlington
8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
8:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, May 18
2:00pm - Grease at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
2:00pm - Mile Square Theatre presents "Show Up, Kids!" at Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton Street, Hoboken
2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
3:00pm - Music Mountain Theatre presents "Tuck Everlasting" at Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 NJ - 179, Lambertville
4:00pm - Growing Stage presents Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
5:00pm - Mile Square Theatre presents "Show Up, Kids!" at Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton Street, Hoboken
6:00pm - BergenPAC Performing Arts School's Production of Disney’s Lion king Jr at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
7:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
7:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
7:30pm - Canned Goods at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge
8:00pm - Grease at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Hair" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford
8:00pm - StageWorks Theatre Group presents "Violet" at StageWorks at Studio 237, 237 Hamburg Turnpike, Pompton Lakes
8:00pm - The Strollers presents "Beethoven's Wrong Note: A Steampunk Opera" at Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood
8:00pm - Music Mountain Theatre presents "Tuck Everlasting" at Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 NJ - 179, Lambertville
8:00pm - Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Once Upon a Mattress" at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E Broad Street, Burlington
8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, May 19
11:00am - Mile Square Theatre presents "Show Up, Kids!" at Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton Street, Hoboken
2:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Hair" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford
2:00pm - The Strollers presents "Beethoven's Wrong Note: A Steampunk Opera" at Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood
2:00pm - Mile Square Theatre presents "Show Up, Kids!" at Mile Square Theatre, 1400 Clinton Street, Hoboken
2:00pm - Growing Stage presents Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
2:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
2:30pm - Canned Goods at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge
3:00pm - Grease at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
3:00pm - StageWorks Theatre Group presents "Violet" at StageWorks at Studio 237, 237 Hamburg Turnpike, Pompton Lakes
3:00pm - Music Mountain Theatre presents "Tuck Everlasting" at Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 NJ - 179, Lambertville
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 @ 7:00pm - McCarter Live at the Library: The Power of CHOICE at Princeton Public Library – Newsroom, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Hoboken High School to Be First in U.S. to Present "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" School Edition (NEW YORK, NY) /PRNewswire/ -- Broadway Licensing Global announced its selection of two schools to make history as the first to produce pilot productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child School Edition. In the United Kingdom, Barking-based Riverside School will have the opportunity to host the first-ever production of the School Edition. Following Riverside, Hoboken High School in Hoboken, New Jersey, will be first to produce the North American pilot production of the School Edition.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will open their 62nd season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, marking the theatre's first musical in over a decade. Performances will run from May 15 through June 9, 2024 at FM Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University.
Lantern Theater Company to Close 30th Anniversary Season with William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Lantern Theater Company will close its 30th anniversary season with The Comedy of Errors, part of the company's ongoing commitment to produce the timeless stories of William Shakespeare for both the general public and local school students. Lantern Artistic Director Charles McMahon directs an ensemble cast of Lantern veterans, including Morgan Charéce Hall, J Hernandez, Dave Johnson, Brian McCann, Lee Minora, Kishia Nixon, Matteo Scammell, and Zach Valdez. The Comedy of Errors runs Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, June 16, 2024, at St. Stephen's Theater in Center City Philadelphia.
Luna Stage presents "Queen of the Night" (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents Queen of the Night by travis tate, directed by Lucas Pinner, running Thursdays-Sundays May 16 to June 9, 2024. Billed as "a story of queerness, Blackness, masculinity and the challenges of camping with family," this honest, funny, heartwarming play explores themes of family, history, and reconciliation.
WHATCo presents the 2024 One Act Play Festival (WEST HUDSON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts and Theater Company (WHATCo) has announced the finalists for The 2024 One Act Play Festival which will be presented Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18. Nearly 1,000 playwrights from throughout the area submitted their original one act plays for consideration.
Centenary Stage Company to Hold Auditions for Summer Stock Season and Seeks Tech Staff (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will hold auditions for its Summer Stock Season on Friday, May 17th from 6:00pm-10:00pm and Saturday, May 18th from 10:00am-5:00pm in the Lackland Center. No appointment necessary, but you may call the box office to make an appointment in advance. Productions include Grease and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. You may audition for one or both shows. You may be asked to attend a dance call on Saturday, May 18th at 2:00pm. Bring a song appropriate for the material.
Dunbar Repertory Company presents "American Menu" at Middletown Arts Center (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company at the Middletown Arts Center presents American Menu by Don Wilson Glenn, over two weekends, May 17-19 and May 24-26, 2024. The production, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson and Damien S. Berger, tells the story of five women working in the kitchen of a segregated diner in a Texas town, circa May 1968.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center Presents Heart-Pounding Thriller "Wait Until Dark" (PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center, in residence at duCret Center of Art, presents a gripping production of the classic thriller Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott from May 17-19, 2024. In a new adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher, this adrenaline-fueled theatrical experience promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
West Hudson Arts and Theater Company presents The 2024 One Act Play Festival (HARRISON, NJ) -- West Hudson Arts and Theater Company (WHATCo) will present The 2024 One Act Play Festival, a showcase of 9 original works from local playwrights on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at 7:30pm at The Theater at WHATCo, 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd, S., Harrison, NJ.
Jersey City Theater Center Presents "Cabaret in Captivity": A Powerful Exploration of Art and Survival in Terezín (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) presents Cabaret in Captivity, a poignant and thought-provoking theatrical experience set to take the stage on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 9:00pm. Conceived by Edward Einhorn and developed and directed by Einhorn and Jenny Lee Mitchell, Cabaret in Captivity brings to life songs and sketches written in Terezín/Theresienstadt, the Nazi concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Full of satire, bitter humor, and hope, these pieces serve as a testament to how art became a vital survival technique for the inmates during one of history's darkest chapters.
Classic Radio Road Show to Perform Radio Comedies at Navesink and Monroe Libraries (NAVESINK, NJ) -- Classic Radio Road Show is presenting two radio comedies from the same series, "My Favorite Husband", on Saturday, May 18 at The Navesink Library and Sunday, May 19, 2024 at the Monroe Public Library. Radio plays employ sound effects produced live (Foley), with the voice actors and recorded music to help tell the story. Showtime is 2:00pm for both performances.
The Theater Project presents Script-In-Hand Reading of "StreetCART" by Lynn Aylward (CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project will present a script-in-hand performance of StreetCART by Lynn Aylward on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 2:00pm. The presentation, the last of the 2024 spring series, will be followed by a lively discussion with the playwright, director, actors, and audience.
Jersey City Theater Center presents "Cabaret in Captivity" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) presents Cabaret in Captivity, a poignant and thought-provoking theatrical experience on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 9:00pm. Conceived by Edward Einhorn and developed and directed by Einhorn and Jenny Lee Mitchell, Cabaret in Captivity brings to life songs and sketches written in Terezín/Theresienstadt, the Nazi concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Full of satire, bitter humor, and hope, these pieces serve as a testament to how art became a vital survival technique for the inmates during one of history's darkest chapters.
Bear Tavern Project, Tomato Patch Workshops present "The Jungle Book" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Rudyard Kipling's gripping narrative involving themes of abandonment and fostering, law and order, "The Jungle Book," comes to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) May 18-26.
Luna Stage announces a Black Community Performance of "Queen of the Night" followed by conversation with the playwright (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage is honored to announce a Black Community Performance of Queen of the Night by travis tate on Sunday May 19, 2024 at 3:00pm, to be followed by a conversation with the playwright. The special afternoon performance is focused on celebrating and amplifying Black voices and access to Black theatre for all audiences. The performance will be followed by a conversation with playwright travis tate.
2024 Basie Awards to Take Place May 22nd (RED BANK, NJ) -- The 2024 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre, will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
Middletown Arts Center presents The MAC One-Act Play-Reading Festival (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents the fifth edition of The MAC ONE-ACTSPlay-Reading Festival, featuring original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors. The festival will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 7:00pm, and is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.
Brundage Park Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" (RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park playhouse presents Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park across two weekends (May 24-26 and May 31 - June 2, 2024). The play is about Paul and Corie Bratter - newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she's a free spirit always looking for the latest kick...
