Here are previews of plays taking place from September 19-25, 2023 including a look at productions starting this week, those continuing this week, and those closing this week. 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.
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McCarter Theatre presents "Bulrusher" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center opens their 2023-2024 Theatre Series with Eisa Davis' Bulrusher, a transformational coming-of-age story filled to the brim with passion, humor, and even a touch of magic; on stage in the Berlind Theatre from September 13 – October 7, 2023. This is a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where the production will move after its run in Princeton.
South Camden Theatre Company presents "Alabama Story" (CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company presents the New Jersey and Regional premiere of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, weekends from September 15 through October 1, 2023. This is a play based on a true story about book banning, a librarian, a state senator, and black and white bunnies. The production is directed by Connie Norwood.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "Waiting for Godot" (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its 2023 Main Stage season with Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot. Hailed "one of the true masterpieces of the century" by the New York Times, Godot has fascinated and infuriated audiences since it burst upon the world in 1953. This funny, cruel, moving, enigmatic metaphor is "theatre of the absurd" at its most breathtaking pinnacle. The production runs from September 13 – October 1, 2023. Click here for a feature article on the production.
Premiere Stages at Kean presents "Selling Kabul" (UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University will present the New Jersey Premiere of Sylvia Khoury's Selling Kabul September 7-24 in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center (Vaughn Eames Hall, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ). Directed by Taylor Reynolds, Selling Kabul will feature actors Atra Asdou, Anat Cogan, Afsheen Misaghi, and Zaven Ovian. Click here for a review of the production.
Friday, September 22, 2023 - Phoenix Productions presents "In The Heights" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presents Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights from September 22-24 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. From the creator and star of Hamilton comes this first love-letter to the community in upper Manhattan where Miranda still lives. In The Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.
Plays opening this week
Thursday, September 21, 2023 - The Black Box to present Sam Shepard plays, including U.S. Premiere of "Little Ocean" (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Black Box - NJ's incubator for new and under-produced works by world-class artists - is proud to present Sam Shepard's groundbreaking plays Action, The Unseen Hand, and the U.S. premiere of the unpublished Little Ocean, running from September 21 through October 8. For this 2023-24 Season opening fundraiser, limited tickets for 10 shows only are now on sale for performances on the 2nd floor of 8 East Palisade Avenue, Englewood, NJ.
Friday, September 22, 2023 - MCCC's Kelsey Theatre to open season with "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" [CUTLINE FOR PHOTO: Jennifer Fischer of Hamilton, N.J., as Carole King in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sept. 22 to Oct. 1 at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor, N.J., campus.]
Friday, September 22, 2023 - The Barn Theatre presents "Suite Surrender" (MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre in Montville, NJ kicks off their 96th Season with the rib tickling, side splitting comedic farce Suite Surrender, written by Michael McKeever and directed by Todd Mills of Boonton, running weekends from September 22 to October 8, 2023. The setting is 1942 at the Palm Beach Royale, where we meet two of Hollywood's most famous Diva's Claudia McFadden played by Montclair's Jessi Baden and Athena Sinclair played by Montclair's Rachelle Rennagel.
Friday, September 22, 2023 - Unpublished Sam Shepard Play "Little Ocean" Starts U.S. Premiere With "Action" and "The Unseen Hand" at The Black Box (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- In association with the Estate of Sam Shepard, The Black Box - NJ's incubator for new and under-produced works by world-class artists - is proud to present Shepard's groundbreaking plays Action, The Unseen Hand, and the U.S. premiere of the unpublished Little Ocean, starting next week on September 21 through October 8, 2023 for ten shows only!
Friday, September 22, 2023 - Bergen County Players to Host RENT Post-Show Talkback And Q&A With Tony Award-Winning Wilson Jermaine Heredia (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players will host a post-show talkback and Q&A with original RENT cast member Wilson Jermaine Heredia on Friday, September 22. Moderated by director Steve Bell, the talkback will immediately follow Friday night's performance.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 - WHATCo to present "Othello" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in September (WEST HUDSON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) is bringing the Bard to West Hudson this September! Performances of Othello will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 23-24 at 7:30pm, while performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30 at 8:00pm. All performances take place at the WHATCo The Theater at WHATCo, 15 Frank E Rodgers S, Harrison, NJ.
Sunday, September 24, 2023 - Lewis Center for the Arts presents "Putting It Together: A Program in Theater Celebration" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton University's Lewis Center for the Arts will present "Putting It Together: A Program in Theater Celebration" on Sunday, September 24, from 1:00pm to 4:30pm in the Wallace Theater at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus. The celebration, planned in conjunction with the theater program's 50th anniversary in 2024, will inaugurate a permanent archive of the program's history and invites current and past faculty, program directors, students, and alumni to share their experiences in the program.
Plays ending this week
Surflight Theatre presents "Grumpy Old Men: The Musical" (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents the romantic musical comedy, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, September 6-September 24, 2023. The musical features a book by Dan Remmes, music by Neil Berg, and lyrics by Nick Meglin. Based on the movie of the same name, Grumpy Old Men is the story of two seasoned gentlemen, Max & John, neighbors who’ve been feuding for most of their lives.
The Shawnee Playhouse presents "A Good Day" by Eric B. Sirota (SHAWNEE ON DELAWARE, PA) -- A Good Day, an original and uplifting musical, by NJ-based playwright/composer, Eric B. Sirota, will be presented by The Shawnee Playhouse from September 9th through September 24th. Directed by Midge McClosky, this authentic musical illuminates the therapeutic and healing powers of music, art and movement on the splintered and fragmented lives of two families that are intertwined through past loves and tragic losses. Each unforgettable scene, song and dance highlights the importance of creative expression on the human experience, as the characters attempt to navigate their fractured existences through the incessant ripple effects and impact that Alzheimer's Disease and the loss of a loved one have on those around them.
Plays continuing this week
Classic American Tales presents "Tales at the Dormer House" in the fall (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Listen to stories by Chester Himes, O. Henry, Katherine Anne Porter, and other well-known American authors while taking in the breeze on the porch of an historic bed and breakfast, drinking lemonade, and enjoying homemade desserts. It's all part of Classic American Tales' (CAT) popular "Tales at the Dormer House" in Cape May, NJ, every Thursday at 4:00pm from September 14 – October 12, 2023.
East Lynne Theater Company presents "Love Letters" with a Rotating Cast of Couples with a Connection (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Before East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) revs up its fall lineup, the curtain prepares to close on its summer 2023 Mainstage Season with a six-week run of A. R. Gurney's "Love Letters"– but with a twist. From September 6 to October 14, the play will be performed by a real-life couple with a connection each of the six weeks: three married couples, an engaged duo, and two pairs who share a romantic past.
Bergen County Players to Open Season with "Rent" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will open its 91st season on September 9 with Jonathan Larson's RENT, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock musical that shaped a generation of audiences. Performances begin Saturday, September 9 and will run weekends through Saturday, October 14 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell with shows on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm.
Cape May Stage presents "The Garbologists" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle from September 13 to October 22, 2023. Directed by Roy Steinberg, this is an unconventional buddy comedy play that follows two sanitation workers in the cab of a New York City garbage truck. Tasked with picking up what the world has discarded, they learn there's more that binds them than just picking up the trash.
PHOTOS from "Sunset Boulevard" at Music Mountain Theatre (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre is currently presenting Sunset Boulevard weekends through October 1st. The musical is based on the film and screenplay by Billy Wilder and features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a libretto by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. This is the twelfth mainstage show of MMT's 2023 season. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
FEATURED
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, September 21, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, September 21, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Thursday, September 21, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Selling Kabul at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: In The Heights at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Selling Kabul at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 8:00pm - South Camden Theatre Company presents "Alabama Story" at South Camden Theatre Company, 400 Jasper Street, Camden, NJ 08104
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: In The Heights at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 3:00pm - Selling Kabul at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: In The Heights at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Selling Kabul at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 8:00pm - South Camden Theatre Company presents "Alabama Story" at South Camden Theatre Company, 400 Jasper Street, Camden, NJ 08104
Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: In The Heights at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 2:00pm - South Camden Theatre Company presents "Alabama Story" at South Camden Theatre Company, 400 Jasper Street, Camden, NJ 08104
Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 3:00pm - Selling Kabul at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Waiting for Godot at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Plays coming soon
The Black Box to present readings of Albee's "Listening" and "Counting the Ways" (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, the Black Box announces Listening (1976) and Counting The Ways (1976) as the next monthly reading in Edward Albee: From A To Zoo, An Exclusive Stage Reading Series of Edward Albee's Plays.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents "Thank You For Being So Dead" (AVENEL, NJ) -- The Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Thank You For Being So Dead, a murder mystery, from September 28-30, 2023. Miami, Miami... You've Got Murder! Eschewing the 55+ communities, four women move in together to eat cheesecake, reminisce about a town called St. Olaf and sit at a kitchen table that only seats three. But someone out there wants to tarnish these golden gals for good.
Jersey City's Classical Theatre Company to Re-Launch as The Curtain with "Romeo & Juliet" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Shakespeare@, Jersey City's premier classical theatre, announced they will re-launch as The Curtain, with an all-new production of William Shakespeare's classic Romeo & Juliet. Directed and Adapted by Sean Hagerty, The Curtain's Romeo & Juliet will play the Nimbus Arts Center (329 Warren Street), in downtown Jersey City just steps from the PATH train, with performances from September 28 through October 22, 2023.
Have a Swashbuckling Good Time at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Ever wonder what it was like to be a real-life pirate in the 18th century? The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch will host American Historical Theatre as actor Jill Lawrence brings to life pirate Anne Bonny in an all-ages interactive show, "Swashbucklers and Sea Dogs," on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The event begins at 6:30pm.
World premiere play "Child Support" explores emotional and financial repercussions of playing the 'child support game' (CAMDEN, NJ) -- Urgent, searing and wildly inventive, the world premiere of Child Support by Desi P. Shelton uses humor and hypertheatricality to examine single parenthood and financial responsibility from the points of view of everyone impacted by a broken system. A site-specific, immersive experience set in a typical Camden row house, the action is scored by composer Jamal P. Dickerson and features a live band under the eye of musical director JoJo Streater. Barrymore Award-winner Ozzie Jones directs for an October 13 opening, with performances running through October 28 at Camden Repertory Theatre. Public previews begin September 28.
Hudson Theatre Works presents a Workshop of "Dancing Lessons" by Mark St. Germain (WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- Hudson Theatre Works is starting its 2023-2024 season with a workshop of Mark St. Germain's, Dancing Lessons. Performances take place September 28th through October 1 at Theatre at the Wilson School. Entertaining and charming! The play introduces us to two highly offbeat characters, a Broadway dancer and a science professor coping with physical and emotional challenges as they forge an unexpected friendship in this heartfelt play.
Centenary Stage Company's Young Audience Series presents "A Year With Frog and Toad" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Young Audience Series returns for the 2023-2024 season with A Year with Frog and Toad September 28 through October 2. Performances will take place in the Little Theatre of the Centenary University campus located at 400 Jefferson St. Hackettstown, NJ. A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of two friends, the cheerful and popular Frog, and the rather grumpy Toad.
MPAC to open 29th season with Hitting New Heights starring Mandy Gonzalez and Javier Munoz (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's 29th season officially begins on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 8:00pm with the Hitting New Heights, a celebration of Broadway, starring Mandy Gonzalez and Javier Muñoz two of Broadway's leading Hispanic performers. Tickets range from $39-$79.
Two River Theater announces Cast and Creative for "Hair" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for their highly-anticipated production of the American Love-Rock Musical, Hair, directed by Craig Noel Award winner James Vásquez (Under a Baseball Sky, American Mariachi) and with original choreography by Mayte Natalio (Love in Hate Nation), running September 30 – October 22, 2023, kicking off the theater's 30th Anniversary Season.
NJ Rep to Present the World Premiere of "Welcome To Matteson!" (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) will close out its successful season with the World Premiere of Welcome To Matteson! written by Inda Craig-Galván and directed by Dawn Monique Williams. It will begin performances on September 28 before its opening night on Saturday, September 30, and run through October 29, 2023.
Vivid Stage presents the World Premiere of "Grief at High Tide" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present the world premiere of Grief at High Tide by Richard Willett from October 5-15, 2023. When struggling New York photographer Jennifer Evers tells her husband Christopher that the photo she took of him by his mother's deathbed — the one he never gave her permission to take and asked her not to show anyone — was secretly entered in a very prestigious competition, it doesn’t go well. To try to investigate the role that art plays in real-life relationships, Jennifer goes out on assignment to California, to create a piece on a Pulitzer Prize−winning photograph, Grief at High Tide, which changed the lives of everyone involved.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" Tickets start at just $26 and may be purchased at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre box office Monday through Saturday, 10AM-4PM located at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, New Jersey.
