(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey launched their 57th season with a new take by Ken Ludwig on the beloved classic, The Three Musketeers.  Directed by renowned fight director Rick Sordelet,  runs now through July 7th. Alexandre Dumas’ classic tale comes to life in this delightful new adaptation by Ken Ludwig, who brings some formidable ladies into the fray. Join D’Artagnan and his sister Sabine as they journey to Paris to seek their fame and fortune in the world of the musketeers, King Louis VIII, and the powerful Cardinal Richelieu. Witness dazzling swordplay, daring deeds, heroics, and true love in this beloved epic.... READ ON

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents Oo-Bla-Dee, written by Regina Taylor,  now through Sunday, June 30 in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater. Oo-Bla-Dee follows Evelyn Waters and the Diviners, an all-black, all-female jazz band, as they travel from St. Louis to Chicago in order to set up a record deal following the end of World War II. On this trip toward freedom the latest member of the group, sax player Gin Del Sol, must wrestle with the complex timing of the music as well as the complicated times in which she lives.... READ ON

The Paper Mill Playhouse completes their 2018-2019 Season with the Disney classic musical Beauty and the Beast. In a word, this production is Outstanding! Under the direction of the Paper Mill’s Artistic Director Mark Hoebee, Beauty and the Beast entertains and has something for everyone. It is a great family show that enchants the audience in a way that few shows do. If you missed seeing it on Broadway, come see this production as it is just as good as you would see in New York City.... READ ON

The Tony award-winning Broadway musical, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, is currently lighting up the stage at Deal Park, NJ’s Axelrod Performing Arts Center. Presented in the venue’s ultra-modern Vogel theater, the show — directed by Broadway’s Luis Salgado and featuring American Idol’s Ace Young, in addition to rising star Anita Welch and New Jersey actress/singer Erin Maya — runs weekends from now until June 16, 2019.... READ ON

The Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre, a 2018 NJACT Community Theater of the Year, is closing out its 100th season with Disney’s “Newsies: The Broadway Musical.” My eleven-year-old son and I attended the opening night, which was sold-out and thoroughly enjoyable. Before the performance, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick presented Joe Leo, CDC President and co-producer of “Newsies,” with a proclamation in honor of the theater’s 100th year. It was apparent by the audience’s cheers CDC Theatre has a deep history and dedicated supporters. ... READ ON

After watching this one act for an hour and 45 minutes at the Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre in Summit – at least 15 minutes longer than a typical one act – I have no idea why “string” or “finger” is in the title.  The play opens with a slow monologue from Emma (played by Brianna Kalisch), a young woman in a hospital bed reading from a letter.  After several minutes of silent nodding from Kip (Dave Maulbeck), her bedside fiancé, the letter reveals that Emily had a miscarriage.... READ ON

An interview with Kim B. Chinh who wrote and stars in "Reclaiming Vietnam" which will be performed at The Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck on Saturday, May 11.... READ ON

“I had a dream, to quote Arthur Laurents, Mama Rose from Gypsy,” said David Saint, Artistic Director for George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick. “For years, I’ve had this dream, and today it’s finally coming true. This theater has been a dream long felt and held, and it’s finally happening because of a great public, private partnership between the city of New Brunswick, Mayor Cahill, the county, the Middlesex County Freeholders, the state, Chris Paladino and DEVCO, and many others to make this finally happen.”... READ ON

Robert and Joan Rechnitz founded Two River Theater, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Their vision was “to produce exceptional professional theater, and to inspire young people and life-long learners as a center for education,” according to Managing Director Michael Hurst. The opening night performance of The Belle of Amherst was a fine example of their success. William Luce’s 1976 Two-Act play about beloved American poet Emily Dickinson was a two-hour glimpse of more than just poetry. And under the direction of Robert Rechnitz, actress Maureen Silliman carried this one-woman show with grace and liveliness.... READ ON

Historical events always consist of much more than is on the surface. No matter how complex the public image of the event—the civil rights movement of the 1960s, say—the image is incomplete without the stories of countless individuals who contributed to the event and were affected by it. This reality underlies Jiréh Breon Holder’s play “Too Heavy for Your Pocket” which will be presented at the George Street Playhouse April 23 through May 19.... READ ON