A Special Reading of "Whittier," New Docudrama by TyLie Shider, Inaugural Playwright in ArtYard Artist Residency Program

by Christopher Benincasa, JerseyArts.com - published 2022-05-16

This Saturday, May 21, theatergoers are invited to join ArtYard in Frenchtown for a reading of Whittier, a new docudrama by TyLie Shider. Whittier is a neighborhood in Minneapolis, close to where the murder of George Floyd took place. Shider’s new play follows residents of Whittier grappling with that tragedy, as well as the stresses of life during the lockdown of 2020. A playwright, poet, and journalist, TyLie Shider is also the inaugural playwright in ArtYard’s artist residency program, curated by Deonté Griffin-Quick. We spoke with Shider, Quick, and director Andrew Binger about bringing Whittier to the stage.

A Frightening, Thrilling and Highly Pleasing Ride through a Theatrical Amusement Park in Princeton

When was the last time you went to the Six Flags amusement park, or New York’s Coney Island? Or any amusement park anywhere? The last time you rode a roller coaster that whipped you up into the sky and back down again, your mouth wide open in a high-pitched scream, your hands and arms waving mightily in the air? All of your nerves tingling and jangling?

"A Walk on the Moon" in the Summer of 1969

There continues to be new joys each week as live theater comes back. Such is the situation at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse where a wonderful new show is now playing through May 21, 2022. A Walk on the Moon is a musical based on the 1999 movie of the same name. The story takes you back to the summer of 1969 when two significant events occurred as America’s involvement in the Vietnam War was still taking place.

Get to know the artists behind "Whittier"

(FRENCHTOWN, NJ) -- ArtYard presents a staged reading of Whittier by Tylie Shider at its McDonnell Theater on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 4:00pm. Whittier is a contemporary docudrama that follows a diverse community of neighbors quarantined in Whittier, Minneapolis, days after the murder of George Floyd. This multimedia docudrama is inspired by the graffiti, lawn signs, and murals created in protest of Floyd’s murder. The piece is adapted from focus groups, interviews, and small talks the playwright conducted with neighbors, small business owners, and community leaders of faith during the 2020 uprisings in his neighborhood.

Review of "A Walk on the Moon" at George Street Playhouse

If you’ve wondered what is possible for the George Street Playhouse in its new home, wonder no more. A Walk on the Moon, the final show of the season, answers the question to a fare-thee-well.

Photos from "Into The Woods" at Algonquin Arts Theatre

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is presenting Into the Woods now through Sunday, May 22. It is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales set in a musical format. This Tony Award-winning musical follows the classic tales of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and two princes - all tied together by the baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and the witch who has put a curse on them. Into The Woods has a book by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Photos from "The Addams Family" at Axelrod PAC

The Academy Players are performing their second musical The Addams Family at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Ocean Township, over two weekends, May 7-15, 2022. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take some photos from the opening night performance.

"A Walk On The Moon" at George Street Playhouse

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse is current presently the new musical A Walk on the Moon, now through May 21st at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in downtown New Brunswick. Welcome to the iconic summer of 1969, when men walked on the moon, the Vietnam War raged on, Woodstock was going to change the world, and in upstate New York, one woman took a giant leap of her own. It's based on the award-winning movie by Pamela Gray.

Ebenezer Scrooge is Headed Back to McCarter Theatre. Can Santa Claus Be Far Behind?

It was raining yesterday, not snowing, but all of New Jersey received some Christmas news from Princeton’s McCarter Theatre –their legendary production of “A Christmas Carol” is coming back in December.

Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company presents "Alice in Wonderland"

(ABSECON, NJ) -- Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Company presents an original, musical adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland", Lewis Carroll's heartwarming classic tale of fantastical nonsense during Fantasy AdventureFest (a two-day outdoor festival) May 21-22 in Historic Smithville. The cast of the shows include actors from the Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company troupe along with many children of all ages from the community. The Show is FREE to the public.