New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Phoenix Productions To Hold Auditions for "Hair"

originally published: 06/30/2022


(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions, the community theatre company of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, has announced auditions for its autumn production of HAIR, being presented at the Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25. Auditions will be held on July 6 and 7 at Phoenix Productions headquarters, 659 Chestnut Street in Red Bank.  An offsite audition will be held at Lakehouse Music Academy, 619 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park on July 11.

Full details on available roles, commitment and signups are located here

The American tribal love rock musical HAIR celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. Directed by recording and performing artist Remember Jones, a onetime Phoenix Productions actor who has since built a career as a recording artist and performer, it’s an opportunity for Phoenix and the Basie Center to showcase its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. 

“As one of Broadway’s original and most diverse scripts. HAIR is an opportunity for Phoenix Productions and the Count Basie Center to go deep in showcasing and attracting a diversity of performers,” said Phoenix Artistic Managing Director James Grausam. “This is a production that was celebrated for its inclusivity and diversity, and in a new era of awareness and a mission to embrace these values, we’re celebrating not just equity, but one of the productions that worked hard to kick that door down in the first place.” 

For his own part, Jones directed Phoenix’s 2006 production of HAIR and helped organize and curate the production’s 40th anniversary celebration at Manhattan’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which featured original lead Ben Vereen, choreographer Julie Arenal, and international HAIR alumni. A 50th anniversary staging of HAIR, directed, music directed and starring Jones as Claude, brought him center stage with Tony-nominated, American Idol rocker Constantine Maroulis and RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Alexis Michelle. His work on the projects was lauded by the original HAIR director Tom O'Horgan, writer James Rado, and original Broadway cast and tour alumni. Original Broadway / film producer Michael Butler referred to Jones’ previous Phoenix production as “the best we've seen in a long time.” 




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



“Phoenix has been a huge part of my growth, and so I’m excited to come back ‘home’ to direct HAIR,” said Jones, who first performed with Phoenix in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1998. “The community has helped me launch around the world professionally and personally, and the Basie Center has become one of my home bases. Under James Grausam’s artistic direction and the company’s trust, there’s no better time than now to change lives, make magic, and let the sun shine in.” 

“At the heart of the Basie Center’s mission as a not for profit is to deepen our commitment to cultural competency, racial equity and social inclusion,” said Adam Philipson, CEO and President, Count Basie Center for the Arts. 

HAIR was one of Broadway’s first and best efforts to achieve representation for actors of all expression. Equity is one of our core values, and we are committed to advancing inclusion, diversity and accessibility for all as we place the community we serve at the forefront.” 

Auditions will be held on July 5, 6, and 7 at Phoenix’s headquarters at 59 Chestnut Street in Red Bank. An additional audition will take place at Lakehouse Music Academy, 619 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park on July 11. Full details on all roles, commitments, callbacks, rehearsals and show dates as well as a prerequisite signup form are located at www.phoenixcredbank.com/auditions

Weekly travel stipends may be available to those who qualify. 

The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, dedicated to fostering powerful, inclusive artistic experiences and creative exchange of ideas. The Basie mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through its distinct and engaging cultural and artistic offerings that embrace and amplify the diversity of the region. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie is committed to enriching the community’s quality of life by generating opportunities for participation in the arts, partnering with schools, collaborating with other mission-based organizations and driving regional economic prosperity 




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



EVENT PREVIEWS

Original

Original 'RENT' Cast Member and Obie Award-winner Anthony Rapp to Teach Master Class at Gateway Playhouse

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Somers Point's Gateway Playhouse is thrilled to announce that original Broadway cast member of the international hit, Jonathan Larson's "RENT," and Obie Award-winner, Anthony Rapp, will teach a master class to the all-teenage cast of "RENT: School Edition" on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, as part of the Gateway to the Arts program. The class runs from 9:00am to noon.



Music

Music Mountain Theatre presents the monster-hit musical "Young Frankenstein"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- From the creators of Broadway's record-breaking musical comedy sensation The Producers comes Young Frankenstein, the monster-hit musical based on the classic film comedy by Mel Brooks. Music Mountain Theatre presents the musical in a limited engagement of 11 weekend performances from June 20 through July 6, 2025.



Surflight

Surflight Theatre presents "9 to 5, The Musical"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is beyond thrilled to be staging the forever timeless 9 to 5, The Musical from June 18 to July 6, 2025. Based on the book by Patricia Resnick and the 1980 film by Colin Higgins, Kelli Barclay directs and choreographs this staged adaptation following three iconic older women who decide to stick it to their boss once pushed to their breaking points.



Raconteur

Raconteur Radio presents Theatrical Adaptation of "The Hobbit" at Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch

(BARNEGAT,NJ) -- Feel like taking a journey through Middle Earth? Raconteur Radio presents a special theatrical presentation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 7:00pm.



Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Love, Loss, & What I Wore"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Love, Loss, & What I Wore from July 5-11, 2025. Based on Ilene Beckerman's bestselling book, this tender and witty play weaves together monologues and ensemble pieces to explore the deep connections between clothing and memory, touching on themes like mothers, prom dresses, bras, purses, and the timeless appeal of black clothing. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre