Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/31/2022
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Tony Award Nominee (Excellence in Education 2022) Janeece Freeman Clark, Founding Artistic Director of Vanguard Theater, directs The Spitfire Grill with music direction by Andy Hudson. The Spitfire Grill opens on November 4 at the 100 seat theater in downtown Montclair with five performances on Thursdays through Sundays through November 20.
The Spitfire Grill is a beautiful musical about second chances, as a young woman just released from prison decides to start her life anew in a small town, where she helps to save the town's only restaurant from going under.
"The songs are shiny with tunefulness, hope, and all-American inflections of country and folk. The score has a gentle American vernacular charm, and the lyrics have a matching ease and simplicity." -- The New York Times
Virginia Ann Woodruff* (Broadway: Violet, Leap of Faith, The Color Purple, All Shook Up, Smoke Joe's Café , and numerous National Tours) leads the cast of Vanguard Theater’s opening production of its Mainstage Professional Season, The Spitfire Grill. Sabrina Cabrera, recently seen in Light Opera of New Jersey’s In the Heights, makes her Vanguard Theater debut as Percy, with Julie Galorenzo* as Effy, Gina Milo* as Shelby, Luke Darnell* as Caleb, and Zack Abbey as Sherrif Joe. *Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association.
“The theme running through Vanguard’s Mainstage season is how we connect with our communities, eventually finding the embrace of home within ourselves. Whether it’s running away from home, or finding a place to call home, all of the pieces we selected this season ask the characters to find deep meaning in how they relate to their environment, and how that impacts their sense of self. This could not be a better time to highlight and spotlight some of the many organizations that provide refuge and a safe space for so many in our own communities,” says Jessica Sporn, Managing Director of Vanguard Theater.
Tickets to Vanguard’s Mainstage Season, as well as “One Night Only” events such as “Halloween Drag Show” (10/31), “Sip and Sing Showtunes,”(12/8), and so many more, are available either by show, by subscription, or through Vanguard’s Spotlight Series, featuring “Out Montclair”; Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence; Hyacinth Aids Foundation; and Broadway House for Continuing Care. Each of those organizations have designated “nights out” at the theater, so that their supporters can mingle and enjoy the shows together, while Vanguard highlights their missions. Click on the organization for ticket packages.
Individual tickets are available here and membership packages, here.
As Vanguard Theater completed its first full year in its new home in Montclair, it quickly became a destination for great professional theater, inspired community collaborations, excellent youth programming, and more. Manifest star Geraldine Leer recently named Vanguard Theater as one of her favorite artistic destinations in Montclair, and, to quote Jay Lustig, “This is the third Vanguard Theater show I’ve reviewed since it opened its new Montclair space last year, and I’ve been impressed by them all.”
Vanguard looks forward to continuing its reputation for excellent theater and impactful community dialogue as it begins its second full season in Montclair, NJ.
Rounding out Vanguard Theater’s Mainstage season are Passing Strange (February 16 - March 5), Cabaret (April 13 - 30), and Spring Awakening (June 15 - July 2).
Founded in 2015, Vanguard Theater Company is a unique 501(c)(3) committed to changing Changing social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Livingston High School Theatre Students Bring Beloved Children's Story to Life on Monday
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- Students from Livingston High School's Theatre Arts 1 program will take center stage in a heartwarming and imaginative production of "The Adventures of Little Billy: In Search of the Magic Tree" on Monday, June 15, 2026 in the Livingston High School Auditorium. This special event is open to the public with free general admission. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.
The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase, its biennial festival of original one-act plays, from June 19-21, 2026. This three-day event showcases new works of up-and-coming playwrights from the NJ/NY area and beyond and other theatrical talent.
Chatham Community Players present a reading of "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players present a reading of Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.
Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a reading of What Would Meryl Do? by Neal Lerner on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Middlesex County's Plays in the Park presents "All Shook Up"
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays in the Park kicks off its season with All Shook Up from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park presents "All Shook Up" by Joe DiPietro
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents All Shook Up by Jersey's own Joe DiPietro from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955 and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Cumberland Players presents "Reefer Madness, the Musical"
(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents Reefer Madness, the Musical across two weekends from June 19-28, 2026. When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed polticial satire will go straight to your head!
Pioneer Productions presents "Merrily We Roll Along"
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions presents Merrily We Roll Along, the groundbreaking musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth. Based on the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the musical premiered in 1981 and has since become one of Sondheim's most daring and emotionally resonant works. The show will run weekends from June 19-June 28, 2026 at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located inside the Morristown United Methodist Church.
FEATURED EVENTS
