Here are previews of plays taking place from April 25 to May 1, 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. Be sure to send press releases for your plays to [email protected] to be included. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.
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Tuesday, April 25, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 7:30pm - National Theatre: Broadcast in HD - "Othello" at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Harry Clarke" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ, 07901
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Seton Hall Theatre presents Disney’s Freaky Friday at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Taming of the Shrew at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ, 08754
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Trilogy Repertory Theater presents "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - LEGALLY BLONDE—THE MUSICAL at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Harry Clarke" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ, 07901
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Reefer Madness at Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ, 08805
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Seton Hall Theatre presents Disney’s Freaky Friday at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079
Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Park Players Productions, Inc. Presents "Pippin" at The Church Of The Good Shepherd, 1576 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ, 07024
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - LEGALLY BLONDE—THE MUSICAL at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Taming of the Shrew at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ, 08754
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Short Shakespeare: Macbeth at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, 07940
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Taming of the Shrew at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ, 08754
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Trilogy Repertory Theater presents "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - LEGALLY BLONDE—THE MUSICAL at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Harry Clarke" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ, 07901
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Reefer Madness at Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ, 08805
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Seton Hall Theatre presents Disney’s Freaky Friday at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079
Saturday, April 29, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Park Players Productions, Inc. Presents "Pippin" at The Church Of The Good Shepherd, 1576 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ, 07024
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - LEGALLY BLONDE—THE MUSICAL at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Taming of the Shrew at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ, 08754
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Harry Clarke" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ, 07901
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) - The Arthur Laurents Theater, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Reefer Madness at Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook, NJ, 08805
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Seton Hall Theatre presents Disney’s Freaky Friday at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Actors Playground – Lost Angels at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ, 07701
Sunday, April 30, 2023 @ 5:00pm - Park Players Productions, Inc. Presents "Pippin" at The Church Of The Good Shepherd, 1576 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee, NJ, 07024
Monday, May 1, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Actors Playground – Lost Angels at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ, 07701
Plays opening this week
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 - George Street Announces Cast and Creative for "Tales from the Guttenberg Bible" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse (GSP) has announced the full cast for the spring comedy event-- the world premiere of Tales from the Guttenberg Bible written by and starring Steve Guttenberg at the Arthur Laurents Theater at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Performances run April 25th to May 21st, 2023.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 - Lewis Center for the Arts presents "Tularosa: An American Dreamtime" by Kamara Thomas (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Songwriter, storyteller, and 2022-24 Princeton Arts Fellow Kamara Thomas and her ensemble present a musical performance of Thomas's multidisciplinary storytelling work Tularosa: An American Dreamtime on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30pm in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall, located on the Princeton campus. The event is free and open to the public, however advance tickets are required through University Ticketing.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - Mile Square Theatre presents "Balloonacy" (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will present their first Theatre for Family and Young Audiences Production since the pandemic shutdowns of 2023: BALLOONACY, directed by ANDREW BALDWIN. BALLOONACY will play a four-week limited engagement at Mile Square Theatre from Wednesday, April 26 through Sunday, May 21. Balloonacy is a wordless comedy about the power of friendship.
Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - Centenary Stage Company's Women Playwrights Series to Have Reading of "Blood of the Lamb" by Arlene Hutton (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Women Playwrights Series will end close out with a reading of Blood of the Lamb by Arlene Hutton. The reading will take place on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30pm in the Kutz Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ on the campus of Centenary University. The reading will feature actors Dana Brooke and Angelle Whavers with direction by Tia Dionne Hodge.
Thursday, April 27, 2023 - Spring Solos Series at Vivid Stage to Close Out with "Harry Clarke" by David Cale (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will close out their three-week Spring Solos Series with Harry Clarke by David Cale. Each of the three solo shows explores the many dimensions that every person contains, and allows each actor to portray a multitude of characters along the way. Harry Clarke takes place April 27-30.
Thursday, April 27, 2023 - "The Addams Family" Enters Last Weekend At Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory, having completed their opening weekend, enters the final weekend of shows for The Addams Family. Performances take place in the Sitnik Theatre on the Centenary University campus at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. This is an original story about every father's nightmare: Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a young man from a respectable family - a man her parents have never met.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - The Summit Playhouse presents "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens. The production runs during the weekends from April 28 through May 13, 2023 at The Summit Playhouse. Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain, but is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog he sets out to identify the culprit, which leads to a journey that will change his life forever.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - State Theatre Presents "Legally Blonde-The Musical" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The fully renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents Legally Blonde—The Musical with four performances from Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30, 2023. Based on the iconic movie, Legally Blonde—The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves, contrary to dated bias, that you can be both legally blonde AND the smartest person in the room.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - Legally or Illegally Blonde, this Actress Really Knows this Play Most actresses appear in a play long after it has already been a successful movie. Not Lea Sevola. She appeared in Legally Blonde: the Musical, the college beauty queen comedy, when she was 17 and then, years later, saw the movie. Now she is back again on stage, co-starring in a new version of Legally Blonde that is touring the country. Lea is legally and illegally blonde.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - Asbury Park Theater Company to Present "American Son" (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- After the success of the two shows Green Day's American Idiot and Million Dollar Quartet, Asbury Park Theater Company (APTCo) is thrilled to announce that their next production will be the gripping and timely drama, American Son by Christopher Demos-Brown. The show will run for three performances only from April 28-30 at The Palaia Theater inside Jersey Shore Arts Center in the neighboring town of Ocean Grove.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - Yardley Players to Present "Hello, Dolly!" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Yardley Players will celebrate the golden age of the American musical at Kelsey Theatre with the comedic masterpiece Hello, Dolly! The show runs weekends from Friday, April 28 through Sunday, May 7 with matinee and evening performances. Based on the Thornton Wilder play The Matchmaker, this is a must-see musical for the whole family that earned over ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score for authors Michael Stewart and Jerry Herman.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - Bordentown Students present One Act Play Festival (BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- The award-winning Bordentown Regional High School Theater Club will present their 2023 One Act Play Festival - A Simpler Time on Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 7:30pm in the Bordentown Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door. All proceeds benefit BRHS senior scholarships.
Friday, April 28, 2023 - Ritz Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of "Heathens on the Beach" (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Heathens on the Beach, a new comedy by Moorestown playwright Alex Wilkie will make its world premiere at the Ritz Theatre Company, a historic New Jersey venue, from April 28-30. In Wilkie's hilarious new play, directed by Lori Aleixo-Howard, it's the pious versus the pagan, where the only certainty is chaos, complication, and laughter.
Saturday, April 29, 2023 - Luna Stage presents "The Ground on Which We Stand" (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents The Ground on Which We Stand, a multi-writer, site-specific performance exploring the history and impact of The James Howe House from 1780 to the present day. The Howe House is the first property in the Township of Montclair to be owned by an African American and formerly enslaved person, and has been the site of much current controversy. Four performances take place outdoors in Montclair on April 29th and two performances indoors at Luna Stage on April 30th.
Saturday, April 29, 2023 - Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of "The Ground on Which We Stand" (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of The Ground on Which We Stand, a multi-writer, site-specific performance exploring the history and impact of The James Howe House from 1780 to present day. The Howe House is the first property in the Township of Montclair to be owned by an African American and formerly enslaved person, and has been the site of much current controversy.
Sunday, April 30, 2023 - The Playground Theatre Project presents "Lost Angels" at The Vogel (RED BANK, NJ) -- The Playground Theatre Project, an outreach program of Actors Playground School of Theatre, will present Lost Angels at The Vogel on Sunday, April 30 at 2:00pm and Monday, May 1 at 7:30pm. The play, written and directed by Ralph Colombino, takes place during a lock down where 11 high school students are stuck in a classroom without a teacher and only texts and the PA system to let them know what is happening in the rest of the school.
Sunday, April 30, 2023 - Lewis Center for the Arts' Programs in Theater and Music Theater present "Mostly Sort of Happily Ever After" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Programs in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University present Mostly Sort of Happily Ever After, a cabaret performance featuring and directed by Princeton senior Cassandra James along with other student performers exploring the highs and lows of growing into adulthood through songs from Broadway's hit musicals. Performances, which are free and open to the public, take place on Sunday, April 30 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm in the Wallace Theater at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus. No tickets are required.
Sunday, April 30, 2023 - LoMotion Live presents a reading of "Goblins & Gates" a New Musical (BOONTON, NJ) -- LoMotion Live will present a reading of Goblins & Gates: A Pen & Paper Musical - a a brand new and completely original show in development with libretto by Michael Campbell and music/lyrics by Gonzalo Valencia-Peña - on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 3:00pm. The reading takes place at The Parsippany Arts Center. Admission is free with a donations suggested.
Monday, May 1, 2023 - WHATCo and Teaneck New Theater to Hold Open Auditions for Summer Shakespeare (WEST HUDSON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) and Teaneck New Theater, in association with The Hackensack Performing Arts Center are proud to announce open auditions for their Shakespeare productions scheduled for this summer.
Plays ending this week
Spring Solos Series at Vivid Stage Kicks Off with "101 Humiliating Stories" April 13-16 (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present 101 Humiliating Stories by Lisa Kron from April 13-16, kicking off their three-week Spring Solos Series. Directed by Mark Spina (Union), the show will be performed by Laura Ekstrand (Livingston), Artistic Director of Vivid Stage. Following this comedy is The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne and Harry Clarke by David Cale. Each of the three solo shows explores the many dimensions that every person contains, and allows each actor to portray a multitude of characters along the way.
Laurin Talese Stars as Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" at Philadelphia Theatre Company (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Audiences are invited to step back in time to a seedy Philadelphia bar in 1959 for the final performance of jazz icon Billie Holiday. Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) is proud to produce Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, written by Lanie Robertson with musical arrangements by Danny Holgate. This Tony Award-winning Broadway and television play with music will be directed by PTC Resident Artist Jeffrey L. Page, fresh from his triumphant revival of 1776 on Broadway, for which he served as co-director and choreographer.
Two River Theater presents New Modern Take on "Romeo and Juliet" (RED BANK, NJ) -- A World Premiere modern verse translation of Shakespeare's ode to young love hits the stage at Two River Theater from April 8 – April 30, 2023. Romeo and Juliet, the classic tale of star-crossed love, is infused with contemporary vitality by playwright Hansol Jung (Wolf Play, Wild Goose Dreams, Cardboard Piano). Seen in 2020 as part of Two River Theater's Two River Rising online reading series, this Romeo and Juliet was originally commissioned by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Play On! Project and will be presented at Two River in partnership with the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO).
Inis Nua Theatre presents Philadelphia Premiere of "Hymn" by Lolita Chakrabarti (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Inis Nua Theatre Company presents the final mainstage production of its 19th season with the Philadelphia premiere of Hymn, written by British playwright Lolita Chakrabarti. This play tells the story of two brothers who meet in adulthood, and their attempt to find connection and become family. This music-filled two-hander will be directed by Eric Carter and stars Dwayne Alistair Thomas and Garrick Vaughan. The show runs from April 12 to April 30th, for a total of 15 performances. All performances will take place at the Louis Bluver Theatre at The Theatres at the Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street in Philadelphia.
The Black Box Spring 2023 Staged Reading Series (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- From April 13th through April 30th, The Black Box presents an eclectic series of new and under-produced plays, many at the start of the "incubation" process! These dynamic staged readings will be on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - all starting at 8:00pm, The location is the new Black Box loft space, located at 8 East Palisade Avenue, 2nd Floor, between Van Brunt and Dean Streets.
Center Players presents "Deathtrap" (FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Suspense and intrigue are coming to Freehold as Center Players presents Ira Levin's classic thriller, Deathtrap. Directed by Jeff Caplan of Freehold, the production will run from April 14-30, 2023 at Center Playhouse (35 South Street) in Freehold.
South Camden Theatre Company presents "Lettice & Lovage" (CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company continues their 2023 season with Lettice & Lovage by Peter Shaffer from April 14-30, 2023. This is a comical and satirical play centered on a flamboyant tour guide who loves to embellish the history behind an English country house and who butts heads with a fact-conscious official from The Preservation Trust during one of her tours.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Blithe Spirit" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre's 2023 season continues with Blithe Spirit beginning on April 14, playing on weekends through April 30. A smash comedy hit in London and New York, this much-revived classic concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira. To gather background for his new book, Charles and his second wife, Ruth, invite the extremely eccentric medium, Madame Arcati, to perform a séance.
The Holmdel Theatre Company presents "The Diary of Anne Frank" (HOLMDEL, NJ) -- The Holmdel Theatre Company presents The Diary of Anne Frank weekends from April 15-30, 2023. Originally by Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett, this is newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman. In her gripping new adaptation Anne Frank emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit and determination.
The Black Box Spring Staged Reading Series Continues Through April 30th in Englewood (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- From now through April 30th, The Black Box presents an eclectic series of new and under-produced plays, many at the start of the "incubation" process! These dynamic staged readings are being presented on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays - most starting at 8:00pm. The location is the new Black Box loft space, located at 8 East Palisade Avenue, 2nd Floor, between Van Brunt and Dean Streets.
Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory to present "The Addams Family" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory is currently in rehearsals for the spring musical production of The Addams Family. Performances will take place in the Sitnik Theatre on the Centenary University campus at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. An original story about every father's nightmare: Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with a young man from a respectable family - a man her parents have never met.
West Hudson Arts & Theater Company presents "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" (WEST HUDSON, NJ -- The West Hudson Arts and Theater Company (WHATCo) has announced the cast for You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown opening April 21st at WHATCo's new venue at 15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South, Harrison, NJ (the former Holy Cross School.) Performances run April 21-30. Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship.
Trilogy Repertory To Present "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" At Sieminski Theater (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Sieminski Theater welcomes Trilogy Repertory to the stage in April for I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, a musical comedy about everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit. Performances run April 21-23 and April 28-29.
Park Players Productions, Inc. Presents "Pippin" (FORT LEE, NJ) -- Park Players Productions, Inc. will present Pippin across two weekends (April 21-23 and April 28-30). Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious performance troupe, led by the Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance.
Lewis Center For The Arts' Programs In Theater And Music Theater Present "La Gran Cumbia Espectacular!" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Programs in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University present La Gran Cumbia Espectacular!, a theatrical performance conceived by Princeton senior Kaelani Burja celebrating cumbia, a rhythm/dance/music genre with African and Indigenous roots that originated along Colombia's Río Magdalena, featuring choreography by guest artist Andrea Guajardo. Performances, which are free and open to the public, are April 21, 22, 27 and 28 at 8:00pm in the Wallace Theater at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus. No tickets are required.
Plays continuing this week
Playhouse 22 presents "Superior Donuts" (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Called "a very entertaining comedy-drama with a whole lot of heart", Superior Donuts by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts is coming to Playhouse 22 on April 21 and runs weekends through May 7. Directed by Jon Heron, the play follows the relationship between despondent Arthur Przybyszewski, a former 1960s radical who owns a rundown donut shop in Chicago's Uptown, and Franco, his energetic but troubled young African American assistant, who wants to update the establishment with lively music and healthy menu options.
PHOTOS from "Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express" at Paper Mill Playhouse (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse is currently presenting Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express in a production directed by Casey Hushion. The show runs through Sunday, May 14, 2023. With a train full of suspects and an alibi for each one, it's the perfect mystery for detective Hercule Poirot, n'est-ce pas? Adapted from Agatha Christie's masterpiece by two-time Tony-nominated playwright Ken Ludwig, Murder on the Orient Express is a funny, fast-paced thrill ride.
Plays coming soon
Centenary Stage Company to Hold Auditions for Next Stage Rep Productions of "Rock of Ages" and "Seussical the Musical" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company, a not-for-profit professional theater in NW NJ, will hold auditions for its Summer Stock Season. This summer CSC will present Rock of Ages and Seussical the Musical. Auditions will take place on May 4 and May 5 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the Centenary Stage Company located at 715 Grand Ave, Hackettstown NJ.
Eagle Theatre presents "Water by the Spoonful" (HAMMONTON, NJ) -- The real and digital worlds collide this May 4-21 at Eagle Theatre with award-winning drama, Water by the Spoonful. The 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is written by Philadelphia native, Quiara Alegría Hudes, known best for her work on the complete A Soldier's Fugue Trilogy, of which Water by the Spoonful is a part, and the book for the acclaimed musical In the Heights.
NJRep to Present the World Premiere of "Our Shrinking, Shrinking World" (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company will present the World Premiere of Our Shrinking, Shrinking World by Richard Dresser from May 4-27, 2023. The production is directed by Joe Cacaci and stars Molly Carden, Kaileela Hobby, Kevin O'Rourke and Jeff Rubino.
Hudson Theatre Works presents "Shelley" by Joanne Hoersch (WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- Hudson Theatre Works presents Shelley by Joanne Hoersch from May 4-21, 2023 at Theatre at The Wilson School in Weehawken. Hudson Theatre Works continues its commitment to producing one new play a year. Coming from the company’s workshop, “Shelley” takes place in 1814.
Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of "Two Elizas" by Jenny Mercein (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of Two Elizas, which will appear on Luna's MainStage for a two-week run May 4-14. Written and performed by Jenny Mercein, Two Elizas explores the true story of Jenny's ancestor, Eliza Mercein Barry, whose landmark 1847 U.S. Supreme Court case Barry v. Mercein established a woman's right to retain custody of her child. Jenny juxtaposes Eliza's story with her own complicated journey to motherhood, in a moving intergenerational reflection on resilience and women's rights.
CDC Theatre presents "In The Heights" (CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre presents "In The Heights" by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Fridays and Saturdays, May 5-20 at CDC Theatre in Cranford, NJ. In the vibrant New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights, bodega owner Usnavi and his friends dream, hope and work for a bright future.
The Growing Stage presents "Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical!" (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre in Netcong will present their final mainstage production of the 2022-2023 season, Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! from May 5-21. It is based on the book Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Willems, published by Hyperion Books for Children with a script by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton, lyrics by Mo Willems, music by Deborah Wicks La Puma and dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz. This production is under the direction of Lori B. Lawrence, TGS's Director of Educational Programming with musical direction by Laura Petrie and choreography by Cari Sanchez.
South Street Players presents "The Dining Room" by A.R. Gurney (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- South Street Players presents The Dining Room by A.R. Gurney across two weekends (May 5-7 and May 12-14) at Wesley Hall in Spring Lake. The play is a comedy of manners, set in a single dining room where 18 scenes from different households overlap and intertwine.
Vicki Lewis and John Scherer to Star in "The Prom" at Axelrod PAC (DEAL PARK, NJ) -- The Axelrod Performing Arts Center will mount New Jersey's first professional production of the Broadway musical, The Prom, beginning on May 5 and running through May 21. This new production is directed by Broadway actor and director Todd Buonopane (Broadway's Spelling Bee, Grease, Chicago and Cinderella) and choreographed by Brooke Engen (Hairspray the film) with music direction by Michael Gilch.
Molière in the Park to Present English Language World Premiere of Molière's "Tartuffe Or The Hypocrite" (BROOKLYN, NY) -- Molière in the Park, in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance and LeFrak Center at Lakeside, will present the English language world premiere of Molière’s Tartuffe Or The Hypocrite, reconstructed by Georges Forestier, translated by Maya Slater, and directed by Molière in the Park’s Founding Artistic Director Lucie Tiberghien. Tartuffe Or The Hypocrite runs May 6-27, 2023 in a limited engagement at Prospect Park’s LeFrak Center in Brooklyn.
McCarter Theatre presents "Blues For An Alabama Sky" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre is delighted to welcome audiences to Pearl Cleage's love letter to friendship and the Harlem Renaissance, Blues For An Alabama Sky, on stage in the Berlind Theatre May 6-28. The play marks the McCarter directorial debut of Associate Artistic Director Nicole A. Watson.
Algonquin Arts Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for "Hello Dolly!" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its spring musical, Hello Dolly! The show will run at Algonquin Arts Theatre from May 6-21. Jerry Herman's energetic musical is filled with charisma and with heart. Matchmaker Dolly Levi is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler - but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself.
State Theatre New Jersey Presents "Madagascar The Musical" On May 6th (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The fully renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents Madagascar the Musical on Saturday, May 6 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip-hop Hippo, and those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound out of the zoo and onto the stage in this live musical adventure. The family-friendly musical features new original music and a colorful cast of larger-than-life characters from the iconic film. Tickets range from $19-$79.
Art House Productions presents the 2023 INKubator New Play Festival (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents the 2023 INKubator New Play Festival from May 8-17. This year's playwrights are Micharne Cloughley, Amir-Gabriel Gad, Adin Lenahan, Iraisa Ann Reilly, Edwin Rivera-Arias, and Emmy Weissman. Audiences who attend the festival will have the opportunity to participate in conversations with the writers, directors, and actors following each performance. All readings are free to attend, but advanced registration is required.
The Maplewood Strollers presents the World Premiere of "La Belle et La Bete" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers, the resident theater company of The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood, are thrilled to present an original world-premiere musical, La Belle et la Bete. Based on the original French fable of Beauty and the Beast, come and be transported to a magical and gripping realm of love and song! Performances take place May 11-14 and May 18-21, 2023.
The Black Box presents "Guilty Pleasures: An Unapologetic Comedy" by Ken Levine (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- With performances starting on May 11, Ken Levine's Guilty Pleasures: An Unapologetic Comedy premieres at The Black Box, located at 8 East Palisade Avenue between Van Brunt and Dean Streets in Englewood, NJ. Tickets are $35 ($30 for students and seniors), are on sale now at www.blackboxpac.com! The play runs May 11-28, 2023.
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