Here are previews of plays taking place from May 9-15 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.

FEATURED SHOWS

(May 6 - May 28) Blues for an Alabama Sky  at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540. In a Depression-era Harlem apartment building, a close-knit group of friends has become a chosen family. New roommates Angel and Guy — a recently fired blues singer and a promising costume designer with Paris in his sights — live across the hall from Delia, a social worker who sparks a relationship with the hardworking doctor Sam. Their lives are upturned when Southern newcomer Leland arrives and falls hard for Angel, who is torn between a stable life in Manhattan and an exhilarating overseas adventure with Guy. Angel chooses her path, but the decision leads to devastating consequences that shift the trajectory of everyone’s futures and long-held dreams.

(April 25 to May 21) 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. Rounding out George Street Playhouse’s 2022/23 Season is Tales From the Guttenberg Bible, a charming new autobiographical comedy from veteran screen actor Steve Guttenberg (Three Men and a Baby, Police AcademyY, CocoonN). Strap in for this rollercoaster ride from the Guttenberg’s family home on Long Island to the glamor of Hollywood as Guttenberg himself tells-all – like how he broke into the Paramount Lot and – well, you’ve got to buy a ticket to hear more! Directed by George Street’s own Artistic Director David Saint, this surefire hit, featuring run-ins with everyone from Tom Selleck to Gregory Peck, will entertain from the South Shore to the Silver Screen.

(May 5 - May 21) The Prom at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723. The story of The Prom traces the unscripted adventures of a quartet of Broadway has-beens who hop on a tour bus to infiltrate a small-town in Indiana with their New York values. There they meet high school student Emma Nolan, who has been banned from the school dance for wanting to attend with her girlfriend. Broadway enters stage center to save the day, and everyone learns some important lessons before the big finale.

(May 11-14 and May 18-21) The Maplewood Strollers presents the World Premiere of "La Belle et La Bete" at Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040.  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!

(May 12 - May 14) Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079.  Presented by Class Act Performing Arts Studio (CAPAS). Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is a captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination.  The inspiring story centers on Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however.  The school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!

(May 6 -  May 21) Hello Dolly! at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736. 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. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Hello Dolly! is boisterous and charming from start to finish. Full of humor, romance, and exquisite dancing, Hello Dolly! is the classic that everyone needs to see.

(May 5 - May 20) CDC Theatre presents "In The Heights" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016. The musical tells the story of three days in the vibrant community in Manhattan's Washington Heights – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos. Washington Heights is a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures; where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

(May 12 - May 14) - Sweet Charity at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), One Sopac Way, South Orange, NJ 07079. Presented by Class Act Performing Arts Studio (CAPAS) Inspired by Federico Fellini’s Nights of Cabiria, Sweet Charity explores the turbulent love life of Charity Hope Valentine, a hopelessly romantic but comically unfortunate dance hall hostess in New York City. With a tuneful, groovy, mid-1960s score by Cy Coleman, sparkling lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and a hilarious book by Neil Simon, Sweet Charity captures all the energy, humor, and heartbreak of “Life in the Big City” for an unfortunate but irrepressible optimist.

(Saturday, May 13, 2023 @ 5:00pm) - The bergenPAC Performing Arts School presents "Willy Wonka, Jr." at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631. This play follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy.

(Saturday, May 13, 2023 @ 8:00pm) - Short Shakespeare: Macbeth at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940. Mysterious prophecies and vaulting ambition unite to bring about the demise of a once noble general in one of Shakespeare's most compelling tales.  A must-see for students of drama and English literature. Recommended for grades 6 and up.

Plays opening this week

Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 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.

Thursday, May 11, 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.

Thursday, May 11, 2023 - Aspire Performing Arts Company presents the Smash Hit Musical "The Prom" in Butler  (BUTLER, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company is one of the first youth community theatre companies to present the smash Broadway hit musical, The Prom, running May 11- 13 at Butler High School. Based around true events, The Prom follows the story of Emma Nolan, an Indiana high school student who wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom. Rather than allow for inclusivity, the PTA cancels the prom entirely, and that’s when four eccentric Broadway stars (in need of some good PR) step in.

Friday, May 12, 2023 - Ken Levine To Take Part In a Q&A At Black Box Following Performances Of "Guilty Pleasures: An Unapologetic Comedy" on May 12-13  (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- With performances starting on Thursday, 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. The play follows 30-something marrieds Larry and Jinx Berman as they embark on a luxury cruise and befriend a glamorous celebrity couple. Before they know it, a frivolous agreement leads to sex and comic complications, and Larry and Jinx must resort to infidelity in order to save their marriage.

Friday, May 12, 2023 - Ritz Theatre Company presents "School of Rock"  (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock from May 12–28, 2023. Based on the hit movie, the musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school.

Saturday, May 13, 2023 - Tony Award Nominees to Provide Entertainment for Two River Theater Fundraising Gala on May 13th  (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the entertainment lineup for their annual spring fundraising event on Saturday, May 13th, 2023. Three-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy nominee Kate Burton, Broadway's Eden Espinosa, three-time Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald, Barrymore Award winner and Drama Desk Award nominee Orville Mendoza, and Brazilian singer, actor, and songwriter Marina Pires will regale attendees with a fun-filled musical concert celebrating the announcement of Two River Theater's 30th Anniversary 2023/2024 season.

Sunday, May 14, 2023 - Short Shakespeare Is Long Hit  To many people, the word Shakespeare causes severe nervousness, like a triple dose of the flu or advanced calculus.

Plays ending this week

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.

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.

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.

Plays continuing this week

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.

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.

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.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "Viva Las Vegas"  (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- With a playlist of familiar and beloved music, this 90-minute "casino-style" review is a must-see! Music Mountain Theatre's production of Viva Las Vegas opens May 5 and plays on weekends through May 21.Take a stroll down the Vegas strip of yesteryear! Be dazzled by original costumes dripping with sequins and accented with thousands of feathers, inspired by the look of the archetypal, vintage "Vegas Showgirl." This energetic review is sure to keep you grinning and bopping along in your seat.

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.

Bergen County Players presents "It Shoulda Been You"  (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, presents the funny, uplifting, musical It Shoulda Been You, weekends from May 6 to June 4, 2023. Under the direction of Dottie Fischer, It Shoulda Been You puts a modern spin on the traditional wedding comedy, proving that when it comes to wedding day insanity, it’s all relative.

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.

Plays coming soon

A Work of Heart Productions presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"  (MADISON, NJ) -- A Work of Heart Productions presents The Drowsy Chaperone, a love letter to musical theatre. Experience this campy comedy up close and personal in Historic Downtown Madison with live music and hand crafted mocktails! Ready for a night on the town? There will be three performances from May 19-20, 2023.

Crossroads Theatre Company presents the 2023 Spring Festival  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Spring Festival returns to Crossroads Theatre Company, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) and runs through June 11, 2023. Off the heels of the nationally acclaimed Genesis Festival, the Spring festival of plays and musicals closes out the Crossroad's 44th season, kicking off with Starchild- the Ballad of Debbie Walker, an electrifying new play by Divinity Roxx, former Beyoncé musical director, Grammy-nominated musician, author, and composer. This world premiere will hit the stage, May 24 - June 3.

The Black Box Presents "Edward Albee: From A To Zoo" An Exclusive Staged Reading Series Of Albee Plays  (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Black Box, Northern NJ's incubator for new and under produced works from world-class artists, is proud to announce a remarkable new offering starting Wednesday, May 24th. The Black Box, in association with The Estate of Edward Albee, presents Edward Albee: From A to Zoo, an exclusive staged reading series of Edward Albee Plays.

Middletown Arts Center Presents 4th MAC ONE-ACTS Play Reading Festival  (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center is excited to present the fourth edition of The MAC ONE-ACTS Play-Reading Festival, featuring original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors. The festival will be held in the MAC's spacious theater on Thursday, May 25 at 7:00pm. The plays include Crossing The Line by Rachel Rubin Ladutke; Saint Rocco in Repose by Lisa Ellex; On A Wire by Barry M. Putt, Jr.; Colony 53 by Evan Krachman; and Mary, Mary by Felicia Russell. Some of these pieces contain adult content and language, so parental discretion is advised. 

Classic Radio Road Show to Present "Blondie & Dagwood" and "My Favorite Husband"  Classic Radio Road Show is presenting "Blondie & Dagwood" and "My Favorite Husband" with performances May 26-27 and June 4, 2023 in Freehold, Navesink, and Aberdeen. All the characters will be acted by a handful of talented actors. Sound effects will be performed by a Foley artist, manipulating props to create a soundscape. The cast includes: Duane Noch, Michael Bürgi, Sheldon Fallon, Laurie Noch, Roberta Fallon, and Donna Stiles.

Theater to Go presents "Other Desert Cities" at Kelsey Theatre  (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Theater to Go in partnership with Kelsey Theatre presents Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz, in a production produced and directed by Ruth Markoe. The play will run for two weekends from May 26- June 4. It is a story of an American family and what drives them apart and keeps them together. Set in upscale and conservative Palm Springs California in 2004, Brooke Wyeth returns home after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her family.