By Gina Marie Rodriguez, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 06/02/2023
As the birthplace of baseball, Hoboken is the perfect New Jersey city to celebrate our national pastime; and Mile Square Theatre, the perfect venue.
Annually, the Hoboken theater commissions seven playwrights to each write a 10-minute play involving the American game. This 19th year of “7th Inning Stretch” runs June 16th and 17th. The sentiment of the plays rounds the bases from heartwarming to hysterical; realistic to absurd.
Jersey Arts speaks to Mile Square Theatre’s Artistic Director, Kevin R. Free, and two of this year’s “7th Inning Stretch” playwrights, Michelle Tyrene Johnson and Tim J. Lord.
Kevin R. Free, Michelle Tyrene Johnson and Tim J. Lord
About the author: Gina Marie Rodriguez is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and actress. Her foray into filmmaking began at a young age as a way to avoid public speaking in school. From there, it grew into a love of telling stories and creating new worlds. Gina Marie boasts a Bronze Remi win from Worldfest Houston, Best Female Filmmaker from the Cosmic Film Festival, and a Best Actress in a Comedy from the Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival alongside nominations from the Golden Door International Film Festival, Official Latino Film and Arts Festival and Los Angeles Cinefest among others.
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Discover Jersey Arts, a project of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Annie KIDS on May 23-24, 2026. The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved, Award-winning musicals.
Middlesex County and Thinkery & Verse present "Liberty Madness" at State Theatre
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County and Thinkery & Verse present an original live production of Liberty Madness at State Theatre New Jersey on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is a dynamic, magical stage play that tells the story of America’s haunted past.
Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "Game of Tiaras"
(BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- Mainstage Center for the Arts presents Game of Tiaras on May 29-30, 2026 at Harmony Hall at Gloucester Township. Showtime is 7:00pm each night. Prepare for a hilarious royal showdown in Game of Tiaras!
Asbury Park Theater Company presents Thornton Wilder's "Our Town"
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- The Asbury Park Theater Company presents Thornton Wilder's Our Town across two weekends from May 21-31, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Described by Edward Albee as "the greatest American play ever written"- it is one of the defining plays of American theater. The production is directed by Bailey Dumlao.
Middletown Arts Center and Dunbar Repertory Company presents "Seven Guitars" by August Wilson
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center, in conjunction with Dunbar Repertory Company, presents a special production of Seven Guitars, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson, across two weekends from May 23–31, 2026. The play by August Wilson follows a blues musician chasing redemption and a second chance as love, ambition, and fate collide in powerful portrait of dreams deferred.
Bear Tavern Project and the 2026 Tomato Patch Jr Students present "Cosmic Campfire Chronicles"
(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Bear Tavern Project and the 2026 Tomato Patch Jr Students present Cosmic Campfire Chronicles across two weekends from May 23-31, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. It takes place one quiet night deep in the forest, a group of children gathers around a flickering campfire, swapping ghost stories under a sky ablaze with stars. Suddenly, the stars begin to move.
MPAC presents Disney's Frozen, The Broadway Musical
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Let it Go! Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)'s 2026 spring production of Disney's Frozen takes the stage for five performances May 29-31. The show will be directed by Cathy Roy. Music Direction by Charles Santoro. The cast includes 50 young performers from throughout the region, representing seven New Jersey counties.
Brundage Park Playhouse to Hold Auditions for "Anything Goes"
(RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park Playhouse will hold auditions for the musical Anything Goes at the playhouse on Carrell Road in Randolph. In-Person Audition Dates are on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 12:30pm-5:00pm and Monday, June 1, 2026 from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Virtual auditions are also accepted. Callbacks by invitation are on Saturday, June 6th from 12:00pm-5:00pm.
The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "High School Musical 2 JR."
(BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents High School Musical 2 JR. on June 4-5, 2026 in the Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater. The Wildcats are back for an unforgettable summer at Lava Springs Country Club!
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