Here are previews of plays taking place from June 20-26 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. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.
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FEATURED SHOWS
Thursday, June 22, 2023 - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents Spring Awakening from June 22 to July 16, 2023. This hit musical features music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater. An electric, vibrant celebration of youth and rebellion, censorship and its consequences, Spring Awakening fuses issues of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll into a story that packs a powerful emotional punch.
Friday, June 23, 2023 - The Princeton Festival presents "I Am Harvey Milk" by Andrew Lippa (PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Friday, June 23 at 7:00pm and Saturday, June 24 at 7:00pm the Princeton Festival presents I Am Harvey Milk, a musical theater oratorio by acclaimed Broadway composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family). The show celebrates the legacy of Harvey Milk, an American icon and the first openly gay man to hold office in California.
Studio Players presents "The Real Thing" by Tom Stoppard (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Cue one passionate but never fully satisfying love affair between Henry and Annie. That's the premise behind The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard, which is being presented by Studio Players this June.
Plays opening this week
Thursday, June 22, 2023 - British Comedy "Round and Round the Garden" by Alan Ayckbourn to Be Performed in a Plainfield Garden (PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Round and Round the Garden from June 22-25 on the front porch and in the garden of duCret Center of Arts where Dragonfly is the resident theater company. Round and Round the Garden, by acclaimed British playwright Alan Ayckbourn, focuses on the complicated interactions and tangled relationships of the main character, Norman, who just wants to be loved. The hilarious play explores themes of romance, lust, and the complexities of human nature through the conflicts of his family members and many love interests.
Friday, June 23, 2023 - The Premier Theatre Company presents Roald Dahl's "Matilda The Musical" (RUMSON, NJ) -- The Premier Theatre Company will present the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical at the beautiful Rumson School Auditorium on Forrest Ave in Rumson for 6 performances only. Opening night is Friday, June 23, followed by performances June 24, 25, 30 and July 1 and 2. Evening shows are at 8:00pm, Sunday matinees are at 2:00pm.
Friday, June 23, 2023 - Music Mountain Theatre presents "Spring Awakening" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents 8 performances of Spring Awakening from June 23 to July 9, 2023. An angsty rock musical adaptation of the seminal play about the trials and tribulations of growing up, Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with a poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable.
Plays ending this week
NJRep presents PRIDE 2023 in June (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRep) will present PRIDE 2023 from June 3-25, 2023. This month long celebration includes an Art Gallery Show, a Photography Exhibit, and five one-act plays running throughout the month.
Two River Theater presents "Two Sisters and a Piano" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater will conclude their 2022-2023 season with Two Sisters and a Piano, a passionate tale of revolution, art, and dreams written and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nilo Cruz (Anna in the Tropics), running June 3-25, 2023 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater.
The Ritz Theatre Company presents "I Hate Hamlet" (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents the comedy-drama play I Hate Hamlet from June 9-25, 2023. Dealing with a girlfriend who is keeping a firm grasp on her chastity, Andrew plays host to the ghost of John Barrymore (played by New York-based television and stage theater actor Peter Herrick), who, clothed as Hamlet, has come back to convince Rally to play the part!
Nutley Little Theatre presents "Hand to God" (NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre presents the hysterically irreverent twisted comedy, Hand to God, opening Friday, June 9th, and continuing through June 24th. Written by Robert Askins, the play tells the story of a devilish, scandalous, and foul-mouthed hand puppet who manages to tear apart the balance in a Christian Puppet Ministry youth group – exposing the startling fragile nature of faith, morality, love, and how easily blood can flow.
Plays continuing this week
Paper Mill Playhouse Announces Cast and Creative for "Rent" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced the cast and creative team for Rent by Jonathan Larson, directed by Zi Alikhan (Resident Director of Hamilton) and choreographed by Steph Paul (New York Theatre Workshop: How to Defend Yourself). The show runs June 7 through July 2, 2023.
New York Classical Theatre presents "Richard III" with All-Female, Gender-Fluid Cast (NEW YORK, NY) -- New York Classical Theatre has announced an all-female, gender-fluid, and disability-forward cast for Shakespeare's Richard III. The production, directed by Burdman, will play in Central Park from June 13 to June 25; in Brooklyn Commons at Metrotech from June 27 to July 2; and in Carl Schurz Park from July 4 to July 9. All performances are free and open to the public.
East Lynne Theater Company presents "A Tale of Two Cities, Cobbled Together by the Brothers Lovejoy" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company's new Artistic Director Craig Fols will open his inaugural mainstage season with his own original adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" titled "A Tale of Two Cities, Cobbled Together by the Brothers Lovejoy". Fols' stage version of this world-renowned classic will make its world premiere on June 14 and will run Wednesdays to Saturdays through July 15.
FEATURED
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 @ 7:00pm - The Barber of Seville at Festival Performance Pavilion at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, June 22, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Friday, June 23, 2023 @ 7:00pm - I AM HARVEY MILK at Festival Performance Pavilion at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday, June 23, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Friday, June 23, 2023 @ 8:00pm - "The Real Thing" by Tom Stoppard at Studio Playhouse, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
Saturday, June 24, 2023 @ 7:00pm - I AM HARVEY MILK at Festival Performance Pavilion at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, June 24, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Saturday, June 24, 2023 @ 8:00pm - "The Real Thing" by Tom Stoppard at Studio Playhouse, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
Sunday, June 25, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Sunday, June 25, 2023 @ 7:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Plays coming soon
Edward Albee: From A To Zoo Continues at Black Box on June 28th (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Black Box, Northern NJ's incubator for new and under produced works from world-class artists, is proud to announce that Edward Albee: From A To Zoo will continue on Wednesday, June 28th at 7:30pm with Finding The Sun (1987) and Marriage Play (1987). Attend these exclusive readings for FREE at 8 East Palisade Avenue, 2nd Floor, between Dean Street and Van Brunt in Englewood, NJ.
Howell PAL Theater Company to present "West Side Story" (LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- The Howell PAL Theater Company presents their 2023 production, West Side Story, at the Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood on Friday, June 30th and Saturday, July 1st. From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time. The book and score are written by Arthur Laurents, Stephen Sondheim, and Leonard Bernstein widely regarded as one of the best ever written, with original direction and choreography by the world-renowned Jerome Robbins.
Vivid Stage presents Vivid Solos reading series in July (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage presents Vivid Solos, a play reading series, every Wednesday in July. The readings take place at 6:30pm on the lawn of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. Bring a comfy lawn chair and your favorite snack and enjoy a summer eve with them. The series includes works by Jerico Bleu, Steve Harper, Douglas McGrath, and Ian August.
The Theater Project's Summer Season Kicks Off With "Sunset Park" by Joseph Vitale (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Theater Project, a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for New Jersey artists, is returning to Maplewood's Burgdorff Cultural Center, 10 Durand Road, for the second straight summer season. Award-winning writer Joseph Vitale's Sunset Park — three intertwining stories that prove no matter how old you get, love, longing, jealousy, and hope remain constant—kicks off the Summer Season July 6-16. The play was also a finalist in the 2022 NY Theater Fall Festival.
The Theater Project presents "Sunset Park" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- "No matter how old you get, love, longing, jealousy, and hope remain constant" -- Sunset Park by award-winning writer Joseph Vitale kicks off the Summer Season at The Theater Project, a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for New Jersey artists. The company is returning to Maplewood's Burgdorff Cultural Center, 10 Durand Road, with a packed schedule of new and lesser-known work. Sunset Park, performing July 6- 16, consists of four intertwining stories about growing older and coming to terms with the changes in our lives.
