Here are previews of plays taking place from July 4-10, 2023 including a look at productions starting this week, those continuing this week, and those closing this week. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Click on the title to go to the full preview.
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FEATURED PREVIEWS
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - 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.
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 - Shakespeare Theatre of NJ presents "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself)" on the Outdoor Stage (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will re-open its ever-popular Outdoor Stage venue on July 5th with Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) by Donald Margulies. Since 2002, the company’s annual productions at this Greek-style amphitheater, located on the bucolic campus of Saint Elizabeth University, have provided thousands of people throughout the region with delightful productions under the stars. As always, this summer’s show is the perfect romp for all ages – from the youngest tots to venerable seniors. For another article on this production, click here.
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.
Plays opening this week
Thursday, July 6, 2023 - 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.
Thursday, July 6, 2023 - 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.
Thursday, July 6, 2023 - Centenary's 2023 Summerfest presents "Rock of Ages" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company and the NEXTStage Repertory are set to present the first mainstage production for the 2023 Summerfest, Rock Of Ages, from July 6-16 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center on the Centenary University campus at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ. The five-time Tony Award®-nominated Broadway musical, with a Book by Chris D'Arienzo and Arrangements and Orchestration by Ethan Popp, Rock Of Ages tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock 'n' roll romance on the Sunset Strip.
Saturday, July 8, 2023 - Lomotion Live presents The One Act One Act Play Festival (BOOTON, NJ) -- Lomotion Live presents The One Act One Act Play Festival the weekend of July 8-9 at The Parsippany Arts Center. Two nights of brand new short comedies written by top New Jersey playwrights. Directed by and starring a stalwart team of NJ Directors and Actors. This weekend promises to bring you a fun weekend full of laughter steeped in reality. Not your Mamas One Acts!
Saturday, July 8, 2023 - First Avenue Playhouse presents "On Golden Pond" (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents On Golden Pond weekends throughout July with opening night on July 8, 2023. The play by Ernest Thompson is a classic and poignant family story that is both humorous and touching. Armand Marino directs the production.
Plays ending this week
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.
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.
Surflight Theatre presents "State Fair" through July 9th (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is currently presenting State Fair through July 9, 2023. Filled with dance and gorgeous music, State Fair travels with the Frake family as they leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop covet blue ribbons, while their daughter and son each find romance and heartbreak on the midway. With a terrific Rodgers & Hammerstein score including "A Grand Night for Singing," "It Might As Well Be Spring," and of course, "Our State Fair," this show is a Blue Ribbon winner!
Plays continuing this week
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.
Audiences Love "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater Company (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater Company's production of Spring Awakening has been playing to standing ovations. The musical follows a group of teenagers taking an emotional journey through the turbulence of adolescence. Originally written in 1891, Spring Awakening is set in a provincial town in 19th century Germany that fails its youth by censoring books, silencing dissent, and readily using corporal punishment. Against all obstacles, the teens answer by creating a community of love, support, hope, and change. Performances run Thursdays through Sundays now through July 16, 2023.
FEATURED
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Vivid Solos: Hissy Fits by Jerico Bleu at Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
Wednesday, July 5, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - Outdoor Stage, 2 Convent Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Thursday, July 6, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - Outdoor Stage, 2 Convent Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Thursday, July 6, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Friday, July 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - Outdoor Stage, 2 Convent Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Friday, July 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Saturday, July 8, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - Outdoor Stage, 2 Convent Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Saturday, July 8, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Sunday, July 9, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Sunday, July 9, 2023 @ 4:00pm - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - Outdoor Stage, 2 Convent Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Sunday, July 9, 2023 @ 7:00pm - Vanguard Theater presents "Spring Awakening" at Vanguard Theater, 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 077042
Sunday, July 9, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself) at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - Outdoor Stage, 2 Convent Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
Plays coming soon
Surflight Theatre presents "Something Rotten!" BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre continues their 2023 season with the hilarious musical comedy, Something Rotten! with performances from July 11-30. Welcome to the Renaissance and this outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce. Receiving 10 Tony Nominations, it was hailed by Time Out New York as "the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years." From the co-director of The Book of Mormon and the producer of Avenue Q comes something original...something fresh...Something Rotten!
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "And A Nightingale Sang..." (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its main stage season with C.P. Taylor's And a Nightingale Sang... from July 12-30, 2023. This endearing play about a working-class family in England during the Blitz of WWII is, at turns, hilarious, romantic, moving, and inspiring; a celebration of life in the midst of the destructive forces wreaking havoc in the world.
Premiere Stages presents "Satellites" by Erin Breznitsky - An Innovative Exploration of Time and Space (UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University will present the Premiere of Satellites by Erin Breznitsky from July 13-30 in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. Selected as the winner of the 2022 Premiere Play Festival, the first production of this new play will be one of Premiere's most ambitious to date, as a talented team of designers work with the director and cast to meld together projections, sound, lighting, scenic design and costumes to take audiences on a journey to space and back.
Brookdale Summer Shakespeare Ensemble presents "Much Ado About Nothing" (LINCROFT, NJ) -- In an era of rapidly changing cultural landscapes and evolving theatrical tastes, it is truly remarkable to witness an event that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate audiences year after year. Such is the case with Brookdale Community College PAC's Summer Shakespeare performance, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this season. As we applaud this milestone, we must also recognize the invaluable contribution this free event has made in serving the community, fostering artistic appreciation, and keeping the spirit of Shakespeare alive.
Middletown Arts Center Presents "The SpongeBob Musical", produced by The MAC Players (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center make a splash this summer with The SpongeBob Musical, a stunning, all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show running over two weekends, July 14–16 and July 21–23. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. A delight for audiences young and old, The SpongeBob Musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and a book by Kyle Jarrow.
Exit 82 Theatre presents "Rock of Ages" (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Exit 82 Theatre presents Rock of Ages by Chris D'Arienzo weekends from July 14-30.It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace, and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strip's last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality.
OCC Repertory Theatre Company Presents "Kiss Me, Kate" at Grunin Center (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company will present Kiss Me, Kate July 14-16 and 21-23 on the Main Stage at the Grunin Center for the Arts, located on the main campus of Ocean County College. The first Broadway show ever to win the Tony Award for Best Musical, Kiss Me, Kate tells the story of feuding former spouses forced to play opposite each other in a production of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
Light Opera of New Jersey presents "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" (SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey continues its 27th Season of operetta and musical theatre with a production of 2014 Tony award-winning A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). The play is based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman. Performances take place July 15-16 and July 22-23.
"Rock of Ages" Takes Center Stage at the Sieminski Theater (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Sieminski Theater and Centenary Stage Company present the 80's rock musical Rock of Ages, an exhilarating and unapologetic homage to the timeless classics of rock 'n' roll on Saturday, July 22 at 7:30pm and Sunday, July 23 at 2:30pm. The play takes place in 1987 and the fabled West Hollywood club the Bourbon Room is the seedy, sordid, vibrant heart of the Sunset Strip.
