(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCCArts) in Branchburg will present is 40th season in 2023-2024. From witty, abridged Shakespeare; to spirited, multicultural drumming; to traditional Irish dancing; to celebrations of popular artists of the past; to beloved children’s classics brought to life; to holiday favorites; and much more—the upcoming season will offer entertainment for audiences of all ages and interests.
“Welcome to RVCCArts’ 40th season. We are thrilled to announce our 2023-2024 line-up and look forward to the community joining us in celebrating 40 seasons of incredible productions. We are proud to continue our long tradition of offering a wide array of international cultural delights for friends and families to enjoy, right in their own backyard,” said Jill Erwin, RVCC Director of Theatre and Conference Services.
The season will feature the following Mainstage shows:
Splish Splash! The Music of Bobby Darin, Friday, October 20 at 8:00pm; $40, $30, $25. Twenty-two great songs, a swinging band, multimedia effects, backstage stories, and Vegas showman Ron Gartner all combine in this fabulous show that celebrates everything Bobby Darin.
The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) (Reduced Shakespeare Company), Sunday, November 5 at 2:00pm; $50, $40, $35. They’ve skewered history, the Bible, and the world’s most celebrated playwright. Now, the Reduced Shakespeare Company tackles the subject it was born to reduce: comedy. (Recommended for audience members age 13 and older).
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, Friday, December 1 at 4:00pm & 8:00pm; $65, $55, $50. Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet presents America’s favorite Christmas celebration featuring an extraordinary international cast from across the world, with Ukrainian principal artists performing at the peak of classical European ballet.
Eileen Ivers’ A Joyful Christmas, Friday, December 15 at 8:00pm; $45, $35, $30. Grammy Award-winner Eileen Ivers and her band celebrate the glorious story of Christmas with a beautiful mix of story-filled Wren Day songs and poems, featuring foot-stomping, traditional music.
Rhythm Journey (San Jose Taiko), Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 8:00pm; $45, $35, $30. San Jose Taiko has captivated global audiences and critics alike with the powerful and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum. The group has broadened and embellished this historical art form into a distinct performance style that blends the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with the beat of world rhythms.
Rhythm of the Dance (National Dance Company of Ireland), Friday, March 15, 2024 at 8:00pm; $50, $40, $35. Rhythm of the Dance celebrates all elements of Irish culture with champion step dancers and innovative choreography, first-rate Irish musicians and singers, and storytelling.
The Doo Wop Project, Friday, April 12, 2024 at 8:00pm; $50, $40, $35. The Doo Wop Project features a group of talented, charismatic, and engaging Broadway stars from smash hit shows like Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, and A Bronx Tale, who trace the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sounds of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to today’s biggest hits.
Gypsy: A Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:00pm; $40, $30, $25. Gypsy faithfully recreates singer Stevie Nicks’ live show and the music of Fleetwood Mac with striking accuracy. Diane Lutz gives a stunning performance as Stevie Nicks with spot-on vocals and visuals that magically capture Nicks’ stage presence.
For younger audiences, RVCCArts’ 40th season also will include a special series, School-Time, offering performances for children and young teens and their families. Tickets for all performances in the School-Time Series cost $8 per person; one free chaperone ticket is provided for every 15 tickets bought. The following School-Time shows will be presented:
Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition, Thursday, November 16 at 10:00am (Grades: 3-8; 60 minutes). Jack London’s classic tale comes to life on stage in this multimedia adventure. The production mixes performance and storytelling with projected illustrations to tell the story of Buck, the magnificent offspring of a St. Bernard and Scottish Collie.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 10:00am (Grades: Pre-K-5; 60 minutes). Written by playwright Mike Kenny and inspired by Aesop’s famous fable, this wintery tale centers around a boy who learns that “nobody believes a liar, even when they’re telling the truth.” Gifted actor-musicians play instruments and sing live as they embody all the delightful characters.
Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story, Friday, March 1, 2024 at 10:00am (Grades: K-6; 60 minutes). Ten-year-old Belinda is a budding poet who loves to tell stories, but when she’s stuck in the basement preparing for a party upstairs that her stepmother and stepsisters will host, she’ll have to get creative. It’s a story within a story as Belinda lives out her version while also reenacting the classic tale of Cinderella.
The Rainbow Fish, Friday, April 19, 2024 at 10:00am (Grades: Pre-K-3; 60 minutes). Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s elegant new show, The Rainbow Fish, includes an original stage adaptation of Marcus Pfister’s colorful story, as well as two of the author’s companion tales, Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea and Opposites.
To purchase tickets or for additional information about any of the productions in RVCCArts’ 2023-2024 season, contact the Box Office, 908-725-3420, or order online at www.rvccArts.org. Senior citizen, student, and group discounts are also available for most performances.
Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, New Jersey.
