Here are previews of plays taking place from October 3-9, 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. Jump to Featured Events - Opening This Week - Now Playing - Event Listings - Coming Soon.
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Thursday, October 5, 2023 - Vivid Stage presents the World Premiere of "Grief at High Tide" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present the world premiere of Grief at High Tide by Richard Willett from October 5-15, 2023. When struggling New York photographer Jennifer Evers tells her husband Christopher that the photo she took of him by his mother's deathbed — the one he never gave her permission to take and asked her not to show anyone — was secretly entered in a very prestigious competition, it doesn’t go well. To try to investigate the role that art plays in real-life relationships, Jennifer goes out on assignment to California, to create a piece on a Pulitzer Prize−winning photograph, Grief at High Tide, which changed the lives of everyone involved.
Saturday, October 7, 2023 - Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" Tickets start at just $26 and may be purchased at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre box office Monday through Saturday, 10AM-4PM located at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, New Jersey.
Saturday, October 7, 2023 - Main Street Theatre Company presents "Dogfight: The Musical" (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Dogfight: The Musical across two weekends from October 7-15, 2023 at the Temple Beth Ohr in Old Bridge. The play takes place November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But, when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress whom he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion.
Saturday, October 7, 2023 - State Theatre presents "Pretty Woman: The Musical" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents four performances of Pretty Woman: The Musical from October 7-8, 2023. Based on one of Hollywood's most beloved romantic stories of all, the musical springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde).
McCarter Theatre presents "Bulrusher" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center opens their 2023-2024 Theatre Series with Eisa Davis' Bulrusher, a transformational coming-of-age story filled to the brim with passion, humor, and even a touch of magic; on stage in the Berlind Theatre from September 13 – October 7, 2023. This is a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where the production will move after its run in Princeton. Click here for a feature article on the production.
George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents The Pianist, a play with music, based on the memoir "The Pianist" by Wladyslaw Szpilman and directed and adapted for the stage by Emily Mann (Broadway: A Streetcar Named Desire, Having Our Say, Anna and the Tropics). The Pianist begins previews on September 26, with an official opening night set for September 29. The play runs through October 22. Click here for a feature article on the production.
Friday, October 6, 2023 - Maurer Productions OnStage to Present "Matilda the Musical" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Now in its 20th year, Maurer Productions OnStage will bring Roald Dahl's Tony Award-winning "Matilda the Musical" to the stage of Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) Kelsey Theatre from October 6-15, 2023 on MCCC's West Windsor campus. Prepare to be spellbound as you join Matilda, a brilliant little girl with a big heart and even bigger dreams, on her extraordinary journey of self-discovery. Packed with laughter, heartwarming moments, and unforgettable songs, this spectacular musical adaptation brings Dahl's beloved classic to life like never before.
Friday, October 6, 2023 - Aspire Performing Arts Company presents "Puffs" (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. Aspire Performing Arts Company will present Puffs, Or: Seven Increasing Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, October 6-7, 2023 at Theater 180 in Montclair.
Friday, October 6, 2023 - Studio Players to Present "King Charles III" (UPPER MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- In 2015, playwright Mike Bartlett wrote of an imagined future where Queen Elizabeth dies and Prince Charles ascends the throne. Studio Players presents his play, King Charles III, across three weekends from October 6-21, 2023 at Studio Playhouse. The production is directed by Emily Miller.
Friday, October 6, 2023 - Music Mountain Theatre presents "Carrie: The Musical" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents Carrie: The Musical from October 6-22, 2023. This is the thirteenth mainstage show of MMT's 2023 season, and perfectly timed for the Halloween season!
Sunday, October 8, 2023 - Dunbar Repertory Company presents the Sweet Potato Reading Series featuring "Repurchased" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company presents the acclaimed Sweet Potato Pie Reading Series featuring author Rhonda Williams and her novel, Repurchased. This special book-reading and Q&A session directed by Mark Antonio Henderson takes place on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Middletown Arts Center. A book-signing period follows the presentation and copies of Repurchased will be available for purchase.
The Barn Theatre presents "Suite Surrender" (MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre in Montville, NJ kicks off their 96th Season with the rib tickling, side splitting comedic farce Suite Surrender, written by Michael McKeever and directed by Todd Mills of Boonton, running weekends from September 22 to October 8, 2023. The setting is 1942 at the Palm Beach Royale, where we meet two of Hollywood's most famous Diva's Claudia McFadden played by Montclair's Jessi Baden and Athena Sinclair played by Montclair's Rachelle Rennagel.
Unpublished Sam Shepard Play "Little Ocean" Starts U.S. Premiere With "Action" and "The Unseen Hand" at The Black Box (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- In association with the Estate of Sam Shepard, The Black Box - NJ's incubator for new and under-produced works by world-class artists - is proud to present Shepard's groundbreaking plays Action, The Unseen Hand, and the U.S. premiere of the unpublished Little Ocean, starting next week on September 21 through October 8, 2023 for ten shows only!
Classic American Tales presents "Tales at the Dormer House" in the fall (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Listen to stories by Chester Himes, O. Henry, Katherine Anne Porter, and other well-known American authors while taking in the breeze on the porch of an historic bed and breakfast, drinking lemonade, and enjoying homemade desserts. It's all part of Classic American Tales' (CAT) popular "Tales at the Dormer House" in Cape May, NJ, every Thursday at 4:00pm from September 14 – October 12, 2023.
East Lynne Theater Company presents "Love Letters" with a Rotating Cast of Couples with a Connection (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Before East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) revs up its fall lineup, the curtain prepares to close on its summer 2023 Mainstage Season with a six-week run of A. R. Gurney's "Love Letters"– but with a twist. From September 6 to October 14, the play will be performed by a real-life couple with a connection each of the six weeks: three married couples, an engaged duo, and two pairs who share a romantic past.
Bergen County Players to Open Season with "Rent" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will open its 91st season on September 9 with Jonathan Larson's RENT, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock musical that shaped a generation of audiences. Performances begin Saturday, September 9 and will run weekends through Saturday, October 14 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell with shows on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm.
Cape May Stage presents "The Garbologists" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents The Garbologists by Lindsay Joelle from September 13 to October 22, 2023. Directed by Roy Steinberg, this is an unconventional buddy comedy play that follows two sanitation workers in the cab of a New York City garbage truck. Tasked with picking up what the world has discarded, they learn there's more that binds them than just picking up the trash.
Jersey City's Classical Theatre Company to Re-Launch as The Curtain with "Romeo & Juliet" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Shakespeare@, Jersey City's premier classical theatre, announced they will re-launch as The Curtain, with an all-new production of William Shakespeare's classic Romeo & Juliet. Directed and Adapted by Sean Hagerty, The Curtain's Romeo & Juliet will play the Nimbus Arts Center (329 Warren Street), in downtown Jersey City just steps from the PATH train, with performances from September 28 through October 22, 2023.
World premiere play "Child Support" explores emotional and financial repercussions of playing the 'child support game' (CAMDEN, NJ) -- Urgent, searing and wildly inventive, the world premiere of Child Support by Desi P. Shelton uses humor and hypertheatricality to examine single parenthood and financial responsibility from the points of view of everyone impacted by a broken system. A site-specific, immersive experience set in a typical Camden row house, the action is scored by composer Jamal P. Dickerson and features a live band under the eye of musical director JoJo Streater. Barrymore Award-winner Ozzie Jones directs for an October 13 opening, with performances running through October 28 at Camden Repertory Theatre. Public previews begin September 28.
Two River Theater announces Cast and Creative for "Hair" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for their highly-anticipated production of the American Love-Rock Musical, Hair, directed by Craig Noel Award winner James Vásquez (Under a Baseball Sky, American Mariachi) and with original choreography by Mayte Natalio (Love in Hate Nation), running September 30 – October 22, 2023, kicking off the theater's 30th Anniversary Season.
NJ Rep to Present the World Premiere of "Welcome To Matteson!" (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) will close out its successful season with the World Premiere of Welcome To Matteson! written by Inda Craig-Galván and directed by Dawn Monique Williams. It will begin performances on September 28 before its opening night on Saturday, September 30, and run through October 29, 2023.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Thursday, October 5, 2023 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Thursday, October 5, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, October 5, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Grief at High Tide" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Thursday, October 5, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Friday, October 6, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Grief at High Tide" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Friday, October 6, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday, October 6, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Pretty Woman: The Musical at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Pretty Woman: The Musical at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Grief at High Tide" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Bulrusher at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Main Street Theatre Company presents "Dogfight: The Musical" at Temple Beth Ohr, 70 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 1:00pm - Pretty Woman: The Musical at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Grief at High Tide" at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Pianist" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 3:00pm - The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 3:00pm - Main Street Theatre Company presents "Dogfight: The Musical" at Temple Beth Ohr, 70 Route 516, Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Pretty Woman: The Musical at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Paper Mill Playhouse announces Cast and Creative for "The Great Gatsby" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the complete cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of The Great Gatsby, based on the iconic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The highly anticipated production will play October 12-November 12, 2023 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn). Opening night is Sunday, October 22.
Centenary Stage's NEXTStage Repertory presents "Six Rounds of Vengeance" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory will return for the 2023-2024 season with a production of Six Rounds of Vengeance by Qui Nguyen from October 12-16, 2023. Performances will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus in Hackettstown. In post-apocalyptic "Lost Vegas," a young gunslinger named Jess December enlists the help of a mysterious samurai cowboy to help avenge the murder of her sister. However, the gang they'll be going against has powers that go beyond just gunpowder and steel.
CDC Theatre to Open Season with "Head Over Heels" (CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre in Cranford will open their 105th season with Head Over Heels from October 13-28, 2023. This is the bold new musical comedy from the visionaries that rocked Broadway with Avenue Q and Spring Awakening. This laugh-out-loud love story is set to the music of the iconic 1980's all-female rock band The Go-Go's, including the hit songs, "We Got the Beat," "Our Lips Are Sealed," "Vacation," Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth" and "Mad About You."
Center Players to Open Season with "Steel Magnolias" (FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Center Players will begin its 2023-24 season with a Signature Series production of the enduringly popular Steel Magnolias. The comedic drama will run weekends from October 13 to November 5, 2023 at Center Playhouse at 35 South Street in downtown Freehold.
The Summit Playhouse presents "The Minutes" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents The Minutes by Tracy Letts from October 13-28, 2023. This scathing new comedy about small-town politics and real-world power, from the author of August: Osage County, exposes the ugliness behind some of our most closely-held American narratives while asking each of us what we would do to keep from becoming history's losers.
The Hardy Boys Kicks Off The Growing Stage's 42nd Season (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey is thrilled to present the first show of their 42nd Season, The Hardy Boys In The Mystery Of The Haunted House. Based on The Hardy Boys novel "The House on the Cliff" by Franklin W. Dixon and adaptation by Jon Klein, this production runs October 13-29, 2023 with performances on Saturdays at 4:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm and a special opening night performance on Friday, October 13th at 7:30pm. This production is directed by Stephen L. Fredericks, Founder and Executive Director of The Growing Stage.
LoMotion Live presents Tenderly: The Songs of Rosemary Clooney (BOONTON, NJ) -- LoMotion Live is excited to open their season with the cabaret, Tenderly: The Songs of Rosemary Clooney with Susan Speidel and Joseph Regan on Sunday, October 15 at The Parsippany Arts Center. The American singer and actress came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House", followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me", "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There", "This Ole House".
Shakespeare Theatre of NJ presents "A Man For All Seasons" (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) heads into its penultimate production for the 2023 Main Stage season with Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons. Bolt's dramatization of the political, social, and religious upheaval unleashed by Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon in defiance of the Catholic Church, Spain, and the Pope is Shakespearean in its scope and themes. The production runs from October 18 – November 5, 2023.
Art House Productions presents "Tracy Jones" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents the New Jersey premiere of Stephen Kaplan's play Tracy Jones, directed by Alex Tobey, with Performances across three weekends from October 19 through November 5, 2023. The play is a touching comedy of individual connection in an increasingly busy world.
Art House Productions Announces Cast & Creative Team for "Tracy Jones" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents the New Jersey premiere of Stephen Kaplan's play Tracy Jones, directed by Alex Tobey, with performances across three weekends from October 19 through November 5, 2023. The play is a touching comedy of individual connection in an increasingly busy world. The main character, Tracy Jones, rents out the back "party room" of Jones Street Bar and Grill: The Place for Wings and Things to throw a party to which she's invited every woman in the area who is also named Tracy Jones.
West Hudson Arts & Theater Company Announces Cast for "Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic" (WEST HUDSON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Co (WHATCo) has announced the cast for The Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox. This will be WHATCo's first Main Stage production of 2023, running across two weekends (October 20-22 and October 26-28, 2023) at The Theater at WHATCo (15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South) in Harrison, NJ.
Bordentown Regional High School presents "Trap" (BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- The suspense thriller Trap by Stephen Gregg will be presented on October 20th and 21st at 7:30pm at the Bordentown Performing Arts Center. The play, which will be performed by the award-winning theatre students of Bordentown Regional High School, takes place in Menachap, California, an incomprehensible event occurs: every person in the audience of a play falls unconscious--every person but one.
Surati for Performing Arts presents "Ramaavan - A Musical" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Surati for Performing Arts presents Ramaavan - A Musical at the Margaret Williams Theater (New Jersey City University) from October 20-22, 2023. Ramaavan is an original Broadway-inspired musical, an evolving theatrical experience targeting the newer generation today and also a global audience. Surati's unique, adapted production Ramaavan - A Musical is based on The Ramayana, a popular epic tale from India that tells the story of Prince Ram and King Ravan of (Sri) Lanka. It is a story of duty, honor, love, courage and revenge.
Chatham Community Players presents "Grand Horizons" (CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players will open its 102nd Season with the hilarious and heartbreaking play, Grand Horizons by Beth Wohl from October 20 – November 4, 2023 at The Chatham Playhouse. In the play, Bill and Nancy have spent fifty full years as husband and wife. They practically breathe in unison, and can anticipate each other's every sigh, snore, and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out.
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