Here are previews of plays taking place from October 18-23, 2023 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. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
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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." Click here for a podcast interview about the production.
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. Click here for photos from the production.
McCarter Theatre Center presents the Original London Production of "The Woman In Black" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Original London Production of Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt and directed by Robin Herford, begins performances October 13 at McCarter Theatre Center and runs through October 29, 2023. Based on the 1983 classic horror novel, The Woman in Black grew to global acclaim and terrified thrill-seeking audiences for 33 years on the West End, becoming one of the longest-running plays in London and inspiring a blockbuster film franchise starring Daniel Radcliffe.
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.
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.
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.
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 Ritz Theatre Company presents "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company has an August Wilson masterwork on the docket this month, as the organization gets set to present the celebrated playwright's third chronological entry in his "American Century Cyle," the tour de force drama Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Directed by Darryl Thompson Jr., the production runs at The Ritz from October 13-29, 2023.
Spring Lake Theatre presents "A Chorus Line" (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- "Step, kick, kick, and leap your way to Spring Lake Theatre for A Chorus Line, opening on Friday, October 13, and running for three weekends until October 28, 2023. With just 90 minutes of runtime and no intermission, it's the perfect way to spend a chilly fall evening or a windy afternoon!
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Wednesday, October 18, 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 19, 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 19, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, October 19, 2023 @ 8:00pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Thursday, October 19, 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 20, 2023 @ 7:00pm - MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Friday, October 20, 2023 @ 8:00pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Friday, October 20, 2023 @ 8:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday, October 20, 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 20, 2023 @ 8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Head Over Heels" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 2:00pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, October 21, 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 21, 2023 @ 4:00pm - The Growing Stage presents "The Hardy Boys in The Mystery of the Haunted House" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 7:00pm - MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Saturday, October 21, 2023 @ 8:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, October 21, 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 21, 2023 @ 8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Head Over Heels" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 2:00pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 2:00pm - MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Growing Stage presents "The Hardy Boys in The Mystery of the Haunted House" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Sunday, October 22, 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 22, 2023 @ 2:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Head Over Heels" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 3:00pm - The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Sunday, October 22, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Black Box presents a Reading of Edward Albee's "Fragments (A Sit-Around)" (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, the Black Box presents 1993's Fragments (A Sit-Around) on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 7:30pm as the next monthly reading in Edward Albee: From A To Zoo, An Exclusive Stage Reading Series of Edward Albee's Plays.
Pioneer Productions presents "Lost In Yonkers" by Neil Simon (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is bringing Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning comedy, Lost in Yonkers to the stage at Fellowship Hall in the Morristown Methodist Church in downtown Morristown, NJ. The show will have six performances between October 27 and November 5, 2023. Pioneer co-founder Daniel Peter Vissers of Sparta directs this beautifully crafted coming-of-age story set in 1942 in Yonkers, New York.
Axelrod Performing Arts Academy presents "Freaky Friday" (DEAL PARK, NJ) -- A family favorite story based on the celebrated Disney film and the book by Mary Rodgers, a new musical version of Freaky Friday hits the stage at Axelrod Performing Arts Center for four shows only, October 27-29. Freaky Friday is presented by the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, winner of the Perry Award for outstanding achievement in New Jersey community theater for its 2022 production of The Addams Family.
Bergen County Players to present "Master Class" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America’s longest-running little theater companies, is excited to present the intense and powerful Tony Award-winning Master Class, weekends from October 28 to November 18. Under the direction of Alan Demovsky, this dramatic and profound play by Terrence McNally, one of America's preeminent playwrights (Love! Valor! Compassion!, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Ragtime, The Full Monty), is regarded as "rich, vivid," and "satisfying" by The New York Times. The drama about famed opera singer Maria Callas will coincide this year with the 100th anniversary of her birth.
Skyline Theatre Company Presents "A 'Nightmare' On Broadway" (BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company, a 20-year-old professional theatre company previously calling Bergen County its home, will continue its 2023 season in Bloomfield on Sunday, October 29 at 4:00pm with a one-performance-only Broadway musical tribute to all things Halloween in A 'Nightmare' On Broadway at the Oakeside Bloomfield Cultural Center.
Hudson Theatre Works Opens Season With Early Pinter Masterpieces (WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- Hudson Theatre Works kicks open its 11th Season with a double bill of one-acts by Harold Pinter, one of Britain's most influential modern dramatists. PINTER x 2 features two of Pinter's early works: The Dumb Waiter and The Lover. Like in all of Pinter's plays, seemingly ordinary events become charged with profound (though ever-elusive) meaning, haunting pathos, and wild comedy. Performances take place weekends from November 2-19, 2023.
Maplewood Strollers to Present "Children of Eden" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers, the resident theater company of The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood, present Children Of Eden - a musical of Biblical proportions! Stephen Schwartz's epic tale of the triumphs and trials of family, and the beauty of the human spirit all come to life in across three weekends from November 3-19, 2023.
The Strollers presents "Children of Eden" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Strollers presents Children of Eden across three weekends from November 3-19, 2023 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. From musical theatre greats, Stephen Schwartz and John Caird, comes a joyous and inspirational musical about parents, children and faith... not to mention centuries of unresolved family business! It's about humanity - our first steps and fumbles, trials and triumphs, and ultimately how we live with one another on this earth.
Reduced Shakespeare's History of Comedy to be Performed at RVCC Theatre (BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg will present the Reduced Shakespeare Company's production of The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged) on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2:00pm. They've skewered history, the Bible, and the world's most celebrated playwright. Now, they tackle the subject the company was born to reduce. From the high-brow to the low, this show covers comedy through the ages.
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