Here are previews of plays taking place from October 24-30, 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."
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.
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.
MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the oddball romantic comedy, Guys and Dolls, a Musical Fable of Broadway, from October 20-29, 2023. Set in Damon Runyon's mythical, 1950's New York City, Guys and Dolls follows a rowdy bunch of gamblers, gangsters and sassy showgirls in a wild game of chance—then love sneaks in! Click here for photos from the production.
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 presents "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). Click here for photos from the production and click here for a review of the show.
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!
Mile Square Theatre presents the World Premiere of "Funny, Like An Abortion" (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will kick off their 20th anniversary season with the World Premiere of Funny, Like An Abortion, directed by Madsie Flynn, from October 18 through November 5, 2023. This is a hilarious political comedy about the power of friendship. In a post-Roe world, Monroe finds herself knocked up and throws herself a surprise abortion party.
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. Click here for a feature article on the production.
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.
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.
"ROEBLING: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge" Comes to Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre and Theater To Go will present the stage drama ROEBLING: The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge, written by Hamilton, NJ, resident Mark Violi and directed by Lawrenceville's Ruth Markoe, from October 20-29, 2023 on MCCC's West Windsor campus.
The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents “A Murder Is Announced” (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) — The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform the Agatha Christie murder mystery “A Murder Is Announced“ in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. Performances run October 20-22 and October 27-29, 2023.
Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of "Westphalia" (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of Westphalia by Helen Banner from October 21-November 12, 2023. Directed by Lila Rachel Becker on Luna's MainStage, Westphalia imagines a futuristic world in which citizenship can be bought and sold, and where artificial intelligence determines an individual's psychological fitness to make bold life choices.
Wednesday, October 25, 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 25, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, October 26, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Doctor Frankenstein at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Thursday, October 26, 2023 @ 7:30pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Thursday, October 26, 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 27, 2023 @ 7:00pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: Evil Dead The Musical at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Friday, October 27, 2023 @ 7:00pm - MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Friday, October 27, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Doctor Frankenstein at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Friday, October 27, 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 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday, October 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Pioneer Productions presents "Lost in Yonkers" by Neil Simon at Morristown Methodist Church, 50 South Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
Friday, October 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Head Over Heels" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Friday, October 27, 2023 @ 9:30pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: Evil Dead The Musical at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Saturday, October 28, 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 28, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 2:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Head Over Heels" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Saturday, October 28, 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 28, 2023 @ 7:00pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: Evil Dead The Musical at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 7:00pm - MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 7:30pm - Doctor Frankenstein at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - Pioneer Productions presents "Lost in Yonkers" by Neil Simon at Morristown Methodist Church, 50 South Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Head Over Heels" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 9:30pm - Phoenix Productions Presents: Evil Dead The Musical at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Sunday, October 29, 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 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - Doctor Frankenstein at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Sunday, October 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - The Woman in Black at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
Sunday, October 29, 2023 @ 2:00pm - MAC Players present "Guys and Dolls" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
Sunday, October 29, 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 29, 2023 @ 3:00pm - Pioneer Productions presents "Lost in Yonkers" by Neil Simon at Morristown Methodist Church, 50 South Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
Sunday, October 29, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Man for All Seasons at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
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.
SPQR Stage Company presents "Molly Pitcher" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- SPQR Stage Company, the Jersey Shore's "original" stage company, will bring the story of legendary American Revolution figure Molly Pitcher to life in the short, one-woman play, "Molly Pitcher," which will be performed 2:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5, at studio;space in Somers Point.
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.
Pebble Players Youth Theater presents "Mean Girls" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Pebble Players Youth Theater opens their season at the Oakes Center with Mean Girls High School Version across two weekends from November 10-19, 2023. It's literally so fetch! Don’t miss this fun show that will knock your pink socks off! Based on Tina Fey's hit film, Mean Girls in 2004, the creators of this Broadway show didn't miss a beat! You will be mesmerized by these charming but ruthless plastics!
Monmouth University's Center for the Arts presents Paul Mecurio's "Permission to Speak" (WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University's Center for the Arts has announced the arrival of Paul Mecurio's critically acclaimed Off-Broadway show, Permission to Speak for a one-night-ONLY exclusive performance at the Pollak Theatre on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 8:00pm. This promises to be a night of laughter, reflection, and unforgettable entertainment.
LoMotion Live presents a reading of "Black Friday" to Benefit Elks Army of Hope (BOONTON, NJ) -- LoMotion Live presents a reading of Black Friday on Sunday November 12 at The Parsippany Arts Center in Boonton. Proceeds from this performance donated to Elks Army of Hope. Black Friday is a dark and gripping play by Michael O'Hagan that explores stereotypes, military experiences and an emotionally fraught relationships between a young, impulsive wiseass Airman Brendan Donohue, and his senior ranking female teammate, Staff Sgt. Shannon Hoffman, at a remote military checkpoint in Iraq. The reading begins at 3:00pm.
