Here are previews of plays taking place from January 30 to February 6, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. 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, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
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George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents Ibsen's Ghost by Charles Busch from January 16 through February 4, 2024. Based on a few irrefutable facts, the play tells a tall (and hilarious) tale of the legendary Norwegian playwright's wife Suzannah the week after the great man's state funeral. The production is directed by Carl Andress.
Count Basie Center for the Arts presents "All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Rupert Holmes on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:00pm. Over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, the play presents an intimate portrayal of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a true American original.
Grunin Center presents "Rhapsody in Black" by LeLand Gantt (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Actor LeLand Gantt will present his autobiographical one-man show, Rhapsody in Black, on the Main Stage at the Grunin Center on Thursday, February 1. Tickets are $7. Showtime is 11:00am. Written and performed by Gantt, Rhapsody in Black explores LeLand's personal journey to understand and eventually transcend racism in America.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "Annie" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents an all-new tour of the iconic Tony® Award-winning musical Annie for four performances from February 2-4, 2024. The world's best-loved musical returns to State Theatre New Jersey with all your favorite songs including "Tomorrow," "It's the Hard-Knock Life," and "Maybe."
The Growing Stage presents "Carmela Full of Wishes" (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, is thrilled to kick-off 2024 with Carmela Full of Wishes weekends from February 2-18, 2024. Adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios from the book by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson, this production is directed by Danny Campos, veteran TGS performer and teaching artist. The play invites us to Carmela’s 7th birthday, and she’s finally old enough to accompany her big brother on his errands.
NJCU and WP programs present "Working, a Musical" (JERSEY CITY NJ) -- The New Jersey City University Department of Music, Dance and Theatre and WP Voice presents Working, a Musical with five performances from February 2-11, 2024 at Margaret Williams Theatre. Based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day, the Musical Working paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the delivery man, the waitress, the mason, and the stay-at-home parent, just to name a few.
Haddonfield Plays & Players to Presents Monty Python's "Spamalot" (HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Haddonfield Plays & Players will present Monty Python's Spamalot weekends from Friday, January 19 to Saturday, February 3, 2024. Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur's quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. With a mashup of several Monty Python bits, this show will not only delight the Monty Python enthusiast, but any fan of musical comedies.
Players Guild of Leonia presents "Deathtrap" (LEONIA, NJ) -- Players Guild of Leonia, New Jersey's oldest continuing community theater group (since 1919), presents their first show of 2024 – the comedy thriller Deathtrap weekends from January 19 to February 4, 2024. With plot twists aplenty, Deathtrap tells the story of a has-been playwright, Sidney Bruhl, who is desperate to regain his prestige, and his young protégé, Clifford Anderson, who unwittingly offers an intriguing solution. How desperate remains a secret, and to tell you any more would be a crime!
"A Matter of Faith" to have World Premiere at The Chain Theatre (NEW YORK, NY) -- A Matter of Faith, a new play by Ian Richard Barnes, will have its world premiere beginning January 24 for a limited off-Broadway engagement. Directed by Augustus Childres, A Matter of Faith will run thru February 4 at The Chain Theatre at 312 West 36 Street. The cast of this three-person, 85 minute play, features Ava Paris Locknar, Henry Frontini and Ian Richard Barnes.
Shakespeare '70 to present "All My Sons" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Shakespeare '70 presents Arthur Miller's powerful tale of morality, guilt, responsibility, and irrevocable loss of innocence during World War II, All My Sons, at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) West Windsor Campus, January 26 to February 4, 2024.
Brundage Park Playhouse presents "Damn Yankees" (RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park Playhouse presents Damn Yankees at the playhouse on Carrell Road in Randolph across two weekends (January 26-28 and February 2-4, 2024). Would you do ANYTHING to help your favorite baseball team win the pennant? In the Faustian baseball musical, Damn Yankees, Joe Boyd sells his soul to the devil to be the home run hitter that will guide his favorite team, the Washington Senators, to a win against those "damn Yankees."
Black Box presents The Writers Project (TEANECK, NJ) -- The first installment of The Writers Project will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall. This special evening, the first in an ongoing series, will feature Black Box performers including Ilana Schimmel, J Niles, Danielle MacMath, Justin Jager, and Joseph Liberti performing segments of the original work of writers such as Michael Gardiner, Jakob Holder (Executive Director of The Edward F. Albee Foundation), James O'Connor (Edward F. Albee Fellowship Recipient), Matt Okin, and Steven Sarao. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents "After Midnight" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents After Midnight from January 31-February 25, 2024. Conceived by Jack Viertel (former Artistic Director of City Center Encores!), this Jazz Age rhythm and dance extravaganza is an electrifying musical revue that transports you to the Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance, an unparalleled time in New York City when jazz and swing were king. The production is co-directed by Dominique Kelley and Paper Mill Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director Jen Bender and choreographed by Kelley.
Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents "Romeo and Juliet" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company’s NEXTStage Repertory presents William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, adapted by Stephen Michael Davis, across two weekends from February 1-11, 2024. Centenary University Theatre students bring Shakespeare's timeless tale of star-crossed lovers to life at Centenary Stage Company's Little Theatre.
Nettingham Performing Arts Company presents "Once Upon A Mattress: Youth Edition" (SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ) -- Nettingham Performing Arts Company presents "Once Upon A Mattress: Youth Edition" in the Nettingham Middle School Auditorium from February 2-4, 2024. Music By Mary Rodgers, Lyrics By Marshall Barer, Book By Jay Thompson, Directed by Katherine Decker Lewis, with Music Direction by James Mosser, and Choreography by Samantha Simpson, this production promises a delightful experience.
Two River Theater presents the World Premiere of "The Scarlet Letter" by Kate Hamill (RED BANK, NJ) -- A new year, and a world premiere! Riding the wave of its 30th anniversary season, set in motion by audience sensation Hair this past fall, Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for its second production of the season: the world premiere of The Scarlet Letter by Kate Hamill (Pride and Prejudice, Little Women), one of the American theater’s most widely produced contemporary playwrights, and directed by Shelley Butler (Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, A Doll’s House Part 2).
Bergen County Players presents "Pride and Prejudice" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Heed the invite from some of the most memorable characters in fiction! Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will open its first mainstage production of the new year with a comedic retelling of Jane Austen's great romantic tale Pride and Prejudice. Performances run weekends from February 3-24, 2024 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.
American Theater Group presents An Evening with Peter Filichia (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), a professional regional theater company in Central NJ, presents an evening with veteran theater critic and Broadway insider Peter Filichia during the grand re-opening celebration of the newly-renovated Hamilton Stage in Rahway on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 7:00pm.
Out of the Box Theatrics to present reading of "Trash" (NEW YORK, NY) -- Out of the Box Theatrics has announced the first reading of the company's Building the Box series of new plays. OOTB will present a reading of Trash, a new play written by James Caverly and Andrew Morrill. The readings, which will be directed by Nathaniel P. Claridad, will be presented on Monday, February 5 at 7:00pm, Tuesday, February 6 at 1:00pm, and Thursday, February 8 at 7:00pm at 154 Christopher Street (formerly the New Ohio Theatre).
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Thursday, February 1, 2024 @ 11:00am - Rhapsody in Black at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Thursday, February 1, 2024 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Thursday, February 1, 2024 @ 7:00pm - All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Thursday, February 1, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Friday, February 2, 2024 @ 7:30pm - "Carmela Full of Wishes" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Friday, February 2, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Annie at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Friday, February 2, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Annie at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 4:00pm - "Carmela Full of Wishes" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Annie at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 8:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, February 4, 2024 @ 1:00pm - Annie at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sunday, February 4, 2024 @ 2:00pm - "Carmela Full of Wishes" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
Sunday, February 4, 2024 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "Ibsen's Ghost" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Passage Theatre Company presents World Premiere of "Ghetto Gods in Divineland" (TRENTON, NJ) -- In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Trenton's only professional theater company is paying homage to the Poor Righteous Teachers. Trenton's first superstar hip-hop group—the philosophers and messengers for good and for the 'hood—inspired Passage Theatre Company's upcoming show Ghetto Gods in Divineland, a brand-new play co-written by Richard Bradford and Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Directed by Ozzie Jones. The production runs from February 8-25, 2024.
Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of "RIFT or White Lies" (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents the World Premiere of RIFT or White Lies by Gabriel Jason Dean, directed by Ari Laura Kreith, from February 8-March 3, 2024. Two brothers--one a progressive novelist, the other a convicted murderer and high-ranking member of a white supremacist prison gang–are united through their traumatic childhood. Now adults, these men navigate the edges of their brotherly bond. Are they truly so different? Is it possible to love someone whose beliefs you hate? RIFT is a story of estrangement, ideological divide, and the fight to change one another.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "The Cher Show" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the Tony® Award-winning musical, The Cher Show for four performances from February 9-11, 2024. The Cher Show is 35 smash hits, six decades of stardom, two rock-star husbands, a Grammy®, an Oscar®, an Emmy®, and enough Tony® Award-winning Bob Mackie gowns to cause a sequin shortage in New York City, all in one unabashedly fabulous new musical.
CDC Theatre presents "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" (CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre presents The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 across three weekends from February 9-24, 2024. This is an ingenious and wildly comic romp by playwright John Bishop. Poking antic fun at the more ridiculous aspects of "show biz" and the corny thrillers of Hollywood's heyday, the play is a non-stop barrage of laughter as those assembled (or at least those who aren’t killed off) untangle the mystery of the "Stage Door Slasher."
Stockton's Dinner & Show Series Continues with Opera Production of "The Barber of Seville" (GALLOWAY, NJ) -- The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera is set to present a full-scale, traditional Italian production of Rossini's "Il Barbiere Di Siviglia" ("The Barber of Seville") on the main stage of Stockton University's Performing Arts Center on Friday, February 9, 2024 at 7:30pm.
Theater League of Clifton presents "A Tribute to Carol Burnett" (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will present its dinner/theater production of "A Tribute to Carol Burnett" beginning on Saturday, February 10, 7:30pm, at Mario's Restaurant, 710 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. The show will recreate favorite comedy skits from the popular Carol Burnett Show, which aired for 11 seasons (1967-1978) on the CBS television network and won numerous Emmy awards.
Kate Baldwin and Graham Rowat to Star in "Love Letters" at Skyline Theatre Company (BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company, a 21-year-old professional theatre company now calling Essex County its home, kicks off its second season in Bloomfield on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 7:00pm featuring Maplewood residents two-time TONY Award nominee Kate Baldwin and her real-life husband and Broadway star Graham Rowat co-starring in A.R. Gurney's delightful and touching Love Letters.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "Menopause The Musical 2" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change'® on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 8:00pm. Show tickets range from $29-$69. This is the sequel to long-running, international hit show Menopause The Musical®, a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived "The Change."
Jersey City Theater Center presents Escultores del Aire/Danza, Abend/Catalonia-USA/Costa Rica (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center presents the International Arts Exchange Project (IAEP) on Thursday, February 15 at 7:00pm as a part of the Voices International Theater Festival. This captivating cultural experience featuring Los Escultores del Aire/Danza, Abend/Catalonia-USA/Costa Rica transcends borders through the universal language of the arts. After the performances, the audience is invited to engage in a unique networking experience, fostering connections and conversations that go beyond geographical boundaries.
Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents "Rabbit Hole" (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents Rabbit Hole across two weekends (February 16-18, February 23-25). The play by David Lindsay-Abaire was the recipient of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize. Performances take place in the Grunin Center for the Arts' Black Box Theater.
WHATCo presents Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" (HARRISON, NJ) -- West Hudson Arts & Theater Co (WHATCo) presents Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with six performances across two weekends (February 16-18 and February 23-25) at The Theater at WHATCo (15 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. South) in Harrison. This play tells the story of 10 strangers who are summoned to a remote island and accused of misdeeds. When the weather cuts them off from the mainland one by one, the guests are killed in accordance with a sinister nursery rhyme. They must find the killer if they hope to survive.
October Ensemble presents Debut Production: "The Sweetest Crime: A Chocolate Covered Murder Mystery" (SURF CITY, NJ) -- October Ensemble presents their debut production, The Sweetest Crime: A Chocolate Covered Murder Mystery, on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at St. Thomas of Villanova in Surf City. This is a hilarious chocolate-themed murder mystery full of over-the-top characters, chocolate puns, saucy secrets, and an interactive performance to discover who the killer is! Performances take place at 2:00pm & 7:00pm.
Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to Present Guild Theatreworks in "Belles" (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is pleased to present the Guild Theatreworks production of Mark Dunn's bittersweet dramatic comedy Belles in Mancini Hall on Wednesday, February 21. Showtime is 6:30pm. Considered Dunn's most popular play, Belles features six sisters who try bridge the distance between them via telephone through the course of a weekend and in the process come to terms with their fragmented family history.
