Here are previews of plays taking place from February 13-20, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. 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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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.
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."
Bridge Players Theatre Company Returns to Its Home Stage With "Be More Chill" (BURLINGTON CITY, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its long-awaited return to its home stage at Broad Street United Methodist Church.The first presentation in its regular space since February 2020 will be the exciting pop musical Be More Chill, across three weekends from February 9-24, 2024.
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."
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.
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.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "City of Angels" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents a three-weekend run of City of Angels, a musical with a book by Larry Gelbart, music by Cy Coleman, and lyrics by David Zippel. Get ready to enter the musical noir world of 1940s Los Angeles, where Stine, a writer of detective stories, struggles to adapt his crime novel into a workable screenplay and maintain his integrity in backstabbing Hollywood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater & Music Theater presents "Love Type Beat" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University will present Love Type Beat, a partly immersive new play conceived and directed by Princeton seniors Nica Evans and Tanéyah Jolly. The work explores Black women and femmes' relationships with different types of love through a series of vignettes, some of which invite audience interaction and participation. Performances are on February 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 at 8:00pm in the Wallace Theater at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus. The show is free and open to the public, however due to the immersive nature of the show attendance at each performance is limited to 30 and advance tickets are required through University Ticketing.
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.
Thursday, February 15
7:30pm - National Theatre: Broadcast in HD - Romeo and Juliet at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
8:00pm - Menopause the Musical 2: Cruising Through 'The Change' (R) at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Friday, February 16
7:30pm - Rabbit Hole at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
8:00pm - Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Be More Chill" at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
8:00pm - Hilarious Whodunit Coming to CDC Theatre in Cranford at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Saturday, February 17
3:00pm - Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Be More Chill" at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
4:00pm - "Carmela Full of Wishes" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
7:30pm - Rabbit Hole at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
8:00pm - Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Be More Chill" at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
8:00pm - Hilarious Whodunit Coming to CDC Theatre in Cranford at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Sunday, February 18
2:00pm - Hilarious Whodunit Coming to CDC Theatre in Cranford at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
2:00pm - "Carmela Full of Wishes" at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
2:00pm - Rabbit Hole at Grunin Center, 1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
3:00pm - Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Be More Chill" at Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E Broad Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
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.
Vivid Stage presents "Gone Missing" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage presents Gone Missing from February 22 through March 3, 2024 at the Oakes Center in Summit. Featuring a Book by Steve Cosson and Music and Lyrics by Michael Friedman, this is a wry and whimsical documentary musical of loss devised from interviews with real-life New Yorkers by The Civilians, the acclaimed New York-based company.
Pushcart Players to present "Lift Every Voice: A Letter to the Editor" at The Levoy Theatre (MILLVILLE, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, New Jersey's Emmy-nominated and award-winning touring theatre for family audiences, will present "Lift Every Voice: A Letter to the Editor" on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the The Levoy Theatre in Millville. Founded in 1974, Pushcart is celebrating 50 years of stirring up serious fun for young people nationwide.
The Summit Playhouse presents "Agnes of God" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents Agnes of God by John Pielmeier. The production runs during the weekends from February 23- through March 9, 2024, at The Summit Playhouse. Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, must assess the sanity of a novice accused of murdering her newborn.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Misery" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Misery by William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King. The show runs from February 24 through March 3, 2024. Made popular by the Kathy Bates, James Caan film, Misery becomes stranger than fiction when an acclaimed romance novelist wakes up in the home of his "Number One Fan."
NJRep presents the World Premiere of "ESSPY" (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRep) will kick off its 27th season with the world premiere of Nandia Shenoy's ESSPY, directed by Peter J. Kuo, beginning February 22, with its opening night on February 24 and running through March 17, 2024. ESSPY is a comic-drama about a young medical student embarking on a journey he never expected.
RVCC Holocaust Institute presents a Staged Reading of Play Based on Experiences of Anne Frank, Martin Luther King, Jr. (BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Raritan Valley Community College will present a staged performance of Letters from Anne and Martin, Monday, February 26 at 10:00am. The event, which is free of charge and open to the public, will be held in the Nash Theatre at the College's Branchburg campus. The performance may be attended in-person or watched virtually.
George Street Playhouse presents the World Premiere of "The Club" - (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Everyone wants to belong to the club, but what will it cost you? That's the question in The Club by Chris Bohjalian, which is being presented by George Street Playhouse from February 27 to March 17, 2024. The Club is rich with biting wit and startling twists as it explores racism, marriage, and the lies we tell ourselves daily. And though the play is set in 1968, it's eerily timely.
Black Box PAC presents a Staged Reading of "Everything In The Garden" (TEANECK, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box PAC presents 1963's Everything In The Garden on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall. From the masterworks to the rarely seen, this curated monthly series began in May 2023 and has presented staged readings of works such as The Sandbox, The American Dream, Finding The Sun, The Man Who Had Three Arms, Malcolm, Counting the Ways, Listening, Fragments (A Sit-Around), The Play About The Baby, and The Lady From Dubuque. Admission is free.
Chatham Players presents "The Beauty Queen of Leenane" (CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players presents the gloriously funny; wickedly amusing play, The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh from March 1-16, 2024 at The Chatham Playhouse. Set in the mountains of Connemara, County Galway, this play tells the darkly comic tale of Maureen Folan, a plain and lonely woman in her early forties, and Mag, her manipulative aging mother, whose interference in Maureen’s first and possibly final chance of a loving relationship sets in motion a train of events that leads inexorably towards the play’s terrifying dénouement.
