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The Growing Stage Announces 2024-2025 Main Stage Season - "Pure Imagination"

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 08/18/2024


(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is thrilled to present their 43rd Season, "Pure Imagination."  In addition to a full slate of shows, they have educational programming for young people grades Pre-K through High School and special events announced throughout the season.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - October 11-27, 2024. Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) and a book by David Greig. The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory, but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka's army of curious Oompa-Loompas. 

Music by Marc Shaiman; Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman; Book by David Greig; Songs from the Motion Picture by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley; Based on the novel by Roald Dahl



Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ - December 6-22, 2024. Based on the animated television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage with scenic/puppet designs by Brandon Kirkham. Script Adaptation by Robert Penola; Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ features all of your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. It’s an adventure that teaches us that what makes you different can be what makes you special.

Catching The Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream - February 14-March 2, 2025. Catching the Moon tells the spirited story of the Black girl who grew up to become "Toni Stone," the first woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team.

With the crack of a bat, Marcenia Lyle rounds the bases with ease and slides into home. It's the ballfield she knows and loves best. So, when famous baseball manager Gabby Street comes scouting players for summer camp, Marcenia steps up to the plate to compete. She's determined to pursue her passion and defy the naysayers who discourage her from following her dream because she's a girl.

Book and Lyrics by Nichole Jackson; Music and Lyrics by Tyrone L. Robinson; Adapted from the book by Crystal Hubbard.



Her Beautiful Sound - March 28-April 6, 2025; Written by Cris Eli Blak; World Premiere New Play. Her Beautiful Sound is a story about a family, a family dealing with loss and how to find the music to keep on going. It is a family of three women who hold each other up, see each other, and remind each other of the power that lives within their spirits. The overall message of the show is your voice matters, your story matters, and using creativity - whether it be hip hop, poetry, dance, or whatever you choose - can help you heal and can help you realize your strength, and the strength of those around you.



Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical - May 2-23, 2025. Based on the beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is filled with adventure, song and dancing laundry and an instant children's classic! Six-time Emmy Award winner, Mo Willems, teams up with Grammy Award-winning composer, Michael Silversher, to create this heart-warming and hilarious musical.



Season Subscriptions ON SALE: Season subscriptions are currently on sale. All subscriptions offer a 20% discount off of regular ticket prices plus benefits including: choice of shows and performances, reserved seating, 10% off additional tickets, unlimited ticket exchanges and no individual ticket fees charged on packages.  Please visit their website at www.growingstage.com or call their Box Office at (973) 347-4946 to purchase subscriptions. Group Rates are available for each production. Performances take place in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey

The Growing Stage-The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey is a non-profit professional performing arts center dedicated to theatre for young audiences. Through their programming they provide opportunities for all to learn and grow through participation in the arts.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company continues its Cabaret Series with Dream On! on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. Curated by Connor Twigg, this event features regional artists singing songs from their dream roles.
Liberty Arts Theatre presents "The America 250 USO Tour" featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Jefferson with music, dance, comedy and after party!

Liberty Arts Theatre presents "The America 250 USO Tour" featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Jefferson with music, dance, comedy and after party!

(LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre will keep us all rockin' in the free world with the high-octane celebration America 250 USO Tour - where Vaudeville meets American history – featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson to George Patton, a live orchestra, song-and-dance numbers and comedy sketches. The America 250 USO Tour will march into the American Legion Post #1 (399 Broad Street) in Leonia on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Classic American Tales honors the 250th with "Margaret

Classic American Tales honors the 250th with "Margaret's Diary During a Revolution"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- "Before we retired to bed, an attempt was made to teach the children to pronounce 'vegates,' (how do you do?) like a German. Our good neighbors are a little concerned to think there is not one in the neighborhood who will be able to interpret for us when the Hessians are quartered here," wrote Margaret Morris in her diary on December 21, 1776.
American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Spotlight on NJ: Play Reading Event

American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Spotlight on NJ: Play Reading Event

(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), in partnership with the Union Arts Center, will present a three-day Spotlight play reading event featuring works by New Jersey playwrights at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center from July 6-8, 2026 with performances at 7:00pm each night.

Live On Stage Productions presents "Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert" at Cape May Stage

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Live On Stage Productions presents Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert at Cape May Stage from July 4-10, 2026. This show celebrates the remarkable bond between Ethel Merman and Mary Martin — two of Broadway’s brightest stars.

Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "London Suite"

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.

The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system. 
Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"

Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"

(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Misfits Theatre Co., a community theater organization dedicated to producing bold, entertaining, and accessible theater for audiences of all ages, presents its inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me at Matawan Regional High School from July 10-12, 2026.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art

(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center invites audiences to experience Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility in a charming outdoor production this summer at duCret Center of Art in Plainfield. Performances take place July 10-12, 2026.

Howell PAL Theater Company presents "Grease"

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Howell PAL Theater Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from July 10-12, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Vivid Summer Solos: "Fair Stage" by Megan Gogerty

Wednesday, July 08, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ


My Fair Lady

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


Shrek: The Musical

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


My Fair Lady

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ



 

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