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This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place April 22-28, 2025

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 04/22/2025


Here are previews of plays taking place from April 22-28, 2025 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.

Send press releases to [email protected] to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

FEATURED EVENTS

Pushcart Players to present Autism-Friendly Performance of "Velveteen Rabbit" at Paper Mill Playhouse  (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, New Jersey's premier touring educational theater company, is proud to present a special Autism-Friendly performance of "Velveteen Rabbit" at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn on April 23, 2025 at 11:00am. This performance is designed to provide an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone, but especially for families with young people on the Autism spectrum, as well as those with other developmental disabilities.




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Ocean County College Repertory Theatre presents "Deathtrap"  (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Prepare for an evening of suspense, wit, and shocking twists when the Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company presents Ira Levin's Deathtrap in the Black Box Theater (Building 11B) at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts from April 25 through May 4, 2025.

 

MPAC presents the Murder Mystery Comedy "CLUE"  (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game and adapted from the fan-favorite film, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, 2025.

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show  (AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show from April 25-27, 2025. In this hilarious audience participation comedy, you will step back in time into a world of Bell Bottoms, Long Hair, Flower Power, & Groovy Tunes.

Vivid Stage to present Gemstones Episode 6  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center (120 Morris Avenue) in Summit, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. Coming up is the sixth episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 6 runs Saturday, April 26 at 8:00pm and Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 2:00pm.

George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" - a comedy about the making of "Jaws"  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents The Shark is Broken, written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon (Spy), from April 29 through May 18, 2025. Directed by Peter Flynn (Fiddler on the Roof), the cast includes Jason Babinsky (Network) as Roy Scheider, Jeffrey M. Bender (A Time to Kill) as Robert Shaw, and Max Wolkowitz (The Sabbath Girl: The Musical) as Richard Dreyfuss.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents "In The Heights" by Lin-Manuel Miranda  (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- The electrifying rhythms of Washington Heights pulse through Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) as Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical, a genre-bending blend of hip-hop, salsa, merengue, and soul, In the Heights, takes the stage March 25 through April 27, 2025. BRT's production is directed by the visionary Carlos Armesto, returning to BRT following his sensory-driven production Odd Man Out in 2023. This season, Armesto brings the beloved hit musical set on the vibrant streets of New York to the stage. BRT co-producers Amy and Ken Kaissar present the first large-scale production since the newly renovated space reopened.

Two River Theater presents "¡VOS!"  (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater's season continues with ¡VOS!, a World Premiere debut by the powerful new voice, Christina Pumariega (Joan Dark), directed by Nicole A. Watson (Jocelyn Bioh's School Girls, Artistic Director of Playwrights Center in Minneapolis) is an exhilarating quest for justice, family and home. Performances will run in the Marion Huber Theater April 5-27, 2025.

NJ Rep presents "Comfort" by Neil LaBute  (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) continues its 28th season with Neil LaBute's Comfort, directed by Evan Bergman. The production runs from April 17 to May 11, 2025, with opening on April 19, 2025, at NJ Rep's intimate theater in Long Branch. The new play follows the complicated, love-hate relationship between a mother and son as they barrel towards the unknown, battling over ownership of a treasured manuscript.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive"  (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive weekends from April 18 through May 4, 2025. The play by Selina Fillinger is about a derogatory comment, a summit gone awry, an anal abscess - it's a bad day at the White House.

Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents "Carrie: The Musical"  (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory will end their 2025 season with Carrie: The Musical from April 24 through May 4, 2025. With book by Lawrence D. Cohen (screenwriter of the classic 1976 film), lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore, Carrie: the Musical, brings Stephen King's novel to the stage.

The Summit Playhouse presents "Fun Home"  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, Jeanine Tesori, and Lisa Kron weekends from April 25 through May 10, 2025. In this groundbreaking and deeply personal musical, Alison Bechdel revisits her past to make sense of her father's secrets and her own journey to self-discovery.

MCCC Theatre and Dance Students present the Musical Comedy "Anything Goes"  (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Get ready to hit the high seas with a cast of zany characters and toe-tapping tunes when the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Academic Theater and Dance program presents the musical comedy "Anything Goes," April 25 to May 4, 2025 at the Kelsey Theatre on the college's West Windsor Campus.

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "West Side Story"  (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents West Side Story weekends from April 25 through May 18, 2025. Step into the streets of New York City and experience the timeless tale of love, rivalry, and passion. From the first notes to the final breath, West Side Story is one of the most memorable musicals and greatest love stories of all time.

LoMotion Live presents "The Devil and Daisy Dirt" - A Garden State Gothic Event  (BOONTON, NJ) -- LoMotion Live presents a brand-new theatrical experience, The Devil and Daisy Dirt, featuring live music, a life-sized puppet, and a deep dive into New Jersey's most intriguing lore. The performance takes place Saturday, April 26, 2025 at The Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Art House Productions presents 2025 INKubator New Play Festival  (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents the 2025 INKubator New Play Festival from April 28 - May 7. This year's playwrights are Phillip Gregory Burke, Sarah Cuneo, Molly Horan, Frank Murdocco, and M. D. Schaffer. Audiences who attend the festival will have the opportunity to participate in conversations with the writers, directors, and actors following each performance. All readings are free to attend, but advanced registration is required.

 

EVENT LISTINGS

Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.

Friday, April 25, 2025 @ 6:00pm - The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show at Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Avenel

Friday, April 25, 2025 @ 7:30pm - Deathtrap at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 6:00pm - The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show at Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Avenel

Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 7:30pm - Deathtrap at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" by Phoebe Farber at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit

Sunday, April 27, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Deathtrap at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Sunday, April 27, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" by Phoebe Farber at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit

Sunday, April 27, 2025 @ 3:00pm - The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show at Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Avenel

COMING SOON

Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to present WREP and 'theater of the imagination'   (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Return to the era when families gathered around the wireless set for "theater of the imagination." The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is pleased to host a live presentation by WREP – When Radio Entertained People on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. The event begins at 7:00pm.

Luna Stage presents "the ripple, the wave that carried me home"  (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents "the ripple, the wave that carried me home" from May 1-25, 2025 on the MainStage. This is a story of racial justice, political legacy and family forgiveness by 2025 Steinberg Playwright Award winner and Tony nominee Christina Anderson.

CDC Theatre presents "Legally Blonde, The Musical"  (CRANFORD, NJ) -- Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage at CDC Theatre in Cranford by pink storm in this fun, upbeat story of self-discovery! CDC Theatre presents Legally Blonde, The Musical weekends from May 2-18, 2025.

South Camden Theatre Company presents "How The Light Gets In" by E.M. Lewis  (CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company celebrates 20 years of professional theatre in Camden with the regional premiere of How The Light Gets In by E.M. Lewis weekends from May 2-18, 2025. The play is about a travel writer who never travels. A Japanese architect who can't figure out how to build a simple tea house. A gifted tattoo artist who resists the power of his talents. And a homeless girl who lives under a weeping willow tree in the Japanese Garden.

E. M. Lewis Talks Life Updates and Inspirations as 'How The Light Gets In' Arrives at South Camden Theatre Company  Several years ago, I talked with playwright/teacher/librettist E.M Lewis when her play "Apple Season" was a 2019 selection for the National New Play Network's Rolling World Premier program. According to the NPNN website, "each Rolling World Premiere supports partnerships between three NNPN Member Theaters and a playwright as they work together to develop and produce three distinct productions of a previously unproduced play."

The Mo Willems Classic, "Knuffle Bunny" Arrives At The Growing Stage  (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is thrilled to present, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical weekends from May 2-18, 2025. Based on the book by Mo Willems and published by Hyperion Books for Children, the musical features a script and lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Michael Silversher. It tells the story of Trixie, her father and her favorite stuffed bunny as they set off on a trip to the Laundromat.

Bergen County Players presents "A Little Night Music" by Stephen Sondheim  (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will close its 92nd season with Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning A Little Night Music at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from May 3 through June 1, 2025. With music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, lovers reunite, passions reignite, and new romances blossom in 1900s Sweden.

Youth Performers Take Flight in ShowKids Invitational Theatre's "Mary Poppins"  (GLEN GARDNER, NJ) -- ShowKids Invitational Theatre (SKIT) brings the magic of Disney's "Mary Poppins" to the stage this May, featuring a double cast of talented young performers ages 7-18 at Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner. The production includes six performances between May 3-11, 2025 with special aerial effects allowing the iconic nanny to truly take flight.

Roy's Hall presents The Devil and Daisy Dirt - A Garden State Gothic Event  (BLAIRSTOWN, NJ) -- The Devil and Daisy Dirt - A Garden State Gothic Event comes to Roy's Hall on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 8:00pm. This production features live music, a life-sized puppet, and takes a deep dive into New Jersey's most intriguing lore. The cast includes Alex Dawson, Dan Diana, Arlan Feiles, and Jackie Fogel. This is one show you won't want to miss!

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "1776"  (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents its May musical, 1776. The show will run eight performances May 9-18, 2025. Witness the birth of a nation in 1776: a revolutionary musical experience! Join John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and other iconic figures as they draft the Declaration of Independence.

"Bette Davis Ain't For Sissies" premieres at The Puffin Cultural Forum in May  (TEANECK, NJ) -- Direct from its critically acclaimed off-Broadway run, Bette Davis Ain't for Sissies will have its Bergen County premiere at Puffin Cultural Forum with a special live talk-back following the performance on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:00pm.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents High School Musical 2 JR. on June 4-5, 2026 in the Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater. The Wildcats are back for an unforgettable summer at Lava Springs Country Club!
Mile Square Theatre presents "7th Inning Stretch" with a twist

Mile Square Theatre presents "7th Inning Stretch" with a twist

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's beloved annual fundraiser, 7th Inning Stretch, returns with a new look for this year inspired by the World Cup coming to New Jersey. This year’s edition takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and trades baseball for soccer, featuring seven original short plays celebrating the passion, humor, intensity, and culture of the game.

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "A Century on Stage: 100 Years in the Making"

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents A Century on Stage: 100 Years in the Making from June 5-7, 2026. Join them for a once-in-a-century theatrical event as they celebrate 100 years of music, memories, and moments that have shaped The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Broadway in New York City, and American culture itself.
Premiere Stages at Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists for 2026 Play Festival

Premiere Stages at Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists for 2026 Play Festival

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has announced the 2026 Premiere Play Festival Semi-Finalists. The Play Festival panel and literary staff reviewed 894 submissions, an increase of 89 submissions from the previous year, before choosing the 65 Semi-Finalists. An eclectic mix of plays, the Semi-Finalists explore a wide range of topics in a variety of genres.
Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Maurer Productions OnStage and the newly formed Maurer TheaterWorks have announced a special co-production partnership — in association with Kelsey Theatre — for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn. The ensemble comedy, written and directed by Dan Maurer, will hold open auditions on June 6-7, 2026.
Bergen County Players to present "Kodachrome"

Bergen County Players to present "Kodachrome"

​​​​​​​(ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) will conclude its 93rd season with Kodachrome, a delightful and deeply moving one-act comedy by Adam Szymkowicz. Running as part of BCP's Second Stage for three exclusive performances on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary magic within ordinary lives.
Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the nominations for adjudicated production categories of the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in New Jersey High School Musical Theater. Often referred to as New Jersey's version of the Tony Awards for high school musical theater, the Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in performance, direction, design, choreography, music direction, and overall production.
Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th

Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.

Chatham Players presents "Things I Know to Be True"

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players presents Things I Know to Be True by Andrew Bovell across two weekends from June 5-14, 2026 as part of their Black Box series. In the play, Bob and Fran Price have worked their fingers to the bone, and with their four children grown and ready to fly the nest, it might be time to relax and enjoy the roses. But, as each season brings changes, it becomes clear that life never works out as planned.
Jackson Arts Ministry presents "Seussical Jr." and "Les Misérables School Edition"

Jackson Arts Ministry presents "Seussical Jr." and "Les Misérables School Edition"

​​​​​​​(JACKSON, NJ) -- This June, audiences are invited to experience two unforgettable musical productions as Jackson Arts Ministry (JAM) transforms their outdoor stage into a celebration of music, storytelling, and student talent with performances of Seussical Jr. from June 6-7 and Les Misérables School Edition from June 11-14, 2026.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage


Crossroads Theatre Company presents "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead"

Wednesday, June 03, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


Crossroads Theatre Company presents "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead"

Thursday, June 04, 2026 @ 11:00am
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


Crossroads Theatre Company presents "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead"

Thursday, June 04, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


NYC Musical Marathon & Jack Dallas presents "Uncle Bob & Bridal Whites" and "Romancing..."

Thursday, June 04, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Divinity Hall @ Centennial AME Zion Church
Closter, NJ


Crossroads Theatre Company presents "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead"

Friday, June 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ



 

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