New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

"Wit" at Playhouse 22 Looks at Life, Death, Poetry, and Compassion

originally published: 04/23/2025

(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Wit, a drama by Margaret Edson and directed by Ed Faver runs weekends from April 25 - May 4, 2025 at Playhouse 22, as part of the theater's "On the Edge" series. The play centers on Vivian Bearing, a brilliant and seemingly unemotional poetry professor as she undergoes an experimental and extremely aggressive chemotherapy treatment for metastatic Stage IV terminal ovarian cancer.

As Vivian undergoes treatment at the hands of impersonal doctors (including one of her former students), she discovers that human compassion may be more important than intellectual wit. More than a play about cancer, Margaret Edson’s 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama presents a teacher becoming a student of life as she contemplates her possible death.

Wit is part of Playhouse 22's "On the Edge" black box series focused on smaller, little-known shows, transforming the traditional stage into a new theatrical experience with the audience sitting on stage, close to the action unlike anything you have ever seen before at the theater.

The play focuses on a woman with terminal cancer and certain content may be uncomfortable for some guests.

The cast includes Heidi Hart as Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a hard-nosed English professor diagnosed with cancer; with Paul Grote as Harvey Kelekian, M.D., Kascper Stelmaszak as Jason Posner, M.D. Stephanie Bradli as Susie Monahan, R.N. Mary O’Connor-Kelley as E.M. Ashford, Ph. D., and rounding out the cast in a variety of ensemble roles include Zachery Halley, Jeanpaul Isaacs, Jessica Junqua, and Wendy Wilgus.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



The show runs April 25 - May 4, 2025 with performances on Friday and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.  There will be a talk-back session with the cast and crew following the Sunday, April 27 performance.

The theater is conveniently located at the Elliott Taubenslag Theater at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.

Limited general admission tickets are $18, and they must be purchased at Playhouse22.org or over the phone at 732-254-3939.  There are no assigned seats.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.

Photos by Paul Porowski for Playhouse 22




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky


EVENT PREVIEWS

Music

Music Mountain Theatre presents the monster-hit musical "Young Frankenstein"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- From the creators of Broadway's record-breaking musical comedy sensation The Producers comes Young Frankenstein, the monster-hit musical based on the classic film comedy by Mel Brooks. Music Mountain Theatre presents the musical in a limited engagement of 11 weekend performances from June 20 through July 6, 2025.



Surflight

Surflight Theatre presents "9 to 5, The Musical"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is beyond thrilled to be staging the forever timeless 9 to 5, The Musical from June 18 to July 6, 2025. Based on the book by Patricia Resnick and the 1980 film by Colin Higgins, Kelli Barclay directs and choreographs this staged adaptation following three iconic older women who decide to stick it to their boss once pushed to their breaking points.



Raconteur

Raconteur Radio presents Theatrical Adaptation of "The Hobbit" at Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch

(BARNEGAT,NJ) -- Feel like taking a journey through Middle Earth? Raconteur Radio presents a special theatrical presentation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 7:00pm.



Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Love, Loss, & What I Wore"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Love, Loss, & What I Wore from July 5-11, 2025. Based on Ilene Beckerman's bestselling book, this tender and witty play weaves together monologues and ensemble pieces to explore the deep connections between clothing and memory, touching on themes like mothers, prom dresses, bras, purses, and the timeless appeal of black clothing. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.



East

East Lynne Theater Company presents Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning, Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) – now in its 45th year–will present its first show of the company's Mainstage Season, Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise," from June 19 to July 12, 2025 with a special performance to honor Veterans on June 27. The heartwarming love story features Liz Mattera, an East Lynne veteran, as Louise, and New York-based actor Xander Furman as Jack, with Mark Edward Lang (ELTC's "Possessing Harriet") directing and lush period costumes by NYC designer Travis Chinick.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: Where is Everybody?

Wednesday, July 09, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre