Here are previews of plays taking place from May 6-12, 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.
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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.
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. Click here for a feature on the production.
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.
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.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents "Rock of Ages" (DEAL PARK, NJ) -- The five-time Tony Award-nominated musical Rock of Ages storms into the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park, NJ for a limited two-week run from May 2-18, 2025 and brings along with it plenty of hairspray, spandex and glam rock! This jukebox musical celebrating the best of '80s rock, helmed by Emmy-nominated director and choreographer Lisa Stevens, features tunes from the likes of Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more!
Wednesdays in May: Meet the Artist New Play Readings by Vivid Stage at the Summit Community Center (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage will present its annual Meet the Artist new play reading series on Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21 and 28. All readings will take place at the Summit Community Center (100 Morris Avenue) at 7:00pm. This year's readings include works by Joe Sutton, Nick Gandiello, David Lee White, and Laura Ekstrand.
McCarter Theatre presents "Primary Trust" - 2024 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center concludes its 2024–2025 season with Primary Trust, the tender and widely acclaimed play by Eboni Booth, winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Directed by Timothy Douglas, the production runs May 8–25, 2025. A co-production with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, this moving new work offers a heartfelt close to the season.
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. Click here for a feature on the production.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Masquerade Theatre presents "Once" (RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents Once across three weekends from April 25 through May 11, 2025. On the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story.
The Road Company presents "Hairspray" (WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents Hairspray from April 24 through May 10, 2025. You can’t stop the beat in this big and bold musical about one girl's inspiring dream to dance.
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.
Garden State New Play Festival to Take Place in Jersey City (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center and The New Jersey Play Lab present the inaugural Garden State New Play Festival from May 1-4 and May 8-11, 2025 at White Eagle Hall and Five Corners Library Theatre. This groundbreaking festival offers a reimagined model for new play development—one rooted in community, advocacy, and artistic equity.
Burlington County Footlighters presents "Fiddler on the Roof" (CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- Burlington County Footlighters presents Fiddler on the Roof across three weekends from May 2-17, 2025. The classic musical is set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.
The Village Playbox presents "Man of La Mancha" (HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Village Playbox presents Man of La Mancha weekends from May 2-17, 2025. This is one of the world's most popular musicals. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' 17th-century masterwork Don Quixote, it is set during the Spanish Inquisition.
Chatham Players presents "Home, I'm Darling" (CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players presents Home, I'm Darling weekends from May 2-17, 2025. Every marriage needs a little fantasy to keep it sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, being a domestic goddess isn't as easy as it looks... This is Laura Wade's dark comedy about sex, cake and the quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife.
Somerset Valley Players presents "The Girl on the Train" (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ) -- Somerset Valley Players presents The Girl on the Train weekends from May 2-18, 2025. In this play by Rachel Wagstaff, Duncan Abel, and Paula Hawkins, Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears...
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.
Westfield Community Players presents "Steel Magnolias" (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players presents Steel Magnolias across three weekends from May 3-17, 2025. In this popular comedy-drama by Robert Harling, the local ladies meet each week for appointments at the Louisiana beauty salon run by Truvy Jones.
Haddonfield Plays and Players presents "Godspell" (HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Haddonfield Plays and Players presents Godspell from May 9-24, 2025. Godspell is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John-Michael Tebelak. The show is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with music mostly set to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ appearing briefly near the end.
For the Whim Productions presents "Sense & Sensibility" (BRIDGETON, NJ) -- For the Whim Productions presents Sense & Sensibility weekends from May 9-17, 2025. Jane Austen's classic novel is brought to life in Kate Hamill's brilliantly funny, fast-paced stage adaptation, which utilizes a chorus of lively Gossips to enhance the sense of a socially stifling world, and encourages inventive choreography, bold characterization, and creative doubling to produce a fresh take on a well-beloved story.
Music Mountain Theatre presents the iconic Broadway musical "Pippin" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love, and war in "Pippin," the iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece by composer Stephen Schwartz, playwright Roger O. Hirson, and director-choreographer Bob Fosse. Music Mountain Theatre presents 12 performances of this classic musical from May 9-25, 2025.
"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.
Roxbury Arts Alliance presents "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" (ROXBURY, NJ) -- Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship in the Roxbury Arts Alliance's production of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, running May 10-18, 2025.
Unravel a Mystery with 'Sherlock Holmes' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch (BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- A young woman meets an untimely end just before her sister's wedding. The bride-to-be has an uneasy feeling that she knows the culprit. Time to call the world's greatest detective! Don't miss award-winning actor Neill Hartley's solo performance Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Showtime is 6:30pm.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Meet the Artist: New Play Reading - "A Way of Life" by Joe Sutton at Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue, Summit
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Rock Of Ages at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park
Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Rock Of Ages at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park
Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Thursday, May 8, 2025 @ 7:30pm - Primary Trust at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 7:00pm - The Shining Stars- Broadway and Beyond! at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Rock Of Ages at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 7:30pm - Primary Trust at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 8:00pm - 1776 at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 8:00pm - "How The Light Gets In" by E. M. Lewis at South Camden Theatre Company, 400 Jasper Street, Camden
Friday, May 9, 2025 @ 8:00pm - New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players: HMS Pinafore at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 2:00pm - 1776 at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Rock Of Ages at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Primary Trust at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 6:00pm - bergenPAC Performing Arts School presents Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Rock Of Ages at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken" at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm - Primary Trust at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 8:00pm - 1776 at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Saturday, May 10, 2025 @ 8:00pm - "How The Light Gets In" by E. M. Lewis at South Camden Theatre Company, 400 Jasper Street, Camden
Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ 2:00pm - "How The Light Gets In" by E. M. Lewis at South Camden Theatre Company, 400 Jasper Street, Camden
Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Primary Trust at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ 3:00pm - 1776 at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ 3:00pm - Rock Of Ages at Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park
Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Midnight at the Masquerade - A Murder Mystery Dinner at Carteret Performing Arts Center, 46 Washington Ave, Carteret
Unravel a Mystery with 'Sherlock Holmes' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch (BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- A young woman meets an untimely end just before her sister's wedding. The bride-to-be has an uneasy feeling that she knows the culprit. Time to call the world's greatest detective! Don't miss award-winning actor Neill Hartley's solo performance Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Showtime is 6:30pm.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to present "The Importance of Being Earnest" (MADISON, NJ) -- After a two-decade-long absence from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe brings Oscar Wilde and his delicious wit back to the Main Stage with one of the playwright's most beloved comedies – The Importance of Being Earnest. The production runs from May 14 – June 1, 2025.
Black Box presents Staged Reading of "Three Tall Women" by Edward Albee (TEANECK, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box presents a staged reading of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women (1991) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Debonair Music Hall. The winner of the 1994 Pulitzer Prize, the play is about a compelling woman more than ninety years old who reflects on her life. The reading is scheduled for 7:30pm.
Arden Theatre Company to Close Out 2024-25 Season with "RENT" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company is thrilled to close out its 2024-25 season with the electrifying Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT. Following its Broadway debut in 1996, where it earned four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical, RENT redefined musical theatre by taking audiences on an unforgettable journey of love, loss, hope, and resilience.
Theater League of Clifton to Hold Auditions for "Murder at the Banquet" (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will hold auditions for its next dinner/theater production, "Murder at the Banquet," on Friday, May 16 from 7:00pm-9:00pm; Sunday, May 18 from 5:00pm-7:00pm; and Monday, May 19, 2025 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Mario's Restaurant (710 Van Houten Avenue) in Clifton, New Jersey.
The Levoy Theatre presents "Beetlejuice, Jr." (MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Beetlejuice, Jr. with four performances from May 16-18, 2025. The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in this frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion picture turned Broadway phenomenon.
Bergen County Players to Host Special Post-Show Talkback with Tony Nominated Actress Beth Fowler (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will host a special post-show talkback with Tony nominated actress Beth Fowler, on Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell. The talkback will take place immediately following the 8:00pm performance of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, now on stage thru June 1. Beth will discuss her successful career from "BCP to Broadway."
American Theater Group to present "Broadway Tales and Tunes" (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Broadway comes to Basking Ridge as American Theater Group (ATG) presents a unique "behind-the-scenes" look at Broadway with veteran theater critic Peter Filichia at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge on May 17-18, 2025.
Vivid Stage Offers Sample Class Day for Vivid Dreamers Summer Theatre Camp (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage is offering a Sample Class Day for its Vivid Dreamers summer theatre program for students entering grades 4 through 10. The free Sample Class Day is Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 1:00pm-2:30pm at the Oakes Center in Summit, and registration is required. Vivid Dreamers is a program that celebrates the unique creativity of each individual student, and helps them to develop their own voice and personal expression.
The Theater Project to Present Reading of "Intake: Heaven" by Sheila Duane (CRANFORD, NJ) -- Even Paradise has support staff, according to Intake: Heaven, Sheila Duane's comedy about the afterlife's processing department, which will have its first public presentation as part of The Theater Project's 2025 New Play Reading Series. The reading takes place Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Cranford Community Center. The reading is scheduled for 2:00pm.
Pushcart Players to Celebrate 50 Years of Inspiring Young Audiences Nationwide (VERONA, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, New Jersey's award-winning professional touring theater company for young audiences, joyfully announces its "50th Anniversary Garden Party" - a landmark celebration of five decades of storytelling, education, and imagination. The event takes place on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 3:00pm.
Classic Radio Road Show to presents A Pair Of Old Time Radio Detective Stories (SHREWSBURY, NJ) -- Classic Radio Road Show will present "The Adventures of Philip Marlowe - The Medium Was Rare" and "The Adventures of the Thin Man - The Case of the Goofy Groom", a pair of old time radio detective stories. A live show will take place on May 22, 2025 at the Eastern Branch of Monmouth County Library (1001 Route 35) in Shrewsbury. Showtime is 7:00pm.
East Lynne Theater Company to Host its Annual "Spring Soiree" at New Venue (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May's award-winning, Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company will host its annual "Spring Soiree" fundraiser on Sunday, May 25, 2025 as a kick off to the theater company's 45th Season, which they have themed "The Story Continues." The limited-ticket event will provide guests with an extra-special treat: the opportunity to be among the first to witness East Lynne's new home–the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME Church.
2025 Next Step Festival to Take Place May 27 through June 8 (NEW YORK, NY) -- The 2025 Next Step Festival launches this spring at the Gural Theater (502 W 53rd St, NYC) with a weeklong lineup of boundary-pushing performances designed to spotlight emerging artists and urgent contemporary storytelling. Produced as a collaboration, this year’s festival offers a dynamic platform for theatrical innovation, social dialogue, and unfiltered creative expression.
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