This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place May 27 to June 2, 2025

Here are previews of plays taking place from May 27 to June 2, 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.

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.

Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS from May 23 - June 1, 2025. This is a celebration of some of the most treasured works from their archive with contemporary voices of today and new plays that reflect the promise of tomorrow. VANGUARDS features works by Ntozake Shange, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, James Anthony Tyler and Silma Sierra Berrada.

 

Oscar Wilde's Witty Comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest" Comes to The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey  Characterized as a trivial comedy for serious people, "The Importance of Being Earnest" kicks off the 2025 season of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. The production runs from May 14 through June 1, 2025.

MPAC's spring production of "Newsies" features cast of local performers  (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Disney's Newsies, MPAC's spring production, will feature a cast of over 50 young performers from Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Essex and other surrounding counties. Newsies takes the MPAC stage for five performances, Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1, 2025.

bergenPAC to Hold 3rd Annual New Jersey High School Musical Awards  (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- For the third consecutive year, bergenPAC's Performing Arts School proudly presents the High School Musical Awards Ceremony. This distinguished event celebrates and showcases the exceptional talents of students and staff involved in musical theater from high schools across New Jersey.

American Theater Group and UCPAC's Play Reading Series presents "The Willows" by Sharyn Rothstein  (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) in partnership with the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), will present the premiere reading of Sharyn Rothstein's new play The Willows as part of its free Play Reading Series on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway. The reading will be directed by Chris O'Connor and begins at 7:00pm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's "Top Hat"  (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's Top Hat from May 28 through June 15, 2025. This uplifting and entertaining romantic comedy, featuring 14 glorious songs by Irving Berlin, celebrates 1930s music and romance with elegance and panache.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's "The Little Mermaid"  (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's The Little Mermaid, from May 29 through June 29, 2025. The beloved musical is the final production of Paper Mill's 2024-2025 season. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright, The Little Mermaid is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements.

Stony Hill Players presents "Grandma Sylvia's Funeral"  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Stony Hill Players presents Grandma Sylvia's Funeral from May 29 through June 1, 2025. This is the same kind of interactive theater experience as Tony N' Tina's Wedding and puts the audience in the center of the action among 21 actors. The production is directed by Peter Curley. The Executive Producer is Jayne Myers.

Gateway Playhouse presents "South Pacific"  (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point opens its first musical of 2025, South Pacific, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The show runs on weekends from May 30 to June 8, 2025.

The Players Guild of Leonia presents "Desperate Measures"  (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents the musical, Desperate Measures weekends from May 30 - June 15, 2025. Imagine Shakespeare's Measure for Measure stripped down (pun intended) to its most fun parts, staged in the old west (Arizona), and set to music. This is a fast-paced comedy that will have the audience laughing from start to finish.

Magnolia Productions presents James Cougar Canfield's "Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII"  (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents the North East United States premiere of James Cougar Canfield's Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII across two weekends from May 30 - June 7, 2025. The play finds the infamous king in a strange afterlife where he is confronted by the six women he married. Truths are revealed, scores are settled, and legacies are challenged.

Theatrical Artist's Prep presents "Oliver! Jr."  (RAHWAY, NJ) -- Theatrical Artist's Prep, a youth performing arts studio in Scotch Plains, returns this spring after the success of Godspell with their production of Lional Bart's classic musical, Oliver! Jr., based on Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. Performances take place May 30-31, 2025 at Hamilton Stage.

Magnolia Productions presents the Northeast US premiere of "Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII"  (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions, a Monmouth County based all-female theater company is presenting the Northeast US premiere of James Cougar Canfield's Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII from May 30-June 6, 2025 at the Navesink Library.

The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents "She Stoops to Conquer"  (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform their adaptation of Oliver Goldsmith's classic madcap comedy She Stoops to Conquer in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge weekends from May 30 to June 8, 2025. The play was first performed in London in 1773. Despite being over 200 years old, the commentary on social classes, tension between generations, and romance are still fresh.

Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind"  (BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- Mainstage Center for the Arts presents Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind by Greg Allen on May 30-31, 2025 in the Little Theater at Lincoln Hall. It's 30 plays in 60 minutes.

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

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Meet the Artist: New Play Reading - "It's You" by Laura Ekstrand at Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue, Summit

Thursday, May 29, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Friday, May 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Friday, May 30, 2025 @ 7:30pm - MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: "Newsies" at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Saturday, May 31, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Saturday, May 31, 2025 @ 2:00pm - MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: "Newsies" at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Saturday, May 31, 2025 @ 7:30pm - MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: "Newsies" at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Saturday, May 31, 2025 @ 8:00am - The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD - Il Barbiere di Siviglia at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch

Sunday, June 1, 2025 @ 12:00pm - MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: "Newsies" at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Sunday, June 1, 2025 @ 3:00pm - Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Sunday, June 1, 2025 @ 5:30pm - MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: "Newsies" at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 7:00pm - bergenPAC's High School Musical Awards at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood

Pig Iron Theatre Company presents World Premiere of "Franklin's Keys" - Sci-Fi Adventure weaving Philly history, science, discovery, and magic  (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Philadelphia- based physical theater company Pig Iron Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Franklin's Key, written by Dan Rothenberg and Robert Quillen Camp. This thrilling, magical, sci-fi theatrical adventure explores Benjamin Franklin's hidden discoveries in a parallel universe and runs from June 3-29, 2025 at Plays & Players Theatre.

American Theater Group and UCPAC's Play Reading Series presents "The Willows" by Sharyn Rothstein  (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) in partnership with the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), will present the premiere reading of Sharyn Rothstein's new play The Willows as part of its free Play Reading Series on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway. The reading will be directed by Chris O'Connor and begins at 7:00pm.

Cape May Stage presents "Vanities"  (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Vanities by Jack Heifner from June 4-29, 2025. This bittersweet comedy is an astute, snapshot-sharp chronicle of the lives of three Texas girls. The production is directed by Roy Steinberg.

Luna Stage presents a new solo adaptation of "The Ground on Which We Stand (abridged)"  (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents a new solo adaptation of The Ground on Which We Stand (abridged) from June 5-21, 2025. The play was inspired by the history and legacy of The James Howe House, the first home owned by a formerly enslaved person in Montclair. The project was conceived and is directed by Ari Laura Keith.

The Ritz Theatre Company presents "Angels In America, Part 2: Perestroika"  (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Angels In America, Part 2: Perestroika as a Black Box Production weekends from June 6-22, 2025. The play by Tony Kushner won the 1994 Tony Award for Best Play. In the second part of Kushner's epic, the plague of AIDS worsens, relationships fall apart as new relationships form, and unexpected friendships take flight.

Philadelphia Theatre Company presents "Small Ball"  (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philadelphia Theatre Company closes out their season with Small Ball from June 6-29, 2025 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Commissioned and co-produced by Daryl Morey, President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, Small Ball is an off-beat and surreal musical about a professional basketball team, a mysterious new recruit, a tiny island nation, and the big questions that bounce between them.

Theater to Go presents "Fiddler On The Roof" at Kelsey Theatre  (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- A beloved musical following a family’s celebration of life and all of its challenges, "Fiddler on the Roof," comes to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage from June 6-15, 2025 on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Presented by Theater To Go, this internationally celebrated musical delivers a profound message of resilience, unity, and hope, making it as relevant today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1964.

Studio Players presents "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon"  (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis across three weekends from June 6-21, 2025. Over two hundred Fairytales in two hours... what could go wrong?

Two River Theater presents "The Price" by Arthur Miller  (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for The Price by Arthur Miller (Death of A Salesman, The Crucible), directed by Brandon J. Dirden (August Wilson's Radio Golf, Wine in the Wilderness). This American Classic will run in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, June 7-29, 2025.

Vanguard Theater presents "Hair"  (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents Hair, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical from June 12-29, 2025. A celebration of the 1960s counterculture, Hair bursts onto the stage in all its barefoot, beaded, and bell-bottomed glory.

Pioneer Productions Company presents Jonathan Larson's enduring masterpiece "RENT"  (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of RENT, the iconic Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson. The performances will run from June 13-22, 2025, at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located in the Morristown United Methodist Church.

Remember Jones stars in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at Bell Theater at Bell Works  (HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the groundbreaking, four-time Tony Award-winning musical, comes to Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ from June 13-29, 2025. Hedwig stars and is co-directed by Jersey Shore soul sensation Remember Jones. The genre-bending, landmark musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask tells the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage.

Nutley Little Theatre presents "For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday"  (NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre presents "For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday" by Sarah Ruhl weekends from June 13-28, 2025. When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, particularly when he used to bring her flowers after her performance.

Obvious Agency presents World Premiere of "Space Opera" - an interactive theatrical experience blending immersive role-playing, live performance, and collaborative storytelling  (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philadelphia-based and worker-owned Obvious Agency premieres its newest production, Space Opera, a "playable theater" and sci-fi/fantasy game for building empowered community. The groundbreaking interactive theatrical experience blending immersive role-playing, live performance, and collaborative storytelling debuts to audiences and participants Saturday, June 14 and continues on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch St, Philadelphia).

EVENT PREVIEWS

The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "High School Musical 2 JR."

(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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 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.

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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.