(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage, the Children's Theatre of New Jersey, has announced their 2025-26 Season. Their 44th season will include productions of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale, Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery, and Nate the Great Musical.

October 10-26, 2025 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Book by Kevin Del Aguila; Music & Lyrics by Michale Mahler & Alan Schmuckler; Based on the book series by Jeff Kinney.

Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way.

Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.

*This production is not available for School Field Trips.

December 5-21, 2025 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Script Adaptation by Robert Penola; Music and Lyrics by Johnny Marks. Based on the animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (adapted from a story by Robert L. May and the song by Johnny Marks) and the stage production directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage with scenic/puppet by Brandon Kirkham.

The holiday classic soars off the screen and lands back on the TGS stage in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special. Filled with holiday hits like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” 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.

*This production is not available for School Field Trips.

February 6-15, 2026 - Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale. Book & Lyrics by Karen Zacarias; Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. What will happen to Cinderella at the ball … game? That’s the surprising climactic question in this contemporary Latin-American Cinderella musical, which delightfully turns the classic fairy tale on its head, telling the story from both Cinderella and the “stepsister’s” perspective.

Cinderella, a newcomer from Puerto Rico, comes to visit her “stepsister,” Rosa, in the United States. The catch–Cinderella only speaks Spanish and Rosa only speaks English. Will these two girls be able to reach an understanding at the (basket) ball game? With a fairy godfather and other delightful twists to the original story, Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale crosses language and gender barriers, weaving a subtle lesson on empathy, sportsmanship and respect. Families will be cheering in their seats.

* Now Booking For School Field Trips!

March 6-22, 2026 - Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery.  Adapted for the stage by Suzanne Maynard Miller; Based on the book Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff. This fast-paced comedy introduces us to Ben Franklin and his want-to-be-inventor niece, Sarah, as they travel to France where they use the Scientific Method to test a mystical man’s magical cure-all in Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery.

Audiences will laugh as they engage their minds to solve this mystery, fueled with stories about Ben Franklin’s many scientific discoveries and electrifying inventions.

* Now Booking For School Field Trips!

May 1-17, 2026 - Nate the Great Musical. Book & Lyrics by John Maclay; Music & Lyrics by Brett Ryback; Based on the book by Marjorie Sharmat. Nate the Great, the world’s greatest boy detective awakes, hoping that this day will bring a new case. He gets a call from his good friend Annie alerting him that her new painting of her dog Fang is missing!

He rushes over to her house to investigate. There he searches for clues and interviews her brother Harry who loves red paint and monsters. He also observes (and possibly tangoes) with Fang. By the end he has opened up his mind to new possibilities, found Annie’s painting, found Rosamond’s cat, and maybe even solved the mystery of why music in a minor key makes us sad.

* Now Booking For School Field Trips!

Season Ticket Packages and Group Sales are available now. Performances take place in The Historic Palace Theatre (7 Ledgewood Avenue) in Netcong, New Jersey.

The mission of The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of NJ is to nurture the development of the performing arts through education — and to create, produce and perform works that engage the entire family.

The Growing Stage seeks to be a model of excellence in theatre for young audiences. Therefore, they strive to develop new initiatives through the arts, on both the stage and in the classroom. Above all, they do so to enhance and benefit the lives of their young people.

For instance, the organization will create a professional performing arts center dedicated solely to young people. It will be a resource, in which theatre is the centerpiece. Additionally, it will celebrate the professional artistic disciplines of music, dance, and the visual arts.

In addition, they will encourage the development of new material as well as honor existing works that expand the world for their audiences. Furthermore, they will feature works that celebrate diverse art forms, ideas and cultures. With that in mind, they will utilize the power of art to open discussion, touch hearts, and question accepted notions. In conclusion, they will honor imagination and infuse its power for growth.