Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/05/2025
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- In response to the body blows pummeling arts organizations nationwide, The Theater Project will deliver a one-two punch with the premier New Jersey production of And in This Corner... Cassius Clay, the centerpiece of its thirty-first summer season. Idris Goodwin's 2016 award-winning drama will run August 14–24, 2025 at the Oakes Center.
And in This Corner... Cassius Clay explores the early life and struggles of the boxer who became Muhammad Ali, the first athlete to be called the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Goodwin wrote the play on commission from Stage One Family Theater in Louisville, Kentucky, in partnership with the Muhammad Ali Center. The Theater Project had been awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for this production, which was subsequently withdrawn.
“Our 2025 summer season comes during a turbulent time for not-for-profit arts organizations,” said Mark Spina, The Theater Project’s artistic director. “Sadly, many theater companies across the country are canceling productions, a few are canceling seasons, and some have closed their doors. The Theater Project is determined to continue building on what we’ve been doing for decades: serving as mentors for aspiring playwrights and actors; conducting workshops; staging productions of new and exciting plays; and presenting staged readings of new work, where audiences have the opportunity to engage the playwrights in conversation.”
Lambert Tamin plays the young Muhammad Ali, photo by Idris Goodwin
Performances take place Thursday, August 14 & 21 at 10:00am; Friday/Saturday, August 15-16 & August 22-23 at 7:30pm; Sunday, August 17 & 24 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. An audio-description will be available on Friday, August 22 for low vision patrons. The Oakes Center is located at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, New Jersey.
Lambert Tamin, a graduate of The Juilliard School and a Theater Project veteran, will appear in the title role. Tamin’s theatrical credits include Greek tragedy, Shakespeare, and cabaret. In addition, he has appeared on television and in independent films. Also in the cast: Emily Bonaria, Ethan Buchanan, Judah Gray, Gary Martins, Yinka Olagbegi. Ron Richardson, and Daaimah Talley.
Two additional shows round out the summer calendar: Kaleidoscope Kabaret and Broadway Jukebox.
Broadway Jukebox, featuring Alumni of Theater Project Jr., all young adults, will reunite to perform scenes and numbers from celebrated musicals. June 28–29 at The Jardine Academy (61 Myrtle Street) in Cranford.
Kaleidoscope Kabaret, an annual festival of songs and short plays from The Theater Company’s Playwriting Workshop and Young Playwrights Competition takes place August 1–3 at Oakes Center Theater. Following each performance, audience members will be able to engage in conversation with the Kabaret playwrights.
The Theater Project’s summer season is made possible in part by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Founded in 1994 and based in Union, The Theater Project introduces New Jersey audiences to new plays and supports rising playwrights and theater artists. It develops new audiences for theater by service to the community, providing programs for children, and using theater as a forum to address current issues.
The Theater Project was founded in 1994. Under the leadership of Mark Spina, Artistic Director, we have provided well-rounded programs on a relatively small budget to audiences who relish and seek out stimulating, new theater.
Providing a forum to express ideas that spark the imagination, and challenge the mind is what we strive to do. Encouraging our audiences to think beyond the status quo and elevate the discourses around important contemporary issues is germane to their purpose.
Most importantly, our audience is willing to take a chance on a title or author they have never encountered before, knowing they will be engaged, challenged and entertained.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Cape May Stage presents a Staged Reading of "Appendage" by Derek Murphy
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a staged reading of Appendage by Derek Murphy on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. A darkly comic and psychologically sharp two-hander, Appendage by Derek Murphy explores grief, masculinity, and the messy ways we cope with loss. Admission is free.
South Camden Theatre Company's New Play Reading Series presents a reading of "The Ocean Deep" by Katherine Vondy
(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company's New Play Reading Series presents a reading of The Ocean Deep by Katherine Vondy on Monday, August 10, 2026. Admission is free with live music at 6:00pm and the reading & discussion at 7:00pm.
Gateway Playhouse to Hold Open Auditions for "9 to 5: The Musical"
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse of Somers Point is holding open auditions for their third MainStage production of the year, the incredibly fun 9 to 5: The Musical. Auditions will take place from 6:00pm-8:00pm Monday and Tuesday, August 10 and 11, 2026. All roles are open and any performance experience is welcomed (must be 16 or older).
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park to Host Auditions for "Curious George: The Golden Meatball" on August 12th
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park is holding auditions for its fall 2026 children's production of Curious George: The Golden Meatball on Wednesday, August 12, at 6:00pm at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre located inside Roosevelt Park in Edison. Everyone's favorite mischievous monkey and his friend in the yellow hat sing and dance up a storm in this adventure-filled musical.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Alice By Heart"
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Alice By Heart with three performances from August 12-13, 2026. From the Tony and Grammy Award-winning creators of Spring Awakening (Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik) and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress) this is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Chimera Productions presents "Job" at Paul Robeson Center for the Arts
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- New Jersey-based theater company Chimera Productions will present its 17th production, Job by Max Wolf Friedlich, from August 13-15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. The play, presented in the intimate 60-seat theater inside Princeton's Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, is a psychological thriller that offers a sharp, darkly funny, and unsettling examination of our addiction to work, the internet, the cost of modern life, and what we're willing to sacrifice to belong.
Masquerade Theatre presents "Myths, Legends & Folklore Showcase"
(RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents Myths, Legends & Folklore Showcase with performances on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 8:00pm each night.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical"
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical across two weekends from August 8-16, 2026. Bold, revolutionary, and electrifying, Hair captures the spirit of a generation and stands as the ultimate celebration of the 1960s.
Asbury Park Theater Company to Hold Open Auditions for "The Wolves" by Sarah DeLappe
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Park Theater Company (APTCo) has announced that its first mainstage production under newly appointed Producing Artistic Director Nate Patten will be The Wolves, Sarah DeLappe's Pulitzer Prize finalist play that has captivated audiences across the country with its sharp wit, emotional honesty, and unforgettable portrait of young women finding their voices.
Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along"
(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios Community Theatre, a nonprofit theatre organization serving Central New Jersey, announces its upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The production will close the company's 2025-26 season, themed "Our Time," with five performances at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Auditorium in Metuchen, NJ from August 20-23, 2026.
FEATURED EVENTS
