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This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place July 1-7, 2025

originally published: 07/01/2025

Here are previews of plays taking place from July 1-7, 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, Coming Soon.

Send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com 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.

FEATURED EVENTS

Vivid Stage presents Summer Solos 2025  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage presents Summer Solos - their annual weekly reading series - Wednesdays throughout July on the lawn of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. The series will include works by Kevin Daly, Elizabeth Strout, Megan Gogerty, and Eric Coble.

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ presents "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]"  (MADISON, NJ) -- Starting as an act at Renaissance festivals, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] was designed by playwrights Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield to draw audiences back to the Bard's original texts. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present this play at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from July 9–27, 2025 for the first time in nearly a decade-long hiatus.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

Classic American Tales presents "Tales at the Dormer House"  (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- From June 12 through October 16, 2025, Classic American Tales (CAT) once more presents "Tales at the Dormer House" in which guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories by American authors. The schedule is 4:00pm every Thursday at the historic Dormer House Bed and Breakfast (800 Columbia Avenue) in Cape May. Performances are on the front porch, weather permitting. Otherwise, they will be inside. Cost is only $12.00, cash at the door, and guests at The Dormer House and children ages 12 and under are free.

Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park Unveils Lineup for 2025 Summer Season  (EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park returns this summer to the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre located at Roosevelt Park, presenting three popular Broadway musicals: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Rent, and Grease.

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.

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.

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.

"Heathers, the Musical" returns to NYC this summer  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Producers Bill Kenwright LTD., Paul Taylor-Mills and Jerry Goehring are pleased to announce that after smash hit runs in London and on tour throughout the UK, a new production of Heathers the Musical will make its eagerly awaited return to New York City in June.




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"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" Returns to NYC for an Off-Broadway Run at The Gene Frankel Theatre  (NEW YORK, NY) -- After a critically acclaimed run in 2022, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance returns to The Gene Frankel Theatre for a limited Off- Broadway run. Thomas R. Gordon, Artistic Director of The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company, directs the production. The revival runs June 26 to July 26, 2025.

Original 'RENT' Cast Member and Obie Award-winner Anthony Rapp to Teach Master Class at Gateway Playhouse  (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Somers Point's Gateway Playhouse is thrilled to announce that original Broadway cast member of the international hit, Jonathan Larson's "RENT," and Obie Award-winner, Anthony Rapp, will teach a master class to the all-teenage cast of "RENT: School Edition" on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, as part of the Gateway to the Arts program. The class runs from 9:00am to noon.

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" in Metuchen and Plainfield  (METUCHEN, NJ) -- Not long after a revival of Thornton Wilder's play Our Town closed on Broadway, New Jersey audiences will have the chance to see the classic drama close to home. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic play in both Metuchen and Plainfield in July. Directed by Dragonfly's Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux, Our Town invites audiences into the heart of small-town America through the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.

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.

COMING SOON

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.

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ presents "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]"  (MADISON, NJ) -- Starting as an act at Renaissance festivals, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] was designed by playwrights Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield to draw audiences back to the Bard's original texts. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present this play at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from July 9–27, 2025 for the first time in nearly a decade-long hiatus.

Centenary Stage presents Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville  (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Featuring a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, this play combines tropical vibes and feel-good humor with a collection of the singer-songwriter’s most beloved hits.

OCC Repertory Theatre Company presents "A Broadway Tour of America"  (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company will present "A Broadway Tour of America" July 10-13 and July 19-20, 2025 in the Black Box Theatre at the Grunin Center for the Arts. The show takes audiences on an unforgettable cross-country adventure, celebrating America's cultural landmarks through the magic of musical theater.

Gateway Playhouse to Showcase a Weekend full of One Acts  (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse will host "Party of One (Acts)" from July 11-13, 2025. The one-act plays are a series of vignettes taken from Tracy Wells' A Trip to the Moon, with each story set during the Summer of '69, specifically around the moon landing.




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The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"  (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the unstoppably joyous musical, Hairspray, over two weekends, July 11–20, 2025. Directed by Victoria Keiser, with musical direction by Lauryn Boyle and choreography by Samantha Amaral, the award-winning Broadway musical promises a fun-filled evening of laughter, energy and unforgettable dance numbers.

Speranza Theatre Company presents "Princess Pals"  (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company, joined by students from Speranza Studio's Summer Acting Intensive, presents its summer stage production, Princess Pals, from July 11-19, 2025 outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City History at The Apple Tree House. Written and directed by Nick Radu-Blackburn. Happily Ever was just the beginning... turns out "after" isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Bored after their fairy tale endings, princess-frenemies embark on a mischievous adventure. Can they put their differences aside to save their kingdoms, all while dealing with an unexpected twist?

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents the Timeless Musical, "The Wizard of Oz"  (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is thrilled to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz, running from July 12-27, 2025. Step into the magical world of Oz featuring all the beloved moments and iconic songs of the classic MGM film.

Light Opera of New Jersey presents "The Pirates of Penzance"  (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey presents The Pirates of Penzance at the Sieminski Theater July 12-13, 2025. They have assembled a brilliant cast ready to bring you a sensitive-yet-duty-bound pirate apprentice, a gaggle of gloriously melodramatic daughters, a Major-General who can out-patter anyone, and a police force whose bravery is inversely proportional to the size of their mustaches.

Players Guild of Leonia to Hold Auditions for "Where The Time Goes"  (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for Where The Time Goes on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm each night at their theater. This is a World Premiere musical featuring the iconic songs of The Baby Boomer Generation.

NJ Playwright Duo to Receive NYC Premiere of New Historical Satire, "Sacco & Vanzetti are Dead"  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Wayne natives Joey DeFilippis and Matthew Ferrara take to the page and stage with their latest endeavor: a satirical retelling of the historic trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, two Italian immigrants caught in the web of prejudice and political persecution during America's first "Red Scare". Sacco & Vanzetti are Dead will receive its New York City premiere this July at The American Theatre of Actors. DeFilippis and Ferrara conceived and wrote the play, and will also star as the titular characters.

Premiere Stages presents "The Mallard" by Vincent Delaney  (UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University presents the premiere production of The Mallard by Vincent Delaney from July 17-August 3, 2025 in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. The Mallard was the winner of the 2024 Premiere Play Festival. Directed by Premiere Stages Producing Artistic Director John J. Wooten, the cast features Eddie Gouveia Blackman, Susan Ferrara, Jennifer Leigh Houston, Victoria Pollack and Woodrow Proctor.

Fool Moon Theatre presents Stephen Schwartz's Classic Musical "Pippin"  (MARGATE, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents Stephen Schwartz’s classic musical Pippin across two weekends (July 18-20 and July 25-27, 2025) at Margate Community Church. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated circus-inspired version of Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world. It's South Jersey's must-see show for summer 2025.

LoMotion Live presents "The Diary of Anne Frank"  (BOONTON, NJ) -- LoMotion Live is proud to present The Diary of Anne Frank, a play by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, based on the book Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. The production runs from July 18-26, 2025 at The Parsippany Arts Center in Boonton.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Players

Players Guild of Leonia to Hold Auditions for "Where The Time Goes"

​​​​​​​(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for Where The Time Goes on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm each night at their theater. This is a World Premiere musical featuring the iconic songs of The Baby Boomer Generation.



Speranza

Speranza Theatre Company presents "Princess Pals"

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company, joined by students from Speranza Studio's Summer Acting Intensive, presents its summer stage production, Princess Pals, from July 11-19, 2025 outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City History at The Apple Tree House. Written and directed by Nick Radu-Blackburn. Happily Ever was just the beginning... turns out "after" isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Bored after their fairy tale endings, princess-frenemies embark on a mischievous adventure. Can they put their differences aside to save their kingdoms, all while dealing with an unexpected twist?



"RIFT"

"RIFT" Returns To Luna For Two Nights Only Before International Debut At Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage's commissioned World Premiere play RIFT is headed to the Edinburgh Fringe for a four-week run at Traverse Theatre this August. On July 18-19, 2025 at 8:00pm each night, the powerful and timely new play returns to Luna for two benefit performances to support the company's travel to Scotland.



PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Pleasant Valley Productions

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions (PVP) is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC). The production runs July 11-12 and July 17-19, 2025. This groundbreaking musical, which revolutionized the world of theatre, tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



Centenary

Centenary Stage presents Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Featuring a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, this play combines tropical vibes and feel-good humor with a collection of the singer-songwriter’s most beloved hits.



FEATURED EVENTS

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Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: My Name is Lucy Barton

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

The

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

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre