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Apricot Sky Productions celebrates 25 years of quality theater with "The 25th Act"

A curated festival of short plays by Eric Alter running September 26 to October 5 in Montclair

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 09/04/2025

Shawn Dawiskiba and Allen Roberts in "Shrinks"

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Apricot Sky Productions marks its 25th anniversary this fall with The 25th Act, a dynamic evening of eight original short plays written and directed by company founder Eric Alter. Performances will run September 26-28 and October 3-5, 2025 at The Grove Street Theater in Montclair.

Apricot Sky is one of the few playwright-driven theater companies in New Jersey. Founded in 1999 by Livingston native Eric Alter, the company has presented more than 100 original plays—many written by Alter himself—over 25 years.

Alter has kept ASP proudly rooted in New Jersey—working with all local directors, actors, and creatives. The seven directors helming the festival—Fred Alvaro, Helen Exel, Donna Fraissinet, John Fraissinet, Nat Gennace, Brandi-Leigh Miller, and Linda Weilkotz—are all longtime collaborators with deep ties to both Alter and the company.

Jessica Jones Patrick Horan in "1000 Dinners"

The cast include New Jerseyans Stephen Adubato, Ann Alfano, Michelle Almeida, Carlos Caban DeJesus, Jennifer Elizabeth Cooper, Shawn Dawiskiba, Donna Fraissinet, Hedieh Fidanza, Adam Gelles, Nat Gennace, Ann Grippo, Patrick Horan, Jessica Jones, Kara Misener, Dylan Myers, Allen Roberts, Andy Sina, and Kylah Wilson.

Performances take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sundays at 1:00pm. Tickets: $25 general admission | $20 seniors/students (Cash, Zelle, and Venmo accepted at the door). The Grove Street Theater is located at 130 Grove Street in Montclair, New Jersey. Handicapped Accessible. Free parking.




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“After 25 years, I still believe in the power of a great story told simply,” Alter says. “This show is both a reflection on where we’ve been and a leap forward.” Each play in The 25th Act explores nuances of human connection, some comically and some more poignantly.

Performances take place at The Grove Street Theater, a 360-seat venue located inside the Deron School in Montclair. “The 25th Act,” Alter adds,  “is the silver-anniversary year of a project launched in the year 2000 to bring low-priced, high-quality writing and acting to Garden Staters 15 miles from Broadway.”


EVENT PREVIEWS

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.
The Road Company presents "We

The Road Company presents "We've Got Soul: A Tribute to Soul Train"

(WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents a Juneteenth Arts Celebration with We've Got Soul: A Tribute to Soul Train, performances take place June 19-20, 2026. The Grand Theatre will transform into a celebration of rhythm, culture, and soul with this show!
The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase

The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase, its biennial festival of original one-act plays, from June 19-21, 2026. This three-day event showcases new works of up-and-coming playwrights from the NJ/NY area and beyond and other theatrical talent.

Chatham Community Players present a reading of "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players present a reading of Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.
Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner

Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a reading of What Would Meryl Do? by Neal Lerner on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Shakespeare Theatre's Acting Apprenticeship Company presents "Love's Labour's Lost"

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Acting Apprenticeship Company at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Love's Labour's Lost on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:30pm in the K.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. Fall under the spell of Shakespeare's sparkling comedy of romance, wit, and unexpected desire.

Middlesex County's Plays in the Park presents "All Shook Up"

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays in the Park kicks off its season with All Shook Up from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.

Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park presents "All Shook Up" by Joe DiPietro

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents All Shook Up by Jersey's own Joe DiPietro from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955 and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.

"Golden Girls - The Tribute Show!" comes to Kelsey Theatre on June 27th

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Drag Events Unlimited presents Golden Girls - The Tribute Show! on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. This is an evening of hilarious fun with your favorite Sassy Seniors! Live Scenes, Trivia, Games, Musical Performances, Sing-Alongs, and more! Showtime is 8:00pm.

Cumberland Players presents "Reefer Madness, the Musical"

(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents Reefer Madness, the Musical across two weekends from June 19-28, 2026. When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed polticial satire will go straight to your head!

 

FEATURED EVENTS


George Street Playhouse presents "Good Witch Bad Witch"

Thursday, June 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


George Street Playhouse presents "Good Witch Bad Witch"

Thursday, June 25, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


Spamalot

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Spamalot

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 2:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


A Dance with Death: A 1950's Prom Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Saturday, June 27, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ


My Fair Lady

Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ


CAU Community Players present "Seussical Jr."

Friday, July 17, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ



 

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