(LEFT) Okieriete Onaodowan (RIGHT) Aigner Mizzelle, photo by Shani Hadjian Photography
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents the world premiere of The Monsters: A Sibling Love Story, written and directed by Ngozi Anyanwu (Good Grief, The Homecoming Queen, The Last of the Love Letters). Originally commissioned by TRT and presented as a co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club, this powerful new drama will run in the intimate Marion Huber Theater from November 1–23, 2025.
For a long time, LIL has been obsessed with fighting, and one fighter in particular: her older brother BIG, an aging but successful figure in the local Mixed Martial Arts circuit. But she’s been doing it all from afar…until one day when she decides to show up on his doorstep. The Monsters is a sibling love story about reunions, resentment, reconnection, and wrestling with demons.
“The Stage meets the Squared Circle; the Octagon, in this dazzlingly original mash-up of forms,” says Artistic Director Justin Waldman. “One of the most thrilling and necessary theatre artists working today, Ngozi Anyanwu has created a new paradigm, where the emotional and physical each pack a visceral punch. Originally commissioned by Two River and developed between rehearsal halls and MMA gyms, The Monsters promises to be a first of its kind theatrical experience. We are so proud to partner with the venerable Manhattan Theatre Club to first present this World Premiere in Red Bank to our Two River community before it heads Off-Broadway. Buckle up!”
The cast includes Aigner Mizzelle, (as LIL) and Okieriete Onaodowan (as BIG). Mizzelle, a NYC-based multi-hyphenate creative, who originated the role of Latrice in Douglas Lyons’ Chicken & Biscuits on Broadway, as LIL. Her work in nicHi douglas’ (pray) earned her a Lucille Lortel Award. Okieriete Onaodowan, a Grammy AwardⓇ-winning stage, film, and television actor known for his acclaimed performances on Broadway, including originating the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony AwardⓇ-winning Hamilton.
Performances take place Wednesday through Sundays from November 1-23, 2025. Regular ticket prices range from $50-$70 and are available for purchase online. Two River Theater is located at 21 Bridge Avenue in Red Bank, New Jersey.
The creative team includes Author and Director Ngozi Anyanwu, Choreographer Rickey Tripp, Scenic Designer Andrew Boyce, Costume Designer Mika Eubanks, Lighting Designer Cha See, Sound Designer/Composer Mikaal Sulaiman, MMA Consultant Sijara “Sarj” Eubanks, Fight Director Gerardo "Gerry" Rodriguez, casting by The Telsey Office, additional casting by Caparelliotis Casting & Kelly Gillespie, Stage Manager AK Howard and Assistant Stage Manager Alexus Jade Coney.
CO-PRODUCER: Manhattan Theatre Club is a not-for-profit theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow (since 1972) and Executive Director Chris Jennings (since 2023), they produce seasons of innovative, entertaining and thought-provoking new plays and musicals at their Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway and on their off-Broadway stages at New York City Center.
MTC has produced more than 600 premieres, which include nearly 20% of all of the new plays on Broadway since they opened the Friedman in 2003. To date, their productions have garnered 31 Tony Awards; 52 Drama Desk Awards; 49 Obie Awards; and seven Pulitzer Prizes. MTC has been acclaimed for identifying, fostering and supporting talented artists at all stages of their careers in the creation of new work, and the hallmark of Meadow’s long tenure has been the quality, range and originality of MTC’s repertoire.
Two River Theater’s 2025/26 Season Sponsor is Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center. The Two River Theater production of The Monsters is supported by Monmouth University. Additional support for The Monsters provided by Joanna and Tim Connelly. This play is the recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.
Two River Theater is funded in part by public support through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, funding through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel & Tourism, and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners. Private support includes Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, Courtyard by Marriott, Edgerton Foundation, Grunin Foundation, Merrill G. & Emita E. Hastings Foundation, Investors Foundation, Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, MacMillan Family Foundation, Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation, Molly Pitcher Inn and The Oyster Point Hotel, OceanFirst Bank, OceanFirst Foundation, Open Heart Yoga, Senior Living Residences Marlboro, The Shubert Foundation, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, Triumph Brewing Company, Visiting Nurse Association of NJ Health Group, Zager Fuchs P.C., and other generous funders.
Two River Theater produces American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, they serve over 20,000 students, families and community members through our 4-6 show season, and 40+ events that reflect their diverse community of Monmouth County. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater.
In 2020 they expanded their campus to 80,000 square feet with the opening of the Center for New Work, Education and Design. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award® nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by former Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run), and in June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play.” Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director Justin Waldman and Managing Director Nora DeVeau-Rosen.
