Here are previews of plays taking place from December 30 to January 5, 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.
The majority of these previews were created by New Jersey Stage, but you can send press releases to [email protected] to have your events considered for previews. 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 are available from $50-$100 per event and can be purchased up to 3 months in advance.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Same Time, Next Year" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is delighted to open the new year with one of the most beloved romantic comedies of the American stage, Same Time, Next Year, running for six performances only from January 17-25, 2026.
Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me" is Coming to Morristown (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is excited to announce a special, limited-engagement run of Heidi Schreck's What the Constitution Means to Me, coming to Morristown in early 2026. The play will run for five performances only, weekends from January 31 to February 8, 2026 at the Stage at Fellowship Hall in Morristown.
Quintessence Theatre presents "The Pirates of Penzance" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Quintessence Theatre continues its 16th season with The Pirates of Penzance, the beloved comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, from November 19, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Directed by Quintessence Artistic Director Alex Burns, the resplendent and hilarious story follows a band of pirates who go to battle with the British bobbies over the hearts of a bevy of beautiful Cornish maidens, with only a Major- General and Queen Victoria to stand in their way.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's "Frozen" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's Frozen from November 26 through Sunday, January 11, 2026. This musical transforms the magic of the beloved animated film to the stage in an enchanting adventure. When sisters Elsa and Anna are torn apart by a mysterious secret power, they each set out on their own journey of courage, self-acceptance, and discovery of love in all its forms.
Arden Children's Theatre presents "A Wrinkle In Time" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This winter, Arden Children's Theatre invites families to journey across time and space with an exciting adaptation of Madeline L'Engle's beloved book, A Wrinkle in Time. Adapted by John Glore, winner of the Newbery Medal, A Wrinkle in Time has inspired generations of readers, and even a major motion picture, since its publication. Now, the Arden brings this timeless classic to its stage for the first time. The production runs from December 3 through January 25, 2026.
Manhattan Theatre Club presents "Bug" by Tracy Letts (NEW YORK, NY) -- Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) presents the Broadway premiere of Bug, written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts (August: Osage County, The Minutes) and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (Prayer for the French Republic at MTC, The Band's Visit). The production begins performances on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Opening night is Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Night Stories: 4 Tales of Reanimation by the Greatest Poet of the Holocaust - Avrom Sutzkever - Comes to Life Off- Broadway (NEW YORK, NY) -- Night Stories, comprising four tales of reanimation by Yiddish poet and resistance fighter Avrom Sutzkever, will be presented Off-Broadway direct from a South American tour through São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Night Stories makes its official Off-Broadway bow at Wild Project, 195 E. 3rd Street (between Aves. A & B), with performances from December 17, 2025 through January 11, 2026.
The Ma'ayanot H.S. Drama Society & Black Box Studios presents "Fiddler On The Roof" (TEANECK, NJ) -- The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, presents three performances of Fiddler On The Roof from December 27-30, 2025 at Ma'ayanot Performing Arts Center. Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, this musical is the brainchild of Broadway legends, Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince; songwriters, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick; and bookwriter, Joseph Stein. Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, this universal show is a staple of the musical theatre canon.
Kelsey Theatre to Kick Off The New Year With the Charming Musical "She Loves Me" (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Kick off the new year with a charming musical version of the play that inspired multiple iconic films when Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre and Off-Centre Stages present She Loves Me, from January 2-11, 2026 on MCCC's West Windsor campus.
The Players Guild of Leonia to Hold Auditions for "The Psychic" by Sam Bobrick (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for The Psychic by Sam Bobrick on three days from January 4-11, 2026. This play is a laugh-out-loud mystery full of twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. The production will be directed by Terri Caust.
Gateway Playhouse To Hold Auditions For First Two Musicals Of 2026 MainStage Season (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point will hold auditions for the first two shows of its all-musical 2026 MainStage Season: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner and Andrew Lippa, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's renowned rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar." Auditions will take place on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 1:00pm and Monday, January 5 at 6:00pm, at the Gateway. All backgrounds and theater experiences, whether a veteran performer or a first-timer, are welcome. No appointments are necessary. All roles are open. Both shows will be directed by Chip Garrison, who recently directed the Gateway's holiday show "Scrooge, the Musical."
The Ritz Theatre Company presents "Company" by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Company by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth weekends from January 9 to February 1, 2026. The musical asks the question: what does it mean to be alive, alone, and in love in the city that never sleeps?
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Grease" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Grease weekends from January 9 through February 1, 2026. With a hip-shaking rock 'n' roll score featuring hits like "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together," Grease celebrates 50s high school, romance, and coming of age.
Westfield Community Players presents "Time Stands Still" by Donald Margulies (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players presents Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies across three weekends from January 10-24, 2026. The play focuses on Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy.
Bergen County Players presents "Seascape" by Edward Albee (ORADELL, NJ) -- Escape the cold and head to the sunny sand as Bergen County Players (BCP) raises the curtain on Seascape, which earned playwright Edward Albee his second Pulitzer Prize in 1975. The limited run of only five performances is directed by Dottie Fischer of Tenafly. The show runs from January 10-18, 2026 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.
Nutley Little Theatre to Hold Auditions for "True West" by Sam Shepard (NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre will hold auditions for True West on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This American classic by Sam Shepard was nominated for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The production will be directed by John Fraissinet.
Ruth Stage presents "At Home at the Zoo" (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Ruth Stage is roaring back to the Jersey Shore Arts Center with a theatrical event of rare significance: Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo — the complete and fully realized version of The Zoo Story, presented with the approval of the Edward Albee Estate. Performances take place January 15-17, 2025 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center.
The Barn Theatre presents "Misery" (MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents Misery weekends from January 16 to February 1, 2026. The play by William Goldman is based on the novel by Stephen King in which a romance novelist is kidnapped by his obsessed fan, Annie Wilkes, who demands he write a new Misery novel.
Shakespeare 70 presents "Arms and the Man" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Shakespeare 70 presents Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw weekends from January 16-25, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. One of Shaw's most enduringly popular comedies follows a hunted soldier who, seeking refuge in a young lady’s boudoir, starts in motion a series of unlikely comedic events.
Somerset Valley Players presents "Drinking Habits" (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ) -- Somerset Valley Players presents Drinking Habits by Tom Smith weekends from January 16 through February 1, 2026. Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this traditional, laugh-out-loud farce.
Haddonfield Plays and Players presents "Shrek, The Musical" (HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Haddonfield Plays and Players presents Shrek, The Musical weekends from January 16-31, 2026. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film.
Villagers Theatre presents "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents The Mystery of Edwin Drood across two weekends from January 16-25, 2026. Based on Charles Dickens' final unfinished novel, this hilarious whodunit by Rupert Holmes invites the audience to solve its mystery by choosing the identity of the murderer.
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "Merrily We Roll Along" (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Merrily We Roll Along weekends from January 16 through February 8, 2026. Sondheim's semi-autobiographical musical turns back the clock on friendship and the high price of success. It is a spirited and moving cautionary tale for anyone who has ever pursued a dream.
Two River Theater's A Little Shakespeare presents "As You Like It" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater's signature arts education program, A Little Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Noelle Marion returns to the helm with As You Like It. Now in its 13th year, A Little Shakespeare engages young artists with the work of the Bard, in an abridged production directed and designed by theater professionals, and performed and supported backstage by high school students. This year's production runs from January 17-25, 2026.
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents "Havana Hop" - A Family-Friendly, Interactive Celebration of Music, Movement, and Heritage (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) continues its 51st season with Havana Hop, a high-energy, one-woman performance written, choreographed, and performed by Paige Hernandez, a multidisciplinary artist acclaimed as a performer, director, choreographer, and playwright. The show features original music by Nick "Nick tha 1da" Hernandez and Kris Funn. Directed by Danielle Drakes, there are three performances from January 17-18, 2026, at PTC's Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
