Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 03/09/2026
Graphic by Yolanda Fundora
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage presents Etiquette by David Lee White across two weekends from April 9-19, 2026. The play takes place in the Fall of 2021 and the Cellar Theatre is back in production after a year of Zoom programming.
When Lauren Ellis, the lead actress in the Cellar’s production of the American classic "Midnight Cicadas," spots an audience member filming the show with his phone, Lauren strikes back – stopping the show and refusing to perform. A video of the incident goes viral, bringing the Cellar praise for speaking out against poor theatre etiquette.
But when an online commenter gives an alternate interpretation of the same event, the praise quickly turns bitter and the criticism begins to mount. The overworked and underpaid staff suddenly have to navigate in-fighting, diva tantrums, illegal vaping and internet trolls…not to mention the Cellar’s problematic history.
Directed by Noreen Farley (Clinton), the cast includes Vivid Stage ensemble members Clark Carmichael (Hewitt), Laura Ekstrand (Livingston), Daria M. Sullivan (Lyndhurst), Jason Szamreta (Long Branch) and Emaline Williams (Hackettstown).
Performances take place Thursday through Saturday nights at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. The Theater is located at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, New Jersey.
SPECIAL EVENTS
* Preview Performance: Thursday, April 9 : All seats $28
* Opening Night Reception: Friday, April 10
* Senior Sunday: Sunday, April 12 All seniors $28
* Under 30 Thursday: Thursday, April 16 All Under 30 $25 (Use code U30 when purchasing adult tickets!)
* Free Talkbacks after the Sunday matinées!
Vivid Stage was founded in 1994 as Dreamcatcher Rep, and is a non-profit professional ensemble of actors who build community with the audience by sharing contemporary, life-affirming stories that challenge, energize and entertain. Their work has at its heart a belief in the essential goodness of people and the power of live performance to connect people through our shared humanity. They expose theatregoers to ideas and lives like and unlike their own with the intention of awakening their imaginations and creating empathy for others. They deepen the experience of all our patrons with personal contact through receptions, talkbacks, and interactive programs.
The company’s activities include mainstage productions, improvisational comedy and cabarets, new play readings, works in a variety of media, and a menu of educational and senior outreach programs.
Vivid Stage’s programs are funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, the Shubert and Summit Foundations and many other corporations, foundations and individuals. Vivid Stage is an Equity Producing member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
Vivid Stage, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey.
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FEATURED EVENTS
