Aspire Performing Arts Company presents "Matilda, the Musical"

(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Matilda the Musical from May 1-3, 2026 at the Fair Lawn Community Center. Based on Roald Dahl's classic children's book, Matilda the Musical follows Matilda Wormwood, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers.

Unloved by her cruel parents, she forms a bond with her schoolteacher, Miss Honey, who recognizes and appreciates Matilda's extraordinary personality. Her school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however — the school's mean headmistress Miss Trunchbull, hates children and loves to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be her classmates' saving grace!

Performances will take place Friday, May 1 at 7:00pm; Saturday, May 2 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm; and Sunday, May 3 at 2:00pm. Performances will be held at Fair Lawn Community Center, located at 10-10 20th St., Fair Lawn, NJ. 

Tickets are $22 in advance and available at aspirepac.ludus.com or $25 at the door.

Matilda The Musical is directed by Aspire PAC Artistic Director Lisa Beth Vettoso. "We are so excited to be producing Matilda with actors ranging in age from 10 to 21," says Vettoso. "This show is filled with incredible music, dancing, and magic. It's fun for the whole family!"

The production features two alternating casts of emerging young performers:

Cast A (Friday May 1 at 7:00pm / Saturday, May 2 at 2:00pm) includes Adalyn Campione as Matilda, Elodie Nazarewicz as Lavender, Rose Lauder as Amanda, Lucia Miuccio as Alice, Adriana Anselmi as Hortensia, Madalyn Sutton as Miss Honey, Alexa Ahmuty as Mrs.Wormwood, and Danielle Laub as Mrs.Phelps.

Cast B (Saturday, May 2 at 7:00pm / Sunday, May 3 at 2:00pm) includes Lillyana D'Orazio as Matilda, Ellie Dombrowski as Lavender, Samantha Scillieri as Amanda, Aadya Tandon as Alice, Eliana Morgan as Hortensia, Scarlett Chapman as Miss Honey, Annie Sullivan as Mrs.Wormwood, and Ava Tully as Mrs.Phelps.

Performing in all shows is Greyson Chapman as Bruce, Joey Carson as Nigel, Jeremy Hsu as Tommy, Giuliana DiMiceli as Eric, Sofia DeNude as Michael, Matthew Savastano as Trunchbull, Samantha Ahmuty as Acrobat, Alex McEnroe as Doctor/Escapologist, Chase Tay as Mr.Wormwood, Sydney Lind as Rudolpho, and Fiona MacLean as Sergei. Victoria Bisig, Lilianna Dudek, Angelina Malizia, and Noah Naggiar star as Revolting Kids, and Emma Benet and Lena Moskal are featured Big Kids.

The production features musical direction by K. Leigh Weinman and choreography by Melanie Della Peruti. Cheryl Wilbur serves as Production Manager, Asher Paterno is Stage Manager, and Sami Feit is Production Assistant.

Aspire PAC, established in 2011, has earned a strong reputation in the Northern New Jersey area. Since 2016, Aspire has received 35 New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) Award nominations – along with winning a 2025 Perry Award for Outstanding Youth Actress in a Play Category - four Broadway World Regional Awards (50+ nominations), and 35 National Youth Arts Awards (50+ nominations).

EVENT PREVIEWS

Mile Square Theatre presents "7th Inning Stretch" with a twist

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's beloved annual fundraiser, 7th Inning Stretch, returns with a new look for this year inspired by the World Cup coming to New Jersey. This year’s edition takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and trades baseball for soccer, featuring seven original short plays celebrating the passion, humor, intensity, and culture of the game.

---

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "A Century on Stage: 100 Years in the Making"

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents A Century on Stage: 100 Years in the Making from June 5-7, 2026. Join them for a once-in-a-century theatrical event as they celebrate 100 years of music, memories, and moments that have shaped The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Broadway in New York City, and American culture itself.

---

Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Maurer Productions OnStage and the newly formed Maurer TheaterWorks have announced a special co-production partnership — in association with Kelsey Theatre — for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn. The ensemble comedy, written and directed by Dan Maurer, will hold open auditions on June 6-7, 2026.

---

Bergen County Players to present "Kodachrome"

​​​​​​​(ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) will conclude its 93rd season with Kodachrome, a delightful and deeply moving one-act comedy by Adam Szymkowicz. Running as part of BCP's Second Stage for three exclusive performances on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary magic within ordinary lives.

---

Main Street Theatre Company presents "Legally Blonde, Jr."

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Legally Blonde, Jr. on Saturday, June 6 at Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:30pm each day. Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery pink storm in this fun and upbeat adaptation of the hit film and award-winning Broadway musical.

---

Luna Stage to present "& Sons" outdoors this weekend

(ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage has brought & Sons back for three outdoor performances in the Kelli Copeland Arts Center Courtyard (located two blocks from Luna) June 5-7, 2026. Winner of the Kirk Prize for Best New Play, & Sons by Jack Angelo Cummings is a sharply funny, quietly devastating portrait of brotherhood, labor, and the ways men learn—often badly—to love one another. Admission is free.

---

Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the nominations for adjudicated production categories of the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in New Jersey High School Musical Theater. Often referred to as New Jersey's version of the Tony Awards for high school musical theater, the Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in performance, direction, design, choreography, music direction, and overall production.

---

Studio Garage presents "Chekhov's People" at HACPAC

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Studio Garage presents Chekhov's People at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on June 8-9, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. Performed in Turkish. The play explores the human condition through a blend of Anton Chekhov's The Good Doctor and his short plays The Bear and A Marriage Proposal.

---

The Maplewood Strollers to present a Broadway Karaoke Party on June 12th

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers present a Broadway Karaoke Party on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the theater company, begins at 7:30pm.

---

Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.