Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 04/19/2026
(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
Studio Players' Reading Series presents "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on June 14th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players' Reading Series presents a Staged Reading of "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. Written by Moises Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, this is a powerful and deeply moving epilogue to the groundbreaking original. The reading is directed by Thomas J. Donohoe II.
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"
(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 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, 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.
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.
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!
Pioneer Productions presents "Merrily We Roll Along"
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions presents Merrily We Roll Along, the groundbreaking musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth. Based on the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the musical premiered in 1981 and has since become one of Sondheim's most daring and emotionally resonant works. The show will run weekends from June 19-June 28, 2026 at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located inside the Morristown United Methodist Church.
FEATURED EVENTS
