(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County is excited to invite residents and visitors to experience the 2026 season of Plays-in-the-Park, the County's beloved summer musical series. This year's lineup presents three popular Broadway musicals, All Shook Up, 1776, and Guys and Dolls, taking place from June through August at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre, located at Roosevelt Park (1 Pine Drive) in Edison.
"For generations, Plays-in-the-Park has been a special summertime tradition allowing residents of all ages to experience Broadway-caliber performances in one of our County's most treasured parks," said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. "The Board of County Commissioners and I are proud to invest in making live theater affordable and accessible for all. I encourage everyone to enjoy a night out that will leave them in awe of amazing talent, singing showtunes, and with memories that will last a lifetime."
"Our annual Plays-in-the-Park program allows our residents to experience the best of both worlds – live theater and County parks – a testament to the County's commitment to ensuring our public spaces are filled with opportunities for community engagement and cultural enrichment," said Middlesex County Commissioner and Chair of the Infrastructure Management Committee Charles E. Tomaro. "From the outstanding performers to the wonderful backstage crews, I am proud of everyone involved in bringing these legendary musicals to our stage. I look forward to everyone celebrating theater arts in our community."
PLAYS-IN-THE-PARK 2026 SCHEDULE:
ALL SHOOK UP (June 17-27) – 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. Featuring mega hits from the beloved Elvis catalog, this musical fantasy will have you jumpin' out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Don't Be Cruel." All Shook Up is more than just a musical — it's a vibrant, joyous celebration of the power of love, the power of music, and the power of community.
1776 (July 8-18) – It is the summer of 1776, and the nation's founding fathers are debating declaring independence from the shackles of the British Monarchy. The only issue is our founding fathers all need to agree about it! 1776 follows the story of John Adams, the Congressman from Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they set out to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for American independence and to sign the Declaration of Independence!
Guys and Dolls (July 29-August 8) – Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result. Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
There are no Sunday performances.
TICKET SALE PROTOCOLS: Tickets are available on-site at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre box office only on the day of the performance. There are no advance sales or online ticketing options.
The ticket booth opens at 5:30pm, and patrons are admitted to the seating area immediately after purchasing tickets. All shows start at 8:00pm, and the ticket booth closes at 8:30pm each show night. Attendees are required to bring their own lawn chair with a back no higher than 40 inches.
Ticket prices are $8 per adult, $5 per senior citizen (60 and over), and children 12 and under enter for free. In the event of inclement weather, ticketholders should retain their ticket stub for admission to another performance this season. For questions regarding Box Office information, please call 732-548-2884 or visit middlesexcountynj.gov/PIP.
The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners is proud to offer complimentary admission to active U.S. Military Service members and their immediate families for any performance. Complimentary tickets are also available for veterans and their immediate families on the Monday and Tuesday performances of each summer show.
REPLENISH AND FEEDING MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOOD DRIVE: Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to support REPLENISH and Feeding Middlesex County, which will be on-site at each performance. All donations will directly support local individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. To learn more, please visit middlesexcountynj.gov/replenish and feedingmiddlesexcounty.org.
Since 1963, Plays-in-the-Park has presented top-tier theatrical productions at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre. During the summer, they put on three Broadway-style musicals, a fall children's musical in October, and an annual winter production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in December.
The Middlesex County Board of Commissioners is proud to support Plays-in-the-Park through the Middlesex County Cultural Arts and Arts Trust Fund, ensuring that all residents have access to affordable arts and cultural programming and providing a space for talented artists to perform and showcase artistic excellence.
Middlesex County is bettering the lives of residents and providing economic growth opportunities to business and industry. Home to several Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 21 county parks, and world-class healthcare and research facilities, Middlesex County is one of the nation's most dynamic regions — and a leader in life sciences, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. With more than 860,000 residents across 25 municipalities, Middlesex County is among the most diverse areas in the United States. Its award-winning Middlesex County Magnet Schools and two-year Middlesex College strengthen the County's reputation as New Jersey's leader in education and workforce development. Conveniently located between New York City and Philadelphia, Middlesex County has been a premier destination to live, work, and play since the 17th century.
