Here are previews of plays taking place from June 30 to July 6, 2026 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.
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Vivid Stage presents 2026 Vivid Summer Solos (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage has announced the lineup for 2026 Vivid Summer Solos - performances outside on the lawn of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. The weekly play reading series takes place each Wednesday in July. This year includes readings of Fair State by Megan Gogerty, Long Drive Home by Stephen Kaplan, Maker of Worlds by Wendy Schmidt, and The Call List by Brian James Pollak.
The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "The Little Mermaid" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present The Little Mermaid across two weekends from July 10-19, 2026. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Shrek: The Musical" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Shrek: The Musical, running July 11–26, 2026. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud spectacle brings everyone's favorite green ogre and his unlikely companions to the stage in a colorful adventure celebrating friendship, acceptance, and the importance of being true to yourself.
Arden Theatre Company presents "Dear Evan Hansen" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company brings the Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, to the F. Otto Haas Stage this spring. Featuring a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the production is directed by Terrence J. Nolen and co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Nolen. Performances begin May 21, the show opens May 27, and runs through July 5, 2026.
Classic American Tales' presents Tales at the Dormer House every Thursday (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- From June 4 through October 15, 2026 (except for July 2), Classic American Tales (CAT) once more presents Tales at the Dormer House in which guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories written by noteworthy authors, read by a variety of performers. The schedule is 4:00pm every Thursday at the historic Dormer House Bed and Breakfast (800 Columbia Avenue) in Cape May, NJ. Performances are on the front porch, weather permitting.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "My Fair Lady" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents the classic musical, My Fair Lady, weekends from June 12 to July 5, 2026. The tale of a cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady, featuring one of musical theatre's greatest scores.
East Lynne Theater Company presents "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years" by Emily Mann (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The reimagined East Lynne Theater Company opens its Season Forty-Six with the extraordinary, real-life story Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years by Emily Mann, running June 18 to July 19, 2026 at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME in Cape May.
Surflight Theatre presents "Guys & Dolls" (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents what is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys & Dolls, from June 18 through July 5, 2026. It ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers.
Princeton Summer Theater presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton Summer Theater's 2026 Children's Show is You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which runs weekends from June 20 to August 1, 2026. A beloved musical since its premiere in 1967, Clark Gesner brings Charles M. Schulz's "PEANUTS" characters to the stage. The musical ventures through the highs and lows of young life, from baseball and homework to young love and friendship. With an empathetic and whimsical eye, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown reminds us of the importance of connection and joy.
The Ritz Theatre Company presents "Grease" (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from June 26 to July 19, 2026. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form. The production is directed by Bruce A. Curless.
Ritz Theatre Cabaret Series presents "Dream On!" (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company continues its Cabaret Series with Dream On! on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 7:30pm. Curated by Connor Twigg, this event features regional artists singing songs from their dream roles.
Liberty Arts Theatre presents "The America 250 USO Tour" featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Jefferson with music, dance, comedy and after party! (LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre will keep us all rockin' in the free world with the high-octane celebration America 250 USO Tour - where Vaudeville meets American history – featuring a star-studded cast from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson to George Patton, a live orchestra, song-and-dance numbers and comedy sketches. The America 250 USO Tour will march into the American Legion Post #1 (399 Broad Street) in Leonia on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Classic American Tales honors the 250th with "Margaret's Diary During a Revolution" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- "Before we retired to bed, an attempt was made to teach the children to pronounce 'vegates,' (how do you do?) like a German. Our good neighbors are a little concerned to think there is not one in the neighborhood who will be able to interpret for us when the Hessians are quartered here," wrote Margaret Morris in her diary on December 21, 1776.
Princeton Summer Theater presents "The 39 Steps" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton Summer Theater's 2026 season continues with The 39 Steps, a noir farce full of danger, mystery, and laughs. The production runs Thursdays through Sundays from July 2-18. The play is based on the 1935 Hitchcock film, a mystery thriller about a man who is mistakenly swept up into a world of spies and murder.
Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville (PITMAN, NJ) -- Get ready to kick back and soak up the island vibes with a musical comedy packed full of Jimmy Buffett's greatest hits—from "Margaritaville" to "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and more when the Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville. Performances take place weekends from July 3-26, 2026.
Live On Stage Productions presents "Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert" at Cape May Stage (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Live On Stage Productions presents Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert at Cape May Stage from July 4-10, 2026. This show celebrates the remarkable bond between Ethel Merman and Mary Martin — two of Broadway’s brightest stars.
American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Spotlight on NJ: Play Reading Event (UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), in partnership with the Union Arts Center, will present a three-day Spotlight play reading event featuring works by New Jersey playwrights at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center from July 6-8, 2026 with performances at 7:00pm each night.
Surflight Theatre presents "Young Frankenstein" (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Young Frankenstein from July 7-27, 2026. It's alive! The electrifying adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches.
Vivid Stage presents 2026 Vivid Summer Solos (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage has announced the lineup for 2026 Vivid Summer Solos - performances outside on the lawn of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. The weekly play reading series takes place each Wednesday in July. This year includes readings of Fair State by Megan Gogerty, Long Drive Home by Stephen Kaplan, Maker of Worlds by Wendy Schmidt, and The Call List by Brian James Pollak.
Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "1776" (EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents 1776 from July 8-18, 2026. The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits.
Spring Lake Theatre Company presents "Me and My Girl" (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre Company presents Me and My Girl from July 8-19, 2026. This is a joyful, tap-filled British musical comedy about love, class, and unexpected royalty.
SoHo Playhouse presents the U.S. premiere of "Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England" (NEW YORK, NY) -- Direct from London's West End, SoHo Playhouse presents the U.S. premiere of Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England, written and performed by Alex Hill, and directed by Sean Turner, running July 8 - 18, 2026 in a limited engagement at SoHo Playhouse, located at 15 Vandam Street in New York City. Opening night is July 9.
Centenary Stage Company presents "The Wedding Singer" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Big hair, bigger laughs, and a soundtrack packed with infectious energy are headed to the stage this summer as Centenary Stage Company presents The Wedding Singer, opening July 9 and running through July 19, 2026 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.
The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at Van Vleck House and Gardens (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing outside at Van Vleck House and Gardens across two weekends from July 10-18, 2026. This is no ordinary stage production, it’s an immersive theatrical experience.
The Summit Playhouse presents "Into The Woods" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents Into the Woods across two weekends from July 10-19, 2026. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece... and a rare modern classic.
Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me" (MATAWAN, NJ) -- Misfits Theatre Co., a community theater organization dedicated to producing bold, entertaining, and accessible theater for audiences of all ages, presents its inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me at Matawan Regional High School from July 10-12, 2026.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art (PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center invites audiences to experience Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility in a charming outdoor production this summer at duCret Center of Art in Plainfield. Performances take place July 10-12, 2026.
Howell PAL Theater Company presents "Grease" (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Howell PAL Theater Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from July 10-12, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form.
Luna Stage presents Shakespeare's "Hamlet, abridged" outdoors this July (ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage takes Shakespeare on the road from July 10-19, 2026 with outdoor performances of Hamlet abridged in four parks. This is a taut reimagining of Shakespeare's legendary story of family, revenge, and the corrupting influence of power.
The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann (UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 summer season will begin with a bang with a production of Having Our Say, Emily Mann’s 1995 Tony Award-nominated drama about "two 'maiden ladies' with century-old stories to tell", July 11-21, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theatre.
Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "London Suite" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.
Main Street Theatre Company presents "The Music Man JR." (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents The Music Man JR. across two weekends from July 11-19, 2026. There's trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian in this adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway classic.
The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Ken Ludwig's "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery" (MADISON, NJ) —- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, running July 11 through August 2, 2026 at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University.
Iron Mountain Stage Company presents "46 Plays For America's First Ladies" (RINGWOOD, NJ) -- Iron Mountain Stage Company presents 46 Plays For America's First Ladies from July 11-19, 2026. A biographical, meta-theatrical, genre-bending ride through race, gender, and everything else your history teacher never taught you about the founding of America.
Cape May Stage presents "Kalamazoo" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Kalamazoo by Michelle Kholos Brooks and Kelly Younger from July 15 through August 23, 2026. When two cautious strangers meet later in life, polite conversation quickly takes flight — sparked by sharp wit and surprising confessions.
Premiere Stages presents the World Premiere of "Mala Aria" by Gloria Majule (UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University presents the premiere production of Mala Aria by Gloria Majule, winner of the 2025 Premiere Play Festival, from July 16 - August 2, 2026 in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. Directed by Jamil A.C. Mangan, Mala Aria will feature actors Nazira Cisse, Shiro Kihagi, Eugene Nesmith and Anita Welch-Smith.
Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot (MONTVILLE, NJ) -- Aspire Performing Arts Company presents Green Day's American Idiot from July 17-19, 2026 at the Barn Theatre. The band's powerhouse album is brought to life in this electric-rock musical of youthful disillusion. The production features two sets of casts.
The Blue Moon Theatre presents "Where the Lost Children Play" (WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- The Blue Moon Theatre presents Where the Lost Children Play across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. This is a dystopian stage play by Hannah Lee DeFrates. It follows two young women, Willow and Poppy, navigating a grim society.
Somerset Valley Players presents "Freaky Friday" (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ) -- Somerset Valley Players presents Freaky Friday weekends from July 17 through August 2, 2026. This is a heartfelt, high‑energy musical comedy about family, second chances, and seeing life through someone else's eyes!
The Theater Project presents "Too Fat For China" by Phoebe Potts (UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project presents Too Fat For China from July 17-19, 2026 in the DMK Black Box Theater. Comedian Phoebe Potts' one-woman show follows the surprises and painful realizations of her adoption journey with humor and candor.
Fool Moon Theatre presents "The Drowsy Chaperone" (MARGATE, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents the award-winning madcap musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, across two weekends from July 17-26, 2026. Winner of five Tony Awards, this is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing" (BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.
