Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 07/25/2026
Karen Thornton plays Emily Wheelock Reed, a librarian who fought censorship, in ALABAMA STORY.
(UNION) -- Librarians and library directors of five New Jersey public libraries will take part in panel discussions on censorship following the 10:00am matinee performances of Kenneth Jones's Alabama Story by The Theater Project on Friday, August 7, and Thursday, August 13, 2026 at DMK Black Box Theater (1980 Morris Avenue) in Union.
Alabama Story, a finalist in the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference, takes its inspiration from a real-life episode involving a 1958 children’s book, The Rabbits’ Wedding by Garth Williams, about the marriage of a white rabbit and a black rabbit. A librarian finds herself in direct confrontation with a segregationist state senator. A parallel story explores the renewed friendship between childhood friends, a white woman and an African-American man.
“It’s often easy to imagine that issues like censorship and book bans belong to the past, but since 2021, PEN America has documented 23,000 book bans in public schools,” said Mark Spina, The Theater Project’s artistic director. “In addition, the American Library Association compiles an annual list of the ten most challenged books in the United States. Library directors, like the ones taking part in our post-show discussions, consistently find themselves on the front lines.”
The Theater Project will present eight performances between August 6 and 16, including: 10:00am matinee, Friday, August 7, and Thursday, August 13; and 2:00pm matinee, Sunday, August 9 and 16. A complete schedule is posted on their website.
Ticket prices are $35 for general admission, $28 for seniors, and $20 for students. A special senior price of $23 is available for the August 9 performance. August 14 is a “pay what you can” night. To order tickets, visit https://www.thetheaterproject.org/alabama-story. Group rates available: call 908 809-8865. A limited number of free tickets are available for student and senior groups.
The following librarians will participate in one or both discussions:
· Amanda Eigen, Maplewood Public Library
· Kathy Cannarozzi, Cranford Public Library
· Gail Lordi, Garfield Public Library
· Kassundra Miller, Union Public Library
· Emily Weinsenstein, Livingston Public Library
Emily Bonaria and Daniel Saunders play childhood friends who try to reconnect as adults in segregated 1959 ALABAMA STORY.
The Theater Project’s production of Alabama Story is made possible in part by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and by the generosity of many sponsors and donors, especially Ms. Stephanie Fein.
Founded in 1994 and based in Union, The Theater Project introduces New Jersey audiences to new plays and supports rising playwrights and theater artists. It develops new audiences for theater by service to the community, providing programs for children, and using theater as a forum to address current issues.
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