This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place September 29 to October 5, 2026

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 09/29/2026

Here are previews of plays taking place from September 29 to October 5, 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, Event Listings, Coming Soon.

Most of the events previewed here are articles created by New Jersey Stage, but you may send press releases to [email protected] to have your shows considered for previews. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. They serve as event boosters - helping to your shows get higher rankings with search engines and AI. These events connect to the reputation New Jersey Stage has earned over the years from 40,000+ articles. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads are available from $50-$100 per event and can be purchased up to 3 months in advance.

FEATURED EVENTS

UCPAC presents "I'm Not A Comedian... I'm Lenny Bruce" (RAHWAY, NJ) -- Critically acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of the late Kitty Bruce (daughter of Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation, present "I'm Not a Comedian... I'm Lenny Bruce," directed by Joe Mantegna at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on Friday, October 2, 2026. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.

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Vivid Stage presents "B.I.N.G.O" in October (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a new comedy from October 8-18, 2026 - B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle's Nice Geriatric Orgy) by Erin Mallon. In this workshop production, we meet Barb, who desperately needs friends, who has moved into a 55+ community.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Bergen County Players to open 94th season with "The Producers" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Fresh off being named the #1 Theater Venue in Bergen County by (201) Magazine's Best of Bergen poll, the Bergen County Players (BCP) will open its 2026/27 season with Mel Brooks' The Producers. As one of America's longest-running little theater companies, BCP returns for its 94th season to present this area premiere at the Little Firehouse Theatre from September 19 through October 10, 2026.

Centenary Stage Company's Young Audience Series presents "Grace for President" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Young Audience Series presents Grace for President, October 1-5, 2026 in The Little Theatre at Centenary University. Based on the beloved children's book by Kelly DiPucchio, the musical follows Grace, a spirited young girl who has a big question when her teacher displays a poster featuring every U.S. president: "Where are the girls?"

Center Players to present "The Realistic Joneses" at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Center Players of Freehold will present The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno as its first Signature Series production of the 2026-27 season. Directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Michael Tota, the production will run from October 2-4 at the Herbst Theatre at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, marking the first time Center Players has performed in the venue.

NJ Rep presents "Nacho Ate Superman" (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents Nacho Ate Superman from October 1-25, 2026. This is a comedy by Michelle Kholos Brooks about a sunny, laid-back, progressive beach community that becomes a lot darker as next-door neighbors clash over an incident involving their pets.

The Levoy Theatre presents Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" (MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman from October 2-4, 2026. This thrilling Pulitzer Prize-winning drama – a work of deep and revealing beauty – remains one of the most profound achievements in the American theatre.

Music Mountain Theatre presents Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None weekends from October 2-18, 2026. A dark thriller in three acts. One of Christie's most foreboding tales and a masterpiece of dramatic construction, this classic play's growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension will keep you guessing to the very end.

Off-Centre Stages presents "Little Women" at the Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Off-Centre Stages presents Little Women across two weekends from October 2-11, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March.

Magnolia Productions presents "Ms Holmes & Ms Watson Apt. 2B" (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents Ms Holmes & Ms Watson Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill across two weekends from October 2-10, 2026 at The Navesink Library. This is Sherlock Holmes as you have never seen her!

The Monmouth County Park System presents "You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown" (LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System presents You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Thompson Park Theater Barn (805 Newman Springs Road) in Lincroft. Performances will take place on Friday, October 2 at 7:00pm and Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm.

Jersey City Theater Center presents "Miss Bellas" on October 3rd (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center presents Miss Bellas on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at White Eagle Hall. It is a 60–75 minute original music-theater work that explores fame, class division, cultural erasure, and moral responsibility. Showtime is 7:30pm.

"Bill W. and Dr. Bob" Play Brings Story of Alcoholics Anonymous to StocktonPAC on October 3rd (GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Bill W. and Dr. Bob, a play detailing the inspirational true story that led to the creation of Alcoholics Anonymous, will be presented at the Stockton University Performing Arts Center on October 3, 2026 at 7:30pm.

Westfield Community Players presents "Morning's at Seven" (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players presents Morning's at Seven across three weekends from October 3-18, 2026. An American classic written by Paul Osborn, Morning's at Seven centers around four aging sisters and their families living in a small Midwestern town in the late 1930's.

Main Street Theatre Company presents "Little Women" (OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Little Women across two weekends from October 3-11, 2026. Based on Louisa May Alcott's American classic, this Civil War story of love and family stands the test of time.

Mile Square Theatre presents a New Play Reading Series in October (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents a New Play Reading Series from October 5-14, 2026. Plays include Neither Snow Nor Rain by Erin Mallon; The Halal Brothers by Alaudin Ullah; and Sunshine Madness by Lori Fischer. Admission is free, but tickets are required.

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EVENT LISTINGS

Click on the date for more information or to purchase tickets for the show

Friday, October 2, 2026 @ 8:00pm - I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway. Critically acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of Kitty Bruce (daughter of the late Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation, proudly present “I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce,” directed by Joe Mantegna.

Saturday, October 3, 2026 @ 8:00pm - Stop the Funeral – The Remix Featuring Kierra Sheard at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway. Stop The Funeral – The Remix is an electrifying multimedia stage production that fuses live theater, cinematic sequences, and interactive social media engagement into a fully immersive experience.

Sunday, October 4, 2026 @ 4:00pm - "Coconut Cake" Play-Reading at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown. For some, there’s nothing better than retirement, but when Eddie Lee’s wife joins him in retirement, the truth about his “ladies’ man” ways resurface. To avoid her, Eddie retreats to the sanctuary of McDonald’s where a game of chess teaches life lessons and the rest of his retired friends, with marital problems of their own, wait faithfully for him. But when a mystery woman comes to town with her medicine cabinet secrets, and melt in your mouth coconut cake, Eddie is not the only one who pays her a visit; a visit that tests their friendship and changes their lives forever.

COMING SOON

Surflight Theatre presents "Deceived" (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Deceived from October 7-11, 2026. Based on the original play, Gaslight, by Patrick Hamilton, Deceived is a psychological thriller that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.

Spotlight Players presents "Murder at Blackwood Manor" - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on October 7th (MATAWAN, NJ) -- Spotlight Players presents Murder at Blackwood Manor - A Whodunit Mystery Fundraiser on Friday, October 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. There’s been a murder at Blackwood Manor... and everyone is a suspect. Join them for an interactive evening of murder, mystery, suspicious characters, hidden clues and some delightfully questionable behavior, all to support Spotlight Players and their upcoming productions.

East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The Martians are coming... to New Jersey! East Lynne Theater Company presents War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast from October 8 to November 1, 2026. The play was adapted by Joe Landry from the novel by H.G. Wells. It was inspired by and including the Mercury Theater on the Air's infamous 1938 radio play.

Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast Premiere of "UnRavelled" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Penn Live Arts presents the East Coast premiere of UnRavelled, a multi-media theatrical production that sheds a new, empathetic light on dementia. Conceived and written by Jake Broder, UnRavelled tells the story of scientist-turned-painter Anne Adams and composer Maurice Ravel, both affected by frontotemporal dementia. Performances are October 8-11, 2026 at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

The Road Company presents "Shrek the Musical" (WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents Shrek the Musical across three weekends from October 8-24, 2026 at the Grand Theatre. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning, smash-hit film.

Vanguard Theater presents "Pipeline" by Dominique Morisseau (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau from October 8-25, 2026. In this play, Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities they’ll never have.

Apricot Sky Productions to present premiere of "Kill Goofy" by Eric Alter (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- At thirteen, Freddy and Barney were a matched set; everybody called them Fred and Barney. Then Barney's family left town suddenly, and the two best friends spent thirty years not talking about why. In Kill Goofy, the new play by Livingston native Eric Alter, they are finally back in the same room, a childhood bedroom that has not changed since 1994, circling the one thing they both experienced and never once discussed.

The Ritz Theatre Company presents "Trolls and Men" (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Trolls and Men by Alex Wilkie weekends from October 9-25, 2026. Set in 1940s Norway, and based on a true story, Trolls and Men tells the inspiring story of Julius Thoreson, the artistic director of the Trondheim Transformational Theater. The production is directed by Lori Aleixo-Howard.

The Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl's "Matilda, the Musical" (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage kicks off their season with Roald Dahl's Matilda, the Musical weekends from October 9-25, 2026. Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.

American Theater Group to present East Coast Premiere of "Destroying David" as 2026-27 Season Opener (UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) presents the East Coast premiere of Destroying David at the DMK Theater at Union Arts Center from October 9-18 and at the Sieminski Theater from October 23-25, 2026. Destroying David is a thrilling, witty and heartfelt solo show about the power of art to help us through our darkest hours. The play is written and performed by Emmy Award-nominee Jason Odell Williams. ATG's new Producing Artistic Director Charlotte Cohn will direct.

2nd Stage at Burlington County Footlighters presents "Tiny Beautiful Things" (CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- 2nd Stage at Burlington County Footlighters presents Tiny Beautiful Things across two weekends from October 9-17, 2026. Based on the bestselling book by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos, Tiny Beautiful Things personifies the questions and answers that "Sugar" was publishing online from 2010-2012.

interACT Theatre Productions presents the East Coast Premiere of "The Graveyard Girls" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents the East Coast Premiere of The Graveyard Girls by Tommy Jamerson across three weekends from October 9-24, 2026 at The Burgdorff Center for The Performing Arts. Every Halloween, besties Lauree, Sydney and Nancie have made a tradition of sneaking into an abandoned graveyard and attempting to outscare each other with a series of campfire tales packed with premium spookage...

Studio Players presents "POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive" (UPPER MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players presents POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive across three weekends from October 9-24, 2026. An uproarious Broadway debut by playwright Selina Fillinger, this is a riotous comedy about the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world.

Spring Lake Theatre Company presents "Noises Off" (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre Company presents Noises Off by Michael Frayn across three weekends from October 9-24, 2026. Wildly fast-paced farce that reveals the hilarious backstage disasters of a touring play.

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Villagers Theatre presents "Assassins" (SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents Assassins across two weekends from October 9 -17, 2026. In this musical, our nation's most notorious assassins gather on stage to violently pursue a twisted American Dream.

The 108th Season at CDC Theatre Opens with a Beach Party! (CRANFORD, NJ) -- Summer doesn’t have to end! Leave your troubles at the door and spend ninety minutes at a completely unhinged beach party... a Psycho Beach Party! CDC Theatre presents this hilarious send up of Gidget, Frankie and Annette beach party movies, with a dash of Hitchcock psychological suspense thrillers across two weekends from October 9-18, 2026.

First Avenue Playhouse presents "Our Town" (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents Thornton Wilder's Our Town, weekends from October 9-24, 2026. Described by Edward Albee as "the greatest American play ever written," Our Town presents the small town of Grover's Corners in three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage" and "Death and Eternity."

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "Hamlet" (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents William Shakespeare's Hamlet from October 10 to November 15, 2026 at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. Few plays have so completely captured the human imagination as Hamlet. It is a story of murder and revenge, but also of deep grief, passionate love, vicious betrayal, and wild madness.

The Players Guild of Leonia presents "A Dozen Roses" on October 10th (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia has announced that A Dozen Roses, an original musical with book by Marc Leland, music and lyrics by Joshua Z. Kantz, and produced by Rachel Alt, has been selected as the premiere production of the Guild's new Artist Incubator – Theater Workshop.

Chester Theatre Group presents "The Antelope Party" (CHESTER, NJ) -- Chester Theatre Group presents The Antelope Party by Eric John Meyer weekends from October 10-24, 2026. The play centers around a group of bronies [adult fans of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic TV show] navigating through the slow creep of American populism, fascism and paranoia.

Millstone's 250th Anniversary Comes to Life on Stage in "The Final Tolling of the Bells" (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ) -- As Millstone Borough celebrates its 250th anniversary, local residents will have an opportunity to experience the community's history in a different way—through live theater.

Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "Curious George: The Golden Meatball" (EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County invites children and families to go on a journey of cuisine and friendship at the 2026 Plays-in-the-Park annual indoor fall children's show, Curious George: The Golden Meatball. From October 10 through October 24, the musical will run on Saturdays and Sundays at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre in Roosevelt Park in Edison.

The Players Guild of Leonia to hold auditions for "Steel Magnolias" (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for Steel Magnolias on Sunday, October 11 from 6:00pm–8:00pm and Monday, October 12, 2026 from 7:00pm–9:00pm. The first round will consist of monologues. Audition sides for callbacks will be provided at the monologue auditions. The theater is located at 130 Grand Ave in Leonia, New Jersey.

The New Jersey Play Lab presents All Exits! - A statewide play reading series The New Jersey Play Lab presents All Exits! - A statewide play reading series which will take place in Cape May, Beach Haven, and Milford from October to November 2026.

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue comes to The Levoy Theatre in October (MILLVILLE, NJ) -- Following sold out performances and rave reviews across the country, The Golden Girls are back and better than ever with a stage show that's more exciting than a trip to the Rusty Anchor. Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue is returning with a US Fall Tour in 2026 that comes to The Levoy Theatre on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.

Ritz Theatre Company presents CABARET SERIES: Aged Out! on October 14th (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- As part of their 40th Anniversary Season, Ritz Theatre Company is thrilled to unveil a brand-new way to experience the Ritz: an intimate, star-studded Cabaret Series celebrating voices, stories, and songs you love.

Cumberland Players presents "A Year with Frog and Toad" Kids Version (VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents A Year with Frog and Toad Kids Version from October 15-18, 2026. The treasured characters from the children’s books and the beautiful Broadway musical hop from page to stage in this story of friendship and adventure.

The West Milford Players presents "The Women" (WEST MILFORD, NJ) -- The West Milford Players presents The Women - their first show of the 2026-2027 season - from October 15-18, 2026 at the West Milford Presbyterian Church

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Premiere Stages presents the World Premiere of "Effa Loves Baseball" (HILLSIDE NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University presents the premiere production of Effa Loves Baseball by Pia Wilson, the recipient of the 2025/26 Liberty Live Commission, October 15-25, 2026 in Kean University's Enlow Recital Hall. Directed by marcus d. harvey, Effa Loves Baseball features Justin Walter Cook, Grant Kennedy Lewis, DeShawn Harold Mitchell, David Andrew Morton, Greg Alverez Reid, and Kerry Warren as Effa Manley.

Classic American Tales to present final "Tales at the Dormer House" for 2026 (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Classic American Tales (CAT) is having its final Tales at the Dormer House in Cape May for 2026, on Thursday, October 15 at 4:00pm. It features seasoned storytellers Frank Smith, Stephanie Garrett, Gayle Stahlhuth, and newcomer Liberty Ero presenting some of their favorite short stories and monologues by well-known American writers.

George Street Playhouse presents "The Unexpected 3rd" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd, written by and starring Kathryn Grody (A Mom's Life), and directed by Timothy Near (A Doll's House, Part 2). Previews begin October 13, 2026, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center with opening night set for October 16, for a run through November 1, 2026.

Dan Maurer Talks About the World Premiere of "Midnight at the New Dawn" (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Sixty seconds before the ball drops on a New Jersey diner packed with lodge brothers, lovesick teenagers, a tempestuous Hollywood couple, and a writers' group still arguing about a chicken, playwright and director Dan Maurer's newest work asks a simple question with complicated answers: what happens when you finally say the thing you've been holding back?

American Theater Group to present "Destroying David" talkback with Newark Museum of Art on October 16th (UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) will present a talkback session in partnership with The Newark Museum of Art following the Friday, October 16, 2026 at 7:00pm performance of Destroying David at the DMK Theater at the Union Arts Center. The event will be moderated by ATG Producing Artistic Director Charlotte Cohn who will be joined by Museum employees and playwright Jason Odell Williams who is also starring in the production. All are welcome to attend and reservations are not necessary.

Old Library Theatre presents "The Hello Girls" in October (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre presents The Hello Girls across two weekends from October 16-25, 2026 at the George Frey Performing Arts Center. From New York to Paris, from ragtime to jazz, this musical chronicles the story of America’s first women soldiers in this new musical inspired by history.

Open Door Arts Center presents Murder Myster/Comedy "The Night I Died At The Palace Theatre" (BRIDGEWATER, NJ) -- Open Door Arts Center presents its fall production, The Night I Died at the Palace Theatre, at the PeopleCare Center Auditorium (120 Finderne Ave) in Bridgewater. Can you figure out whodunnit? Performances will be held October 16–18 and October 23–25, 2026, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8:00pm and Sunday shows at 2:00pm.

Speranza Theatre Company presents a reading of "Sylvia's Moxie" by Margo Hammond on October 17th (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company presents Sylvia's Moxie by Margo Hammond at the Museum of Jersey City History on October 17, 2026 at 6:30pm. This is a developmental reading and talk-back with the playwright.

The Summit Playhouse presents "By The Water" (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents By The Water weekends from October 17 to November 1, 2026. This play by Sharyn Rothstein takes place in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, in which the Murphy family struggles to rebuild their Staten Island home and their lives.

Stephanie Trudeau's "Becoming Chavela" to be presented at Teatro Latea (NEW YORK, NY) -- From October 23-25, 2026, Stephanie Trudeau's Becoming Chavela, the first ranchera musical celebrating the life, music, and legacy of legendary Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, an iconic voice whose artistry and unforgettable presence continue to inspire generations, will play at Teatro Latea choreographed by Ana Leon Bella, and directed by Leonard Peters.

Nutley Little Theatre presents “X” by Alistair McDowall (NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre presents X by Alistair McDowall weekends from October 23 to November 7, 2026. X is a psychological sci-fi play that follows a skeleton crew stranded at a research base on Pluto. Completely cut off from a ruined Earth, the crew slowly loses their grip on reality and time as a mysterious, terrifying presence stalks them outside.

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Disney's "Freaky Friday" (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Disney's Freaky Friday from October 23 to November 15, 2026. This is a musical adaptation of the classic novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films.

Brundage Park Playhouse presents "Ghost, the Musical" (RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park Playhouse presents Ghost, the Musical across two weekends from October 23 to November 1, 2026. Ghost is a captivating musical adaptation of the beloved Academy Award-winning film by Bruce Joel Rubin featuring a hauntingly beautiful score by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, along with the classic hit "Unchained Melody."

Somerset Valley Players present Agatha Christie's "Go Back for Murder" (HILLSBOROUGH, NJ) -- Somerset Valley Players present Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder weekends from October 23 to November 8, 2026. It's a gripping mystery filled with twists, revelations, and razor‑sharp suspense.

"The American Soldier" comes to Cape May Stage (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Douglas Taurel brings his The American Soldier play to Cape May Stage for three performances from October 23-25, 2026. Inspired by real letters written by service members and their families, The American Soldier is a powerful solo performance that brings to life the voices of those who have served — from the nation's earliest days to the present.