(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents The Pillowman across two weekends from November 6-15, 2026. With echoes of Stoppard, Kafka and the Brothers Grimm, The Pillowman centers on a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about his gruesome short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders.
The result is an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art.
The play by Martin McDonagh was nominated for six 2005 Tony Awards including Best Play; Four 2005 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play; and Five 2005 Outer Critics Circle Awards.
The cast includes John Hager (Katurian), Matt Dell' Oli (Tupolski), Bill Brasky (Ariel), Charlie Temple (Michal), Kristine Bonaventura McKeon (Mother), Chris Pace (Father), Ellis Whittard (Girl), and Oliver Whittard (Boy).
Performances take place Friday, November 6 at 8:00pm; Saturday, November 7 at 8:00pm; Sunday, November 8 at 2:00pm; Friday, November 13 at 8:00pm; Saturday, November 14 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, November 15 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. The theater is located at 66 East Sherman Avenue in Vineland, New Jersey.
The Pillowman was originally produced by the National Theatre at the Cottesloe in London on November 13, 2003. It opened on Broadway at the Booth Theater on April 10, 2005. Directed by John Crowley, the production featured Jeff Goldblum, Billy Crudup, Željko Ivanek and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Playwright Martin McDonagh’s body of work is comprised of the plays The Pillowman (Winner! 2004 Olivier Awards, Best New Play, Nominee: 2005 Tony Awards, Best Play), The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Winner! 2003 Olivier Awards, Best New Comedy), The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Nominee: 1998 Tony Awards, Best Play), The Lonesome West (Nominee: 1999 Tony Awards, Best Play), A Skull in Connemara, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Banshees of Inisheer, The Retard is Out in the Cold and Dead Day at Coney. His other work includes “Barney Nenagh’s Shotgun Circus,” “Suicide on Sixth Street,” “In Bruges,” “Seven Psychopaths” and “Six Shooter” (Winner! 2006 Oscars, Best Live-Action Short).
Cumberland Players, founded in 1946 in Vineland, New Jersey, is the longest continuously operating community theatre organization in southern New Jersey. Originally known as The Little Theatre of Vineland, the company began as a small volunteer theatre group formed by residents who believed that live theatre should be created by the community and accessible to everyone.
Tuesday, October 06, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Wednesday, October 07, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ
Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, October 08, 2026
@ 6:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ
