Here are previews of plays taking place from October 20-26, 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.
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McCarter Theatre Center presents "A Beat of Our Own" - (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents A Beat of Our Own from October 7–25, 2026 in the Matthews Theatre. From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown, A Beat of Our Own features a book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, direction by Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima, choreography by Rujuta Vaidya, and musical staging by Jesse Robb. A Beat of Our Own is a joyous new musical comedy celebrating the power of community through music, dance, and laughter.
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.
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.
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.
The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Gypsy, a Musical Fable" - (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present Gypsy, a Musical Fable across two weekends from October 16-25, 2026. The Mother of All Musicals! The jewel of Broadway's Golden Age, Gypsy boasts an incomparable score, a brilliantly conceived book, and one of the greatest leading roles ever to grace the Broadway stage.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Oliver!" - (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Oliver! across two weekends from October 16-25, 2026. A beloved musical based on Charles Dickens' timeless novel, Oliver! tells the story of a young boy searching for home and belonging.
Fool Moon Theatre Company presents "Agnes of God" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents John Pielmeier's mysterious play Agnes of God, which was turned into an award-winning movie, at studio;space in Somers Point from October 22-25, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
The Players Guild of Leonia presents "Drill Hall Spooktacular" (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents Drill Hall Spooktacular from October 23-25, 2026. Directed by Ellyn Essig, the showcase features seven original short one-act plays written by local authors.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical weekends from October 23 to November 15, 2026. Step into the heartwarming world of Bedford Falls, where George Bailey dreams of escaping his small town but instead dedicates his life to helping others.
The Kelsey Theatre and In Death's Company present "Evil Dead, the Musical" (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- The Kelsey Theatre and In Death's Company present Evil Dead, the Musical weekends from October 23 to November 1, 2026 at The Kelsey Theatre. The classic cult films come to life on stage in one of the craziest, funniest and bloodiest theatrical experiences of all time.
North Star Theater Company presents "Bus Stop" by William Inge (FRANKLIN, NJ) -- North Star Theater Company will present William Inge's classic romantic comedy Bus Stop, October 23-25, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin. The production is directed by Christa Piper. The play takes place in the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner...
Bergen County Players to present "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) opens its Halloween season with Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, a fast-paced comic retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Directed by Perry Award-winner Ray Yucis, the show runs at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from October 24 through November 14, 2026.
Country Gate Players presents "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (BELVIDERE, NJ) -- Country Gate Players presents The Legend of Sleepy Hollow across two weekends from October 24 to November 1, 2026. Welcome to the quite little village of Sleepy Hollow... where old legends have a way of coming to life.
Click on the date for more information or to purchase tickets for the show
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @ 7:30pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 10:30am - Premiere Stages at Kean presents Effa Loves Baseball at Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Avenue, Hillside
Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 2:00pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Thursday, October 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:00pm - MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Gypsy, a Musical Fable" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown
Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm - Oliver! at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan
Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm - Premiere Stages at Kean presents Effa Loves Baseball at Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Avenue, Hillside
Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Friday, October 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm - Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 2:00pm - Oliver! at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 2:00pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 3:00pm - Premiere Stages at Kean presents Effa Loves Baseball at Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Avenue, Hillside
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 4:00pm - Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 7:00pm - MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Gypsy, a Musical Fable" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm - Oliver! at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm - Premiere Stages at Kean presents Effa Loves Baseball at Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Avenue, Hillside
Saturday, October 24, 2026 @ 7:30pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm - A Beat of Our Own at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm - George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm - Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm - MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Gypsy, a Musical Fable" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown
Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm - Oliver! at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan
Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm - Premiere Stages at Kean presents Effa Loves Baseball at Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Avenue, Hillside
Arden Theatre Company presents "Topdog/Underdog" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company continues its 2026/27 Mainstage Season with Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize- winning play Topdog/Underdog, a gripping two-person drama exploring brotherhood, rivalry, survival, and the ties that bind families together. Directed by three-time Barrymore Award-winning artist Amina Robinson and co-produced with People's Light, Topdog/Underdog starts its run on the Arden's Arcadia stage on October 29, with opening night on November 4, and performances running through December 13, 2026.
Two River Theater presents "Stir" by Melinda Lopez & Joel Perez (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents Stir by Melinda Lopez & Joel Perez from October 31 to November 22, 2026. Join them in the kitchen as two siblings piece together their mother's beloved black bean recipe. Secrets simmer and memories are on the menu as they reconnect from across the country.
Centenary Stage Company's Annual Fringe Festival Returns in November (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's annual Fringe Festival returns this November with three intimate, unconventional, and thought-provoking theatrical experiences. Featuring Too Fat for China, Ghost Dance: Picture of a Madman, and Unseen, this year's festival explores adoption, art and mental illness, and the often-unseen people who make the magic of theater possible.
Speranza Theatre Company presents "Petticoat Patriots" (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company presents Petticoat Patriots by Jennie Contuzzi at the Museum of Jersey City History from November 5-7, 2026. In September 1780, Jane Tuers crossed the Hudson River to sell eggs and vegetables in British occupied New York. She returned with something far more dangerous: a warning about Benedict Arnold's plot to surrender West Point.
Centenary Stage Company to open Fringe Festival with Phoebe Potts' Solo Show "Too Fat For China" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company launches its annual Fringe Festival with comedian, comic storyteller, and professional Jew Phoebe Potts and her acclaimed one-woman show, Too Fat For China, running November 5–8, 2026, in the Kutz Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on the campus of Centenary University.
The Village Playbox presents "The Philadelphia Story" (HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Village Playbox presents The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry across three weekends from November 6-21, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddon Heights. This smash Broadway comedy, about an eventful wedding weekend at the estate of a wealthy American family, inspired an Oscar-winning film and the hit musical High Society.
Cumberland Players presents "The Pillowman" (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.
Playhouse 22 presents "Working" (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22 presents Working weekends from November 6-22, 2026. Based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the millworker, the mason, and the housewife, just to name a few.
Phoenix Productions presents "Parade" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presents Parade at Count Basie Center for the Arts from November 6-8, 2026. The tragic, true story of the trial and lynching of a man wrongly accused of murder is brought to theatrical life.
16th Annual Tri-State Theatre Festival to take place November 6-8 (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- South Street Players presents the 16th Annual Tri-State Theatre Festival from November 6-8, 2026. Produced by Rob Sullivan, the festival showcases the best new short plays written by local writers from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
Pioneer Productions presents Neil Simon's "Rumors" (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions presents Neil Simon's Rumors from November 6–15, 2026 at The Stage at Fellowship Hall. This is Simon's celebrated comedy of confusion, deception, and nonstop laughs. Known for its rapid-fire dialogue and relentless comic momentum, Rumors is widely regarded as one of Simon's most ambitious and brilliantly constructed farces.
Burlington County Footlighters presents "The Drowsy Chaperone" (CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- Burlington County Footlighters presents The Drowsy Chaperone weekends from November 6-21, 2026. When a die-hard theatre fan plays his favorite cast album, the characters come to life in this hilarious Tony Award-winning musical farce.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (DEAL PARK, NJ) -- Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's beloved musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from November 6–22, 2026. The irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son.
South Camden Theatre Company presents "Sex Please We're Sixty" (CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company presents Sex Please We're Sixty weekends from November 6-22, 2026. Directed by Zuhairah McGill, the comedy by Susan and Michael Parker is a celebration of life!
Mile Square Theatre presents "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf" (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf from weekends from November 6-15, 2026. Written by Ntozake Shange, this groundbreaking "choreopoem" is a spellbinding collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives about and performed by Black women.
Dunbar Repertory Company presents "FOR COLORED GIRLS Who have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company presents Ntozake Shange's FOR COLORED GIRLS Who have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf at the Middletown Arts Center across two weekends from November 7-15, 2026. This is the groundbreaking "choreopoem" – a spellbinding collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives about and performed by Black women. The production is directed by Darrell Lawrence Willis, SR.
It's a Family Affair: A Hilarious Dark Comedy Premieres at Avenel Performing Arts Center Before Heading Off-Off-Broadway (AVENEL, NJ) -- Retirement was supposed to bring JT Tyler some peace. Instead, the retired fire captain discovers that after 40 years of putting out fires for everyone else, the biggest fire he may ever face is burning right inside his own home.
Center Players presents "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" (FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Center Players presents It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play with four performances across two Sundays (November 8 and November 15, 2026). Performances are split between the American Hotel and Mattison Crossing.
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Christmas at the Playhouse 2026 (HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Christmas at the Playhouse 2026 from November 10 to December 20, 2026. Celebrate the season with this spectacular holiday production filled with the music, memories, and traditions audiences have cherished through the years.
Ferrell Studios presents "Carrie, the Musical" (PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios presents Carrie, the Musical at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center from November 12-15, 2026. Based on the classic novel by Stephen King, the musical poses the question: What happens when someone is pushed too far?
Theater League of Clifton presents "1776" in November (WAYNE, NJ) -- Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of opinionated, stubborn and deeply divided delegates gathered in Philadelphia and somehow managed to create a new nation. This November, the Theater League of Clifton brings their story to the stage with 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical about the tumultuous days leading to the Declaration of Independence. Directed by Maren Sugarman, the production will be presented November 13–15, 2026, at the Wayne Community Center.
The Growing Stage presents Murder at the Palace (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents Murder at the Palace - a roaring 20's murder mystery - on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. All proceeds benefit the artistic and educational programming of The Growing Stage.
There are multiple performances including:
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
@ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
Thursday, October 22, 2026
@ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ
Thursday, October 22, 2026
@ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ
