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THIS WEEK IN THEATRE | FEATURED EVENTS



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.





 




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.




State Theatre New Jersey presents the 20th Anniversary Tour of "Jersey Boys"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the Tony® Award-winning musical Jersey Boys, for three performances from October 16-17, 2026. Jersey Boys is the true behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.




Kean Department of Theatre presents "References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot"

(UNION, NJ) -- The Kean Department of Theatre presents References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot from October 9-17, 2026 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. This is an Obie Award-winning surrealist play by José Rivera that follows Gabriela, a lonely housewife in Barstow, California, awaiting her soldier-husband Benito’s return from the Gulf War in 1991.




The National Tour of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" comes to MPAC

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Con man Harold Hill brings "Trouble" to River City when Big League Productions' National Tour of Meredith Willson's The Music Man comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for three performances from October 16-17, 2026. The show is helmed by veteran director Matt Lenz. Emmy Award winning and TONY Award® nominated choreographer Joshua Bergasse brings the story's celebrated production numbers spectacularly to life on stage.













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.











FEATURES


Ray Andersen Talks About "Sound Mind" - a new musical

Ray Andersen has had quite a musical career. Long-time Jersey Shore rock fans may remember his time as a member of Cats On a Smooth Surface - the Stone Pony house band that Bruce Springsteen often jammed with. Indie rock fans may remember him from his band, Blue Van Gogh, in the mid-1990s. Classic rock fans may have seen him as a member of Meat Loaf where he appeared on many national television shows around the world or with his current David Bowie tribute show. Children and young adults may know him as Mr. Ray performing melodic rock tunes for kids.




Jersey Arts Podcast: Kathryn Grody's Unexpected 3rd Act

It's in the third act of a three-act story structure when everything comes to a head. The plot builds to its peak, the characters demonstrate development, and the audience/reader/listener experiences the story's climax—and maybe even a moral.




"Midnight at the New Dawn" to Have World Premiere at Kelsey Theatre

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Combine a Jersey diner, four couples, and a live-streaming video series and you have Midnight at the New Dawn, a new comedy making its world premiere at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College's West Windsor Campus with performances from October 16-18, 2026.




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.




PHOTOS from "Forever Plaid" by Atlantic City Theatre Company

(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Atlantic City Theatre Company presented Forever Plaid at Stockton Performing Arts Center with three performances from September 25-26, 2026. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.









 

LINKS

* Community Theaters
* Equity Theater Companies









THIS WEEK IN THEATRE