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THIS WEEK IN THEATRE



Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the nominations for adjudicated production categories of the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in New Jersey High School Musical Theater. Often referred to as New Jersey's version of the Tony Awards for high school musical theater, the Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in performance, direction, design, choreography, music direction, and overall production.





 




Middlesex County and Thinkery & Verse present "Liberty Madness" at State Theatre

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County and Thinkery & Verse present an original live production of Liberty Madness at State Theatre New Jersey on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is a dynamic, magical stage play that tells the story of America’s haunted past.




Arden Theatre Company presents "Dear Evan Hansen"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company brings the Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, to the F. Otto Haas Stage this spring. Featuring a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the production is directed by Terrence J. Nolen and co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Nolen. Performances begin May 21, the show opens May 27, and runs through June 28, 2026.




Premiere Stages at Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists for 2026 Play Festival

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has announced the 2026 Premiere Play Festival Semi-Finalists. The Play Festival panel and literary staff reviewed 894 submissions, an increase of 89 submissions from the previous year, before choosing the 65 Semi-Finalists. An eclectic mix of plays, the Semi-Finalists explore a wide range of topics in a variety of genres.




PHOTOS from "Nate The Great" at Growing Stage

(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is presenting Nate The Great weekends through May 17, 2026. In this musical, the world's greatest boy detective awakes, hoping that this day will bring a new case. He gets a call from his good friend Annie alerting him that her new painting of her dog Fang is missing! Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.










 

EVENT PREVIEWS


Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents "Some Enchanted Evening"

(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Some Enchanted Evening from April 7 through May 16, 2026. This is a celebration of songs that have become a part of our lives. We sing them in the shower and we sing them to entertain and amuse.




The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "A Bronx Tale, The Musical"

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents A Bronx Tale, The Musical, across three weekends from April 24 to May 17, 2026. Step into the vibrant streets of the 1960s Bronx in this gripping musical about a young man torn between the steady guidance of his hardworking father and the alluring power of a local mob boss.




New Jersey Play Lab to Host a Virtual Storyteller Studio Open House

New Jersey Play Lab is hosting two Virtual Open House sessions for prospective 2026-2027 Storyteller Studio Cohort participants! If you are an aspiring playwright or dramaturg, this is for you.




Theatre Horizon presents "Ain't Misbehavin'" - The Fats Waller Musical Show

(NORRISTOWN, PA) -- Theatre Horizon the award-winning professional theater nestled in Norristown's Arts Hill District, presents Ain't Misbehavin', The Fats Waller Musical Show, the Tony Award-winning production. The production is directed by Amina Robinson, a three-time Barrymore Award winner who returns to Theatre Horizon for the first time since winning for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for The Color Purple in 2018. Ain't Misbehavin' runs from April 29 through May 17, 2026.




Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Seussical"

(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company presents Seussical across three weekends from May 1-16, 2026. Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza while weaving a story of friendship, loyalty, and love.











FEATURES


PHOTOS from "Pippin" at Algonquin Arts Theatre

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is presenting Pippin from May 8–17, 2026. There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.




"My Lord, What a Night" – A Fascinating Story of Concern and Compassion

They were an unlikely pairing of two people to become life long friends. When they met in 1937, Albert Einstein was a world renowned physicist who made his mark in the world with his theory of relativity. Marian Anderson was regarded as one of the greatest opera voices of all time. Yet despite her talent, racism and segregation kept her from wide notoriety. What started as a simple act of hospitality was the beginning of a lifetime friendship for the two. It also set the stage for the events that led to the groundbreaking concert given by Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in April, 1939.




Middletown Arts Center and Dunbar Repertory Company presents "Seven Guitars" by August Wilson

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center, in conjunction with Dunbar Repertory Company, presents a special production of Seven Guitars, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson, across two weekends from May 23–31, 2026. The play by August Wilson follows a blues musician chasing redemption and a second chance as love, ambition, and fate collide in powerful portrait of dreams deferred.




PHOTOS from "SpongeBob SquarePants Jr " at Roman Productions

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Roman Productions presented The SpongeBob Musical Jr. at Saint John Vianney High School April 25-26, 2026. Under the direction of Wendy Roman, this production showcased the strength of a youth theater program rooted in confidence, collaboration, and individuality. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.




The Growing Stage presents "Nate The Great"

(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is thrilled to present Nate The Great. Based on the book by Marjorie Sharmat with book & lyrics by John Maclay and music & lyrics by Brett Ryback, this vibrant production runs weekends from May 1-17, 2026. In this musical, the world's greatest boy detective awakes, hoping that this day will bring a new case. He gets a call from his good friend Annie alerting him that her new painting of her dog Fang is missing!









 

LINKS

* Community Theaters
* Equity Theater Companies









THIS WEEK IN THEATRE





 

 

George Street Playhouse presents "My Lord, What A Night"

Thursday, May 14, 2026 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) New Brunswick, NJ
 

George Street Playhouse presents "My Lord, What A Night"

Thursday, May 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) New Brunswick, NJ