Here are previews of plays taking place from June 25 to July 2, 2024 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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PHOTOS from "South Pacific" at Surflight Theatre (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is presenting the beloved musical theatre classic South Pacific from June 19 through July 7, 2024. It takes place during World War II where Nellie, a nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a local French estate owner, Emile. Meanwhile, Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent girl with whom he's fallen in love. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe's life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
Vivid Stage Presents Summer Solos Every Week in July at the Visual Arts Center of NJ (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage presents Summer Solos readings every week from July 1-24, 2024 at the Visual Arts Center of NJ at 68 Elm Street in Summit. Performances in the series will take place on the lawn of the Arts Center at 6:30pm. Patrons are invited to bring chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner. The rain and extreme heat location for all performances is the Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ.
Paper Mill Playhouse announces cast and creative for "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the full cast and creative team for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, featuring a book by Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award nominee Douglas McGrath and words and music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. Casey Hushion will helm the production, with choreography by Jennifer Werner and music direction by Wendy Bobbitt Cavett. Beautiful will play June 5 to July 3, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse. Click here for photos from the production.
Two River Theater presents August Wilson's "Gem of the Ocean" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, the seventh production in Two River Theater's commitment to stage all ten of Wilson's visionary epics in the American Century Cycle, directed by San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award Winner, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg (Appropriate, Trouble in Mind). The production runs June 8-30, 2024.
Vanguard Theater Company presents 'Pippin' (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater Company presents Pippin from June 13-30, 2024. Immerse yourself in the enchanting tale of Pippin, where fantasy and reality collide in a whirlwind of adventure and intrigue. Follow our enigmatic hero as he seeks purpose and fulfillment in a world full of possibilities and pitfalls.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Avenue Q" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents Avenue Q for a three-weekend run from June 14-30, 2024. Avenue Q, the 2003 winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, is part flesh, part felt, and packed with heart, and will be the eighth mainstage show of MMT's 2024 season.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off Outdoor Stage season with the comedy 'As You Like It' (MADISON, NJ) -- Romance and laughter abound in Shakespeare's delightful comedy As You Like It, which kicks off the summer season at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The beloved play, one of the most popular in Shakespeare's canon, will be presented on the Outdoor Stage at St. Elizabeth University from June 19 - July 14, 2024.
'Uncle Buck' actress Elaine Bromka to Bring 'Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty' to Cape May (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Three former First Ladies will share some very intimate secrets during East Lynne Theater Company's critically acclaimed production of Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty from June 19 to July 6, 2024.
Scott Ehrenpreis Shares His Inspiring Mental Health Journey in solo show, "Clowns Like Me" (NEW YORK, NY) -- Mental illness is no laughing matter, but in the new solo show Clowns Like Me, audience members are encouraged to laugh, cry and enjoy the ride into the unknown. Clowns Like Me will have its New York Off-Broadway Premiere at the DR2 Theatre this summer. The witty, timely, and inspiring story is based on Sarasota actor and storyteller Scott Ehrenpreis’ true life struggles with mental illness and its stigmas. The play was written by Jason Cannon, who also directs. Previews begin on June 21, for a limited engagement through August 18, 2024. Opening night is slated for Sunday, June 30 at 6:30pm.
Black Box presents a Staged Reading of 'All Over' by Edward Albee (TEANECK, NJ) -- In association with The Estate of Edward Albee, Black Box presents All Over (1971) on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 at Debonair Music Hall. Showtime is 7:30pm. This is part of the company's exclusive staged reading series of all of Albee's plays. As described on the Edward Albee Society website, All Over takes place in a majestic townhouse as a great man lay dying.
The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret, an Annual Festival of Songs and Short Plays (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- From June 28-30, 2024, The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret, its annual showcase of new work, at Luna Stage. Audiences are invited to see a variety of short plays by members of the company's Playwrights Workshop whose work has been performed in Canada, Great Britain, New York and around the US. This year's event also includes two plays by high school/college playwrights, past honorees of The Theater Project's annual Young Playwrights Competition. The Kabaret includes music performed by guest musicians, including Sandra Toll and David Tillestrand.
The Stage Comes Alive With the Yardley Players and 'The Sound of Music' at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- One of the most beloved musicals of all time will light up the stage when the Yardley Players present The Sound of Music June 28 to July 7, 2024 at the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC).
Rising Stars Shine Bright in "Constellations of Resilience" at Playhouse 22 this weekend (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rising Star Resilience Project, an innovative program by NextGen Acting, is proud to present "Constellations of Resilience," an inspiring and powerful showcase by the students of the Rising Star Resilience Project. Performances will take place at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday, June 28-29, 2024 at Playhouse 22.
The Premier Theatre Company presents "Oklahoma!" this weekend (RUMSON, NJ) -- The Premier Theatre Company will present the classic musical Oklahoma! by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II in Rumson, NJ on June 28, 29 and 30, 2024. Opening night is Friday, June 28. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 7:30pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2:00pm.
Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch to Present 'John and Abigail Adams: An American Love Story' (BARNEGAT, NJ) -- Step back into our nation's earliest days to meet one of its most extraordinary couples. The Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch will present the American Historical Theatre's Peyton Dixon and Kim Hanley in "John and Abigail Adams: An American Love Story" on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:00am.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Monday, July 1, 2024 @ 6:30pm - Vivid Summer Solos: "Three Viewings" by Jeffrey Hatcher at Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, 68 Elm Street, Summit
Lauren O'Brien's "Lolo's Boyfriend Show" comes to Turn the Lights On Festival at Playhouse 46 (NEW YORK, NY) -- The charming, adventurous and witty Lolo is back with more show dates! Weaving together theater, multi-media, and music, award-winning performer Lauren O'Brien's hit solo show Lolo's Boyfriend Show, returns to NYC with 4 performances (July 5-14, 2024) at the Turn the Lights On Festival at Playhouse 46.
Shakepeare Theatre of NJ presents "The Book of Will" by Lauren Gunderson (MADISON, NJ) -- How far would you go to honor and preserve a friend's legacy? What if that friend was William Shakespeare and his plays were about to be lost to history forever? Lauren Gunderson's acclaimed play The Book of Will shines a light on the amazing true story of two ordinary men whose love for their friend and his genius continues to influence our world four centuries after Shakespeare's death. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present The Book of Will at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from July 10-28, 2024.
Centenary Stage Company's Summer Musical Series Includes 'Grease' and 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- This summer, Centenary Stage Company presents the 2024 summer musical series featuring Grease and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Performances for Grease will run July 11–21 and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run August 1-11 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus in Hackettstown.
Premiere Stages presents "Still" - a play based on true events in 1850s NJ (UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University will present the premiere production of Still by Benjamin V. Marshall, the recipient of the 2023/24 Liberty Live Commission, July 11-28 in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. Directed by Marshall Jones III, Still will feature actors Ashley Nicole Baptiste, D. Malik Beckford, Brian D. Coats, Perri Gaffney, Carl Hendrick Louis, and Nafeesa Monroe.
NJ Rep presents the World Premiere of "The Bookstore" by Michael Walek (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) presents the world premiere of The Bookstore by Michael Walek from July 11 through August 4, 2024. The play takes place in a small independent bookstore in New York City, like the ones we all love to frequent and are rapidly dying out. Carey, the owner, rolls up the grate, unlocks the front door, carries in boxes, turns on the heater, turns on the kettle, and turns on the lamps and her computer. And so her day begins.
The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents "Legally Blonde the Musical" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents Legally Blonde the Musical over two weekends, July 12–14 and July 19–21, 2024. This fabulously fun, award-winning musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Music and lyrics by Laurence O'keefe and Nell Benjamin; book by Heather Hach; and based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture, Legally Blonde. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!
Center Players presents 'Coyote' - an original musical about love & immigration (FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Center Players presents Coyote, an original musical by Freehold resident Tim McCorry about love and immigration, at the Park Avenue Complex in Freehold, from July 19-28, 2024.
The Theater League of Clifton presents Madcap Whodunit "Murder on the Menu" (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will present its second dinner/theater production of the season, "Murder on the Menu," beginning on Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm, at Mario's Restaurant (710 Van Houten Ave) in Clifton.
OffBook Productions to hold auditions for "The Laramie Project" (LITTLE FALLS, NJ) -- OffBook Productions will hold auditions for its upcoming fall production of The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project on July 23-24. The play was first produced by Denver Center Theater Company in February 2000. OffBook's production will run from October 24 to November 2, 2024 at First Reformed Church of Little Falls in Little Falls, NJ, a returning venue for the group's shows.
13th Annual Crossing Borders Festival Preview (RED BANK, NJ ) -- Two River Theater's highly acclaimed Crossing Borders (Cruzando Fronteras) Festival of new plays by Latine playwrights is set to run Thursday, August 1 through Sunday, August 4 in Two River's Joan and Robert M. Rechnitz Theater. In its 13th year, the festival is the theater's annual joyful celebration of the power, diversity, creativity and talent of Latine theater artists. All festival events are free to the public.
Light Opera of New Jersey presents "Seussical" (WAYNE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey presents Seussical from August 9-11, 2024 at Rosen Performing Arts Center YMCA, in Wayne. Seussical is a fantastical magical, musical extravaganza! Step into the world of Dr. Seuss with LONJ's professionally staged production. This beloved show brings to life all your favorite characters from the iconic books, including the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and Gertrude McFuzz.
The Theater Project presents "The Interpreter" by Joseph Vitale (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Theater Project, a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for New Jersey artists, will present award-winning playwright Joseph Vitale's thought-provoking play, The Interpreter, August 15-25, 2024 at the Oakes Center.
