Here are previews of plays taking place from May 21-28, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. Click on the title to go to the full preview. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
Send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Click here for more information on our event pages. Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.
McCarter Theatre presents "Choice" by Winnie Holzman (PRINCETON, NJ) -- From the writer of the hit Broadway musical - and soon-to-be film franchise - Wicked and the beloved 90's TV series My So-Called Life, comes a new comedy that explores a woman's right to choose in decidedly unexpected, often hilarious, and ultimately thought-provoking ways. McCarter Theatre presents Choice by Winnie Holzman, directed by Sarah Rasmussen, from May 8 through June 2, 2024.
Vivid Stage presents Meet the Artist New Play Readings Wednesdays throughout May (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage will present its annual Meet the Artist new play reading series on Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15 and 22. All readings will take place at the Summit Community Center (100 Morris Ave) at 7:00pm. Works are by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, Philip J. Kaplan, Erik Gernand, and Laura Ekstrand.
2024 Basie Awards to Take Place May 22nd (RED BANK, NJ) -- The 2024 Basie Awards, the annual celebration of Monmouth County high school theatre, will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the historic Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
MPAC's 10th Annual Spring Musical - Disney's Beauty and the Beast (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast across five performances from May 31-June 2, 2024. The show will be directed by Cathy Roy, MPAC Education Director, with music direction by Charles Santoro. Trend Motors returns as the lead sponsor for the third consecutive year.
Art House Productions presents 2024 INKubator New Play Festival (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions presents the 2024 INKubator New Play Festival from May 13-21. This year's playwrights are Upasna Barath, Amanda Sage Comerford, Leo Layla Díaz, Neil Levi, Dave Osmundsen, and Marcus Scott. Audiences who attend the festival will have the opportunity to participate in conversations with the writers, directors, and actors following each performance. All readings are free to attend, but advanced registration is required.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder" (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will open their 62nd season with the Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, marking the theatre's first musical in over a decade. Performances will run from May 15 through June 9, 2024 at FM Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University.
Lantern Theater Company to Close 30th Anniversary Season with William Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Lantern Theater Company will close its 30th anniversary season with The Comedy of Errors, part of the company's ongoing commitment to produce the timeless stories of William Shakespeare for both the general public and local school students. Lantern Artistic Director Charles McMahon directs an ensemble cast of Lantern veterans, including Morgan Charéce Hall, J Hernandez, Dave Johnson, Brian McCann, Lee Minora, Kishia Nixon, Matteo Scammell, and Zach Valdez. The Comedy of Errors runs Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, June 16, 2024, at St. Stephen's Theater in Center City Philadelphia.
Luna Stage presents "Queen of the Night" (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents Queen of the Night by travis tate, directed by Lucas Pinner, running Thursdays-Sundays May 16 to June 9, 2024. Billed as "a story of queerness, Blackness, masculinity and the challenges of camping with family," this honest, funny, heartwarming play explores themes of family, history, and reconciliation.
Dunbar Repertory Company presents "American Menu" at Middletown Arts Center (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company at the Middletown Arts Center presents American Menu by Don Wilson Glenn, over two weekends, May 17-19 and May 24-26, 2024. The production, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson and Damien S. Berger, tells the story of five women working in the kitchen of a segregated diner in a Texas town, circa May 1968.
Bear Tavern Project, Tomato Patch Workshops present "The Jungle Book" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Rudyard Kipling's gripping narrative involving themes of abandonment and fostering, law and order, "The Jungle Book," comes to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) May 18-26.
Middletown Arts Center presents The MAC One-Act Play-Reading Festival (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents the fifth edition of The MAC ONE-ACTSPlay-Reading Festival, featuring original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors. The festival will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 7:00pm, and is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.
Brundage Park Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" (RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park playhouse presents Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park across two weekends (May 24-26 and May 31 - June 2, 2024). The play is about Paul and Corie Bratter - newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she's a free spirit always looking for the latest kick...
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Sweet Charity" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents Sweet Charity, the classic 1966 musical, weekends from May 24 to June 9, 2024. It is the seventh mainstage show of MMT's 2024 season.
Crossroads Theatre Company presents "Fences" by August Wilson (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Crossroads Theatre Company presents Fences by August Wilson from May 29 through June 9, 2024 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Experience the transformative power of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece, directed by Crossroad's Artistic Director, Ricardo Khan.
Gateway Playhouse presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - the first musical of its 2024 mainstage season - across two weekends, May 31 to June 2 and June 7-9. Joseph features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The production will be double cast at Gateway will performances are at 7:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:00pm matinees on Sundays.
American Theater Group to Honor Tony Award-Winner Michele Pawk at Annual Gala (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) will honor Tony Award-winning actress Michele Pawk at its annual Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 2nd, at the Hamilton Stage in Rahway.
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 - July 3, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse.
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.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Tuesday, May 21 @ 7:00pm - McCarter Live at the Library: The Power of CHOICE at Princeton Public Library – Newsroom, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
Wednesday, May 22 @ 7:00pm - 2024 Basie Awards at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
Wednesday, May 22 @ 7:00pm - Vivid Stage New Play Reading: "Crooked Lake" at Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue, Summit
Wednesday, May 22 @ 7:30pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Thursday, May 23 @ 7:30pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, May 24 @ 8:00pm - Triangle Show Reunions Encore Performance - "Ship Happens: A Cruisical" at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, May 24 @ 8:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, May 25 @ 2:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, May 25 @ 7:00pm - Triangle Show Reunions Encore Performance - "Ship Happens: A Cruisical" at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, May 25 @ 8:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, May 26 @ 2:00pm - Choice at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Crossroads Theatre Company presents "Fences" by August Wilson (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Crossroads Theatre Company presents Fences by August Wilson from May 29 through June 9, 2024 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Experience the transformative power of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece, directed by Crossroad's Artistic Director, Ricardo Khan.
Gateway Playhouse presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - the first musical of its 2024 mainstage season - across two weekends, May 31 to June 2 and June 7-9. Joseph features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The production will be double cast at Gateway will performances are at 7:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with 2:00pm matinees on Sundays.
Remember Jones & Gaby Albo Star in "Evita" at Axelrod PAC (DEAL PARK, NJ) -- The Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) will present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita for 16 performances from May 31 to June 16, 2024. Asbury Park-based rock and soul singer Remember Jones will star as Che and Gaby Albo, fresh off her starring role as Gloria Estefan in the National Tour of Broadway's On Your Feet, takes the title role of Eva Peron. The production is directed by José Zayas with choreography by Kelsey Burns and music direction by Michael Gilch, who will conduct the live 10-piece orchestra.
American Theater Group to Honor Tony Award-Winner Michele Pawk at Annual Gala (RAHWAY, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) will honor Tony Award-winning actress Michele Pawk at its annual Gala Benefit on Sunday, June 2nd, at the Hamilton Stage in Rahway.
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 5–30, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse.
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.
