Here are previews of plays taking place from September 17-24, 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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Premiere Stages to Present World Premiere of "Diversion" by Scott Organ (UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University will present the New Jersey Premiere of Scott Organ's Diversion September 5-22, 2024 in the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center. Selected as the winner of the 2023 Premiere Play Festival, it involves a group of devoted and hard working nurses in an ICU unit see their world turned upside down when it is discovered that someone is diverting (stealing) medicine on the unit. Click here for a review of the play.
McCarter Theatre presents the World Premiere of "Empire Records: The Musical" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center has announced the cast for the world premiere of Empire Records: The Musical based on the beloved 1990s cult-classic film. This dynamic adaptation, featuring an original rock score by Princeton native Zoe Sarnak and a book by the film's screenwriter Carol Heikkinen, is set to capture the hearts of audiences with dynamic and defiant characters, throwback nostalgia, and an electrifying soundtrack. Empire Records: The Musical is produced by special arrangement with Bill Weiner. It will run September 6 – October 6, 2024 in McCarter's Berlind Theatre. Click here for a review of the play.
Jersey Arts Podcast: Norm Lewis - Actor, Activist & Broadway Icon Theater icon Norm Lewis is known for a lot of things: breaking barriers as Broadway's first African-American Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera; lending his stunning baritone to the roles of Sweeney Todd, Porgy, and Jarvert; playing Senator Edison Davis on the hit TV show Scandal—the list goes on and on. But what you may not know that the Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee works just as hard behind the scenes as an activist and founding member of Black Theatre United.
Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" - a structured, longform improvisation series that mixes comedy and drama (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. This season, the company will present thirty performances of different kinds, in locations all over the region. Next up is the first episode of an original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 1 runs Saturday, September 21 at 8:00pm and Sunday, September 22 at 2:00pm. Click here for an interview with the playwright behind the series.
George Street Playhouse presents Pulitzer Prize Finalist, "What the Constitution Means to Me" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse has announced the complete cast and creative team for its production of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Drama, What the Constitution Means to Me, written by Tony Award nominee Heidi Schreck (Uncle Vanya), and directed by Laiona Michelle (Little Girl Blue). What the Constitution Means to Me will begin previews on September 24, 2024, and open on September 27 for a limited run through October 13, 2024.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" (MADISON, NJ) -- Long before Bridgerton sparked desires and ignited our screens, a young, new writer set the hearts of England ablaze with the deep longing of her compelling characters. Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility tells the captivating tale of the Dashwood sisters as they attempt to navigate financial strife, would-be suitors, and the rigid edicts of English society following the death of their father. Jessica Swale’s elegant stage adaptation of this beloved classic overflows with humor and style. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present Sense and Sensibility at their F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from September 4-22, 2024. Click here for a review of the play.
NJ Rep presents the World Premiere of "The Other American" by D.W. Gregory (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) will continue its 27th season with the World Premiere of The Other American by D.W. Gregory (Radium Girls) , directed by James Glossman. Inspired by a true story, the play is set in Paris in 1952. The production runs from September 5-29, 2024. Click here for a review of the play.
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "9 To 5 The Musical" (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents 9 To 5 The Musical weekends throughout September 2024. Based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, it features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick. Set in the late 1970s, this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic.
Bridge Players Theatre Company Presents "Dinner With Friends" (BURLINGTON CITY, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company, the Burlington City-based community theatre group, is proud to begin its 2024-2025 "Season of Change" with Dinner With Friends, opening September 6 and continuing weekends through September 21. Written by Donald Margulies, Dinner With Friends was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2000.
Spark Theatre Festival NYC Returns in September (NEW YORK, NY) -- Emerging Artists Theatre's Spark Theatre Festival NYC returns September 9–29, 2024 at The Chain Theatre in midtown. Over 60 workshop presentations will premiere during the 3-week festival including new musicals, dance, solo shows, sketch comedy, drag/burlesque, and plays.
Classic American Tales presents stories by Paley, Goyen, Baum, Hecht, Ade, and Wells (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Every Thursday at 4:00pm through October 10, 2024, Classic American Tales (CAT) presents readings of stories, plays, and poetry at the historic Dormer House Bed and Breakfast, 800 Columbia Avenue in Cape May, NJ. Performances are on the front porch, weather permitting. Otherwise, they will be inside. Guests are also treated to lemonade and tasty treats. Cost is $12.00, cash or check at the door, and guests at The Dormer House and children ages 12 and under are free.
"Romeo and Juliet" Comes to Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown in September (MOORESTOWN, NJ) -- Exclamation Theater, Inc. presents William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet across two weekends in September at Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown. Shakespeare's classic play tells the story of two teenagers, Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love despite the hatred between their feuding families. They choose to marry secretly, but due to the family rivalry and circumstances beyond their control, they and others perish tragically.
Lewis Center for the Arts presents 2024 Seuls en Scène French Theater Festival (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton University's Lewis Center for the Arts, Department of French and Italian, and L'Avant-Scène will present the 13th edition of Seuls en Scène French Theater Festival, which will take place from September 12-22, 2024 at venues across the University's campus. Most performances and talks will be in French, some with English supertitles. All events are free and open to the public, however tickets are required for performances.
South Camden Theatre Company presents "The Toxic Avenger - The Musical" (CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company presents The Toxic Avenger - The Musical weekends from September 13-29, 2024. This is charming love story and laugh-out-loud musical, based on the classic cult film, has it all: an unlikely hero, his beautiful girlfriend, a corrupt New Jersey Mayor and two guys who play… well, everyone else... bullies, mobsters, old ladies and stiletto-wearing back-up singers, plus so much more.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Beauty and the Beast" (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents a four-weekend run of Beauty and the Beast from September 13 to October 6, 2024. Beauty and the Beast tells the classic "tale as old as time" of a selfish prince turned into a beast, and the beautiful woman longing for adventure beyond her provincial town. This, the first of the full-length Disney stage musicals, is the twelfth mainstage show of MMT's 2024 season.
Playhouse 22 presents "Grand Horizons" by Bess Wohl (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22 presents Grand Horizons, a play by Bess Wohl, from September 13-29, 2024. It's a play about Bill and Nancy. They have spent fifty full years as husband and wife -- practically breathing in unison, and anticipating each other's every sigh, snore, and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out.
Bergen County Players presents "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, takes humor back to its roots, combining the time-tested 2,000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville for an all-new production of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (his first Tony Award-winning musical) and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, Forum kicks off BCP's 92nd season on Saturday, September 14 and will run through Saturday, October 19, 2024 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.
Literature to Life to Host Two Free Events in NYC - "What is the American Dream?" (NEW YORK, NY) -- This month, Literature to Life (LTL) will host two free events in New York City entitled "What is the American Dream?" The goal is to bring communities together and explore the unique perspectives of immigrants and refugees in New York City through theatrical performances and interactive discussions.
East Lynne Theater Company presents Samuel D. Hunter's "A Case for the Existence of God" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company will present Samuel D. Hunter's award-winning play A Case for the Existence of God from September 18 through October 12, 2024. Directed by East Lynne's Artistic Director Craig Fols, the play revolves around two men--one Black, one white; one gay, one straight; both single fathers of young daughters—who form an unlikely bond inside an office cubicle.
S & L Players presents Comedy Times Two - An Evening of Laughter (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- S & L Players will present an evening of original theater featuring local playwrights and directors from September 20-22, 2024 at Studio;Space Theater in Somers Point.
Chatham Players to Kick Off Their 103rd Season with "Sideways" (CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players will begin their 103rd season with the dramatic comedy, Sideways by Rex Pickett from September 20 to October 5, 2024 at The Chatham Playhouse 23 North Passaic Ave. Chatham. Christopher Peterson of South Orange is making his Chatham Playhouse Main Stage directorial debut.
Fool Moon Theatre Company presents "The Miracle Worker" (MARGATE, NJ) -- Fool Moon Theatre Company presents the classic American drama The Miracle Worker by playwright William Gibson across two weekends (September 20-22 and September 27-29, 2024). The performance on Sunday, September 22, will be signed by an American Sign Language interpreter.
It's the Same Day, Different Verse With "Groundhog Day, The Musical" at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- It's a case of "déjà vu all over again" — with a comedic, musical twist — when Playful Theatre Productions opens the 2024-25 Kelsey Theatre season with Groundhog Day, The Musical, September 20-29, 2024, on Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) West Windsor Campus.
Puffin Cultural Forum hosts NJ Premiere of "The Invaders, A Freedom Summer Play" (TEANECK, NJ) -- Direct from its sold-out world premiere at Queens College, The Invaders, A Freedom Summer Play makes its New Jersey premiere with a special live talk-back on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 7:00pm at The Puffin Cultural Forum. The Invaders tells the story of the Mississippi Summer Project of 1964, more commonly known as "Freedom Summer."
The Theater Project and the Cranford Library present reading of "The Bishop of California" (CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project and the Cranford Library will launch the autumn 2024 New Play Readings series Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. Admission is free, with no registration required. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Wharton Arts Announces Auditions for The Moors (BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Wharton Community Players (WCP) will hold auditions for The Moors by Jen Silverman on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 6:00pm-9:00pm and Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at 60 Locust Avenue in Berkeley Heights.
Manhattan Theatre Club presents World Premiere of "Vladimir" by Erika Sheffer (NEW YORK, NY) -- Manhattan Theatre Club has announced full casting for the world premiere of Vladimir, written by Erika Sheffer (Russian Transport) and directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (MTC: Proof, Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes). Vladimir runs from September 24 to November 10, 2024 at New York City Center Stage I (131 West 55th Street).
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Empire Records at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Thursday, September 19, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Premiere Stages presents "Diversion" at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union
Thursday, September 19, 2024 @ 7:30pm - National Theatre: Broadcast in HD - Prima Facie at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch
Thursday, September 19, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Empire Records at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, September 20, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Empire Records at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, September 20, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Premiere Stages presents "Diversion" at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Empire Records at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 3:00pm - Premiere Stages presents "Diversion" at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Empire Records at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" by Phoebe Farber at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit
Saturday, September 21, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Premiere Stages presents "Diversion" at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union
Sunday, September 22, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" by Phoebe Farber at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit
Sunday, September 22, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Empire Records at McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, September 22, 2024 @ 3:00pm - Premiere Stages presents "Diversion" at Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 @ 7:30pm - What the Constitution Means to Me at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Vanguard Theater presents "Alice By Heart" (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents a Summerstock encore performance of Alice by Heart from September 26-29, 2024. From the award winning writers of Spring Awakening and following a highly successful run at Dream Summerstock VTC, they are bringing the show to Vanguard's main stage for 6 additional performances.
Centenary Stage to hold Auditions for "A Christmas Carol" (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company, a professional not for profit theater company located on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown NJ, will be holding an open call (AEA & Non-union welcome) for their upcoming production of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent. This production will be produced under an AEA SPT 4 contract, and both AEA members and non-union actors will be seen. Auditions will be held on Friday, September 27th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm and Saturday, September 28th from 1:00pm – 5:00pm with a dance call taking place from 4:00pm – 5:00pm.
Art House Productions presents "The Van Gogh Shogh" - A One-Woman Journey Through Art, Success, and Madness (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions is proud to present The Van Gogh Shogh, an innovative and provocative solo performance by the critically-acclaimed clown, Donna Oblongata. Blurring the lines between deranged "Sip 'n Paint," karaoke night, and Sotheby's auction, this 75-minute show dives into the life and legacy of Vincent Van Gogh to ask profound questions about art, success, and the creative process. Performances take place September 27-28, 2024 at 7:30pm and September 29, 2024 at 3:00pm.
Gateway Playhouse presents "Little Shop of Horrors" (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse will close its 2024 Mainstage Season with the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors, written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. It will run for two weekends, September 27-29 and October 4-6, 2024, and will be partially double cast.
Two River Theater presents "American Mariachi" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for American Mariachi, a moving comedy full of humor, heart, and joyful live music, written by José Cruz González (If by Chance, The Extraordinary Ms. ZLuna Captures the World), directed by James Vásquez (Two River's smash hit Hair, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), arrangements by Cynthia Reifler Flores (American Mariachi, Seabiscuit). The production runs from September 28 through October 20, 2024.
Molière in the Park presents OneLove OneTheater 2024 gala on September 30th (BROOKLYN, NY) -- Molière in the Park will present their annual OneLove OneTheater 2024 gala, co-hosted by Amir Arison (nine seasons as a series regular on NBC's "The Blacklist," lead role in Broadway's The Kite Runner) and Lakisha May (Broadway's Jaja's African Hair Braiding and Skeleton Crew, MIP's The Miser), on Monday, September 30, 2024 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm at Negril BK (256 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents "Jersey Boys" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Jersey Boys, the first show of Paper Mill's 2024-2025 season. Directed by Michael Bello (We Are the Tigers, associate director of The Who's Tommy and Jersey Boys UK/US tours and off-Broadway), Jersey Boys begins performances on Wednesday, October 2 ahead of a Sunday, October 6 opening night. The run continues through Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse.
State Theatre New Jersey presents "TINA – The Tina Turner Musical" starring Jayne Elise (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey kicks off its 2024-25 Broadway series with four performances of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical from October 3-5, 2024. This musical reveals an uplifting comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism to become the global Queen of Rock n' Roll. TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity.
NJ Rep presents the World Premiere of "Pen Pals" starring Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) by special arrangement with Lisa Dozier Shacket, will continue its 27th Season with an added special presentation of the world premiere of Pen Pals by Michael Griffo, directed by SuzAnne Barabas. Performances run from October 3 through October 20, 2024. The production stars Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar.
