REVIEW: "Her Portmanteau" at George Street Playhouse

by Adam F. Cohen - published 2022-10-21
The multilayers of family are vibrantly on display in George Street Playhouse’s production of playwright Mfoniso Udofia’s “Her Portmanteau.” The dynamics, relationships, language and slights linger after the houselights rise.

PHOTOS from "The Addams Family" at The MAC Players

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC PLAYERS, Middletown Arts Center’s community theater group, is presenting The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy across two weekends (October 21–23 and October 28–30). The play is based on the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and features Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The MAC Players production is directed by Kathy Connolly with musical direction by Nicholas Jupinka and choreography direction by Samantha Amaral.

PHOTOS from "Fly By Night" at Old Library Theatre

by John Posada - published 2022-10-21
(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre is presenting Fly By Night across two weekends (October 21-23 and October 28-30). This is a new musical about a star-crossed prophecy. There's a lot of music, just not a lot of light. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Squeezing JFK Airport on to the Small Stage at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, Taxi Stands Included

by Bruce Chadwick - published 2022-10-21
The actress on stage in the play Her Portmanteau at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick picks up the telephone to discover that her sister, whom she has not seen in years, has arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, and is waiting for her to pick her up. The actress in the apartment hangs up the phone and walks upstairs on a hidden staircase. The lighting downstairs goes dark and the lighting upstairs is turned on to reveal, in all of its noisy glory, JFK Airport. She is suddenly in front of a set of airport elevators and the top half of the stage looks just like JFK Airport. I could not believe my eyes. The airport is nearly 5,000 acres in size and there it was in front of me, re-created on this tiny stage. I never saw anything like it.

PHOTOS from "Machinal" at Hudson Theatre Works

by John Posada - published 2022-10-20
(WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- Hudson Theatre Works presents Machinal by Sophie Treadwell from October 20 to November 6, 2022 at the Theatre at the Wilson School in Weehawken.  In this 1928 feminist tour-de-force, a young woman struggles to find her place in a society that was not made for her. Treadwell uses theatrical expressionism to portray a world that has become impersonal and unfeeling; a world that only has room for those who are willing to submit and conform. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

"Certain Aspects of Conflict in the Negro Family" Focuses on NJ History of 1967

by Karen Nowosad - published 2022-10-20
(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages at Kean University presents a new play, Certain Aspects of Conflict in the Negro Family, by TyLie Shider. Mr. Shider is the recipient of the 2021/22 Liberty Live Commission. The Commission is awarded biennially, in partnership with Kean University’s Liberty Hall. It seeks to develop and produce new plays that celebrate New Jersey’s rich and diverse history. 

REVIEW: "Her Portmanteau" at George Street Playhouse

by Charles Paolino - published 2022-10-20
​​​​​​​If you happen to be visiting a home where a family argument erupts, your instinct might be to get out as politely but swiftly as possible.

PHOTOS from "Richard II" at Luna Stage

by John Posada - published 2022-10-19
(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage is presenting the World Premiere of Zachary Elkind’s new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard II from October 20 to November 13 on the MainStage. Streamlined to a fleet 90 minutes, the play features four actors playing 16 roles, and highlights the humor and urgency of this taut, intimate, heartbreakingly political tragedy. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

REVIEW: "On Your Feet" at Paper Mill Playhouse

by Adam F. Cohen - published 2022-10-19
Gloria and Emilio Estefan, international recording stars, producers, promoters, restauranteurs, found romance and the rhythm in their humble Little Havana beginnings that brought them worldwide fame.  Gloria, a Cuban-American singer and actress is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and has been named one of the Top 100 greatest artists of all time by both VH1 and Billboard. Estefan's record sales exceed 75 million worldwide, making her the second best-selling female Latin artist in history and one of the best-selling female singers of all-time.