"Life’s Work" To Premiere at Vivid Stage

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, formerly Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a world premiere production of Life’s Work by Laura Ekstrand from April 21 through May 1. This is a new play by Vivid’s Artistic Director, written with the ensemble members in mind.

Dion, "The Wanderer" and a Memorable Story from Rock and Roll History

by Bruce Chadwick - published 2022-04-10
The Paper Mill Playhouse is dark and funeral-like quiet. All of a sudden, as loud and thumping as it can be comes the music.

"Waitress" Is Back in New Brunswick -- Hold the Mayo

by Bruce Chadwick - published 2022-04-09
The Broadway theater and film hit Waitress, that closed suddenly in New York last December following a COVID spike and was shuttered through the holidays, is back on the stage, healthier than ever, on a national tour that takes it to the State Theatre in New Brunswick April 14-16.

Laura Ekstrand Talks About "Life's Work"

by Gary Wien - published 2022-04-06
Every intimate relationship is based on a web of understanding, whether implicit or explicit. In the new comic drama, Life’s Work by Laura Ekstrand, two couples discover what happens when their agreements around work and money shift and evolve. Vivid Stage presents the World Premiere of this play across two weekends (April 21-24 and April 28 - May 1). The cast includes Nicole Callender, Mitchell Leigh Gordon, Scott McGowan, and Emaline Williams. Betsy True directs the production.

Review of "The Wanderer" at Paper Mill Playhouse

by Adam F. Cohen - published 2022-04-04
Biographical jukebox musicals follow an established path – heroic artist is especially talented; challenged by demons (bad relationships or addiction); defy barriers and the adoring crowd stands soaking in hit from a bygone time.  Michael Wartella firmly joins the pantheon of supremely talented theatrical performers who embody a real-life rocker and slays with an iconic performance.  At the Paper Mill Playhouse, he owns the theater as doo wop/rocker Dion in a new production “The Wanderer.” 

"In the Beginning..." -- New Brunswick's Crossroads Theatre Company Gives "Beginnings" to New Plays with Its Genesis Festival

by Bruce Chadwick - published 2022-04-02
“In the beginning” is the opening phrase of the Bible and connotes the start of all things. The Crossroads Theatre Company, in New Brunswick, has done that just about every year since 1990 with its Genesis Festival, a week-long series of play readings. The reading is the start, the “beginning” for a drama, and not only lets the author know how the play sounds but, in the Crossroads Festival, gets a second layer- audience reaction at post play symposiums.

Photos from Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" at Algonquin Arts Theatre

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is currently presenting Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The musical runs now through Sunday, April 10. This enchanting, musical adaptation of the beloved fairytale will put a spell on audiences of all ages. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella showcases some of the songwriting duo’s loveliest tunes, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” Add a dash of fairytale romance, magical onstage transformations, and the iconic glass slippers—and you’re guaranteed to have a ball!

State Theatre presents "Waitress"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The newly renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents Waitress for four performances from April 14-16. Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage.

VIDEO: Bravely Broaching Machismo and Bravado, "The Hombres" Makes its World Premiere at Two River Theater

by Gina Marie Rodriguez, JerseyArts.com - published 2022-03-30
"The Hombres" is a brand new play by Tony Meneses. Originally set to have its world premiere in March of 2020, the play was postponed and, in that time, given new life. Join Gina Marie as she chats with director Annie Tippe and playwright Tony Meneses about the journey to their world premiere at Two River Theater.