Here are previews of plays taking place from August 20-27, 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, Coming Soon.

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Cape May's East Lynne Theater Company Presents 'Dial M for Murder'  Do you like a good mystery? If so, mark your calendar for the East Lynne Theater Company's (ELTC) upcoming production of "Dial M for Murder," with 7:00 PM performances Wednesdays through Saturdays from August 1-31, 2024, at the company's current home at 500 Hughes Street in Cape May.

Jersey Arts Podcast: Surflight Sings in Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road  Even those who don't know the name Hoagy Carmichael certainly know his songs. The composer behind "Heart and Soul," "Georgia on My Mind," "The Nearness of You," and "Stardust" is celebrated through the musical "Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road."

Summer Heats Up at Cape May Stage with the New Jersey Professional Premiere of "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B"  (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents the New Jersey professional premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, a fast-paced, comedic, and modern reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth and sidekick. Written by award-winning playwright Kate Hamill, this lively production is set to open on July 17th and runs through August 25, 2024, with shows Tuesday through Sunday nights at 8:00pm.

CAT presents tales from Kate Chopin, Will Rogers, O. Henry, and Harlem  (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- A husband questions the ancestry of his wife, ghostly happenings, Will Rogers' timeless wit, O. Henry's famous twists at the end, and Harlem in the 1920’s. These are some of the upcoming tales to be told by Classic American Tales' (CAT) "Tales at the Dormer House."

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.

Scholars to Lead Audience Discussions After Performances of "The Interpreter" - A Nuremberg Trial Drama  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- ­In response to the rise of antisemitism in the United States, scholars from New Jersey universities will lead audience discussions with high-school students and adults following six performances of The Interpreter, Joseph Vitale's drama about a Nazi leader and his Jewish interpreter during the Nuremberg trials, which runs August 15–25, 2024 at the Oakes Center Theater in Summit. The Theater Project is presenting the play.

Spring Lake Theatre presents "Anastasia"  (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre is thrilled to announce that it will be the first community theater in New Jersey to bring the breathtaking story of Anastasia to life on stage. This production promises to be an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. Anastasia tells the enchanting tale of a young woman who embarks on an epic journey to discover the mystery of her past. Performances run August 15-18, and August 22-25, 2024.

First Avenue Playhouse presents "True West" by Sam Shepard  (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents True West by Sam Shepard across three weekends (August 17-18, August 23-25, and August 30-31). Brothers Austin and Lee seem like opposites. Austin is a hardworking scriptwriter and Lee is a homeless Thief. When a Hollywood producer picks Lee's idea for a 'true-to-life' western over Austin's script, the brothers turn on each other. A writing session gets ugly in this dark comedy.

The Theater League of Clifton to Hold Auditions for "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940"  (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will hold auditions for its main stage production of "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" on August 22-23 (Thursday and Friday) from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Living Hope Presbyterian Church, 303 Maplewood Ave., Clifton (one block from Valley Road). The first rehearsal is slated for either August 28th or 29th.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "The Scarlet Pimpernel"  (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents The Scarlet Pimpernel, the swashbuckling adventure based on the novel by Baroness Orczy, over a three-weekend run from August 23 to September 8, 2024. The Scarlet Pimpernel is a colorful window into 18th-century French and British history.

Triple Threat Theater Productions to Hold Summer Theater Festival and Benefit Concert to Raise Funds for Rapidly-Growing Youth Drama Program  (MARLTON, NJ) -- Artistic Director and Founder Andy Boettcher has announced that Triple Threat Theater Productions will hold a Summer Theater Festival and Benefit Concert on Saturday, August 24, 2024. The purpose of the event is to raise capital toward a dedicated rehearsal space for the nonprofit educational theater company’s more than 450 students.

Theatre Rock Live! Debuts at The Sieminski Theater's Cabaret Series with Featured Artist, Tony Award Nominee Christiane Noll  (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Sieminski Theater Cabaret Series presents a special engagement of Theatre Rock in Theatre Rock Live! with special guest Christine Noll, on Friday, August 30, 2024. Join them for a soaring tribute to Rock Musicals! Showtime is 7:00pm.

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.

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.

Casting Announced for the World Premiere of "Empire Records: The Musical" at McCarter Theatre  (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.