Here are previews of plays taking place from October 15-22, 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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Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from October 11-20, 2024. Get ready for a musical extravaganza that will dazzle your senses and ignite your imagination. This is a vibrant and joyous spectacle that brings the tale of Joseph and his brothers on their rollicking adventure, filled with laughter, love, and unexpected twists.
Magnolia Productions presents "Night Watch" by Lucille Fletcher (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions, a new Monmouth County theater group, is launching their first full season. After the debut production of David Auburn's Proof last June, for which the company received three New Jersey Association of Community Theater Perry Award nominations, they are back with a full season's offering.
Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in October (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey, is thrilled to kick-off their 43rd Main Stage Season with Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory weekends from October 11-27, 2024. The play introduces us to the world-famous Willy Wonka, who is opening the gates to his mysterious factory, but only to a lucky few.
OCC Repertory Theatre presents "Madness, Murder, and Mayhem" ...from the dark recesses of Shakespeare's mind (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Ocean County College Repertory Theater Company presents Madness, Murder, and Mayhem... from the dark recesses of Shakespeare's mind across two weekends (October 18-20 and October 25-27, 2024) at Grunin Center's Black Box Theater.
Bell Theater presents "Bette Davis Ain't For Sissies" starring Jessica Sherr (HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Step back in time to the glitz and glamour of old Hollywood as actress and playwright Jessica Sherr channels one of the greatest stars of our time with her one-woman show, Bette Davis Ain’t For Sissies, at Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Headless Horseman Rides Again in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Mile Square Theatre The beloved tale of Ichabod Crane, the Headless Horseman, and the town of Sleepy Hollow is woven into the fabric of American folklore. A witty adaptation of Washington Irving's timeless ghost story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," comes to life on stage, October 3-20, 2024, at the Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken, New Jersey. The 80-minute show is full of twists, turns, and tee-hees, all told by one man, Shawn K. Jain, performing courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association. Jain embodies a variety of characters using vocal and physical changes to transform seamlessly from one person to the next.
Jersey Arts TV: 'Gruesome Playground Injuries' Leaves Its Mark on Art House Productions When you think of the word injury, what springs to mind? Theater, right? Maybe not but perhaps it should. "Gruesome Playground Injuries" is a play written by Ravi Joseph. A fast-paced, intense, and darkly comic play, it tells the story of Kayleen and Doug, two friends whose lives are intertwined through a series of injuries that bring them together. Joseph highlights the complexity and messiness of life, reminding us that it becomes a bit easier with someone by our side.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Centenary Stage Company presents "The Weir" by Conor McPherson (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will open their Professional Theatre Series for 2024-2025 with a production of Conor McPherson's The Weir, from October 4–20, 2024 in their Sitnik Theatre. The Weir is set in a bar in Sligo, Ireland, where local men swap spooky stories in an attempt to impress a young woman from Dublin who recently moved into a nearby "haunted" house, and then she spins a yarn of her own.
Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "James and the Giant Peach" (EDISON, NJ) -- This October, join Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park for a production of James and the Giant Peach, a children's musical based on Roald Dahl's classic book. Performances take place October 5-6; October 12-13; and October 19, 2024.
Jamie Ballard and Aria Shahghasemi to Star in "Macbeth" at The Curtain (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Curtain, Jersey City's premier classical theatre, announced that renowned West End and Royal Shakespeare Company actor Jamie Ballard ('Harry Potter' in ...The Cursed Child on the West End) will make his American stage debut as 'Macbeth' alongside Aria Shahghasemi (Broadway's Prayer for the French Republic, The CW's "Legacies") as 'Macduff' in an all new adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, this Halloween season at Nimbus Arts Center (329 Warren Street).
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Clue" in October (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre (MMT) presents Clue for a three-week run from October 11-27, 2024 with performances Friday through Sunday. This murder mystery comedy is based on the 1985 film from Paramount Pictures, based on the classic Hasbro board game, and is the thirteenth mainstage show of MMT's 2024 season.
Westfield Community Players presents "You Can't Take It with You" (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players presents its first show of the season, the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, You Can't Take It with You across three weekends (October 12-13, October 19-20, and October 25-26, 2024). In the play, Grandpa Vanderhof and his wacky family, the Sycamores, have been happily living their zany lives in New York for many years. They and their friends are a madcap group of eccentrics, marching to the beat of their own drum with pride and joy.
First Avenue Playhouse presents "A Streetcar Named Desire" in October (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents A Streetcar Named Desire across three weekends in October (October 12-13, October 18-20, and October 25-26, 2024). The classic play was was written by Tennessee Williams during a period of change in America after World War II. It was first produced and published in 1947 and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for that year.
Shakespeare Theatre of NJ presents "Macbeth" on the Main Stage for the first time in two decades (MADISON, NJ) -- When three mysterious strangers confront a noble general on a barren heath, the fate of a nation is changed forever. Ambition, power, and madness drive Shakespeare's thrilling masterpiece, Macbeth, appearing this fall on the Main Stage of the acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) for the first time in two decades. The strictly limited run plays at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from October 16 through November 17, 2024.
Gayle Stahlhuth presents Twain's "Eve" at the Cape May Library on October 17th (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- "I feel like an experiment. Exactly like an experiment," wrote Eve in her diary, according to Mark Twain in his humous account of the "first woman." She also wrote about the first time she met Adam, how she named the animals, her quest for an education, and other events in Eden. Combining "Eve's Diary," along with Twain's more serious writings about "after the fall," Gayle Stahlhuth created her one-person "Eve's Diary." She’s performed it as part of solo festivals in New York City and elsewhere, as well as for special events, like the annual Quilting Festival in Paducah, Kentucky.
October Ensemble presents "TWISTED: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier" (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- October Ensemble presents TWISTED: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier across two weekends (October 18-20 and October 25-27, 2024) at the Jersey Shore Arts Center's Café Theatre. Hop on your flying carpet, because this musical parody retells the classic tale of Aladdin... from the villain’s point of view! This is an R Rated "Magical Kingdom" musical parody!
Luna Stage presents the NY premiere of "Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library" (NEW YORK, NY) -- Luna Stage proudly presents the New York premiere of Jenny Lyn Bader's Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library, directed by Ari Laura Kreith, running Off-Broadway October 18 – November 10, 2024 for 25 performances in a limited engagement at 59E59 Theaters, Theater B, located at 59 East 59th Street in New York City. Previews begin October 18 for an October 24 opening.
The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents "Into the Woods" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents Into The Woods over two weekends, October 18–20 and October 25–27, 2024. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece... and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. This will be the ninth production for the community theater group and will be led by Director Kathy Connolly with Musical Director Matt Ebersole, Choreographer Samantha Amaral and Assistant Director Victoria Keiser.
East Lynne Theater Company presents "Tales of Mystery and Suspense" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company is set to thrill and chill audiences with "Tales of Mystery and Suspense," a menagerie of spooky short stories by Stephen Crane, Guy de Maupassant, H.P. Lovecraft, and, of course, Edgar Allan Poe. Curated and edited by James Rana and directed by Craig Fols, artistic director of East Lynne, these mysterious and scary stories will be brought to life in staged readings for two weekends only: Fridays and Saturdays, October 18-19 and 25-26, 2024.
Good and Evil Collide in "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical" at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- An epic struggle between good and evil comes to the Kelsey Theatre stage when Off Center Stages kicks off the Halloween season with "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical" from October 18-27, 2024 on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC). It is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's novella "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," one of the most famous pieces of English literature and considered a defining book of the Gothic horror genre.
Old Library Theatre presents the Tony Award Winning Musical "Nine" (FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, will present the musical Nine, over two weekends, October 18-19 and October 24-27, 2024. Based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical film 8 1/2, this dazzling production of Nine – with a cast of 19 brilliant performers, and a 10-piece orchestra – tells the story of celebrated film director Guido Contini as he navigates a personal and professional crisis while balancing the many women in his life.
The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee" in October (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents Agatha Christie's "Black Coffee" in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center across two weekends (October 18-20 and October 25-27, 2024). An accomplished physicist has constructed a workable formula for one of the deadliest weapons on earth. After the theft of this formula and a suspicious murder, the stage is set for the legendary detective Hercule Poirot to get involved in the case.
Masquerade Theatre presents Heros & Villains Showcase (RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents Heros & Villains Showcase on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Sneaking into the spooky season, the showcase theme is here to save the day! But perhaps some performers have other schemes to play... Performances take place at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.
Music Mountain Theatre to Hold Masquerade Gala on October 19th (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre is holding a Masquerade Gala at the Historic Lambertville House on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Broadway's Rob Richardson will serve as the host. All proceeds from the evening will go to benefit the nonprofit community theatre and performing arts center. The event begins at 7:00pm.
The Theater Project and Cranford Library's "New Plays/ Staged Readings" Monthly Series continues October 19th at Cranford Community Center (CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project and the Cranford Library continue the autumn 2024 New Play Readings series on October 19, 2024 at Cranford Community Center’s 110-seat theater. This month's play is Listen, by Brigid Amos: when a brilliant but unstable artist brings his Bob Ross-inspired landscape painting to a Brooklyn Gallery, he finds himself pulled between the friends, family, and colleagues who want to exploit his reputation as a cutting-edge abstract artist or preserve it. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 7:00pm - Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’ at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Magnolia Productions presents "Night Watch" at Navesink Library Theater, 149 Monmouth Ave, Navesink
Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 7:30pm - OCC Repertory Theatre presents "Madness, Murder, and Mayhem" at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 1:00pm - The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD - Grounded at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Magnolia Productions presents "Night Watch" at Navesink Library Theater, 149 Monmouth Ave, Navesink
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 4:00pm - The Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 7:00pm - Bette Davis Ain't For Sissies at Bell Theater, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 7:30pm - Magnolia Productions presents "Night Watch" at Navesink Library Theater, 149 Monmouth Ave, Navesink
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 7:30pm - OCC Repertory Theatre presents "Madness, Murder, and Mayhem" at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 8:00pm - Main Street Theatre Company presents "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at Main Street Theatre Company, 70 County Rd 516, Old Bridge
Sunday, October 20, 2024 @ 2:00pm - The Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong
Sunday, October 20, 2024 @ 2:00pm - OCC Repertory Theatre presents "Madness, Murder, and Mayhem" at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Sunday, October 20, 2024 @ 3:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan
Sunday, October 20, 2024 @ 3:00pm - Main Street Theatre Company presents "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at Main Street Theatre Company, 70 County Rd 516, Old Bridge
Next Live Episode of "Gemstones," a Vivid Stage Original Series, to take place October 23-24 (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. Coming up is the second episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 2 runs Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 2:00pm and Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 8:00pm.
American Theater Group presents "My Italy Story" by Joseph Gallo (RAHWAY, NJ) -- NYC-based actor Michael Notardonato, soon to be featured in a new Netflix series, will star in American Theater Group's (ATG), endearing play My Italy Story by NJ playwright Joseph Gallo. The 2024-25 Season Opener will be directed by Charlotte Cohn, who most recently helmed ATG's world premiere Canned Goods. The one-man show will run October 24-27 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway, and November 1-3, 2024 at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge.
Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents "Soul Samurai" by Qui Nguyen (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents Soul Samurai by Qui Nguyen from October 24 - November 3, 2024. After avenging the death of her lover, a young samurai girl named Dewdrop, along with her faithful sidekick Cert, must now battle through vampire-infested Brooklyn to make it back home. A classic Qui Nguyen play, Soul Samurai blends a spaghetti western with vampire-infested Brooklyn, adding in martial arts, puppetry, and comic book camp.
Theater League of Clifton presents "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will present its main stage production of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 in the newly renovated Clifton School No. 3 auditorium, located 365 Washington Ave. in Clifton (adjacent to Paulison Avenue). Performances run October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024.
Bordentown Regional High School presents "The Witch's Princess" (BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- The comedic adventure The Witch's Princess by Don Zolidis will be presented October 25th-26, 2024 at the Bordentown Performing Arts Center. This play will be performed by the award-winning theatre students of Bordentown Regional High School. Showtime is 7:30pm each night.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors" (PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Get ready for a spine-tingling blend of laughs and thrills as Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. This fast-paced version of Bram Stoker's classic tale will run from October 25 to November 2, 2024 at duCret Center of Art, located at 1030 Central Avenue in Plainfield, NJ.
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents "Kinky Boots" (PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Tony Award-winning hit Kinky Boots weekends from October 25 to November 17, 2024. Based on the 2005 film and inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots follows Charlie Price, an aspiring young businessman who is forced to give up his dreams of living the London city life in order to save his late father's family business in Northern England.
State Theatre presents "Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations" (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations for five performances from Friday, October 25, 2024 to Sunday, October 27, 2024. Featuring Grammy®-winning songs and Tony®-winning moves, this is the electrifying musical that follows The Temptations' extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Candace Bushnell presents "True Tales of Sex, Success, and Sex and the City" at StocktonPAC on October 26st (GALLOWAY, NJ) -- In a new one-woman show that is equal parts dramedy and memoir, Candace Bushnell – the international best-selling novelist and creator of "Sex and the City" – is scheduled to grace the mainstage of Stockton University's Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Showtime is 7:30pm.
HACPAC presents Richard Skipper Celebrates Sixty Years of Hello, Dolly! on October 26th (HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) presents Richard Skipper Celebrates Sixty Years of Hello, Dolly! — an extraordinary evening of music, memories, and magic — on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00pm. This one-night-only performance marks a milestone in musical theatre history, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the beloved Broadway classic Hello, Dolly! with an unforgettable tribute by the internationally acclaimed performer and historian Richard Skipper. The evening is directed by James Beaman and Musically Directed by Dan Pardo.
Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater & Music Theater presents "Anon(ymous)" by Naomi Iizuka (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University presents Anon(ymous) by award-winning playwright Naomi Iizuka, a poetic and action-packed retelling of Homer's The Odyssey with a modern twist that explores displacement, the search for belonging, hope and resilience, and the power of friendship. The production is directed by faculty member Bi Jean Ngo. Performances are November 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at the Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Showtime each night is at 8:00pm.
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