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This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place February 11-17, 2025

originally published: 02/11/2025

Here are previews of plays taking place from February 11-17, 2025 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.

Send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

FEATURED EVENTS

Dunbar Repertory Company presents August Wilson's "Two Trains Running" at Middletown Arts Center  (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center, in conjunction with Dunbar Repertory Company, presents a special Black History Month production of August Wilson's Two Trains Running, produced by Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr. and directed by Mark Antonio Henderson, February 6-16, 2025. Set in 1969's Pittsburgh Hill District, Two Trains Running explores racial tensions in the Civil Rights era, as argued over by regulars at a struggling diner owned by Memphis Lee, who fights to get fair compensation for his building as the neighborhood faces urban renewal.

Ocean County College Presents Limited Engagement of 'The Vagina Monologues'  (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County College Repertory Theatre Company will present "The Vagina Monologues" for a limited engagement on February 13-14, 2025 at the Grunin Center for the Arts. This is the powerful and provocative stage show by Eve Ensler (now V), explores women's sexuality and the social stigma around rape and abuse through a series of candid and often humorous monologues.




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Vivid Stage to Celebrate 30th Anniversary with Fundraising Gala on Valentine's Day - Love Songs and Laments  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a special gala fundraiser on Friday, February 14, 2025. This special Valentine's Day celebration will be held at the Oakes Center in Summit from 6:00pm-10:00pm. As part of this special event, the theatre will honor Steven McIntyre, a former board member and staff member and longtime patron and friend of the company.

The Growing Stage presents "Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream"  (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is thrilled to present Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream weekends from February 14-23, 2025. It tells the spirited story of the Black girl who grew up to become "Toni Stone," the first woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team.

"Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches" opens 2025 at CDC Theatre  (CRANFORD, NJ) -- CDC Theatre is excited to announce that Tony Kushner's acclaimed play, "Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches," will be in performance at the CDC Theatre in Cranford from February 14 to March 1, 2025. This monumental production is a significant event in the cultural calendar and promises to be a significant moment for theatre enthusiasts.

Monmouth University's Center for the Arts presents A Bronx Tale: The One Man Show starring Chazz Palminteri  (WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University's Center for the Arts presents A Bronx Tale: The One Man Show starring Chazz Palminteri on Saturday, February 15, 2025 in the Pollak Theatre. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Diary of Anne Frank"  (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents four performances of The Diary of Anne Frank from February 15-22, 2025. Embark on a poignant journey through history with one of the most powerful and enduring stories of resilience, family, hope, and the human spirit. Anne Frank's eloquent and deeply moving words leap from the pages of her diary to the stage.

 




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EVENT PREVIEWS

Paper Mill Playhouse presents "Mystic Pizza" - A New Musical based on the classic film  (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Mystic Pizza - a new musical based on the 1988 movie which starred Julia Roberts - from January 29 through February 23, 2025. Mystic Pizza is about three working-class girls who navigate the complexities of life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint. Click here for photos from the production.

Brundage Park Playhouse presents "Footloose"  (RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park Playhouse presents Footloose across two weekends (February 7-9 and February 14-16, 2025). This is a musical version of the 1984 film. A rebellious teenager moves to a small middle-America town where dance is forbidden, and encourages his classmates to defy the local pastor and call for a rock’n’roll prom.

Music Mountain Theatre presents "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike"  (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike weekends from February 7-23, 2025. Family rivalry, outrageous costumes, and a sassy maid bring big laughs in this Tony-winning comedy by local playwright Christopher Durang. Click here for photos from the production.

Playhouse 22 presents "Sylvia" - a Light-Hearted Comedy About a Man and His Dog  (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22 presents Sylvia, a comedy by A. R. Gurney, weekends from February 7-16, 2025. Directed by Christian Confalone, Sylvia is largely about Greg, a middle-aged, empty-nester tired of his finance job and looking for meaning in his life.

Bergen County Players presents "Rabbit Hole"  (ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest running theater companies, showcases a perfect balancing act of drama, comedy and catharsis in its production of Rabbit Hole, which won playwright David Lindsay-Abaire a Pulitzer Prize in 2007. The show opens Saturday, February 8 and runs weekends through March 1, 2025 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.

NJ Rep presents the World Premiere of "Make Believe"  (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Marking the start of another extraordinary season dedicated to new voices and compelling stories, New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRep) launches its 28th season with the World Premiere of Make Believe by acclaimed playwright John Biguenet, directed by NJ Rep's Artistic Director SuzAnne Barabas. The production runs from February 13 to March 9, 2025. Make Believe is a nostalgic, haunting look back at the world of 1930's Hollywood, where larger-than-life movie stars went to great lengths to keep their secrets from coming to light.

"The Jonathan Larson Project" to Have World Premiere in NYC  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, and Marc Routh proudly announce the world premiere of The Jonathan Larson Project, a new musical that celebrates the dozens of unheard songs, unfinished and unproduced musicals, and pop songs found in files and boxes when the visionary writer of RENT died suddenly at the age of 35 in 1996. Conceived by Jennifer Ashley Tepper and directed by John Simpkins, The Jonathan Larson Project features more than 20 undiscovered songs by the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning writer.

Ferrell Studios presents "Tick, Tick... BOOM!" at Mignolo Arts Center  (METUCHEN, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios presents Tick, Tick... BOOM! at Mignolo Arts Center from February 14-16, 2025. Tick, Tick... BOOM! is a musical created by late composer, Jonathan Larson (Rent). It is an autobiographical drama that follows Jon's life as a struggling musical theatre composer living in New York City in 1990.

Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center presents "Blithe Spirit"  (LINCROFT, NJ) -- Prepare for an evening of laughter and enchantment as Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center presents Blithe Spirit, a delightful supernatural comedy by Noël Coward, across two weekends in February. This whimsical play, famously brought to life by the talented Angela Lansbury, promises to captivate audiences with its blend of wit, humor, and supernatural mischief.




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South Street Players presents "Crimes of the Heart"  (SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- South Street Players presents Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley across two weekends (February 14-16 and February 21-23, 2025) in Wesley Hall. The play was the winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Award for Best American Play.

Magnolia Productions presents "Almost, Maine"  (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents Almost, Maine at the Navesink Library across two weekends (February 14-15 and February 21-22, 2025). This is John Cariani's heartwarming tale of regular people falling in and out of love in strange and sometimes hilarious ways.

Lewis Center for the Arts presents "To Dream About Wings"  (PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University presents To Dream About Wings, a new play by Princeton senior Stephenie Chen. The play explores dreams of many forms: from dreams of flight, America, and happiness to the haunting of loss. The production is directed by senior Wasif Sami. Performances are February 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22, 2025 in the Wallace Theater at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.

Theater League of Clifton to present "Girls Night Out" Murder Mystery/Comedy at Mario's Restaurant  (CLIFTON, NJ) -- The Theater League of Clifton will present its next dinner/theater production, "Girls Night Out," an 'interactive' murder/mystery comedy. Performances will be held at Mario's Restaurant (710 Van Houten Avenue) in Clifton across three weekends from February 15 to March 2, 2025.

Two River Theater presents "Dial M for Murder"  (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents the stylish thriller that inspired a Hitchcock classic, Dial M for Murder, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher (Scotland Road, Wait Until Dark), from the original by Frederick Knott. Directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Jenn Thompson (Little Shop of Horrors, Chains, Conflict and Women Without Men), Dial M for Murder runs from February 15 - March 9, 2025 in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater.

SPQR Stage Company presents 7th "New Works Weekend"  (SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- SPQR Stage Company will host its seventh "New Works Weekend," a two-day festival of nine new, original short plays that will make their world premieres at Studio;Space in Somers Point, February 15-16, 2025, with the option to livestream on February 15th.

EVENT LISTINGS

Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:00pm - A Bronx Tale: The One Man Show Starring Chazz Palminteri at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood

Thursday, February 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm - The Vagina Monologues at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm - Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm - The Vagina Monologues at Grunin Center - Black Box Theater, 1 College Drive, Toms River

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm - Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford

Friday, February 14, 2025 @ 8:00pm - Love Songs & Laments - Vivid Stage's 30th Year Gala at Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit

Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 3:00pm - Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown

Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 4:00pm - Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong

Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 8:00pm - The Diary of Anne Frank at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 8:00pm - Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown

Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 8:00pm - CDC Theatre presents "Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches" at CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford




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Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 8:00pm - A Bronx Tale: The One Man Show starring Chazz Palminteri at Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch

Sunday, February 16, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong

Sunday, February 16, 2025 @ 3:00pm - The Diary of Anne Frank at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Sunday, February 16, 2025 @ 4:00pm - Dunbar Repertory Company Presents "Two Trains Running" at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown

COMING SOON

Peak Performances presents Musical-In-Concert Performances of "Queen of the Mist"  (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- PEAK Performances at Montclair State University presents its musical-in-concert performances of Queen of the Mist from February 20–23, 2025 in the Alexander Kasser Theater. This is a bold yet often overlooked musical being presented in a time when its themes are all the more resonant, and its thrilling originality is all the more rare.

Passage Theatre Company presents Trenton premiere of "Topdog/Underdog"  (TRENTON, NJ) -- In celebration of Black History Month, Passage Theatre—the only professional theater company in New Jersey's state capital—is producing the Trenton premiere of Topdog/Underdog by Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks as part of its landmark 40th anniversary season. This production will be directed by marcus d. harvey and stars Steven St. Pierre and Anthony Vaughn Merchant respectively as brothers Lincoln and Booth. It runs from February 20th to March 9, 2025.

Luna Stage presents "A Case for the Existence of God"  (WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents the NY Drama Critics' Circle award-winner for Best Play, A Case for the Existence of God by Samuel D. Hunter from February 20 - March 16, 2025. Directed by Luna Artistic Director Ari Laura Kreith, this is a heartrending yet hopeful play about two men’s parallel desires to build a secure foundation for their families.

Kelsey Theatre to Host Staged Reading, with Orchestra, of New Musical by Lou DiPietro  (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Kelsey Theatre, on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College (MCCC), will host a one-night only staged reading—complete with a nine-piece orchestra—of the inspiring new musical "It's Never Too Late," presented by Theater to Go on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 7:30pm.

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents NJ Premiere of "Jaja's African Hair Braiding"  (PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- duCret Center of Art's stage will become a braiding salon when Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents the New Jersey premiere of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, a hit play in New York, from February 21–23, 2025.

The Summit Playhouse presents "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse presents The Crucible by Arthur Miller from February 21 - March 8, 2025. In a world where fear breeds division and truth is under siege, The Crucible remains as powerful and relevant as ever. Set during the Salem witch trials, this spellbinding drama unravels a web of hysteria, suspicion, and power that shatters lives—while revealing the courage it takes to challenge injustice.

Dover Little Theatre presents "Misery" – A Thrilling Stage Adaptation of Stephen King's Classic Novel  (DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre is thrilled to present Misery. Directed by Angel Fajardo, this production will captivate audiences with its intense performances, twisting plot, and psychological tension. Performances run weekends from February 21 to March 2, 2025.

Centenary Stage Company to Hold Open Call Auditions for World Premiere of "Wasabia" by Wendy Herlich  (HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company, a professional not for profit theater company located on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown, will be holding an EPA call for their upcoming production of Wasabia by Wendy Herlich. This production will be produced under an AEA SPT 2 contract, and both AEA members and non-union actors will be seen by appointment. Auditions will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025 from 10:00am – 6:00pm.

The Theater Project presents THINK FAST short play competition online  Theatergoers from all over North America will have the chance to enjoy and be a part of live theater from the comfort of their own homes as voters in THINK FAST, a virtual short-play competition presented online by The Theater Project, February 28 – March 1, 2025.

Vivid Stage presents Episode 5 of "Gemstones" - An Original Series  (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 fifth episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 5 runs Friday, February 28, 2025 at 8:00pm and Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 2:00pm.

Chatham Community Players presents the family-friendly musical, "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"  (CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players invites you to "relive your childhood" with the family-friendly musical, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, Book, Music, and Lyrics by Clark Gesner. This feel-good production will run from February 28 through March 15, 2025. Directed & choreographed by Matt Muccigrossi with music direction by Eric Van Hoven.

The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents "The Drowsy Chaperone"  (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center presents the musical within a comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone, over two weekends, February 28 – March 9, 2025. An accomplished, live orchestra will accompany The MAC Players, led by Director Kate Cordaro, Musical Director Eric Sayre and Choreographer Samantha Amaral.

Classic Radio Road Show to present "Gunsmoke" and "Frontier Gentleman" Radio Plays  (LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- On Monday, March 3, 2025, Classic Radio Road Show will present two radio plays - episodes of Gunsmoke and Frontier Gentleman - at the West End Arts Center Auditorium (132 West End Avenue) in Long Branch. Showtime is 7:00pm.

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

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Purlie

Purlie

Thursday, March 13, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: theatre


 

Purlie

Purlie

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: theatre


 

Amadeus

Amadeus

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

Beautiful,

Beautiful, The Carole King Musical

Friday, March 14, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: theatre


 

Purlie

Purlie

Saturday, March 15, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: theatre


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Thank

Thank You 5 Productions presents "Kinky Boots" at Kelsey Theatre

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- A struggling maker of men's shoes reverses his fortunes when he transforms his footwear from functional to fabulous with the help of an entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos in the hilarious musical Kinky Boots for four evening and two afternoon performances at the Kelsey Theatre, March 21-30, 2025 on Mercer County Community College's West Windsor Campus.



Lewis

Lewis Center for the Arts presents events highlighting legendary theater-maker María Irene Fornés

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University presents events highlighting legendary theater-maker María Irene Fornés including a reconstruction of Fornés' last play, a live podcast recording about the playwright, and a major symposium co-produced by Latinx Theatre Commons and the Lewis Center. The events preview publication of María Irene Fornés in Context, slated for July.



Centenary

Centenary Stage Company presents the World Premiere of "Wasabia" by Wendy Herlich

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents the World Premiere of Wasabia by Wendy Herlich from April 3-13, 2025. It details the story of Vivian and Carla. When fiercely independent Vivian gets a knock on her door from Carla, a young hospice volunteer desperate to shine, the two strike up an unlikely and unforgettable friendship.



Mainland

Mainland Regional High School presents "Hello, Dolly!"

(LINWOOD, NJ) -- Mainland Regional High School presents its spring musical, Hello, Dolly!, a dazzling Broadway classic, with four performances from March 20-22, 2025. Filled with lively dance numbers, stunning costumes, and unforgettable music, Hello, Dolly! is a heartwarming tale of love, adventure, and the pursuit of happiness.



Laura

Laura Ekstrand Talks About An Evening of Short Plays (All Written In Last 3 Months)

Vivid Stage is presenting An Evening of Short Plays across two weekends (April 3-13, 2025) where the plays are not just new short plays they are all plays written in the last three months. The idea is to capture the pulse of the moment through the eyes of seven gifted playwrights.