New Jersey Theatre -The Garden State’s Great Fall Line-Up
New Jersey is a happening place for all things theatre. With delightful communities along NJ Transit train lines and easy to reach venues, head out to see a show in the Garden State. Here are some of the professional theaters and a sampling of their lineups. Explore the areas and plan a day trip!
New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch
Nancy McKeon, known for playing the role of Jo Polniaczek on the beloved long-running 1980s sitcom,The Facts of Life, stars in Pen Pals, running from October 3 through October 20. The 90-minute show, also starring Gail Winar, follows the 50-year correspondence across the sea of two women who never meet in person but share the most intimate details of their lives.
Two River Theater in Red Bank
American Mariachi, playing through October 20, chronicles how Yuchi and Boli, without any talent or costumes, start a mariachi band. What could go wrong? On November 8 and 9, come enjoy uber talented, Broadway star Bernadette Peters in concert.
George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick
Perfectly timed before the 2024 presidential election, What the Constitution Means to Me will run through October 13. Written by Heidi Schreck, this moving play stars two time Tony nominee Kate Baldwin, Niara Beckwith, Nicholas Rodriguez and Wobirba Ekuba Sarpey.
McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton
Empire Records: The Musical, playing through October 6, focuses on a band of misfits fighting to save their beloved record store from a corporate takeover. Great fun! On Thursday, October 3, spend “An Evening with David Sedaris,” a Princeton favorite and preeminent humorous. A not-to-be missed event!
Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn
Before John Lloyd Young played Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, and won a Tony for the role, he appeared in The Chosen at Paper Mill Playhouse. Careers are launched at this well-loved theater. A production of Jersey Boys will run from October 2 through November 3. Who knows what new star you will discover? And put on your holiday calendar Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, running from November 27 through December 29.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison
All the Bard’s masterpieces captivate audiences at this theater. Macbeth will run from October 16 through November 17. But there’s room for another iconic author with Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol thrilling young and old alike from December 4 through 29.
American Theatre Group in Basking Ridge and Rahway
My Italy Story will have two runs, from October 24 through October 27 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway, and from November 1 through November 3 at Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. Written by Joseph Gallo, the play explores family and heritage as a young man quits his job and travels to a small town in Italy to try to save his fractured family. Coming home, he discover a secret that reveals the past.
The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of NJ in Netcong
Children love theater, too. And who doesn’t love chocolate? Take little ones to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory running from October 11 through October 27. (Read Marina Kennedy’s interview with Stephanie Kingsbury, managing director of The Growing Stage.)
Art House Productions in Jersey City
Gruesome Playground Injuries, playing from October 18 through November 10, tells the story of two friends, Kayleen and Doug, whose lives are brought together because of injuries they suffered. Written by Rajiv Joseph, the play is fast-paced, intense, and darkly comic, while reminding us the power of friendship through tough times.
Mile Square Theater in Hoboken
Just in time for Halloween, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, running October 3 through October 20, features Shawn K. Jain, as Washington Irving, recounting the tale of the famous headless horseman. For adults and children over nine.
Luna Stage in West Orange
“Friendship, not technology, is the only thing capable of showing us the enormity of the world,” according to Steven Dietz, playwright, whose Lonely Planet will run from November 14 through December 8. The play is a testament to friendship, love, and survival during tough times.
Vanguard Theater Company in Monclair
Cordially Indisposed, running from October 31 through November 2, is described as “the remarkable fusion of science, alchemy, love, and madness.” The main character “The Maker,” uses AI to create the perfect mate. But in order for it to work, she must harvest the best attributes form her worst ex-partenrs. A challenge for sure!
Other venues with performances scheduled for the fall and winter:
New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown
Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway
South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange
Top photo: Bigstock
