New Jersey Theatre + Broadway News

Cape May Stage Presents AT WIT'S END, 6/11

(5/16/2012) Join New York actor, singer, and musician Chuck Muckle at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse for an evening of “music, laughs, and eccentric wit” as Muckle plays Oscar Levant in At Wit’s End, by Joel Kimmel. Directed by June Prager, Levant’s stories, music, fears, aspirations, struggles, and joys will be presented in a musical and comical performance on June 11th at 8 p.m. as part of Cape May Stage’s acclaimed Monday night Second Stage Series.

Gina Gionfriddo’s US DRAG Set for May 18 - June 9, Rahway

(5/16/2012) Alliance Repertory Theatre Co. Presents - Gina Gionfriddo’s US DRAG on May 18, 19, June 1, 2, 8, 9, at 8PM June 3, 6 PM at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Ave, Rahway NJ.

Broadway Theatre of Pitman Presents BEN FRANKLIN AND THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, Now thru 5/19

(5/16/2012) One of the most well known inventors and statesmen of all time is coming to the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. Join Benjamin Franklin on a musical journey from Christopher Columbus through the Revolutionary War. Educational and fun, this perfect for anyone interested in our country's history.

Princeton's Triangle Club Returns to McCarter Theatre with DOOMSDAY OF OUR LIVES, 6/1-2

(5/15/2012) Back from National Tour and sold out shows in Washington and New York, Princeton’s Famous Triangle Show returns to McCarter Theatre Center for two encore performances of its 2011 original musical extravaganza, Doomsday of Our Lives…Hindsight is 2012.

Paper Mill Announces Rising Star Award Nominations

(5/15/2012) Among the former Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre nominees and winners are Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway, Tony award winner Laura Benanti and 2011 Tony Award winner, Nikki M. James.

Stand-Up Comedy Night Returns to Luna Stage, 6/7

(5/15/2012) Stand-Up Comedy Night returns to Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ on Thursday, June 7th, 2012 at 8pm. Hosted by comedian Michael Che, the evening will feature fellow talented comics Anthony DeVito, Sean Donnelly and Michelle Wolf. Tickets (for mature audiences) are $10 each, and can be purchased in person at the box office, on the phone at 973-395-5551, or on the Luna Stage website: www.lunastage.org.

Constantine Maroulis to Headline Bickford Theatre Benefit, 6/9

(5/15/2012) American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis (Tony Award-nominee, Rock of Ages) joins nearly a dozen Broadway favorites to salute "Broadway’s most-wonderfully wicked showstoppers" in the gala benefit evening, Life Upon the Wicked Stage: Broadway’s Greatest Villains, Thieves and Ladies of the Evening, on Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8 pm, at the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, in Morristown, NJ.

The Unconventional Trumps the Expected as Peak Performances Announces 2012-13 Season

(5/14/2012) Peak Performances has been rapidly making Montclair State University a major cultural destination, even for New Yorkers. Nine premieres including stunning, often startling, new music, dance and theater works by composers David T. Little, Laurie Anderson, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Toshi Reagon; choreographers Benjamin Millepied, Richard Alston, Vusi Mdoyi, Jasmin Vardimon; directors Robert Wilson and Romeo Castellucci are among the highlights of the 2012/13 Peak Performances season. Peak is where exceptions rule.

BEN FRANKLIN & THE HISTORY OF AMERICA Set for Broadway Theatre of Pitman May 16-19

(5/14/2012) The Children's Theatre will present the live-on-stage musical BEN FRANKLIN AND THE HISTORY OF AMERICA May 16-19 at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman, 43 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071.

Art House Productions Seeks Actors for SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ME BY; Auditions 5/14-15

(5/14/2012) Christine Goodman (prod.) is casting Something to Remember Me By, an original, immersive drama taking place around a dining room table. Jack Halpin, dir. Rehearsals begin immediately (evenings and weekends); runs June 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14, 15, 16 at Art House Productions in downtown Jersey City, NJ.

Paper Mill Closes Its Children's Programming with SKIPPYJON JONES Today, 5/12

(5/12/2012) Paper Mill Playhouse previously announced the Winter-Spring, 2012 Season of Children’s Programming, which closes with Skippyjon Jones today.

Tom Wopat Performs at SOPAC Tonight, 5/12

(5/12/2012) Best known for his role on "The Dukes of Hazzard," Tom Wopat has also appeared on Broadway in Sondheim on Sondheim, I Love My Wife, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, 42nd Street, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Catch Me If You Can. He received Tony nominations for his roles in A Catered Affair and the revival of Annie Get Your Gun. Wopat’s latest CD Consider it Swung is a swinging collection of standards.

Mercer Dance Ensemble Comes to Kelsey Theatre, 5/12-13

(5/12/2012) The Mercer Dance Ensemble (MDE), featuring students and community dancers, presents "On the Move!" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Performances will be held tonight, May 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Art House Productions Seeks Actors for SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ME BY; Auditions 5/14-15

(5/11/2012) Christine Goodman (prod.) is casting Something to Remember Me By, an original, immersive drama taking place around a dining room table. Jack Halpin, dir. Rehearsals begin immediately (evenings and weekends); runs June 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14, 15, 16 at Art House Productions in downtown Jersey City, NJ.

Win Tickets to See IL DIVO in Concert!

(5/11/2012) The world's foremost classical crossover quartet IL DIVO is set to embark on its 2012 world tour, the group's fourth, which follows the release of the quartet's latest album, Wicked Game (on Syco/Columbia Records) and provides a new mark of achievement for the signature vocal blend and unique operatic arrangements which have captivated millions and launched a classical-crossover sensation. To celebrate the kick-off of this much-anticipated world tour, BroadwayWorld invites you to enter for a chance to WIN ONE PAIR OF TICKETS to see IL DIVO live in concert!

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! Opens Tonight at the Forum

(5/11/2012) Based on The Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning educational cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs is making a comeback, instructing a whole new generation to “Unpack Your Adjectives” and “Do The Circulations.”

BCP to Hold Post-Show Talkbacks Following Laramie Project Performance, 5/19 & 20

(5/11/2012) Bergen County Players (BCP) is proud to present a limited engagement of The Laramie Project, written by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. BCP will hold special post-show talkbacks immediately following each performance on May 19 at 2:00 PM and May 20 at 7:00 PM.

Cape May Stage and Equity Theatre Present UNCLE JACQUES' SYMPHONY, Now thru 6/15

(5/11/2012) Artistic Director Roy Steinberg has announced his plans for the Equity theatre’s upcoming 2012 season along with some money-saving changes to the theatre's subscription packages.

Paul Gross Heads World Premiere Cast of ARE YOU THERE, MCPHEE? at McCarter, Opening 5/11

(5/11/2012) Paul Gross, one of Canada’s acclaimed actors, leads the cast of Are You There, McPhee? a world premiere by John Guare at McCarter Theatre Center. Directed by Sam Buntrock, the production runs now through June 3, 2012.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Comes to NJPAC, 5/11-13

(5/11/2012) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in its inaugural season under the leadership of artistic director Robert Battle, makes its annual stop at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall during from tonight, May 11 through May 13. The company brings NJPAC premieres of Home, choreographed by Rennie Harris, Paul Taylor’s Arden Court, Minus 16, choreographed by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin and of which NJPAC is a co-commissioner, and Takademe, an early work by Battle, in addition to repertory classics such as Alvin Ailey’s inspiring Revelations.

STAGE TUBE: Paper Mill Playhouse Chats with Stephen Flaherty, Part 5!

(5/9/2012) Over the course of five weeks, Paper Mill Playhouse launched five short video interviews with Once on This Island composer Stephen Flaherty. Watch the fifth and final part of the interview series below!

The Wildwoods to Host Celebration of Heroes Festival, 5/25-27

(5/9/2012) The Wildwoods, NJ, will host the first-ever Celebration of Heroes Festival - a tribute to America's military servicemen and women, veterans, first responders, and families, Friday, May 25 - Sunday, May 27.

Jacques Lacombe, NJ Symphony Orchestra Play Carnegie Hall Tonight, 5/9

(5/9/2012) Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) present a special concert program at Carnegie Hall tonight, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the second-annual Spring for Music Festival. The performance marks Lacombe’s Carnegie Hall debut. Pianist Marc-André Hamelin performs Busoni’s Piano Concerto. The NJSO gives the Carnegie Hall premiere of Weill’s Symphony No. 1, “Berliner,” and soprano Hila Plitmann joins the Orchestra for Varèse’s Nocturnal. Both the Busoni and Varèse works feature the men of the Westminster Symphonic Choir.

New Vision Players, Inc. Presents NEXT TO NORMAL, 5/25-6/3

(5/8/2012) New Vision Players, Inc, an up-and-coming theater production company located in Paramus, New Jersey, will be producing the Broadway hit NEXT TO NORMAL at the end of this month. NEXT TO NORMAL will serve as the New Vision Players' inaugural performance.

L!VE Asbury Park Presents HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, 6/21-23

(5/8/2012) L!VE Asbury Park has announced its upcoming production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Chris Hall (Hedwig) and Kendal Hartse (Yitzhak) have signed on as the leads along side musicians Michael Thomas Murray, Mike Preen and Steve Kelly. Hedwig will run June 21, 22 and 23rd for five live performances at The Press Room, located at 610 Bangs Avenue in downtown Asbury Park.

Bernadette Peters to Perform with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, 6/2

(5/8/2012) Broadway legend Bernadette Peters joins the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) for “An Evening with Bernadette Peters,” the final program in the NJSO’s 2011–12 POPS series, on Saturday, June 2, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.

Two River Theater Announces 2012-2013 Season: PRESENT LAUGHTER Starring Michael Cumpsty and More

(5/8/2012) Two River Theater Company today announced the lineup of productions for its 2012-13 Season.

Ocean Professional Theatre Company Presents NUNSET BOULEVARD, Now thru 5/13

(5/8/2012) Ocean Professional Theatre Company presents Nunset Boulevard, performing at the Bengal Auditorium, Barnegat, NJ, May 8 through the 13th. The Little Sisters of Hoboken are back again as they think they are invited to sing at the famous Hollywood Bowl only to find out they are booked at the Hollywood Bowl A Rama. Fun and laughs in this hilarious musical with the singing nuns.

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Kicks Off 50th Season with HENRY IV, PART ONE, 5/30-6/24

(5/7/2012) The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will launch its 2012 milestone 50th Anniversary season with William Shakespeare’s saga of a young prince’s reformation and ascent to manhood – Henry IV, Part One. Considered one of Shakespeare’s most popular history plays, this rousing tale has not been produced on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in 20 years. Henry IV, Part One begins performances on May 30 and runs through June 24 at the Theatre’s Main Stage – the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. All tickets, including discounted ticket packages are now on sale. For tickets or for more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is located at 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road), in Madison.

Chita Rivera Brings 'MY BROADWAY' Concert to New Jersey, May 19

(5/7/2012) For the very first time, two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera brings her concert, CHITA RIVERA: MY BROADWAY, to The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in the intimate setting of The Chase Room and will perform songs from her legendary Broadway career. She will perform two shows only at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. All tickets are $50 (general admission) and can be ordered by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC or at www.njpac.org. NJPAC is located at 1 Center Street in Newark, N.J.

East Lynne Theater Company's 2012 Season Kicks Off 6/13

(5/7/2012) The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company has its usual theater season filled with classic gems, a world premiere, and a radio show.

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Presents SHAKESPEARIENCE Festival, 5/7-8

(5/7/2012) The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will host teachers and students in grades 5 - 12 through from 14 schools across the state for the sixth annual Shakesperience: NJ – two days highlighting and celebrating the study of Shakespeare through performance -- today, May 7th and tomorrow, May 8th at The Theatre’s Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. The initiative offers an opportunity for middle and high school students to spend an entire day sharing the excitement of Shakespeare as actors and audience members. Each group of students will appear on the Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre to present a 20-minute Shakespeare scene to an audience of their peers, teachers, parents and professional actors from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey who will serve as commentators and adjudicators.

Broadway Theatre of Pitman Presents BEN FRANKLIN AND THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, 5/16-19

(5/6/2012) One of the most well known inventors and statesmen of all time is coming to the Broadway Theatre of Pitman. Join Benjamin Franklin on a musical journey from Christopher Columbus through the Revolutionary War. Educational and fun, this perfect for anyone interested in our country's history.

Photo Flash: The Players Guild of Leonia Presents 'Jersey Shore' Inspired COMEDY OF ERRORS

(5/5/2012) It's The Bard meets "Jersey Shore" this May as The Players Guild of Leonia presents Shakespeare's classic comedy of mistaken identity, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, running now through May 20th in New Jersey. See photos from the production below!

THE RAINBOW FISH Opens Today in Paper Mill Children's Theater Series

(5/5/2012) Paper Mill Playhouse previously announced the Winter-Spring, 2012 Season of Children’s Programming. The Rainbow Fish opens today, May 5.

Luna Stage Presents GREAT SCOTT IT’S MAGIC! Today, 5/5

(5/5/2012) Luna Stage presents Great Scott It’s Magic!, as part of its series of special programming for the whole family. There are two performances only: Today, May 5th at 11am and 2pm. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased in person, on the phone at 973-395-5551, or on the Luna Stage website: www.lunastage.org.

Bergen County Players Presents IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? Now thru 6/3

(5/5/2012) The Bergen County Players (BCP), presents IS THERE LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?, a funny and bittersweet musical with music and lyrics by Craig Carnelia and book by Jeffrey Kindley. Under the direction of Carol Fisher, Is There Life After High School? will be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from today May 5th - June 3rd, 2012, with shows at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays.

Bebe Neuwirth Headlines McCarter Theatre's Gala Tonight, 5/5

(5/5/2012) Princeton’s own Bebe Neuwirth headlines McCarter Theatre Center’s Annual Gala Benefit tonight, May 5, 2012.

Kaleidoscope Theatre Presents GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS at Kelsey Theatre Today, 5/5

(5/5/2012) Kaleidoscope Theatre presents the fairytale musical "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre today, May 5, with performances at 2 and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Eagle Theatre Revives ONE WHO FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, 6/15-6/30

(5/4/2012) The classic American drama ONE WHO FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST will be performed at the Eagle Theatre, located at 208 Vine Street in Hammonton, NJ, from June 15 to June 30. The play, adapted by Dale Wasserman from the 1962 Ken Kesey novel, tells the story of Randle McMurphy, who cons his way into a mental institution to avoid prison time, and proceeds to engage in a vicious clash of will with the domineering Nurse Ratched.