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CurtainUp in New Jersey
NEW JERSEY CONNECTIONS
NJ TheatersNJ Theatre Alliance Discount Tix Information |
There are 22 professional not-for-profit theatres in New Jersey. They are all members of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a valuable and supportive organization founded in 1981 to help promote and develop professional theater in the Garden State. In addition to these, there are also 9 up-and-coming developing theatre companies, known as Associate Member Theaters, all looking to upgrade as the Alliance's requirements and standards are met.
As my duties and assignments as a theater reviewer include all Broadway, most Off-Broadway and many Off-Off Broadway shows, my coverage of New Jersey theatres is limited to those that have been a regular part of my beat. I will, nevertheless, post information about up-coming shows worth checking out and mini-reviews of some I manage to catch but don't have time to review in more detail. Once a show we've reviewed closes, it will migrate to our Master Index of All Shows Reviewed at CurtainUp (Master Index) so that the review will still be available for reference. The little box headlined NEW JERSEY CONNECTIONS, includes besides a link to my own annotated list of area theaters, links to the NJTheatre Alliance website and its information regarding special programs and services, as well as several other websites you may find helpful.
Current Reviews & Features
Bookends-New and Noteworthy in New Jersey
Bad Dates: Audiences across the country have had opportunities to enjoy Teresa Rebeck's comedy about a Texas transplant, single mother with an Imelda Marco-like shoe fetish who struggles to run a restaurant and raise a daughter and also date in trendy Manhattan. If you missed this madcap play when it played earlier this summer at the Cape May Playhouse, you are getting another opportunity. (previous review) when it comes to Two River Theater Company, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 345 -1400 (732) 345 - 1414 (fax) http://www.trtc.org Performances: July 5 — 29Bookends: Adventurous audiences at NJ Rep will be getting a first look at a new musical by Katharine Houghton (book and lyrics) and Diane Adams and James McDowell (music and lyrics). Ken Jenkins directed this world premiere based on a true story about two friends Leona Rostenberg and Madeline Stern, celebrated rare book dealers, whose shared passion for rare books leads them to abandon convention and follow their dreams. A CurtainUp review will appear shortly after the opening. New Jersey Repertory Company, at the Lumia Theatre, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740 (732) 229 - 3166 (732) 229 - 3167 (fax) http://www.njrep.org Performances: July 19 — August 26
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: This early Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice collaboration re-envisions the old bible story with a joyful mix of musical styles that include such now familiar tunes as "Any Dream Will Do," "One More Angel in Heaven," and "Go, Go, Go Joseph." The Pharaoh's court may have to deal with a famine in this show, but not so the patrons of this popular beach town theater where excellent sea food restaurants abound in this seaside resort community. My favorite part of this show has always been the extended curtain call, during which virtually every song is reprised. Performances: July 5 - 22 Surflight Theatre, Engleside and Beach Avenues, Beach Haven, NJ 08008 (609) 492 - 9477 (609) 492 - 4469 (fax) http://www.surflight.org To be followed at Surflight by: Aida: Tim Rice continued his flirtation with ancient Egypt this time with another collaborator Elton John for their rock opera based on the famous opera story about the ill-fated love of an Egyptian prince and an Ethiopian slave. Performances: July 24—August 12
Measure for Measure: The lines between corruption and honesty, cruelty and kindness, love and lust, life and death are drawn in Shakespeare's crafty tale. Jack Wetherall, a Stratford Festival of Canada company member will appear under the direction of Robin Phillips. This provocative play hasn't been seen at The Shakespeare Theatre in nearly a decade. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940 (973) 408 - 3278 (973) 408 - 3361 (fax) http://www.shakespearenj.org A CurtainUp review of this production will appear shortly after the opening. Performances: July 10 - 29
Moonlight and Magnolias: There have been plenty of back stories detailing the making of the legendary 1939 classic film Gone With The Wind. Ron Hutchinson's comedy offers a new and comical perspective about the difficulty producer David O. Selznick had in getting screenwriter Ben Hecht and director Victor Fleming on the same page. Fueled by artistic temperaments, childish tantrums and reckless decisions, the play looks humorously at what it took to complete the epic tale of the old south. (For a CurtainUp review of the New York production go here). Cape May Stage, 31 Perry Street, Cape May, NJ 08204 (609) 884 -1341 (609) 884 - 4686 (fax) http://www.capemaystage.com Performances: July 4 — August 18
Over the Rainbow: The Music of Harold Arlen: You don't have to put on your thinking caps to appreciate this musical review written and directed by NYC cabaret performer Lennie McKenzie. Although this is touted as a world premiere, you may find it hard to not sing along with such familiar standards as "Over the Rainbow", and "Stormy Weather." The East Lynne Theater Company is in residence at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, Cape May, NJ 08024 (609) 884 - 5898 (609) 884 - 0297 (fax). www.eastlynnetheater.org Performances July 18 — 28.
Regrets Only: Paul Rudnick, whose comedies include Jeffrey and I Hate Hamlet, is arguably the most obvious heir to carry on the joke-propelled, quip-instilled, cleverly contrived style of comedy playwriting most famously identified with Neil Simon. Premiere Stages at Kean University is presenting the professional New Jersey premiere of Rudnick's comical look at loyalty, marriage, and manners. Ted Sluberski is directing an Equity cast in the play that enjoyed an extended run at the Manhattan Theater Club this past winter. (CU review of the NY production). Premiere Stages Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083 (908) 737 - 4092 (908) 737 - 4636 (fax) http://www.kean.edu/premierestages Performances: Thursday July 12th through Sunday, July 29th Tickets range from $15 - $25
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
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