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Vanguard Theater

180 Bloomfield Ave Montclair NJ
Montclair, NJ 07042



Review: VIENNA LESSONS at NJ Rep-A Smart and Compelling World Premiere Play


by Marina Kennedy - June 16, 2026

Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) is currently presenting the riveting world premiere of Jack Canfora’s The Vienna Lessons, skillfully directed by the theatre’s Associate Artistic Director, Evan Bergman, and featuring an exquisite three-person cast. ...

Review: WEST SIDE STORY at Paper Mill Playhouse-A Stellar Production


by Marina Kennedy - June 03, 2026

The story is a modern reimaging of the tale, Romeo and Juliet.  Set in 1957 on the West Side of New York City in the last days of summer, there’s trouble on the streets between rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks....

Review: SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at Crossroads-Riveting and Entertaining


by Marina Kennedy - May 29, 2026

The time is now to see the powerful award-winning play, SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at the renowned Crossroads Theatre Company (CTC)...

Review: Noel Coward’s PRIVATE LIVES at STNJ-A Comedic Delight


by Marina Kennedy - May 26, 2026

STNJ’s theme for this season is “Method and Madness,” and Private Lives is ideal to usher in the exciting season ahead....

Review: MRS. CHRISTIE at McCarter-Comedy for Mystery Fans and Many More


by Marina Kennedy - May 12, 2026

Mrs. Christie is the new comedy-mystery on stage at McCarter Theatre Center in their Berlind Theatre....

Review: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Burlington County Footlighters


by Donna Marie Nowak - May 05, 2026

What did our critic think of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Burlington County Footlighters?...

Review: & SONS at Luna Stage-A Bold and Compelling Must-See Play  


by Marina Kennedy - April 24, 2026

Luna Stage is now presenting the outstanding World Premiere of '& Sons,' smartly written by Jack Angelo Cummings and superbly directed by Matt Monaco. ...

Review: SINS OF THE MOTHER at NJ Rep-A Gripping Play on the Long Branch Stage


by Marina Kennedy - April 14, 2026

New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) is presenting a riveting new play, 'Sins of the Mother' by acclaimed playwright Israel Horovitz. ...

Review: 1776 at Paper Mill Playhouse Excellently Depicts History in the Making


by Marina Kennedy - April 08, 2026

The extraordinary musical, 1776 is now being performed at Paper Mill Playhouse through Saturday, May 2....

Review: WHAT BECAME OF US at George Street Playhouse-Relatable and Affecting


by Marina Kennedy - March 24, 2026

From the first moment of the show, you become immersed in the rich, personal story about the joys and challenges of a family as presented by two siblings....

Past Shows

Airborne: The Bessie Coleman Musical

May 2 – May 9, 2026

Airborne: The Bessie Coleman Musical, with book by Beau Dixon and lyrics by Jewelle Blackman, is one of eight original works featured in Vanguard Theater's...

BREATHE

May 2 – May 9, 2026

BREATHE, written by Cynthia Grace Robinson, is part of Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, a celebration of new work and emerging playwrights. The...

Illuminating New Voices Festival

Illuminating New Voices Festival

May 2 – May 9, 2026

Illuminating New Voices Festival celebrates new work and the artists shaping the future of storytelling. Rooted in a commitment to amplifying diverse voices and expanding...

In Emily's Words

May 2 – May 9, 2026

In Emily's Words, written by Jessy Tomsko, is part of Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, a celebration of new work and emerging playwrights...

RED: A New Musical

May 2 – May 9, 2026

RED: A New Musical, written by Lawrence Dandridge, is part of Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, running May 2-3 and May 8-9 in...

THE CAPTIVES

May 2 – May 9, 2026

THE CAPTIVES, written by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich, is part of Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, a celebration of new work by emerging playwrights and...

The Habit

May 2 – May 9, 2026

The Habit, written by Cynthia Cleto, is one of eight original works featured in Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, running May 2-3 and...

The Milk of Human Kindness

May 2 – May 9, 2026

The Milk of Human Kindness by J. Thalia Cunningham is part of Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, running May 2-3 and May 8-9...

THERESA

May 2 – May 9, 2026

THERESA, written by Naomi Lorrain, is part of Vanguard Theater's 2026 Illuminating New Voices Festival, a celebration of new work featuring eight original pieces in...

What The Constitution Means to Me

FeaturedWhat The Constitution Means to Me

Mar 27 – Apr 12, 2026

Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play reexamines the Constitution through her teenage debate years, tracing four generations of women in a hilarious, hopeful, deeply human story powerful.

HairStory: The Musical

HairStory: The Musical

Feb 28

ABOUT HAIRSTORYHairstory: The Musical follows 10-year-old Jada, who wishes her natural hair could just be “normal” — less time-consuming, easier to manage, easier to ignore....

Into the Woods

Into the Woods

Dec 4 – Dec 21, 2025

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....

Topdog Underdog

Topdog Underdog

Oct 9 – Oct 26, 2025

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2023 Tony award for Best Revival of a Play, Suzan-Lori Parks’ searing and darkly funny play...

HAiR

HAiR

Jun 12 – Jun 29, 2025

A celebration of the 1960s counterculture, HAIR bursts onto the stage in all its barefoot, beaded, and bell-bottomed glory. With an electrifying rock score featuring...

Fade

Apr 10 – Apr 13, 2025

Vanguard Theater Company presents Fade, a poignant play by Tanya Saracho that examines race, class, and identity within the competitive landscape of Hollywood. Set against...

Fade - Play by Tanya Sarracho

Fade - Play by Tanya Sarracho

Apr 4 – Apr 13, 2025

In the vibrant tapestry of Fade, the intricate threads of class and race entwine. Follow Lucia, a trailblazing Mexican-born novelist, on her groundbreaking journey into...

Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting

Dec 5 – Dec 22, 2024

Based on the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Pippin

FeaturedPippin

Jun 21 – Jun 30, 2024

Vanguard Theater presents Pippin with a burlesque twist: Broadway talent, mesmerizing pole dancers, daring aerialists, soldiers, circus performers, and more, make this a "don't miss."

Limited Tickets Remain
Vanguard Theater Presents: Spiritrials

Vanguard Theater Presents: Spiritrials

Mar 22 – Mar 25, 2024

Vanguard Theater Company is presenting "Spiritrials" by Dahlak Brathwaite March 22nd-25th!Witness the convergence of art and activism in Dahlak Brathwaite's "Spiritrials" — an unmissable exploration...

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Nov 30 – Dec 17, 2023

The setting is 1959, and the intimate Vanguard Theater transforms into the Philadelphia bar where legendary jazz songstress Billie Holiday takes the stage to deliver one of...

Spring Awakening

FeaturedSpring Awakening

Jun 22 – Jul 16, 2023

Spring Awakening, June 22 – July 16, Vanguard Theater, Montclair, NJPlaying in Montclair, NJ, at Vanguard Theater for 20 performances, this rock musical follows a...

Spring Awakening

Spring Awakening

Jun 15 – Jul 2, 2023

With only each other for guidance, a group of young men and women travel the fraught and rocky path of adolescence, discovering their bodies, their...

2023 Gala

2023 Gala

May 6

On May 6th, Norm Lewis headlines Vanguard Theater's first "post-pandemic" Gala. Montclair's hottest new theater company is excited to get back to fundraising through party/auction/and...

Passing Strange

Passing Strange

Feb 16 – Mar 5, 2023

Passing Strange is the 2008 Tony Award winning autobiographical rock musical about migration — a geographical migration but also its hero’s migration beyond the tenets...

A Chorus Line

A Chorus Line

Jan 7 – Jan 15, 2023

Educational Performance Program DREAM VTC 2023 Present A Chorus LinePeek in on a day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot...

The Spitfire Grill

The Spitfire Grill

Nov 3 – Nov 20, 2022

The Spitfire Grill is a beautiful musical about second chances, as a young woman just released from prison decides to start her life anew in...

Next to Normal

FeaturedNext to Normal

Nov 10 – Nov 21, 2021

Next to Normal is an unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey...

For the Love of Charlie Brown!

For the Love of Charlie Brown!

Feb 14 – Feb 16, 2020

A Vanguard Theater Production! All your favorite Peanuts characters with skits and songs from "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown," Snoopy," and Peanuts television specials,...

The Wiz of Oz

The Wiz of Oz

Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2020

Welcome to our mash-up of the classic and contemporary movie musicals! We created this show to exemplify Vanguard's mission of D.R.E.A.M. Children of all different...

Memphis: the Musical

FeaturedMemphis: the Musical

Jul 13 – Jul 16, 2017

Vanguard Theater Company - Brings Broadway to the Burbs with Memphis the Musical. Guest Broadway artist Dwayne Clark amongst others star in this musical about...

Videos


Disney's Newsies in New Jersey Disney's Newsies
Vanguard Theater (6/11-6/28)
Once Upon a One More Time in New Jersey Once Upon a One More Time
The Actors Studio of New Jersey (12/04-12/13)
America 250: Jersey City Style! Sunday In The Park with The Ecotones at Van Vorst Park Sun July 5th in New Jersey America 250: Jersey City Style! Sunday In The Park with The Ecotones at Van Vorst Park Sun July 5th
Van Vorst Park (7/05-7/05)
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation in New Jersey A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation
Lackland Performing Arts Center (6/25-6/25)
High School Musical Sing Along! in New Jersey High School Musical Sing Along!
Dream Live at American Dream (8/23-8/23)
Parade in New Jersey Parade
Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center (11/06-11/08)
Menopause The Musical in New Jersey Menopause The Musical
Bergen Performing Arts Center (11/19-11/19)
Stranger Things: The 1,000 Candles Concert Experience in New Jersey Stranger Things: The 1,000 Candles Concert Experience
New Jersey Festival Orchestra (7/25-7/26)
Grease the Musical in New Jersey Grease the Musical
Music Box at the Borgata (7/12-8/09)
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert in New Jersey Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Mayo Performing Arts Center (5/20-5/20)