New Jersey Theater Reviews

Review: THE GREAT GATSBY at Paper Mill Playhouse-The Exceptional World Premiere
by Marina Kennedy - October 24, 2023

Paper Mill Playhouse opens their 85th Anniversary Season with the world-premiere production of 'The Great Gatsby,' based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  This show is phenomenal, destined to become a treasured addition to American musical theatre. ...

Review: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey-A Stirring Historical Production
by Marina Kennedy - October 23, 2023

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues their successful season with 'A Man for All Seasons.' It is an impactful, must-see show of the fall entertainment season....

Review: HAIR at Two River Theater-A Spirited Production of the Iconic Show
by Marina Kennedy - October 15, 2023

Don your vintage 1960’s apparel and get tickets to see HAIR, now at Two River Theater (TRT) through October 22. ...

Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Haddonfield Plays & Players is Anything But Rotten
by Amber Kusching - October 04, 2023

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom (CJ Kish and Brian Herrick) are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as 'The Bard.' When a local soothsayer (Joe Carlucci) foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acti...

Review: THE PIANIST at George Street Playhouse is a Compelling Must-See
by Marina Kennedy - October 02, 2023

George Street Playhouse (GSP) has opened their 50th Anniversary season with the stunning world premiere of The Pianist, a poignant theatrical piece brilliantly directed and adapted for the stage by Emily Mann with a beautiful original score by Iris Hond....

Review: WELCOME TO MATTESON! at NJ Rep-Excellent, Relevant and Humorous
by Marina Kennedy - October 03, 2023

The much anticipated world premiere of the contemporary play, Welcome to Matteson! is now on stage at New Jersey Repertory Company....

Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at Masquerade Theatre is An Unforgettable Theatrical Experience
by Amber Kusching - September 25, 2023

Masquerade’s production of “Next to Normal” is profound, emotional, and a unique theatrical experience. It is a show that unlike Diana’s memory, will not be easily forgotten. “Next to Normal” is playing now through September 30. Seating is limited....

Review: Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT at STNJ is an Exceptional Theatrical Experience
by Marina Kennedy - September 21, 2023

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues their successful season themed “Take Flight” with the Main Stage production of Samuel Beckett’s groundbreaking tragicomedy, 'Waiting for Godot.'...

Review: NJ Premiere of SELLING KABUL at Premiere Stages-A Poignant Drama Brilliantly Presented
by Marina Kennedy - September 12, 2023

Premiere Stages at Kean University is now presenting the New Jersey premiere of Sylvia Khoury’s affecting  drama, 'Selling Kabul.'...

Review: THE LAUREL CANYON BAND at Axelrod PAC
by Lianna Albrizio - August 17, 2023

What did our critic think of THE LAUREL CANYON BAND at Axelrod PAC? Mark Hudson has achieved a lot in his lifetime. He was one-third 1970s sensation the Hudson Brothers and co-writer of Aerosmith’s Grammy-winning smash “Livin’ on the Edge” and Celine Dion’s “The Reason.” ...

Review: A TAILOR NEAR ME at NJ Rep-A Must-See World Premiere
by Marina Kennedy - August 01, 2023

New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) is presenting a show that is a true gift for theatergoers. The world premiere of Michael Tucker’s play, 'A Taylor Near Me' is on the Long Branch stage through August 27....

Review: AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG… on STNJ's Main Stage-An Exceptional Family Story to Behold
by Marina Kennedy - July 19, 2023

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is now presenting And A Nightingale Sang… on their Main Stage through July 30. This rarely produced jewel of a play written by C.P. Taylor meets the moment as an exceptional feel-good show....

Review: SATELLITES by Premiere Stages Brings a Mesmerizing Story of Career, Cosmos, and Caring to the Stage
by Marina Kennedy - July 17, 2023

Premiere Stages at Kean University is now presenting the mesmerizing world premiere of Erin Breznitsky’s play, Satellites at the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center....

Review: SHIPWRECKED on STNJ's Outdoor Stage Thrills with Adventure
by Marina Kennedy - July 16, 2023

Trust The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) to delight and excite theatergoers by presenting an outstanding summertime show on their Outdoor Stage....

Review: RENT at Paper Mill Playhouse-An Extraordinary Production of the Iconic Musical
by Marina Kennedy - June 14, 2023

Paper Mill Playhouse is now presenting an extraordinary, finely tuned production of the iconic musical, 'Rent.'...

Review: TWO SISTERS AND A PIANO at Two River Theater-Gripping Drama Wonderfully Performed
by Marina Kennedy - June 12, 2023

Two River Theater (TRT) concludes their successful season with the gripping, emotive drama, Two Sisters and a Piano, written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner, Nilo Cruz. ...

Review: THE ROSE TATOO by Tennessee Williams at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey-An Enthralling Production
by Marina Kennedy - June 06, 2023

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey opens their exciting 2023 Season on the Main Stage with Tennessee Williams’ gem, The Rose Tattoo, and the production couldn’t be better....

Review: 'SORDID LIVES' at Haddonfield Plays & Players Is A Rootin' Tootin' Good Time
by Amber Kusching - May 31, 2023

Labeled as “a black comedy about white trash,”Sordid Lives, though by name sounds like an unsavory show, is in actuality an enjoyable hootenanny. The setting is July 1988 in small-town Winters, Texas and everyone’s lives have been upturned by the peculiar passing of family matriarch, Peggy. Peggy wa...

Review: GUILTY PLEASURES: AN UNAPOLOGETIC COMEDY BY KEN LEVINE at Black Box PAC
by Lianna Albrizio - May 29, 2023

What did our critic think of GUILTY PLEASURES: AN UNAPOLOGETIC COMEDY BY KEN LEVINE at Black Box PAC?...

Review: OUR SHRINKING, SHRINKING WORLD at NJ Rep-A Clever, New Play About Therapy and Relationships
by Marina Kennedy - May 09, 2023

New Jersey Repertory Company (NJRep) is currently presenting the exciting world premiere of 'Our Shrinking, Shrinking World.'...

REVIEW: TALES FROM THE GUTTENBERG BIBLE at George Street Playhouse Tells the Amazing and Fascinating Story of Film Star, Steve Guttenberg
by Marina Kennedy - May 02, 2023

'Tales from the Guttenberg Bible' is now on stage at George Street Playhouse (GSP). This is a must-see show starring Steve Guttenberg who recounts his incredible journey as a movie star....

Review: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at Paper Mill Playhouse-An Exciting, Mesmerizing Whodunit
by Marina Kennedy - April 25, 2023

Agatha Christie's, Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by playwright Ken Ludwig, is being performed at Paper Mill Playhouse through Sunday, May 14. It's a total wow for mystery lovers and many more....

Review: ROMEO AND JULIET at Two River Theater Brings Captivating Modern Twists to Shakespeare's Classic
by Marina Kennedy - April 17, 2023

A unique production of Romeo and Juliet is now being presented at Two River Theater (TRT). We are certain you will find the show captivating....

Review: THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at George Street Playhouse is a Vibrant and Wonderfully Performed Musical Comedy
by Marina Kennedy - March 19, 2023

George Street Playhouse (GSP) is currently presenting The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee. It's the most fun you'll ever have going to the theatre!...

Review: THE ROSENBERG/STRANGE FRUIT PROJECT at NJ Rep Captivates Audiences
by Marina Kennedy - March 13, 2023

New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) in Long Branch is now presenting the world premiere of The Rosenberg/Strange Fruit Project through April 2nd....