Regional Stages
McCarter Theater
“Bulrusher” is Brooklyn-based performer and writer Eisa Davis’s 2006 Pulitzer Prize-nominated play set in a 1955 north California town where the audience meets an orphaned woman with gift of clairvoyance, the schoolteacher who adopted her, a stern brothel owner, a logger with a zest for horses and women, and the young man who wants to win the woman’s heart. Directed by McCarter Associate Artistic Director Nicole Watson. $25 to $60. September 13 through October 7.
“The Woman in Black” is a stage adaptation of English author Susan Hill’s 1983 Gothic horror novel that deals with a man once sent to a fog-embanked English country estate shrouded by a tragedy that continues to haunt those who come too close. The production was adapted to the stage by British play and television writer Stephen Mallatratt and is noted as the second longest running theater production in London’s West End (bested only by “the Mousetrap”). $25 to $65. October 13 through 29.
91 University Place, Princeton. 609-258-2787. www.mccarter.org.
Seuls en Scène
The annual Princeton French theater festival returns for its 12th season. The event features 11 contemporary and recently produced French productions starring established and emerging French writers, actors, and directors.
Organized by Florent Masse, senior lecturer in Princeton University’s Department of French and Italian, the 2023 season is presented in collaboration with the 52nd Edition of the Festival d’Automne in Paris.
Most of the festival will be performed in French with English supertitles. While admission is free and open to the public, advance ticket reservations are encouraged. September 8 through 29.
More information: arts.princeton.edu.
George Street Playhouse
“The Pianist” is American playwright — and former McCarter artistic director — Emily Mann’s adaptation of Wladyslaw Szpilman’s harrowing personal account of the annihilation of Jewish life in Warsaw during World War II and his remarkable survival through music. Mann also directs the production. $25 to $70. September 26 through October 22.
“Having Our Say,” Emily Mann’s 1995 Tony Award-winning adaptation of the bestselling book by Sarah and Elizabeth Delaney, traces their lives as the daughters of former slaves becoming professors and integrating a New York suburb. $25 to $70. November 28 through December 17.
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. 732-246-7717. www.gsponline.org.
Bucks County Playhouse
“Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change,’” the sequel to the original 2001 “Menopause” revisits the original characters who take a cruise and enjoy the new edition’s “new soundtrack of toe-tapping parodied hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s.” $55 to $60. September 20 through October 1.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” makes its traditional October return with the dark and stormy night at the campy castle for a visit with transvestite Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter and his crazy creatures and pals. $75 to $80. October 13 through 28.
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” is playwrights David Ives’ and Paul Blake’s stage adaptation of the 1954 hit movie musical about a post-World War II song and dance team who decided to help out a beloved army commander by putting on a holiday show. While the film featured singers Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, the film and show’s real star is composer Irving Berlin and his songs, including “White Christmas.” $32 to $65. November 18 to December 31.
70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania. 215-862-2121. www.bcptheater.org.
Bristol Riverside Theater
“The Mystery of Irma Vep” is American playwright Charles Ludlam’s loving and loopy stage valentine to grade B-horror movies and lurid paperbacks. Two actors and a lot of costume changes recount this tongue-in-cheek stormy night tale. $15 to $60. October 3 through 22.
“A Christmas Story: The Play” is writer Philip Grecian’s straight stage adaptation of the hit 1983 film of a 1940s Indiana kid scheming to get Red Ryder air rifle. American — and New Jersey — writer and radio personality Jean Shepherd first told the story in his 1966 book “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.” He also co-wrote and narrated the film. $15 to $60. November 28 through December 31.
120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, Pennsylvania. 215-785-0100. www.brtstage.org.
Pegasus Theatre Company
“Transformation,” a four play reading series of works by “up and coming playwrights.” Mondays, November 6, 13, 20, and 27, 7 p.m.
Tindall Road Brewery, 102 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown. www.PegasusTheatreNJ.org.
State Theater of New Jersey
Broadway Series: “Pretty Woman: The Musical” hits the New Brunswick stage for a two-night run. $45 to $105. Saturday and Sunday, October 7 and 8.
“Mandy Patinkin in Concert: Being Alive,” the noted Broadway singer performer appears for a night of song with Adam Ben-David on piano. $29 to $99. Friday, October 20, 8 p.m.
“Chicago The Musical,” the famous production powered by Broadway legend Bob Fosse. $40 to $105. Saturday and Sunday, November 18 and 19.
“Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony” features the London and Broadway singer in a concert complete with orchestra, choir, and guests. $69 to $725. Sunday, November 26, 7:30 p.m.
Special Stage Events: “Bluey’s Big Play” is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. $29.50 to $129.50. Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12.
“A Drag Queen Christmas,” the self-proclaimed “longest running drag tour in America,” arrives in New Brunswick. $40.50 to $136, Meet and Greet event at 6 p.m. and main show at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 21.
“Peppa Pig’s Sing-Along Party!” is an interactive musical event with Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe, disco balls, balloon blowing, and songs. $29.50 to $79.50. Saturday December 2, 1 and 5 p.m.
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.stnj.org.
Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts
“The Winter’s Tale” by William Shakespeare will be performed under the guidance of professional director and Princeton University faculty member Shariffa Ali. The musical adapted by Public Theater/Public Works, set in dystopian Sicilia and utopian Bohemia and inspired by Afrofuturism, features community participation through a story of love, betrayal and redemption. The cast will feature Princeton student actors and a community ensemble cast, ages 8 to 108. $10 to $17. Friday and Saturday, November 10 and 11, 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 12, 3 p.m.
Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton. arts.princeton.edu/events/the-winters-tale-a-public-works-musical/2023-11-10/.
Kelsey Theater
“Beautiful — The Carole King Musical”: Playful Theatre Productions presentation of the Tony and Grammy-winning true story of the song writer’s rise to stardom and the creation of the musical favorites “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Up On The Roof,” “One Fine Day,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” $30. Friday, September 22 and 29, 8 p.m. Saturdays, September 23 and 30, 2 and 8 p.m. Sundays September, 24 and October 1, 2 p.m.
“Matilda – the Musical”: Maurer Productions’ presentation of the Tony Award-winning musical based on British writer Roald Dahl’s tale of a young girl who uses the power of her imagination, mind, friendship, and storytelling to make a better life for both her and her fellow classmates. $24 to $26. Fridays, October 6 and 13, 8 p.m. Saturdays, October 7 and 14, 8 p.m. Sundays, October 8 and 15, 2 p.m.
“Roebling – The Story of The Brooklyn Bridge”: Theater To Go’s original play based on the true 19th century tale of Trenton-based bridge designer John Roebling’s quest to construct the world’s longest and tallest bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge. The play was written by Hamilton-based writer Mark Violi. $20 and $22. Fridays, October 20 and 27, 8 p.m. Saturdays, October 21 and 28, 8 p.m. Sundays, October 22 and 29, 2 p.m.
“On Golden Pond,” Broken Legs Productions’ presentation of the 1978 Drama Desk Award-winning Broadway play and noted 1981 film. A look at aging, family, and forgiveness, the story involves an aging couple, a summer cottage, unresolved family issues, and a change of external and internal seasons. $20 and $22. Friday, November 3, 8 p.m. Saturdays, November 4 and 11, 2 and 8 p.m. Sundays, November 5 and 12, 2 p.m. Weekday matinee for groups Wednesday, November 8, 2 p.m.
“Parfumerie,” MTM Players’ presentation, is a newest manifestation of the letter-driven love story that inspired the hit musical “She Loves Me” and the films “You’ve Got Mail,” “The Shop Around The Corner,” and “In the Good Old Summer Time.” $20 and $22. Fridays, November 24 and December 1, 8 p.m. Saturdays, November 25 and December 2, 2 and 8 p.m. Sundays, November 26 and December 3, 2 p.m.
Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net.
Actor’s Net
“Fiddlers Three”: Agatha Christie’s puzzling murder mystery, all tied up into a hilarious farce of con-men and mistaken identities. $24. Friday through Sunday performances, October 13 through 29.
635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, Pennsylvania. 215-295-3694. www.actorsnetbucks.org.
Music Mountain Theater
“Sunset Boulevard” is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning musical that follows the relationship of a floundering screenwriter and a former silent film start deludedly hoping to return to stardom. $30 to $32. Friday through Sunday performances, September 15 through October 1.
“Carrie,” the musical version of Stephen King’s 1974 novel about a bullied and repressed young New England woman who discovers her telekinetic powers, ushers in the Halloween season. $30 to $32. Friday through Sunday performances, October 6 through 22.
“Elf,” the musical version of the film of about the personal journey of a young man who was accidentally raised as one of Santa’s elves, gets an early jump on the winter holidays. $30 to $32. Friday and Saturday performances, October 27 through November 19.
1483 Route 179, Lambertville, 609-397-3337. www.musicmountaintheatre.org.
Film Centers and Festivals
ACME Screening Room
This nonprofit weekly independent and documentary film series founded by Friends of Lambertville Library in 2008 in partnership with the Lambertville Free Public Library and the City of Lambertville takes place in the city’s “Justice Center,” formerly the ACME Supermarket.
According to its mission, “the series regularly features guest speakers (authors, directors, activists), post-film discussion programs and/or exhibitions held in conjunction with a film. Our programs bring the world of film to life for our audience members and create a space to thoughtfully reflect on films by artists at all levels: from local filmmakers to nationally recognized professionals. Films are screened using a state-of-the-art digital projection and surround sound system.”
Coming up this season is a screening and discussion of “Uprising Along the Delaware,” a film that chronicles the 1980s confrontation between the Bucks County Water Commission’s plan to create a pump to divert millions of gallons of water from the Delaware River and the thousands of regional citizens who organized to “dump the pump!” Sunday, October 1, 3:15 p.m.
The Screening Room then kicks off Lambertville’s historic Halloween festivities with the second Lambertville Halloween Film Festival, a weekend-long event featuring guest speakers, artist demonstrations, ghost tours, parties, and horror films. October 27 through 29.
5 South Union Street, Lambertville. www.acmescreeningroom.org.
Princeton Garden Theater
Downtown Princeton’s oldest movie theater — now a nonprofit venue — offers a varied schedule that mixes first run, classic, and international films as well as theatrically broadcast and cultural tours. Visit the website for a full schedule.
Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton. www.princetongardentheatre.org.
New Jersey Film Festival
Produced by the Rutgers Film Co-op, Media Arts Center, and Program in Cinema Studies, the event screening new films or regional premieres is now celebrating its 42nd anniversary.
This year’s event continues presenting screening via a hybrid approach that includes online streaming as well as in-person showings and discussions on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick. Tickets range from $10 to $15 per presentation. Passes are also available. The festival runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, September 8 through October 8.
Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick. njfilmfest.com.
Sneak Previews
The 24th annual Rutgers Jewish Film Festival is preparing its 2023 schedule of screenings and discussions set for October 26 through November 16. For up-to-date information, go to bildnercenter.rutgers.edu/events/film.
The Princeton Environmental Film Festival is currently accepting entries through January 15, 2024, for its next annual presentation, set to run for next April at the Princeton Public Library. Learn more at princetonlibrary.org/peff.
