All the World’s a Stage: Summer Theater
From classic Shakespeare to Mother Goose, the greater West Windsor-Plainsboro area offers plenty of summer theater choices this year. Many productions feature actors, directors, and behind-the scene workers who hail from West Windsor and Plainsboro. The majority of the plays are perfect for families and serve as a great introduction for children to theater. For those new to outdoor theatergoing, it is recommended that you bring blankets, seat cushions, and insect repellent. While most sell refreshments, a cooler with snacks comes in handy. Antibacterial hand wipes are also suggested.
Highlights of the summer season include:
Princeton Rep Shakespeare Festival, Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater, 609-921-3682. Performances rain or shine. $10 donation requested. All performances at 8 p.m.
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s tragedy, now through Sunday, June 27.
Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s comedy, Thursday, July 15, through Sunday, August 8.
Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, 609-258-7062. All performances at 8 p.m. Tickets for all plays except Zenobia are $13 and $15. Subscriptions available.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) features a family-friendly comedy in which all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays are plowed through at breakneck pace, Thursday, June 17, through Sunday, July 4.
Zenobia, a staged reading of a play written by Princeton resident Marvin Harold Cheiten, Monday, June 28 only, $3, free for subscribers.
Proof, Princeton-area debut of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama about a mathematician and his daughters, Thursday, July 8, through Sunday, July 18.
Private Lives, classic British comedy, Thursday, July 22, through Sunday, August 1.
Scenes from American Life, drama by A.R. Gurney Jr. takes an insirder look at an American family, Thursday, August 5, through Sunday, August 15.
Open Air Theater, Washington Crossing State Park, 609-737-1826. Tickets $8 to $10. Open for general admission at 7:30 p.m. All performances at 8 p.m.
Twelfth Night Romantic comedy presented by Shakespeare `70, now through Saturday, June 19.
Swing, musical presented by the Newtown Arts Company, Thursday, June 24 through Saturday, July 3.
The Secret Garden, musical presented by Playful Theater Company, Thursday, July 8, through Saturday, July 17.
Tom Sawyer, musical presented by the Yardley Players, Thursday, July 22, through Saturday, July 31.
South Pacific, musical presented by the Pennington Players, Thursday, August 5, through Saturday, August 14.
Oklahoma, musical presented by Stars in the Park, Thursday, August 19, through Saturday, August 28.
Plays-in-the-Park, Capestro Theater, Roosevelt Park, Route 1 South, Edison, 732-548-2884. Chairs with back shorter than 40 inches may be placed on lawn area after 5:30 p.m. $5 adults; $4 seniors; children free. All performances at 8:30 p.m.
The Fantasticks opens the theater’s 42nd year of musicals, Wednesday, June 30 through Saturday, July 10, sign-language interpreted performance on Wednesday, July 7 (rain date July 8), no performance July 4.
Footloose, musical, Wednesday, July 21 through Saturday, July 31.
Kiss Me Kate, musical, Thursday, August 11, through Saturday, August 21.
Actors’ NET, Williamson Park, Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, 215-295-3694. All performances at 8 p.m.
1776, fourth annual performance of the musical about the United States’ beginnings, Friday to Sunday, July 2 to 4, free.
The Man Who Bought a Country, world premiere of the new musical by Joe Doyle about the life and times of Morrisville’s namesake, Robert Morris, commissioned by the Morrisville 200 Committee to highlight this year’s bicentennial celebration, Thursday, July 22, through Thursday, August 19. $5.
Off-Broadstreet Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell, 609-466-2766.
A Class Act, musical, Friday, July 2, through Saturday, August 14, $22.50 & $24, 8 p.m.
Playhouse 22, 210 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, 732-254-3939.
The Women, comedy about modern women, Saturday, July 17, through Sunday, August 8, $20, 8 p.m.
For Kids
Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, 609-584-9444. All tickets $7. Performances at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Two Marys, Five Jacks, and One Very Big Shoe, a clever retelling of rhymes of Mother Goose, for preschoolers to second graders, Friday and Saturday, July 9 and 10.
The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, a heroic tale of love, faith, courage and giving based on the C.S. Lewis novel, good for grades K-6, Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17.
Nosing Around with Baked Oranges, classic clowning, magic and juggling with Bolie and Ticki, clowns, presented by Maurer Productions, good for all ages, Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24.
The Elves and the Shoemaker, from the Brothers Grimm story, presented by Youth Stages, good for preschoolers to second graders, Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31.
Jack and the Beanstalk, an original take on the Brothers Grimm classic, presented by Youth Stages, good for grades K-6, Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7.
Princeton Summer Theater, Hamilton Murray Theater, 609-258-7062. All performances at 11 a.m.
The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, the zany fractured fairy tale written by Mary Lynn Dobson. Fridays and Saturdays, July 23, 24, 30, and 31. $5.
– Lynn Miller
