From beachy playhouses and children’s community troupes to outdoor park performances and large year-round venues, Shore theater comes in all sizes. In addition to the sand and seashells you’ll tote home from your vacation, you can pick up a little culture using this summer theater guide.
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Occupying a 540-seat venue on Manasquan’s main drag, this nonprofit presents drama, musicals, dance, concerts, and film series all year. 173 Main St, Manasquan. (732-528-9211, algonquinarts.org)
June 3–5: Max & Ruby
July 18: HMS Pinafore
July 30–Aug 8: Rent
Avalon Players
This troupe of theatrical children performs its 24th consecutive show this season at Avalon Elementary School, as the kids take on a pint-sized Disney play for the summer. 32nd St and Ocean Drive, Avalon. (609-967-7544, avalonplayers.org)
July 29–Aug 1: Aladdin, Jr.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Monmouth County presents a classic Broadway musical performed by Center Drama, its resident theater company. 100 Grant Ave, Deal Park. (732-531-9100, axelrodartscenter.com)
Aug 4–15: Hello, Dolly!
Bard on the Beach
The Hudson Shakespeare Company gives free afternoon performances of Shakespeare in this summer series at the Ocean Grove Boardwalk Pavilion. Ocean Ave, Ocean Grove. (800-965-9324, oceangrove.org)
June 26: King Lear
July 1: Much Ado About Nothing
Aug 21: The Tempest
Cape May Stage
Founded in 1988, this professional Equity theater company performs original plays, musicals, and a Second Stage Series at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, a former nineteenth-century church. Bank and Lafayette streets, Cape May. (609-884-1341, capemaystage.com)
June 7: Let It Be Art: A Celebration of Harold Clurman’s Life of Passion in the Theater
Thru June 12: Class
June 16–July 17: I Hate Hamlet
June 21: Hebrew School Dropout: Or How I Converted From Judaism to Catholicism and Back to Judaism and Lost Those Stubborn Last 10 Pounds!
June 28: Come What May
July 5: And Where She Stops Nobody Knows
July 21–Aug 21: Romance/Romance
Aug 25–Sept 25: Happy Days
Aug 30: Love Letters
Aug 31: Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad
East Lynne Theater Company
With performances at the First Presbyterian Church, the 30-year-old company takes on plays that celebrate American culture. 500 Hughes St, Cape May. (609-884-5898, eastlynnetheaterorg)
June 16–July 10: Emma Goldman: My Life
July 6: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court
July 14–24: Paul Robeson Through His Words and Music
July 28–Sept 4: The Dictator
First Avenue Playhouse
This nonprofit presents two dramatic comedies this summer; each show includes dessert from local bakeries with admission, as well as dinner packages at three area restaurants. 123 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands. (732-291-7552, firstavenueplayhouse.com)
June 4–26: The Seven Year Itch
July 2–31: Wretched Asylum
Margate Players
This community theater group founded in 2003 presents several productions each year at the Margate Performing Arts Center, including one by young actors. 7804 Amherst Ave, Margate. (609-487-7783, margateschools.org)
July 9–10 and 15–17: Aida
Aug 6–8: Aladdin, Jr.
Monmouth University
Jersey’s seaside university presents summer performances at its Shadow Lawn Stage at Woods Theatre and Pollak Theatre. 400 Cedar Ave, W Long Branch. (732-263-6889, monmouth.edu/arts)
June 25–July 11: The Sunshine Boys
July 16–Aug 1: The Au Pair Man
July 22: Pinocchio
New Jersey Repertory Company
This year-round nonprofit theater company features a large base of professional actors who have appeared on Broadway and television and offers several dinner/theater combinations with local restaurants. 179 Broadway, Long Branch. (732-229-3166, njrep.org)
July 8–Aug 15: Sunlight
Ocean City Theatre Company
Producing three to five musicals each year, this nonprofit has brought Broadway to the beach since 2008. This summer’s shows will be presented at the Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School with the Ocean City Pops. 501 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City. (609-525-9300, oceancitytheatrecompany.com)
July 6–8: Oklahoma!
Aug 17–19: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Our Gang Players
Founded in 1977, this nonprofit troupe’s more than 300 players perform at venues throughout the Shore, including this summer at the OceanFirst Theater at the Stafford Township Arts Center. 1000 McKinley Ave, Manahawkin. (609-597-0553, ourgang.org)
June 19–23: Crazy For You
Aug 12–15: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Performance with Passion Players
This family-oriented nonprofit moves from the Eatontown Playhouse to the Italian American Memorial Association, performing new mainstage and children’s productions each month. 195 West End Ave, Long Branch. (732 888-0339, overtherainbowproductions.net)
June 4–19: A Night in Provence
June 5–27: Once Upon A Mattress
July 7–25: Hamlet
July 10–Aug 1: All Shook Up & Rugrats The Musical
Aug 7–29: Oklahoma!
Phoenix Productions
The historic Count Basie Theatre hosts performances by Red Bank-based community theater group Phoenix Productions. 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank. (732-842-9000, countbasietheatre.org)
July 16–July 25: Rent
ReVision Theatre
Originally based in New York City, ReVision now calls Asbury Park home and continues to reinvent classic productions with new twists at the historic Carousel House on the boardwalk. 700 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park. (732-455-3059, revisiontheatre.org)
July 8–25: The Who’s Tommy
Aug 12–22: The Bikinis
Spring Lake Shakespeare in the Park
Bring your own beach chair to this nonprofit company’s free outdoor production of a classic Shakespeare play each summer in Devine Park. Fifth and Warren avenues, Spring Lake. (shakespearebythesea.net)
July 29–31 and Aug 5–7: Twelfth Night: Or, What You Will
Spring Lake Community House and Theatre
Located in an old-fashioned Tudor-style home created for World War I veterans, this nonprofit theater presents six shows a year. 300 Madison Ave, Spring Lake. (732-449-4530, springlaketheatre.com)
July 7–24: Annie
Aug 12–28: Me and My Girl
Surflight Theatre
In addition to its mainstage productions (see page 23), Surflight features engaging theater for children, with a different show each week. Engleside & Beach avenues, Beach Haven. (609-492-9477, surflight.org)
June 23–27: The Princess and the Pea
June 30–July 3: Beauty and the Beast
July 7–11 and Aug 25–29: Cinderella
July 14–18 and Aug 18–22: Peter Pan
July 21–25: Sleeping Beauty
July 28–Aug 1: The Wizard of Oz
Aug 4–8: Snow White
Aug 11–15: The Little Mermaid
Two River Theater Company
In its state-of-the-art intimate theater, Two River typically puts on six shows each year, including its summer performance of a comedy written by actor and comedian Steve Martin. 21 Bridge Ave, Red Bank. (732-345-1400, trtc.org)
May 18–June 6: Picasso at the Lapin Agile
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