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-- Central Jersey Founded 1960 as local theater group involved in plays, musicals, children’s theatre, puppet shows, variety shows, playwriting and art contests. Built prefabricated metal barn--state’s first purpose built community theater--which opened in 1980 and was renovated and expanded in 1988 with 222-seat main theater and 100-seat Black Box Theater. Productions range from classic musicals like "Hello Dolly!" and "West Side Story" to more recent shows after their Broadway runs or National Tours, including dramas such as "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" and David Mamet’s "Speed The Plow," as well as new works by New Jersey writers. Former one-room schoolhouse, purchased in 1980 and renovated as theater by Somerset Valley Players, local volunteer group which had been formed in 1967. Playhouse opened 1985, Players currently present nine productions annually. 2016 productions include "Boeing, Boeing," "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," "Bingo! The Winning Musical" Founded 1974 in former supermarket by Rutgers faculty member Eric Krebs, moved to its current home in 1985. Numerous productions from both on and off-Broadway include new premiers and revivals. Recent productions include Mama’s Boy imagining happenings in Lee Harvey Oswald’s home prior to Kennedy assassination; premier of American Son exploring racial divisions; Bad Jews comedy; and Daddy Long Legs romantic musical. Touring Theatre features four issue-oriented productions commissioned by Playhouse and performed before 40,000 students annually exploring issues such as tolerance, respect, cyber-bullying and health and wellness.
Presents diverse program of events including international orchestras, Broadway musicals, dance, opera, stand-up comedy, Pop, Jazz, children's theater, and educational programs, annually attracting some 200,000 patrons. Performances have included those by New York Philharmonic, Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma, Bruce Springsteen, Bolshoi Ballet, Jay Leno, Dave Brubeck, Martha Graham Dance Company, and many others. Opened 1921 as vaudeville and silent film palace "Reade's State Theatre," part of Walter Reade New Jersey theater chain, one of largest and most lavish theaters in region. Later converted solely to show movies, acquired in 1979 by DevCo,, New Brunswick redevelopment company, renovated to restore theater for live performances. DevCo transferred theater in 1986 to nonprofit New Brunswick Cultural Center. Extensive renovation completed in 2004 returned theater close to original exterior appearance while updating sound and lighting systems. Center on Rutgers New Brunswick campus for performances and events of theater, classical music, opera, jazz and music of 20th century. Presents more than 300 cultural programs a year. New Brunswick theaters include 340-seat Victoria J. Mastrobuono Theater with proscenium stage used for theater and dance; 325-seat Philip J. Levin Theater; 220-seat Loree Dance Theater black box studio theater with sprung dance floor; Richard H. Shindell Choral Hall with flexible seating up to 300. Hosts performances by students and by local, regional and national artists. Student groups include Brookdale Concordia Chorale singing masterworks of classical repertory including, Bach, Handel, and Mozart; Brookdale Dance Ensemble specializing in modern dance and jazz. Also presents annual Summer Shakespeare outdoor program on campus lawn. Outdoor roofed arena opened in 1986 after construction by state government off Garden State Parkway, originally named the Garden State Arts Center, renamed in 1998 after purchase by PNC Bank of naming rights. Total amphitheater capacity 17,500 with 7,000 seats under roof and additional 10,500 people able to be seated outside on grass lawn. Concerts from May through September featuring 35–45 different concerts and events including rock, country, folk, hip-hop. One of two major outdoor arenas in New York City metropolitan area, along with Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. Managed by national Live Nation event marketing and promotion firm. Opened as Carlton Theater in 1926 featuring vaudeville acts along with movies, renamed in 1984 to honor jazz great and Red Bank native William “Count” Basie. Seats over 1,500, currently operated by non-profit Count Basie Theatre, Inc. Performers have included Bruce Springsteen, James Brown, Tony Bennett, Al Green, George Carlin, Olivia Newton-John and Jon Stewart. Education programs include partnership with John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to offer primary and middle school teachers professional development tools to integrate arts into core curriculum; outreach program into the Monmouth County High Schools, with annual Basie Awards, honoring excellence in high school theatre; extensive in- and after-school acting, music and choral classes for students in Red Bank and other local schools.. Houses theater productions in 349-seat Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater and 110-seat Marion Huber Theater which annually attract over 55,000 patrons. Founded in 1994, new-play commissioning program launched 2010 to support development of dramas and musicals. Sponsors numerous artist residencies, workshops, and readings to support new work. Annual programs include Cabaret of New Songs for Musical Theater in association with NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program; and Crossing Borders four-day festival of new plays by Latino writers and free community events. New “A Little Shakespeare” series showcases annual production of a Shakespeare play performed by high-school students with both public performances and student matinees. Education programs and student matinees serve students in 50 schools in region. Partnership with schools in Red Bank and Asbury Park, in programs to introduce at-risk adolescents to theater. Non-profit professional theater which develops and produces new plays. Produced over 100 plays in 18 seasons including 86 world premieres. Maintains an open-submission policy receiving annually over 700 scripts from throughout US and around world. Developmental Reading Series presented over 350 script- in-hand readings of new works. Member of National New Play Network consortium of theaters throughout nation focusing on new works, participated in 10 "rolling world premieres" where new play independently produced by three theaters in three different cities within twelve-month period. In addition to Main Stage productions, presents 20-25 staged readings annually with writer interaction with audiences.  Boardwalk entrance to Convention Hall (right) and Paramount Theatre (left). Image: Wikimedia Commons/LittleGun CC BY SA-3.0
Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre built between 1928 and 1930 in shared structure bridging boardwalk with Hall built on concrete pylons partially extending over ocean and Theatre located on inland side fronting on Ocean Avenue. Built primarily to allow Asbury Park to compete with new Atlantic City Convention Hall opened in 1929. Passenger liner Morro Castle drifted ashore just yards from Hall in September 1934 after fire which led to deaths of 137 crew and passengers, burned hulk of ship remained beached for several months attracting thousands of visitors. Maximum Hall capacity of 3,600, with 1,800 fixed bleacher seats and another 1,800 temporary seats arranged theater style on hall floor. Events include concerts, basketball, roller derby, trade shows and receptions. Since 1950s, site for leading popular music concerts, performers have included Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, James Brown, Ray Charles and Janis Joplin. Grand Arcade between entrances to Hall and Paramount Theatre houses independent shops and restaurants, also site for temporary arts, crafts other exhibits.
Paramount Theatre within Hall with current capacity of 1,600, first opened 1930, featured mix of movies and live performances from 1930 into 1980s, placed on National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Hosts non-profit theatre and education program fostering new playwrights, also presents occasional movies and concerts. Theatre site of rehearsals by Bruce Springsteen and E-Street Band prior to world tours. Both Hall and Theatre available for private rental.
Housed in 1930s-era movie theater which closed in early 1980s, re-opened and renovated in 1994 as a performing arts space. Operated by nonprofit organization founded in 1992 to present performances and educational programs in theater, music, film and dance. Performing Arts Academy offers students classes and workshops in Acting and Improvisation, Dance, Musical Theatre, Jazz Ensemble, group vocal studies, auditioning techniques and advanced Musical Theatre. Features 1,100-seat Matthews Theatre offering over 200 performances of theater, dance, music and special events each year, including new and revivals of dramatic and musical plays. Classical concerts include performances by New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra. Popular music performers have included James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Bette Midler, Billy Joel and Tony Bennett. McCarter Lab program supports development of new plays and musicals. and new adaptations of classic works through readings, workshops, artist residencies and commissions. Originally built as a permanent home for Princeton University's student Triangle Club (who continue to perform at McCarter) with funds from Thomas N. McCarter, class of 1888, the theater opened in 1930 in 1930 with special performance of annual Triangle show, students who have performed include Joshua Logan, James Stewart and Brooke Shields. During 1930's, often served as pre-Broadway showcase, such as premieres of Thornton Wilder's Our Town; George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's You Can't Take It With You; Philip Barry's Without Love (starring Katharine Hepburn); and William Inge's Bus Stop (starring Kim Stanley and Elaine Stritch). After decline of out-of-town previews by Broadway producers following World War II, in 1950 Princeton University and Triangle Club agreed for University to take title to building and assume responsibility for operating costs, University subsequently transferred management to non-profit corporation.
Capacity ranges from 383 to 199 seats depending on event. Hosts student company, modern dance ensemble, symphonic band, and 12 different resident theater community and semi-professional theater companies.
Outdoor ampitheater located in Washington's Crossing State Park on Delaware River ten miles north of Trenton. Features spring to fall musical comedies and musical revues with both professional and amateur performers. Recent musical comedy productions include "Spamalot," "Little Women: The Musical," "Disney's The Little Mermaid," "Heathers: The Musical," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "Cabaret," "Oliver!" and "Jekyll & Hyde the Musical." Musical revues include "From Stage to Screen," and "Stars n' Stripes," annual Fourth of July salute to patriotic songs. Children’s theater series includes Disney versions of "The Aristocats Kids," "Sleeping Beauty Kids," and "Cinderella Kids," along with original productions of famous tales. Owned by state of New Jersey and operated by New Jersey Department of State. Located within walking distance of State House, serves as site of inaugurations of state governor, other official events, also available for private rentals for concerts, conferences, and other functions. Theater capacity of 1,833, adjacent ballroom may be set up with temporary seats for 300. War Memorial opened in 1932 built as "a great community center" dedicated to memory of soldiers and sailors from Mercer County who died fighting World War I. After extensive renovation, War Memorial reopened January 1999 for public use. * New Jersey State Council on the Arts
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