Kids Guide New Jersey | Theater for Kids, Teens & Families

PLEASE NOTE:
Hours, prices, exhibit and event information are subject to change.
Please call ahead or use the convenient website links to get the latest information prior to your visit.

theater
The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, an alliance of professional theaters in New Jersey, publishes a calendar four times a year. They also
sponsor Family Week annually in Mar. and publish an annual publication, Class Act, which details educational and outreach programs offered
by the group's members and affiliate theaters. For information, contact New Jersey Theatre Alliance, 8 Marcella Ave., West Orange,
NJ 07052, 973-731-6582, email info@njtheatrealliance.org, or visit their website.

new jersey theatre alliance sampler series
Select three plays from three different theaters for $70, a package that can save up to 50% off the price of single tickets. Receive a bonus
ticket if one of the three original selections comes from a select group of theaters. Call for details or visit the Alliance website.

www.njartstix.org
A website for New Jersey's performing arts offers an overview of performances across the state and the opportunity to purchase
"Hot Tickets," deeply discounted tickets up to 24 hours in advance.

theatre rocks!
Young professionals over 21 can purchase a $25 ticket which includes admission to the show and themed private
reception following the performance with other Theatre Rockers and the cast and crew of the play.
www.myspace.com/njtheatrealliance.

Calendars for many venues are not available until midsummer for the new season. Contact individual theaters for their schedule or use the convenient links below and under "Hot Picks" or "Music & Dance."

Actors Shakespeare Company
West Side Theatre, New Jersey City University, 285 West Side Ave., Jersey City, 201-200-2390. Nov.-May season includes main stage productions, family classics, staged readings, panel dicussions and post-show parties. Discounts for students and children.

All Children's Theatre
1180 Rt. 46 W., Parsippany, 973-335-5328, email: allchildrensth@aol.com. Where Every Child Is a Star -performing arts by young performers ages 4-17. Performances on Saturdays spring-fall and Friday evenings in the summer. Air-conditioned theater seats 70. Group discounts. Established 1983.

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
457 Shirley Rd., Elmer, 800-394-1211. Year round programs include concert series, family series, arts classes, summer camp and annual arts and music festival in June.

ArtsPower Field Trip Series
Webster Commons, 271 Grove Ave., Bldg. A, .Verona, 973-239-0100. Non-profit professional touring theater presents original school-time shows at theaters throughout the state and is also available for booking at school assemblies or other events. Consult website for schedule and to purchase tickets.

Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood, 201-227-1030. Oct.-May season offers music, dance, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra concerts, comedy, family and special events. See Music & Dance for additional performances.
Selected Events
Dec 18-19
Christmas Carol.

The Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown, 973-971-3706. Oct.-July season with performances Thurs.-Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2pm. Theater series, Wyeth Jazz Showcase, children's theater series and youth musical theater programs. Student discounts and subscriptions available.
The Bickford Summer Theatre Series for Children
1-hr. performances at 11am & 1:30pm. Admission to museum included. No babes-in-arms. Individual tickets $9, $8 members, series and group discounts.
Jul 7
     Annie & the Natural Wonderband, ages 3-12.
Jul 9
     Michael Harrison, ventriloquist. All ages.
Jul 21
     Aesop's Fables, Yates Musical Theatre. All ages.
Jul 23
     Harlem Wizards, ages 3-adult. 11am performance sold out.
Jul 29
     Dino Man, Icefire Performance Group.

Broadway Theatre of Pitman
43 S. Broadway, Pitman, 856-384-8381. Six main stage shows, a Dec. holiday show and children's theater season are presented in a former movie and vaudeville theater from 1926. Concerts, movies, special events and children's summer theater camp are also scheduled.
2009 Children's Theatre
Sept 25-26
     Goldilocks & the Three Bears.
Oct 23-24
     Halloween Spooktacular.
Nov 20-21
     Snow White.
Dec 17- 19
     Frosty the Snowman.

Brookdale Performing Arts Center
765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, 732-224-2411. Music, dance, and theater department performances Sept.-May and free outdoor summer theater.
Jul 9-19
Macbeth, Brookdale Shakespeare Ensemble. Thurs.-Sat. 7pm, Sun. 5pm. Bring a chair, light jacket and picnic supper.

Brundage Park Playhouse
Carrell Rd., Randolph, 973-989-7092. Community theater with Feb.-Dec. performances, improv comedy, For Kids by Kids performances, youth theater classes and summer camp. Performances on Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, Sunday 2pm.
2009 Season
Aug 13-16
     Evolution: Musical Theater Through the Ages, Kid's Cabaret.
Oct 9-25
     Great Expectations, Charles Dickens.
Dec 4-13
     The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare.

Centenary Performing Arts Guild
Centenary College campus, 400 Jefferson St., Hackettstown, 908-979-0900. Concerts and special events, jazz series, theater season by professional Centenary Stage Company, Women's Playwright series, and Festival of Shows presented by members of Young Performers Workshops at end of fall, spring & summer sessions. Student rates; student matinees; Family Night on Thurs. with 2-for-1 tickets available only at the door.
Selected Events
Aug
Young Performers Workshop Summer Festival of Shows.

Chatham Community Players
23 N. Passaic Ave., Chatham, 973-635-7363. In addition to the Player's regular season, Fantasy Theater, the children's entertainment arm of the Players, presents two productions per year. Subscriptions, student rates, group rates.
Mainstage
Jul 25-Aug 2
Jersey Voices, six one-act plays by New Jersey playwrights.

Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
100 South St., Morristown, 973-539-8008. 1,200-seat venue offers a wide array of classical music, jazz, dance, drama, comedy, children's programming and contemporary music. Create-your-own subscriptions; family subscriptions; student and group discounts. Internship/community service programs available to high school students. School-time shows open to school groups. See listing under Music & Dance for additional events.
Selected Events
Jul 29
     Donny Clay, America's 4th Leading Motivational Speaker, Seinfeld's Jason Alexander.
Aug 7
     Manhattan Comedy Club.
Aug 20
     The Family Man Show, Jim Breuer.

Count Basie Theatre
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 732-842-9000. Nov.-June season of concerts by major recording artists, comedy, dance, theater, classical music and family events in a 1,550 seat theater circa 1926. Cool School offers classes in acting, dance, music, voice and videography; youth jazz training program for middle and high school students; school shows. See Music & Dance for concert and dance listings.
Selected Events
Jul 17-26
     The Producers.
Aug 15
     B.J. Novak, from NBC's The Office.
Sept 18-27
     Oklahoma.
Oct 4
     Ron White, comedy, mature audiences.
Oct 9
     Patton Oswall, comedy.
Oct 21-22
     Lewis Black, comedy.
Oct 31
     Capitol Steps, political comedy troupe.
Nov 7
     Brian Regan, comedy.
Nov 13-22
     Miss Saigon.

Cranford Dramatic Club
78 Winans Ave., Cranford, 908-276-7611. Community theater has been presenting plays and musicals in Cranford since 1918. Oct.-May season features 3 major productions and annual holiday children's show in Dec. Subscriptions, sr. & student discounts available. Performances Fri.-Sun.
2009-10 Season
Oct 9-24
     The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged.
Dec 4-6
     Alice in Wonderland, children's show.
Feb 5-14
     The Light in the Piazza.
May 7-16
     La Cage aux Folles.

Crossroads Theatre
7 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-545-8100. Regional theater presents 4-play main stage season with a focus on literary works that examine the African American experience. Subscription, student and group discounts are offered.

Darress Theatre
615 Main St., Boonton, 973-334-9292. Former 1920 vaudeville house presents theater, special events and film screenings, some with live organ accompaniment.
Aug 22-23
Seussical, Jr., a production of The Music Shop's Musical Theatre Workshops.

DeBaun Auditorium
Stevens Institute of Technology, Castle Point on Hudson, 5th & Hudson Sts., Hoboken, 201-216-8937. Theater, music, dance and Spoken Word series, special events, family events and school touring shows.

Dover Little Theatre
Elliot St., Dover, 973-328-9202. Community theater presents Oct.-June subscription series. Junior Theatre Initiative offers free reserved seats for school-aged children (aged 17 & under) at select performances. Reservations must be made by a parent or guardian 48 hours prior to performance and are open to youth in Dover and neighboring towns who have an interest in theatrical arts.

Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre
Baird Center, 5 Mead St., South Orange, 973-378-7754, ext. 2228. Professional theater in residence at the Baird Center produces innovative material, staged readings, annual family production, offers an internship program for high school and college students, classes for teens and adults, summer Teen Actors Conservatory and a variety of volunteer opportunities. First Friday, the first performance of each mainstage show, costs $10 for students.
Jul 24-Aug 2
Dreamcatcher Junior Original Production.

Florham Park Players
299 Brooklake Rd., Florham Park, 973-377-9078. Community theater sponsors Jerry Gibson Memorial Youth Summer Theater, a summer theater experience for ages 13-19.

Forum Theatre
314 Main St., Metuchen. Call 973-744-3309 ext. 204.

Front & Center for Performing Arts
95 Victory Rd., Suite #1, Springfield, 973-258-1123. Front & Center students may perform in local community events, a full scale musical, competitions and a year-end revue.

Gaelen Center for the Arts
JCC MetroWest Maurice Levin Theatre, Leon & Toby Cooperman JCC, Ross Family Campus, 760 Northfield Ave., West Orange, 973-530-3444. Performance season includes shows for children and families as well as chamber music series, speaker series, New Jersey Jewish Film Festival and
performances by the JCC's own orchestra, musical theater and children and teen production companies.

George Street Playhouse
9 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-246-7717. Professional theater dedicated to the production of new American plays offers subscriptions, student subscriptions, Next Stage Series (new play workshop series), student matinees and touring theater productions for grades K & up (732-846-2895 x115). Year-round theater classes for ages 5 to adult.

Growing Stage
The Palace Theatre, Rt. 183, Netcong, 973-347-4946. Professional children's theater presents Sept.-May season. Group rates, subscription series. Touring show available for schools and community organizations.

Hudson Theatre Ensemble
Sixth St. & Park Ave., Hoboken, 201-377-7014. Professional community theater presents adult and Silly on Sixth children's series.

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse
88 Rt. 173W (Rt. 78 exit 12), Hampton, 908-730-8007, 800-447-7313. Dinner theater presents musical reviews, lighthearted comedies, annual holiday revue and summer musical.
Nov 2-Dec 23
A Playhouse Christmas 2009.

Kean University Performing Arts
Wilkins Theatre, Morris Ave., Union, 908-737-7469. Sept.-May season includes world-class music and dance artists, chamber music series, student and faculty productions, Holocaust Resource Center events, lecture series, family series and on school time performances. During summer, Premiere Stages offers family-friendly musical theater and youth theater camp. Student rates; subscriptions.
Jul 16-Aug 2
     Duck Crossing, new comedy. Premiere Stages Musical Fun Series
Jul 8-9
     Cow and the Beanstalk.
Jul 16
     Happily Ever After.
Jul 22-23
     Sword in the Stone.

Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor, 609-570-3333. Live cultural events, family theater, children's theater and adult events, both professional and semi-professional, year 'round.
Summer 2009 Series
Jun 26-Jul 5
     Romeo & Juliet.
Jul 10-12
     Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Jul 24-Aug 2
     Assassins, dark musical comedy by Stephen Sondheim.
Aug 14-16
     Musical of Musicals: The Musical, take off of popular musicals by The Pennington Players.

Luna Stage
695 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, 973-744-3309. Professional equity theater offers an intimate setting in two black box theaters seating 99 and 50 people respectively, a 50-seat studio theater and is home to Running Rabbit Family Theatre. Theater education programs for children and adults; children's
shows available for weekday school bookings. Luna Stage is moving to West Orange, October, 2009.

McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts
91 University Place, Princeton, 609-258-2787. Internationally known artists in music and dance, theater, jazz, cabaret, world, opera and special events. Extensive education programs include student matinees, touring shows, theater workshops, group backstage tours, in-school programs and professional development. Discount subscriptions for ages 35 & under.
New
     Young-At-Art Subscription, age 35 & under young professionals, college students and teenagers can purchase subscriptions for $12 a ticket. Valid ID required.
Now
     Subscriptions for 2009-10 season on sale.
Selected 2009-2010 Event
Dec 6-27
     A Christmas Carol.

Monmouth University Performing Arts
Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, 732-263-6889. Sept.-May season of contemporary concerts and special events, dance, theater, Running Rabbit Family Theatre and classical series in an intimate 700-seat theater. For birthday party packages, 732-571-3473.
Summer Running Rabbit Family Theatre
Performances at 10:30am.
Jul 16
The Cow & The Bean Stalk.
Aug 6
The Sword in the Stone.

Montclair State University
Alexander Kasser Theater, Montclair State University, One Normal Ave., Montclair, 973-655-5112, box office; 973-655-3059, info. Presents School of the Arts theater, music and dance performances and professional arts events through Peak Performances. All tickets $15. www.peakperfs.org

Montclair Operetta Club (MOC)
Performances at Memorial Auditorium, Montclair State University, 973-744-3133. Community theater presents two musical productions in fall and spring from Broadway classics to contemporaries. Student rates.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
One Center St., Newark, 1-888-GO NJPAC. 2,750-seat Prudential Hall and 500-seat Victoria Theater in Newark. Classical music, international dance, world music & jazz, contemporary concerts, theater and family series. Subscriptions; individual tickets; $10 student rush tickets offered at the box office one hour before curtain time. Subject to availability, valid ID required, limit two per student. Additional events are listed under Music & Dance.
Selected 2009-2010 Season Events
Dec 16-27
The Color Purple.

New Jersey Repertory Company
Lumia Theatre, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, 732-229-3166. Professional theater presents new plays, classics and staged readings. Senior, student, group discounts.

New Jersey Youth Theatre (formerly WYACT)
Westfield, NJ, 908-233-3200. Offers professional classes in drama, musical theater, voice and dance from September through mid-May annually. In April holds auditions for its prestigious, free summer program for aspiring young performers and technicians (ages 16-21+), culminating with one or more professional-level productions presented at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC ), and at other professional New Jersey theaters.
Jul 17-26
Sweeney Todd, suitable for ages 14 & up. New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets at www.njpac.org or 1-888-GO-NJPAC.
Jul 31-Aug 9
Sweeney Todd, suitable for ages 14 & up. Algonquin Arts Theater, 173 Main St., Manasquan. Purchase tickets at www.algonquinarts.org or 732-528-9211.

Paper Mill Playhouse
Brookside Drive, Millburn, 973-376-4343; 973-379-3636. Professional theater presents musicals, plays, concerts, fall and spring children's theater and school time performances. Flex pass options, group, sr. and student subscriptions. Student rush tickets may be available the day of performance in person with student ID. On special dates for select shows, receive one free child's ticket with purchase of full price adult ticket. Conversation series with cast and directors prior to curtain is held for some dates.
2009-10 Season
Sept 10-Oct 10
     Little House on the Prairie, new musical starring Melissa Gilbert.
Nov 11-Dec 6
     On the Town, Leonard Bernstein's and Jerome Robbins' dance spectacular.
Feb 17-Mar 14
     Lost in Yonkers, by Neil Simon.
Apr 7-May 2
     Smokey Joe's Caf´e, musical features classics from the 1950's.
Jun 2-27
     Peter Pan, musical adaptation.
Children's Theatre Series
Fall
     Call for new season.

Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
Located on Memorial Dr. in downtown Trenton's historic Capitol Complex, 609-984-8400. Owned by the state of New Jersey, Patriots Theater hosts the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, contemporary musicians, comedy and theatrical events Oct.-May and summer outdoor concert series.

Pax Amicus Castle Theatre
23 Lake Shore Dr. (Exit 26 Rt. 80), Budd Lake, 973-691-2100. Year round season of Broadway and off-Broadway revivals; professional productions of Shakespeare's plays for students; comics and other performing artists; and a season of theater for children. School time performances.
Selected Adult & Family Shows
Jul 17-Aug 1
     I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
Aug 7-22
     Rent.
Sept 25-Oct 10
     Travels with My Aunt.
Oct 20-Nov 13
     Edgar Allan Poe.
Dec 5-19
     It's A Wonderful Life.
Selected Children's Shows
Thru Aug 1
     Pinocchio.
Sept 12-26
     Seussical Jr.
Oct 10-24
     Schoolhouse Rock.
Nov 27-Dec 19
     Bambi.

Plays-in-the-Park
Stephen J. Capestro Theater, Rt. 1S (1 block south of Menlo Park Mall), Edison, 732-548-2884. Middlesex County Department of Parks & Recreation's community theater presents summer outdoor and indoor performances at Roosevelt Park and annual holiday show at the State Theatre in New Brunswick (also see Arts in the Park).
Oct 10-24
A High School Monster Musical, annual indoor children's musical.
Dec 26-27
Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-246-7469.

Playwrights Theatre
33 Green Village Rd., PO Box 1295, Madison, 973-514-1787. Professional theater devoted to the development of new plays and writers for the stage. World-premiere productions; free new play roundtable readings; extensive year-round educational programs for young people and adults, including special teen classes and classes for teachers (also see Enrichment & Camps).

Raritan Valley Community College
Edward Nash Theatre, Rt. 28 & Lamington Rd. (Rt. 78 exit 26 or Rt. 22W), North Branch, 908-725-3420. Major Artists Series, Sampler Series for younger children, Family Series for children ages 8 and older and their families, and schooltime performances. See additional listings under Music & Dance. Student & series discounts.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, Drew University campus, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, 973-408-5600. Professional theater dedicated to the presentation of Shakespeare and other classic masterworks. Subscriptions, FlexPass, student rates and $10 student rush tickets available for May thru Dec. season. Pre-performance talks and post-performance discussions on select dates. Shakespeare Live!, one-hour production followed by discussion for grades 3-12, available to tour schools, libraries and other organizations, 973-408-3964.
Fantastic Voyages 2009 Season
Main Stage
Thru Jun 28
     The Littlest Foxes, by Lillian Hellman.
Jul 8 -26
     The School for Wives, by Moliere.
Aug 5-30
     Noises Off, by Michael Frayn.
Sept 9-Oct 11
     Hamlet.
Oct 21-Nov 21
     The Grapes of Wrath, based on a novel by John Steinbeck.
Dec 2-Jan 3
     Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare. Outdoor Stage
Jun 24-Aug 2
     The Tempest.

Shea Center for Performing ArtsWPLive
William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Rd., Wayne, 973-720-2371. Arts hotline: 973-720-ARTS. Jazz series, professional touring artists, family and schooltime shows, university theater and music performances and lecture series presented Sept.-May.

ShowKids Invitational Theatre (SKIT)
Shows at Voorhees High School, 256 County Rd. 513, Glen Gardner, 908-638-5959. Non-profit family community theater group was founded to provide a theater experience for children in Hunterdon County and give the community professional quality children's theater. Tickets $10-17, seats sell out quickly. Costumes and props available for rent.

Somerset Valley Playhouse
Rt. 514 (689 Amwell Rd.), Neshanic Station, 908-369-7469. Year 'round community theater staged in a 1900's 2-room schoolhouse.
Main Stage
Aug 15-30
     The Emperor's New Clothes.
Sept 18-Oct 11
     Nunsense.
Oct 30-Nov 15
     One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Dec 4-20
     It's A Wonderful Life.

South Orange Performing Arts Center
One SOPAC Way, South Orange, 973-275-1114. Intimate 415-seat theater presents performances by major artists in theater, dance, comedy, music, family events and performances by the Seton Hall University Arts Council and Battery Factory Theater in residence. See Music & Dance for additional events.

State Theatre
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 732-246-7469. Full schedule of Broadway, music, dance, opera, symphony and variety events plus a children's series. Student matinees (open to students & general public), artist-in residence program, Symphony Scholars program, and professional development workshops for teachers. For education programs, call 732-247-7200, ext. 534. Also see Music & Dance listings.
Selected Family Events Ages 2-6
Jul 31-Aug 1
     Thomas & Friends Live On Stage: A Circus Comes to Town. 2 & 5pm.
Selected Family Events Ages 6+
Dec 12
     Scrooge in Concert, 2 & 7pm.
Selected Family Events Ages 12+
Oct 27-Oct 30
      MacHomer, 8pm.
Feb 6
     One Man Star Wars Trilogy, 6 & 9pm.
Selected Family Events Ages 15+
Oct 17
     Shelly Garrett's Beauty Shop2009. 3 & 8pm.
Feb 20
     Jesus Christ Superstar, 8pm.
Mar 5-6
     The Wedding Singer, 3 & 8pm.
Selected Family Events Ages 18+
Oct 18
     Lewis Black, 8pm.

Stony Hill Players
Performances at Oakes Outreach Center, 120 Morris Ave., Summit, 908-277-1732. Community theater produces three shows for fall, winter and spring seasons. Student discounts, subscription rates.

The Strollers
Burgdorff Cultural Center, 10 Durand Rd., Maplewood, 973-761-8453. Community theater presents three plays and one children's production during Nov.-May season. Student discounts, subscription rates.

Studio Playhouse
14 Alvin Place, Montclair, 973-744-9752. Community theater presents Dec.-May season with main stage and children's productions.
2009-2010 Magic Trunk for Children
Sept 26-Oct 4
     Snow White.
Dec 5-13
     Little Miss Gingerbread.
Feb 13-Feb 21
     The Wind in the Willows.
Apr 17- 25
     The Velveteen Rabbit.

The Summit Playhouse
10 New England Ave., Summit, 908-273-2192. Community theater presents three shows a year and sponsors Kaleidoscope Theatre, a summer youth theater program.
Jul 17-27
Beauty and the Beast, Jr.

Surflight Theatre
Beach & Engleside Aves., Beach Haven, 609-492-9477. Presents well-known children's stories and fully staged professional musical theater all summer to vacationers and residents of Long Beach Island. Ice cream concoctions at the
ShowPlace Ice Cream Parlour next door are named after Broadway show tunes and served by singing and dancing waiters and waitresses. (609-492-0018 for seating info.)

The Theater Project
1033 Springfield Ave., Union, 908-659-5189. Union County College's professional theater company presents April-Oct season, new play series, family program and hosts annual young playwrights competition.
Jul 9-Aug 2
Psycho Beach Party, Gidget goes berserk.
Sept 24-Oct 11
TBA.

Tri-State Actors Theater
Historic Crescent Theater, 74 Main St., Sussex, 973-875-2950. Professional regional theater presents MarchDec. season, new play reading series and hosts the Tri-State Actors Youth Company, a theater training program for students.
Selected Events
Jun 18- Jul 12
     The Big Bang, the Musical.
Jul 18
     The Lost Ramblers, bluegrass concert.
Aug 5-22
      Fabulous Fable Factory, musical for all ages.
Sept 4
     Emish, concert.
Oct 8-25
     The Turn of the Screw, from the story by Henry James.
Dec 10-27
     A Christmas Carol.

Two River Theater Company
21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, 732-345-1400. Sept.-June season presents theater, dance, classical artists, family series and Renegade Readers Theater, a staged reading series starring high school students. Professional development; outreach programs. Senior and student discounts offered.

12 Miles West Theatre Company
Historic Center Theatre, 562 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, 973-259-9187. New Jersey's first professional resident theater company is dedicated to presenting original and lesser known works as well as innovative interpretations of classic plays. Sept.-May season includes main stage productions, staged readings, guest artist series and children's theater. Theater arts program for children, teens and adults, 973-566-9700. Discounts for theater students and professionals on Thursday performances.

Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving St., Rahway, 732-499-8226. Concerts, jazz, comedy, theater, family and children events are presented in a 1,300 seat vintage 1920's auditorium. Student/sr. discounts. Summer theater programs for ages 5-18. See Music & Dance for additional events.

Villagers Theater
Franklin Twp. Municipal Complex, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, 732-873-2710. Community theater presents Main Stage, Black Box (adult themes), teen and children's productions Oct.-June. Summer theater arts program; children's parties.
Mainstage Productions
Jul 31-Aug 16
Rent, school edition.

Westfield Community Players
1000 North Ave. W., Westfield. Box office, 908-232-1221, opens 1 week before show. Office, 908-232-9568. Community theater presents Oct.-May season.
2009-2010 Season
Oct 3-24
     Don't Drink the Water.
Jan 9-23
     The Second Time Around, by Henry Denker.
Mar 6-27
     Dial M for Murder, by Frederick Knott.
May 8-22
     Caught in the Net, by Ray Cooney.

What Exit? Theatre Company
Burgdorff Cultural Center, 10 Durand Rd., Maplewood, 973-763-4029. Professional theater company dedicated to producing contemporary comedies and comic dramas. Student rates available. The Performance Classroom offers dance, choreography, musical theater and audition technique classes for ages 6-18 as well as summer theater camp and dance and comedy classes for adults.

Westminster Arts Center
Corner of Franklin & Fremont Sts., Bloomfield, 973-748-9008 ext. 279. Sept.-May season consisting of Saturday morning/afternoon shows for the entire family presented by professional musical theater and puppet show companies. Adult productions of lesser known musicals are presented by 4th Wall Theatre. Student/sr. discounts offered.

Women's Theater Company
In residence at Parsippany Arts Center, 1130 Knoll Rd., Lake Hiawatha, 973-316-3033. Professional theater company dedicated to development, promotion and inclusion of women in all aspects of theater production. Oct.-May season. School touring productions and theater workshops available.

Young People's Theatre
Performances 1pm at Terrill Middle School, Terrill Rd., Scotch Plains. Series of three children's performances Jan.-Mar. Tickets available at door, $5.

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