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Arts & Entertainment

On Stage Scoop: Big Laughs, Love, Drama

On Stage Scoop runs every Tuesday.

This is one of those weeks that shows just how amazing the live performance scene in North Jersey is. Theater lovers have a choice of at least 10 plays to see—comedies, tragedies, Shakespeare and musicals, from companies both amateur and professional. And if you want to see “All My Sons” at the Barn or “Othello” at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, you’re running out of time.

If you’ve seen those, you could take in a performance of “Newsies” at the Paper Mill or “The Last Days of Mickey Jean” at the Bickford. You can hear musical legends Diana Ross and Lindsey Buckingham, or enjoy a night of comedy with Jim Gaffigan.

Read for more about what there is to do in On Stage Scoop, where you’ll also learn about audition opportunities, classes and more. The Scoop runs every Tuesday.

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ON STAGE SCOOP

American Drama at the Barn:  has opened its 2011-12 season with Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” through Oct. 1. “All My Sons” was Miller’s first successful play and is about a son who discovers the crimes of his father that have remained hidden. The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville. Tickets cost $15. For information, go to BarnTheatre.org.

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Who Wants Some Moor? The  will present Shakespeare’s “Othello” through Oct 2. This marks the theater’s first production of the classic tragedy since 2003. The cast includes Lindsay Smiling as the title character, the Moorish general who is deceived into a jealous rage by the villainous Iago, played by Robert Cuccioli. Bonnie J. Monte—artistic director at the Shakespeare Theatre—directs. For tickets and information, go to .

Unexpected Love: Romance and wit are promised as the Villagers Theatre in Somerset presents “Cactus Flower” through Oct. 2. The comedy revolves around Julian Winston, a middle-aged dentist and dedicated bachelor who tells his young girlfriend, Toni, that he’s married to avoid a commitment. After Julian falls in love with Toni, he comes up with a solution—just tell her he’s getting divorced. But things get complicated when Toni insists on meeting his wife. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16, or $14 for seniors and students. For reservations, go to VillagersTheatre.com, call 732-873-2710 or e-mailboxoffice@villagerstheatre.com.

Twice the Love: Women’s Theatre Company is presenting its first show of the 2011-12 season, “Romance, Romance,” through Oct. 9. With music by Keith Herrmann and lyrics by Barry Harman, the Tony-winning show (Best Musical of 1988) explores love through song. Performing in “Romance, Romance” are Actors Equity members Mark G. Dalio of Sparta and Marci Sofley of New York City. Also performing is Ashley Kowzun of Kenvil. The musical is directed by Lauren Moran Mills. Warren Helms of Pompton Lakes is musical director. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. at The Parsippany Arts Center, within the , 1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha. Tickets cost $20, or $28 for seniors. For reservations, call 973-316-3033.

Get Ready to Cry: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre is presenting “Steel Magnolias” through Oct. 9. The comedy-drama is about six southern women who talk about love, family, friendship and life. Performances are Sept. 24 and Oct. 1. 2, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets for Saturday performances cost $20. Friday and Sunday tickets cost $15. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For reservations, call 973-691-2100.

Read All About “Newsies:”  in Millburn has opened its 2011-12 season with the premiere of “Newsies,” a new musical based on the 1992 Disney movie, running through Oct. 16. The show features a book by Harvey Fierstein, lyrics by Jack Feldman and music by Alan Menken, and is based on a true story about a group of newsboys in 1899 who fought a vicious newspaper tycoon. For tickets and information, call 973-376-4343 or go to PaperMill.org.

The Horrors! Song, dance and a man-eating plant are all part of the fun at ’ “Little Shop of Horrors,” on stage through Oct. 18. The off-Broadway hit was based on a 1960 B-movie about a flower shop employee named Seymour who loves a girl named Audrey and who raises a blood-thirsty plant named Audrey II. The musical by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman was then adapted into a 1986 movie musical featuring Rick Moranis, Steve Martin and Bill Murray. Tickets cost $20, $18 for seniors and students. For information, go to SVPTheatre.org or call 908-369-7469.

Mob Scenes:  is hosting the New Jersey premiere of Richard Dresser’s “The Last Days of Mickey and Jean” through Oct. 19. In the show (which is a co-production with  and Oldcastle Theatre Company in Bennington, Vt.), Mickey, a mobster from Boston, retires with his young girlfriend, Jean, which leads to a funny look at love. General admission tickets cost $40. For information, go to MorrisMuseum.org, read , or call 973-971-3706.

Watch Him Do His Stuff: Lindsey Buckingham will perform a concert at  on Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. He’ll perform songs from his newest album, “Seeds We Sow,” as well as classics from his Fleetwood Mac Days. Tickets cost $47 to $77. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Comedy Night at Luna Stage: Michael Che, Gordon Baker-Bone, The Lucas Bros. and Nimesh Patel will be bringing the laughs to an evening of comedy on Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. at  in West Orange. Tickets cost $10. The theater is located at 555 Valley Road. For information, call 973-395-5551 or go to LunaStage.org.

Oh, Henry: The Shakespeare Initiative is presenting “The Wars of the Roses” Sept. 30 through Oct. 9. The production is Shakespeare Initiative’s adaption that combines the Bards’ “Henry VI Part I” with the first three acts of “Henry VI Part II.” The company promises engaging battles, political intrigue and drama as Henry fights to maintain his control over France by marrying Margaret of Anjou. Performances are Sept, 30, Oct. 1, 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. For information, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Lighting Up the Stage: Centenary Stage Company in Hacketstown will present Moss Hart’s comedy “Light Up the Sky” Sept. 30 through Oct. 16 at the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Center. The play is about a group of New York theater people who attend the opening of their new play in Boston. There will be an opening caption for the Oct. 9 matinee performance. For tickets and information, go to CentenaryStageCo.org.

It’s Jim Time at the Mayo Center: Get ready for a night of laughter and a lot of jokes about food when Jim Gaffigan comes to  on Oct. 1, with performances at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Gaffigan’s DVD concerts include “Beyond the Pale.” Tickets cost $47 to $87. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, “It’s A Wonderful Life:” Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake will hold auditions for “It’s A Wonderful Life” on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. and Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. for adults over 16. There will also be an audition for teen carolers on Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. The only thing you need to bring to the audition is a smile. Rehearsals will be evenings in October and November, with performances on weekends in December. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com.

To Another World: Growing Stage children’s theater in Netcong is opening its 30th anniversary season with Pauline C. Conley’s “The Code Breaker,” Oct 1 through 23. The futuristic tale tells the story of four teenagers who discover a lost world, which leads to new responsibilities. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. The theater is located at 7 Ledgewood Ave. For tickets and information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

You Won’t Hear a Symphony, but You Will Hear Some Great Music: The Legendary Diana Ross will perform at  on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Ross is one of the most successful and honored performers of all time. Her hits with the Supremes include “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Her solo hits include “Touch Me in the Morning” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Tickets cost $75 to $175. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Live Music at the Bickford: The Bickford’s Jazz Showcase continues Oct. 3 with , featuring classic jazz with Bria Skonberg (trumpet), Dan Levinson (reeds), Gordon Webster (piano), Kelly Friesen (bass) and Kevin Dorn (drums) backing Emily's trombone. The concert will begin at 8 p.m., with tickets costing $18, or $15 in advance. For tickets, call 973-971-3706.

Come Hear “Uncle John’s Band” During a Grateful Dead Tribute:  will host a concert featuring note-for-note recreations of the Grateful Dead’s “Workingman’s Dead” and “American Beauty” albums on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. Director Marc Muller has assembled a cast of musicians who are able to reproduce virtually every note of every instrument, as well as all of the vocal arrangements, that are trademarks of these two American classics. Tickets cost $32 to $42. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Dip Into a Little Salsa: “Kings of Salsa” are bringing a little bit of Cuba to  on Oct. 9 at 3 p.m. The group mixes mambo, rumba and cha cha cha with contemporary dance music. Tickets cost $27-$47. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, “The Littlest Angel:” Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph will be holding auditions for “The Littlest Angel” on Oct. 10 and 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. Based on Charles Tazewell’s children’s book, the show tells the story of an angel who goes from being an off-key singing pest to a shining star. Please have a memorized music selection of 32 measures and music for the accompanist. A headshot and resume would be helpful and preferred. Please be prepared to dance a short movement combination, which will be held toward the end of the auditions. All auditions will be closed. Readings and sight singing material will be provided as part of the audition process. No ap follow the same audition procedures. Performances will be on Dec. 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 8 p.m. and on Dec. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. The show will be directed by Marielaine Mammon. The cast breakdown is: The Littlest Angel, The Understanding Angel, The Flying Mistress, The Angel of Peace, Narrators and Children’s Ensemble. For information, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Dream a Little Metal Dream: Legendary progressive metal band Dream Theater will take stage at on Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. The band, including new drummer Mike Mangini, will play songs from its new release “A Dramatic Turn of Events” and from its 20-year career. Tickets cost $49-$89. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Cutting to the Core: David Sedaris will share his observations on life at  on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. The humor writer’s books include “Barrel Fever” and “Holidays and Ice.” The program will also feature a book signing and will contain mature themes and language. Tickets cost $37 to $67. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or go to MayoArts.org.

Date Change for Tom Chapin Concert at Growing Stage Theatre: The Tom Chapin Concert originally scheduled to open the Growing Stage Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season has been rescheduled for Nov. 11. The concert was to be part of the company’s ribbon-cutting for the unveiling of a restored front façade at the Palace Theatre, but Hurricane Irene delayed that work. For tickets and information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

Summit Playhouse 2011-2012 Season:  will open its season with “Meet Me in St. Louis,” adapted by the classic movie musical, running Nov. 4-19. The show, directed by Jay Mills, is an adaptation of the movie musical with songs by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and book by Hugh Wheeler. Musical direction is by Rich Lovallo. Tickets cost $25, or $20 for students 18 and under. Next up is Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” about the Keller family and a long-held family secret, Feb. 24 through March 10. Sherie Ahlin directs. Tickets cost $20, or $15 for students. The season will conclude with “Over the River and Through the Woods,” a comedy by Joe DPietro about a single man from New Jersey and his family, and the dream job that could get him away from his family. Performances will April 27 through May 12. Directed by James Valletti. Tickets cost $20, or $15 for students 18 and under. For tickets, visit SummitPlayhouse.org/tickets, or call 908-273-2192.

Fall Semester at Playwrights Theatre: ’s Creative Arts Academy fall classes for kids, teens and adults will begin in October. The Kids and Teen classes will be held at Madison High School, 170 Ridgedale Ave Madison. The Adult class will be held at Playwrights Theatre Administrative Offices, 28 Walnut Street, Madison. Playwrights Theatre Creative Arts Academy classes are an opportunity for students at all levels of experience to bring their imaginations to life, while practicing basic performance and writing skills. Students work collaboratively with their peers creating characters and telling stories while building the confidence needed to enjoy creative freedom. Most classes conclude with a “sharing” of class work for family and friends. Classes are taught by professional instructors who are working actors, directors, writers and artistic directors. The intimate class sizes allow individuals to explore in a safe, non-judgmental environment and insures of individual attention is given to each participant. Classes beginning Oct. 1 include Playmakers for Grades 1-3 and Musical Performance for Grades 4-8. Adult Playwriting Workshop begins Oct. 10 and Get Ready to Audition for High School students begins Oct. 8. Prorated options are available for this class only. For more information and to register, visit PTNJ.org or call the Education Department for more details 973-514-1787 X21.

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