Say 'I Do! I Do!' to a Show Near You

Spring is when flowers start to bloom, but it's also the time when many theaters wrap up their seasons.

is presenting its last show of the season, "I Do!, I Do!" with a run starting April 12. The show written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt (who also wrote "The Fantasticks") explores a long marriage through song and laughter.

Meanwhile, is preparing for its last show of the season by holding auditions for "Xanadu." Performers can also try out for parts in "Alice in Wonderland" at Brundage Park Playhouse and Trilogy Repertory Company's 2012 Plays in the Park summer season.

Speaking of summer, as some groups end their seasons, others are just getting started. And if you want to be part of 's 50^th-anniversary season, you'll be glad to know the theater is seeking volunteers and is holding an open house on April 26.

No matter what the season, there's always something happening on North Jersey's stages.

Women Playwrights Series: Centenary Stage Company will present its annual Women Playwrights Series, April 11 through 29. The series will feature staged readings, classes, and activities in Hackettstown. The first play of the series is Margot Lasher's "Other Minds," which will be performed at the Lackland Center, 715 Grand Ave. on April 11. Other presentations include "The Text of Sex" by Manalapan playwright Michele Aldin Kushner on April 18, and “Spin, or Twilight of the Bohemians” by California playwright Carol Verberg on April 25. Aoise Stratford's "The Unfortunates" will make its world premiere on April 13 and continue through April 29 at the Edith Bolte Kutz Theatre of the Lackland Center. Stratford will also lead a free writing workshop on April 14, 3-6 p.m. (Reservations are required.)

A “Dine and Dish” with the playwrights will offer a panel discussion led by WPS Alumni playwrights, Bekah Brunstetter (“You May Go Now”), Darrah Cloud (“Dreamhouse”), Deborah Brevoort (“The Poetry of Pizza”), and Stratford. Panel topics include the current “50-50/2020” Initiative led by the Dramatists Guild of America, and the state of the art for women writing for the theater today. “Dine and Dish” will be held April 15, and will include a catered brunch prior to the panel discussion. The registration fee for brunch and discussion is $15. Participants staying for the 2 p.m. performance of the World Premiere of “The Unfortunates” may purchase the lunch, discussion and performance tickets at a discounted total of $27.50. For tickets and reservations, call 908-979-0900 or go to CentenaryStageCo.org.

Love and Marriage: is concluding its 17th season with the musical "I Do!, I Do!" with performances set for April 12 through May 6. The show features a book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt. The show is famously set around a couple's four-poster bed and examines the 50-year marriage of Michael and Agnes Snow. It premiered on Broadway in 1966 and received seven Tony nominations. Tickets cost $40, $36 seniors, $20 students 18 and under with a valid college I.D. The Bickford is located at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township. For more information, call 973-971-3706 or visit MorrisMuseum.org.

Classical Sounds: The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will perform at on April 12, beginning at 8 p.m. The concert will feature works by Beethoven and Brahms played by Wu Han (piano), Tara Helen O'Connor (flute), Arnaud Sussmann (violin), Yura Lee (violin), Paul Neubauer (viola) and Nicholas Canellakis (cello). Tickets cost $32-$52. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Oh MercyMe! Grammy-nominated MercyMe is coming to for an April 13 concert, beginning at 8 p.m. The Christian Contemporary band's hits include “All of Creation,” “Word of God Speak,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “Here with Me.” Tickets cost $37 to $77. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, "Alice in Wonderland:" Brundage Park Playhouse will hold auditions for Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" on April 13, 7 to 9 p.m. and April 14, 2 to 4 p.m. with callbacks scheduled for April 17, 7 to 9 p.m. Mark Carovale is directing. Performances are in July. For reservations, call 973-989-7092 or go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Get Out of My Garden! "Peter Rabbit" will be performed at The Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake, April, 14, 21 and 28, with performances beginning at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The show is part of the theater's "Generation Next Productions" series and is written and directed by Richard Boyer. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. For more information, call 973-691-2100 or go to PaxAmicus.com.

Up in the Air: Juggling act The Passing Zone will bring a show titled "Gravity Attacks" to on April 14, with two performances, beginning at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Jon Wee and Owen Morse were contestants on "America's Got Talent" and juggle chainsaws, torches, knives and more. Tickets cost $25. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Don't Forget "A Night to Remember:" The Darress Theatre in Boonton will present a screening of "A Night to Remember," the 1958 movie about the sinking of the Titanic, on April 14, 7:30 p.m. The showing commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the sinking. Tickets cost $10. For more information, go to DarressTheater.com.

Of Mice and a Man: Villagers Theatre in Somerset will present "The Pied Piper," April 14 through April 22 as part of its KidsVill series. The musical adaptation of the classic tale is directed by Annette Fielder and Jeff Dworkin. Performances begin at noon and 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10. For reservations or more information, email boxoffice@villagerstheatre.com, call 732-873-2710 or go to VillagersTheatre.com.

Sleepy Time: New Jersey Ballet will present a family matinee of "Sleeping Beauty" on April 15, beginning at 3 p.m. at . Tickets cost $15-$18. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

All That Jazz: Marty Grosz will perform a concert as part of the 's Jazz Showcase on April 16 beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18, $15 in advance. The Bickford is located at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morris Township. For more information, call 973-971-3706 or visit MorrisMuseum.org.

Audition Alert, "Xanadu:" is holding auditions for the musical "Xanadu," April 16 at 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. Performers are asked to bring music in the style of the show, in an appropriate key (accompanist will be provided). Those auditioning will sing first and may be asked to stay and read from the script. Callbacks (if needed) will be by appointment. Auditions will be held at Stanley Congregational Church, 94 Fairmount Ave. in Chatham. Chester Theatre Group's "Xanadu" will l be produced by Cindy Alexander directed by Jeffrey Fiorello with choreography by Megan Ferantinos and musical direction provided by Clifford Parrish. Performances are June 29 through July 9. For more information, including a breakdown of the parts, go to Chestertheatregroup.org. If you have any questions, email cindy@rvccarts.org or call 908-713-6207.

Laughing It Up: Comedy Central favorite Gabriel Iglesias is bringing his "Stand-Up Revolution Tour" to for an April 19 show to begin at 8 p.m. 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 visit MayoArts.org.

Let's Dance: The Dance Theatre of Harlem will perform at on April 20 at 8 p.m. The performance will feature ballet favorites from the company's repertoire, and newer works from emerging choreographers. Tickets cost $27-$57. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, Summit Kaleidoscope Productions: Audition signups for 's summer Kaleidoscope productions for young performers begins April 20. Auditions will be held May 20 and May 21, with callbacks scheduled May 22-24. The season will consist of three shows: Disney's "Winnie the Pooh," "Into the Woods Junior" and "The People Garden." There will be a $30 participation fee for each show if cast. Click here for more information, including show descriptions and performance dates.

They've Got a "Clue:" Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard and Professor Plum will come to life when presents "Clue: The Musical," April 20 through May 6 at its playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough. The show, based on the board game, involves household secrets and mystery after Mr. Boddy is murdered. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $18, $16 seniors/students. For more information, call 908-369-7460 or go to SVPTheatre.org.

The Great Gig in Newton: Pink Floyd tribute band The Machine will perform at The Newton Theatre on April 21, beginning at 8 p.m. The band aims to create an authentic Floyd experience for fans, performing faithful versions of legendary songs and obscure tracks. Tickets cost $29-$30. For more information, go to TheNewtonTheatre.com.

Did You Hear the One About the Comics Who Came to Morristown? Borsch Belt comics Freddie Roman, Mal Z. Lawrence and Dick Capri will bring their show, "Catskills on Broadway" to on April 22 for a 3 p.m. show. Tickets cost $42-$67. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, "T.V. Comedy Classics Live on Stage:" Pax Amicus Castle Theatre will hold auditions for "T.V. Comedy Classics Live on Stage" on April 23 and 25 at 7 p.m. The theater is seeking zany performers to appear in sketches from "The Carol Burnett Show" and scenes from "All in the Family." The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Performances are in June. For more information, call 973-691-2100.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Seeking Volunteers: is seeking volunteers to assist with ushering, concessions, and its gift shop for the theater's 50^th-anniversary season, which begins May 30. The theater will hold a volunteer open house on April 26 beginning at 6 p.m. Participants can learn about volunteer opportunities, meet with the professional management staff, meet veteran volunteers and learn about the 2012 season from Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte. In return for their work, volunteers receive ticket vouchers good for admissions throughout the season. For more information, call 973-408-3694 or email jmccrostie@ShakespeareNJ.org.

Audition Alert, Trilogy Repertory Company: Trilogy Repertory Company and Bernards Township Park and Recreation Dept. of Basking Ridge will hold auditions for their Plays in the Park 2012 season on April 25 and May 6, 7-9 p.m. and on April 29, 3-5 p.m. Those auditioning for "Forum" should prepare 16 measures of a song from a Broadway show and be ready to read from the script. Dance auditions will also be held. Performances are July 12-21 at Pleasant Valley Park off Valley Road in Basking Ridge.

Performances for "Inherit the Wind" are scheduled for July 27 through Aug. 4, also at Pleasant Valley Park. Male and female roles for all experience levels are available. Be prepared to read from the script. Trilogy Repertory Company also needs prep and run crews for these productions. Call Jaye Barre at 908-217-2714 for information about auditions, or working backstage.

Summer Camp at Centenary Stage Company: The Centenary Stage Company is offering young artists the TYRO Acting Program and the Young Performers Workshop Summer Intensive Program during the months of July and August. The TYRO Theatre Programs provide an introduction to theater skills and performance in a two-week session from 9:30 a.m. to noon for kids ages 6 to 8 and from 1-3:30 p.m. for children ages 9 to 11. The program run July 9 through July 20. The cost of tuition is $200 per student. The TYRO Program is led by Maria Broadeur, the CSC Education Director. Brodeur is a professional actress and arts educator with experience in children’s theater who holds a BA in Theatre and Education from Rutgers University. The YPW Summer Intensive offers training in acting, voice, and dance with specialized electives taught by theatre professionals. The program includes three full-length musical productions and The One Act play festival performed for the general public. Acceptance into the program is based on an interview with program director Michael Blevins scheduled for June 9 and June 10 at 11 a.m. For more information, call 908-979-0900 or visit CentenaryStageCo.org. 

Summer Camp at Brundage Park Playhouse: Registration is open for summer theater camps at Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph. The camps offer three different groups: “Budding Stars” for kids 5 to 7, “Summer Stages” for kids ages 8 to 14, “Budding Stars” for kids 5 to 7, and an “Advanced Performers Workshop” for students in grades 7 through 11. For more information, go to BrundageParkPlayhouse.org.

Summer Camp at Playwrights Theatre: Registration is open for the ’s Creative Arts Academy summer camp for kids and summer theatre program for teens beginning June 25 and running all summer long in two-week sessions. Summer programs include a Full-Day Theatre Academy. Also being offered are a Half-Day Summer Camp, and a Getting Ready To Audition class for high school students. For more information, call 973-514-1787 or visit ptnj.org.

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