On Stage: Seussical, Yankees, Tenor & Lots of Music

Spring is here, and stages throughout the area are blooming with entertainment.

Among the shows you can see are "Damn Yankees" at Paper Mill Playhouse, "Lend Me a Tenor" at the Barn Theatre and "Seussical" at both the Growing Stage children's theater and the Mayo Performing ArtsCenter for Performing Arts.

Dance lovers will want to check out "Dance Fest" at Centenary Stage Company, and there are plenty of concerts to see, from Loretta Lynn to tributes to Frank Sinatra and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Read this week's On Stage Scoop to find out what's happening on stage, and get ready to spring into theater. The Scoop runs every Tuesday.

ON STAGE SCOOP

Oh the Things You’ll See and Hear: The Growing Stage children’s theater in Netcong is staging “Seussical” through April 1. The musical features characters from several Dr. Seuss books, including “Horton Hears a Who” and “The Cat in the Hat.” Tickets cost $18, $14 seniors and children. The theater is located at 7 Ledgewood Ave. For tickets and information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com. 

All You Really Need is Heart: is presenting the musical classic “Damn Yankees" through April 1. The show, based on the novel “The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant,” is about Joe Boyd, a middle-aged fan of the hapless Washington Senators who makes a deal with the devil that turns Joe into a power-hitting machine so that he can turn his favorite team’s fortunes around. Its songs include “Heart” and “Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets.” For tickets and information, call 973-376-4343 or visit PaperMill.org.

Operatic Laughter: is performing Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor” through April 1. The farce is set in 1934 as the Cleveland Grand Opera company welcomes the great tenor Tito Morelli, “Il Stupendo,” for one night. After the star passes out, the company’s general manager convinces his assistant to dress up as Morelli and fool the audience, a plan that goes less than smoothly. Performances on March 16, 24, 30, 31 and April 6 and 7 begin at 8 p.m. Performances on March 17-18, 25 and April 1 begin at 2 p.m. For more information, visit BarnTheatre.org.

French Farce: Villagers Theatre is presenting “A Flea in Her Ear” through April 1. In the play, Raymonde, suspects her husband, Victor Emmanuel, of infidelity. With the help of her best friend, Lucienne, she concocts a plan involving a perfumed letter in order to expose Victor’s dalliance at the Hotel Coq d’Or and confirm her suspicions. Tickets cost $16, $14 for seniors and students. For more information, call 732-873-2710 or go to VillagersTheatre.com.

Making Magic Out of Math: “MatheMagic! Starring Bradley Fields” is coming to on March 20 and 21. "Math-magician" Fields captivates students with illusions, tricks and comedy that engage children in math skills and creative problem solving. There are two performances for grades four through seven on March 20 (beginning at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.) and one for kindergarten through third grade on March 21 at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $8. 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: ’s Starlight Series will present “Jazz in Starlight” on March 20 at 8 p.m. The performance will feature jazz arrangements of classic and contemporary pop songs performed by vocalist Brynn Stanley and guitarist Grover Kemble. Tickets cost $20. 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 For Love: The Centenary College Theatre Department will present the student production of Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline," with performances set for March 22 through 25 in the Edith Bolte Kutz Theater of the Lackland Center in Hackettstown. Directed by Stephen Davis, assistant professor of theater at the school, the play is about Princess Imogen, who is falsely accused of adultery and sets out on a journey to reclaim her place in society and reunite with her true love. Tickets cost $10, $8 for students. For more information, call 908-979-0900 or go to CentenaryStageCo.org.

Take the One You're With to See Marrakesh Express: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band Marrakesh Express will be making a stop at The Newtown Theatre on March 23 for a concert starting at 8 p.m. The band performs such classics as "Suite" Judy Blue Eyes" and "Teach Your Children," as well as original songs. Tickets cost $25 to $28. For tickets and more information, call 973-383-3700 or go to TheNewtonTheatre.com.

Let's Be Frank: The John Pizzarelli Quartet will perform "Dear Mr. Sinatra" on March 23 at 8 p.m. at . The concert will feature Sinatra classics including “The Way You Look Tonight,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “Under My Skin” and “Witchcraft.” Tickets cost $47 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.

Getting in Tune: Nine-Time Tony winner Tommy Tune will take stage at Centenary Stage Company's Lackland Center for the Performing Arts in Hackettstown on March 24, with performances beginning at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tune will take audiences through his 50-year career through song and dance, and will be backed by the Manhattan Rhythm Kings. Tickets cost $40, $35 in advance and are available at 908-979-0900 and CentenaryStageCo.org.  

A Time to Dance: Centenary Stage Company will present "Dance Fest," a weeklong celebration of dance featuring performances by New Jersey dance companies, and a performance from Tony-winner Tommy Tune. The festival will run March 24 through April 1 and will feature Tune’s “Steps in Time” with the Manhattan Rhythm Kings on March 24 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Other performances include The Lustig Dance Theater on March 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Moe-tion Dance Company on March 30 at 8 p.m.; and the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company on April 1 at 4 p.m. Performances are at the Sitnick stage in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave. on the campus of Centenary College. The festival will also feature classes and workshops, ranging from Zumba Dance and a workshop by members of the Nai –Ni Chen Dance Company. Class fees are $10 and can be deducted from the price of a ticket for any performance, except Tommy Tune. For ticket prices and more information, call 908-979-0900 or go to CentenaryStageCo.org.

Have a Horrific Time: The Darress Theatre will host a double feature of independent horror films on March 24, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The films are "Pembrook" and "Blood Lodge - the Last Supper," and are being presented by Grafitti Playhouse Productions. Tickets cost $10. The theater is located at 615 Main St. in Boonton. For more information, go to DarressTheater.com.

Singing With Pride: 's Black River Singers will present a concert performance of "Songs of America" at the Black River Playhouse for three shows: March 23 and March 24 at 8 p.m., and March 25 at 2 p.m. The group will be led by noted New Jersey music director Clifford Parrish. The program will include American folk songs and spirituals, songs of Stephen Foster and Harold Arlen, plus an assortment of Broadway tunes. Tickets cost $20, or $18 for seniors and students. The Black River Playhouse is located at the corner of Maple and Grove in Chester, New Jersey. For reservations or more information, call 908-879-7304 or go to ChesterTheatreGroup.org.

If "Seussical" is the Show You Want to See, then Morristown is the Place to Be: TheatreworksUSA will present "Seussical" on March 26 at 4 p.m. at . The show for ages 4 to 10 features beloved Dr. Seuss characters including the Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant. Tickets cost $12. 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.

Film Screening in Boonton: The documentary "Hot Flash Havoc" will be screened at the Darress Theatre, March 29 through April 9. The movie is billed as an entertaining crash course in perimenopause and menopause. Admission costs $10. The theater is located at 615 Main St. in Boonton. For more information, go to DarressTheater.com.

She's a Coal Miner's Daughter, and a Music Legend: Loretta Lynn will take stage at The Mayo Performing Arts Center on March 30 at 8 p.m. Lynn will perform a range of songs from her career, many of which were groundbreaking as they covered such topics as her blue-collar upbringing, divorce, war and women's rights. Tickets cost $47 to $97. 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, "Smokey Joe's Café:" Centenary Stage Company will hold open auditions for New Jersey Youth Theatre’s production of “Smokey Joe’s Café," which will be performed at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, and then at Centenary's Lackland Center for the Performing Arts in Hackettstown. Auditions are scheduled for March 31, with an open dance call to be held from noon to 1 p.m. and an open singing call for 1-4 p.m. Both open calls will take place in the David and Carol Lackland Center.

Rehearsals will take place May 19 to July 17 at the NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.  Newark performances are set for July 18 to July 22. David and Carol Lackland Performing Arts Center rehearsals will run from July 24 to July 25, with performances scheduled for July 26 to July 29. For additional information, please call 908-233-3200 or 973-353-8009 or visit NJYouthTheatre.org or NJPAC.org.

A Cinderella Story, Literally: Villagers Theatre will present "The True Story of Cinderella," a concert-style "opera buffa" by Warren Martin on March 25, beginning at 6 p.m. Billed as fun for all ages, the show's characters include a blues-singing wizard and a prince with laryngitis. Ticket cost $20, including light fare and beverages. For more information, visit VillagersTheatre.com.

Let the Bluegrass Grow: The Del McCoury Band will take stage at , March 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $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.

Going to the Mat: The Darress Theatre will host USA Elite Live Wrestling event on March 31 at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature nine matches and is being taped for TV. Tickets cost $15, $10 in advance. The theater is located at 615 Main St. in Boonton. For more information, go to DarressTheater.com.

If the Shoe Fits: The Moscow Festival Ballet's presentation of "Cinderella" is coming to on March 31 at 7 p.m. The classic tale, complete with a happy ending, features the music of Sergei Prokofiev and aimed for kids ages 4 and up. 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.

Chamber Music in Morristown: The Starlight Series: Nova Chamber Ensemble will perform at on April 3 at 8 p.m. The chamber will feature Laryssa Krupa on piano; Wanda Glowacka on cello. They will perform Rachmaninoff's sonata for cello and piano, with the audience sitting around the performers in a semi-circle. Tickets cost $20. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, "Our Town:" will hold auditions for Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" on April 1 and April 3 at 7:30 p.m. Callbacks will be held on April 10 at 7:30 p.m. Needed are 10 adult males (ages 30 to 50); 10 adult females (ages 30 to 50); five youth males (ages 15 to 25); and five youth females (ages 15 to 25). Readings will be from the script. Strong New England accents are required for all roles. Performances are on weekends, June 8-24. For more information, call  908-369-7469 or visit SVPTheatre.org.

Ringo Starr Tickets on Sale: Tickets for Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band's June 27 concert at are on sale now. Tickets cost $100 to $200. 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.

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.

Getting in on the Act: The is seeking original, one-act plays, short musicals and/or original dance pieces, written by New Jersey authors, for the 18th annual Jersey Voices presentation. Play submissions of any genre, style and length up to 20 minutes running time will be accepted through March 15. Selected pieces will be performed in the Players’ Black Box Theater in July and August. To email submissions or to request more information, go to jerseyvoices@chathamplayers.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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