WEST ORANGE, NJ — Luna Stage opens its 25th season on Nov. 2 with a production of “Paradise,” by Laura Maria Censabella, a co-production with Passage Theatre in Trenton. The season will include the world premiere of “Razorhurst,” a musical commissioned by Luna, with book and lyrics by Kate Mulley and music by Andy Peterson. The season will conclude with Craig Alan Edward’s play “The Man in Room 306,” a piece that premiered at Luna in 1995 and was restaged in 2010 before transferring off-Broadway. These productions represent the culmination of 25 years of work for Luna, which was founded by Jane Mandel in 1992 in a small space in Montclair and evolved into its present home as an anchor arts-producing organization the Valley Arts District in West Orange and Orange led by Cheryl Katz.
The mission of Luna Stage is to develop and produce thought-provoking theater that gives voice to emerging American playwrights and new life to contemporary and classic plays that speak to our times. As producer, educator and innovator, Luna Stage is committed to collaborating with artists of multiple disciplines and partnering with the community to illuminate the diverse perspectives of society.
Over the course of its history, Luna Stage has contributed to the development of more than 50 new works for the stage. The theater’s world premieres have gone on to be produced in New York and across the country earning the theater a reputation for artistic excellence. Over the years Luna has won many distinctions such as being listed on NJ.com’s 10 best productions in both 2015 and 2016. It was honored by the New Jersey Theatre Alliance 2015 Curtain Call, and by the 2015 International Centre for Women Playwrights. These awards and accolades are just the tip of the iceberg.
But Luna does more than produce plays. It offers classes for children and adults and its developmental programs for early career artists inspire community members to nurture their own creativity and vision.
Performances of “Paradise” begin Thursday, Nov. 2, and run through Nov. 19. For complete performance information, visit www.lunastage.org or call 973-395-5551.
Photos Courtesy of Jeff Stewart
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