Shakespeare Theatre of NJ will offer live theater this summer

FLORHAM PARK, NJ — The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present “Crazy Love!” — an entertaining double-bill of two different evenings of classic comedy comprising two short, outdoor productions — in early August 2020. The performances will alternate between “Verily, Madly Thine,” a delightful cornucopia of Shakespeare’s wittiest and silliest love scenes, and a mini double-bill featuring Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “Aria da Capo,” a whimsical commedia gem, and a new translation of Moliere’s hilarious farce, “The Love Doctor.” 

Company member AC Horton will direct “Verily, Madly Thine,” and Bonnie J. Monte, STNJ’s artistic director, will direct both the Millay and Moliere; 2020 marks Monte’s 30th season with the company. Performances will take place at the “Back Yard Stage” on the great lawn of the theater’s Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory in Florham Park. Social distancing will be in place, and masks are required of all audience members, staff and volunteers. STNJ’s Shrewd Mechanicals company of eight non-Equity actors, all of whom have been isolated together in company housing since the pandemic began, will perform both shows. 

In a recent letter to patrons, company members and volunteers, Monte wrote, “We are one of the first companies to be bringing live theater back to life. Given the restraints that the pandemic has placed on all of our lives and our normal activities, this little announcement feels monumental, ground-breaking and thrilling.”

Performances of “Aria da Capo” and “The Love Doctor” will be Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 2, at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. Performances of “Verily, Madly Thine” will be Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 4:30 p.m.

At the shows, five people will be able to be seated within a prescribed 8-foot diameter “pod.” Each pod will be 6 feet apart in order to maintain proper social distance. Tickets are available for purchase only by contacting the theater’s box office at 973-408-5600 or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

  Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey