New venue, but same great theater offerings from former South Orange company

American Theater Group’s thoughtful new show is buoyed by excellent acting from its three cast members

New venue, but same great theater offerings from former South Orange company

By Debbie L. Hochberg / Correspondent BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The opening night buzz was palpable on Saturday night, Oct. 16, at the American Theater Group’s first production in 19 months, since the coronavirus pandemic shut down theaters — and the world. You could feel the joy in the air as we all waited on line […]

American Theater Group to present ‘Till’ during BHM

American Theater Group to present ‘Till’ during BHM

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — In observance of Black History Month, American Theater Group presents the moving new musical “Till,” opening in previews on Thursday, Feb. 27, in South Orange. This stirring and powerful show tells the story of 14-year-old Emmett Till, whose murder in 1955 inspired civil rights leaders from Martin Luther King Jr. to […]

Reading ‘Spun: A Brother/Sister Rock Musical’

Reading ‘Spun: A Brother/Sister Rock Musical’

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — American Theater Group’s Reading Series brings theater-lovers together with playwrights and actors and offers audience members the exciting opportunity to help shape new works. Following the read through, guests are invited to participate in a panel discussion with the playwright, director and cast. This event will be Sunday, Feb. 9, at 7 […]

Maplewood celebrates Black History Month

Maplewood celebrates Black History Month

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In honor of Black History Month, the township of Maplewood has joined with local nonprofit, community and business partners to sponsor more than 30 artistic, cultural and educational events and activities throughout February. Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee, who will lead two different book discussions during the month, said, “Our goal is to […]

Braugher and Pawk to star in SOPAC play

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — American Theater Group’s world premiere production of “Tell Them I’m Still Young,” by Julia Doolittle, will be staged at the South Orange Performing Arts Center from Jan. 24 through Feb. 3. The cast includes two award-winning leading actors of stage, film and television. Andre Braugher and Michele Pawk portray a professor […]

Tony Award-winning composer to be honored at SOPAC

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — American Theater Group, the professional theater company in-residence at the South Orange Performing Arts Center, will honor Tony Award-winning Broadway and Hollywood composer Stephen Schwartz at its gala benefit on Sunday, April 29, at 6 p.m. at the SOPAC Loft, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange. Schwartz’s accomplishments include award-winning Broadway shows […]

SOPAC holds open auditions for new musical

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — American Theater Group, SOPAC’s professional Equity theater company in-residence, will hold auditions for non-Equity actors for the world-premiere musical “Small Town Story,” by Sammy Buck and Brandon James Gwinn. The musical will be directed by Eddie Prunoske with musical direction by Jason Wetzel. The auditions will be held at the South […]

South Orange PAC partners with American Theater Group

Theater to read Maplewood woman’s play

South Orange PAC partners with American Theater Group

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Performing Arts Center has entered into a partnership with American Theater Group, a New Jersey-based company that specializes in producing new and overlooked American plays, establishing the group as SOPAC’s official theater-in-residence. As part of the agreement, American Theater Group will present four readings in the SOPAC Loft […]