'Aurelia's Oratorio' offers nifty tricks but also deeper meanings by Peter Filichia

Before There Was Sweet Charity, There Was Sweet Irma by Peter Filichia

Who'd expect that Irma La Douce could still be bought 50 years after she reached New York? True, Irma, who arrived here on Sept. 29, 1960, isn't seen very often anymore. Says Mel Miller, w...

'Hairspray' review: Triumphant opening for the Paper Mill's season by Peter Filichia

Has there ever been as triumphant a season opener in the 73-year history of the Paper Mill Playhouse?

'Character Assassins' review: Writer and critic face off in comedy premiere by Peter Filichia

At last! A play that shows how silly, inconsequential and vindictive theater critics can be! (And how playwrights can be exactly the same.)

'Intimate Apparel' review: Race, religion and romance mix in stunning show by Peter Filichia

On Stage: Saving the Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven by Peter Filichia

Scratched from one George Street show, Sandy Duncan returns in 'Circle Mirror Transformation' by Peter Filichia

To Us, Drake Means Alfred Drake by Peter Filichia

By Peter Filichia -- This week, let's celebrate what would have been the 96th birthday of the Broadway musical's quintessential leading man: Alfred Drake, who was born on Oct. 7, 1914. When …

'The Prisoner of Second Avenue' review: Centenary Stage takes its first bow at new theater by Peter Filichia

New surroundings compliments successful comedy about dire situations

Richard Scarry's characters, and life lessons, are colorfully adapted for the stage by Peter Filichia

October's Party by Peter Filichia

Quite often during the month of October, I start thinking of George Cooper's poem “October's Party.” You're pardoned if you don't know it. It was the poem I chose to memorize in …

'Circle Mirror Transformation' review: Acting class comedy an object lesson in laughs by Peter Filichia

'Love and Communication' review: Play follows a family struggling with a son's silence by Peter Filichia

Penn and Teller to appear at State Theatre by Peter Filichia

Sammy's Back and Running by Peter Filichia

By Peter Filichia -- Sept. 21, 1998. The pilot episode of Will & Grace airs on NBC. Will Truman and his friends - including Jack McFarland - are playing poker. Jack is stalling, wondering if…

Double dose of 'Macbeth' trouble by Peter Filichia

'An Iliad': Reliving history from a different point of view by Peter Filichia

"I’d always wanted to work with Lisa," says Spinella, "and I’ve known Denis for years. Back in the ’90s, we did ‘Waiting for Godot’ in Seattle. I was Estragon a…

'No Place Called Home' review: A moving one-woman show re-creates the lives, losses, of Iraqi refugees by Peter Filichia

'Train to 2010' review: Promising new play ‘Train’ goes off-track with polemical approach by Peter Filichia

Remembering Bock and Harnick by Peter Filichia

As October ends, let's stop to remember a stellar Broadway songwriting team whose last two shows celebrated anniversaries this month.

'Celebrity Autobiography' preview: Actors skewer stars by reading from their memoirs by Peter Filichia

'Opus' preview: 'Cosby Show' veteran to perform in Red Bank by Peter Filichia

'Old Settler' review: Play dazzles in new theater by Peter Filichia

What a lucky township West Orange is.

'An Iliad' review: Dramatic and modern retelling of Greek classic by Peter Filichia

At the risk of offending the learned and distinguished professors at Princeton University, Stephen Spinella may well be delivering the most entertaining lecture on campus.

Of These We Sing by Peter Filichia

By Peter Filichia -- As we go to the polls this week, let's talk about two musicals that deal with elections: Of Thee I Sing and its sequel Let ‘Em Eat Cake. Both had books by George…

'The Rocky Horror Show' review: You can join in the fun— or just enjoy the show by Peter Filichia

New Jersey, New York stage events: A Kron Jewel by Peter Filichia

'This': Dreamcatcher is the perfect company to stage Gibson's fine play by Peter Filichia

If any other troupe had tried it, the production probably wouldn’t have turned out nearly as well.

'State of the Union' review: Politics and passion mix in a decades-old play that still has bite by Peter Filichia

Opus review: String quartet is the subject of a superbly orchestrated new work by Peter Filichia

The Overture Is about to Start by Peter Filichia

Everyone I know who got the recently released Arkiv CD of What Makes Sammy Run? has said the same thing to me: “What an overture!” Yes, it is, and for three good reasons.