Cape May Stage offers engaging theater, unique musical performances, and special event programming from May through December. For more details about each show, just click on “Learn More” or to purchase choose “Buy Tickets”. To see a monthly calendar view of all 2023 shows and events, click on the button below. For assistance with tickets or season subscriptions, please call the box office at 609-770-8311.
2023 Main Stage Shows
Shirley Valentine
by Willy Russell
Directed by Roy Steinberg
June 7th – July 2nd
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 PM
* Tony Award Nominee for Best Play * Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play * Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy *
A Liverpool housewife’s best friend wins a competition for a trip for two to Greece and she embarks on a travel adventure that transforms her life. This romantic comedy won both the Olivier and Tony Awards, and was adapted into a film in 1989. Called a “joyful, captivating piece of theater” by The New York Daily News, this celebrated one-woman play is a must see!
Art
by Yasmina Reza
Directed by Roy Steinberg
July 19th – August 27th
Tuesday – Sunday at 8 PM
Set in Paris, this Tony Award-winning play focuses on the meaning of art and the meaning of friendship. The art in question is a solid white painting, and the friendships put to the test are between the man who bought the painting and his two friends who come to see it. This comedic play features a battle of wits and words between the trio of friends as they grapple with age-old questions about art, relationships, and themselves.
The Garbologists
by Lindsay Joelle
Directed by Roy Steinberg
September 13th – October 22nd
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 pm
“A Must See! Joelle’s finely crafted play is laced with wit and wisdom.”
– BroadwayWorld.com
This unconventional buddy comedy follows first-time sanitation worker Marlowe and lifer Danny in the cab of a nineteen-ton garbage truck in New York City. Marlowe is a black, Ivy League-educated newbie learning the ropes from Danny, a white blue-collar mansplainer. Tasked with picking up what the world has discarded, they learn there’s more that binds them than just picking up the trash.
A Tuna Christmas
by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard
Directed by Roy Steinberg
November 15th – December 30th
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 PM
“A unique Yuletide tale full of laughter, heart, and a whole lot of shenanigans.” – DC Theater Arts
Spend the holidays in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas! With twenty-two different characters, dozens of costume changes, and just two actors, this play is a fun-filled, satirical look inside the workings of a small town at Christmas. Narrated by Arles and Thurston who keep you up on all the local news from their 275-watt radio station, it follows the Yuletide festivities of the delightfully eccentric cast of characters in the third smallest town in Texas.
2023 Broadway Series
Carole J. Bufford in Concert
Saturday, June 3rd, at 7 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
* BroadwayWorld’s Vocalist of the Year * Gold Medal winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition *
Cape May Stage presents acclaimed vocalist Carole J. Bufford on Saturday, June 3rd, as part of our 2023 Broadway Series.
With fresh takes on classic multi-generational songs, expect an evening of powerhouse vocals, stories behind the music, and Bufford’s inimitable delivery of songs you love and perhaps a few new discoveries. The show features music made famous by Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, Louis Armstrong, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Animals, The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sting, Tina Turner, Prince and more.
Anthony Murphy in Concert
Monday, July 31st, at 7 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
“The singing actor brought his entire being to the show, rolled it up into an enormous ball of joyful energy, outrageous personality, and prodigious musical talent, and hurled it at the audience.” – BroadwayWorld.com
Cape May Stage presents Broadway performer and cabaret singer Anthony Murphy on Monday, July 31, as part of our 2023 Broadway Series.
Anthony Murphy was born to be on the stage! Whether that is the Broadway Stage portraying the iconic Disney character Aladdin, or in an intimate club sharing his musical journey as a cabaret show, Murphy delivers. With his high-energy cabaret show filled with hand-picked songs and joyful stories from his life, Murphy combines his talent, personality, heart, and creativity into a unique and entertaining style that resonates with audience members of all ages.
Amanda McBroom in Concert
Monday, September 25th, at 7 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
Amanda McBroom has been called “…the greatest cabaret performer of her generation, an urban poet who writes like an angel and has a voice to match” by The New York Times.
Cape May Stage presents singer, songwriter, and cabaret performer Amanda McBroom on Monday, September 25th, as part of our 2023 Broadway Series.
Best known for her award-winning song “The Rose,” performed by Bette Midler, McBroom’s songs have also been recorded by Leanne Rimes, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, Stephanie Mills and The Manhattan Transfer. Amanda’s performance of “The Rose” on the Golden Globes when she won for Best Orginal Song convinced audiences worldwide that the best interpretations of McBroom songs are by McBroom herself. Ever since they have applauded her in concert halls around the world from Carnegie Hall to Angel Place Recital Hall in Sydney, Australia. And now she brings her personal songbook to Cape May Stage!
Reading Series
Cape May Stage is proud to launch its 2023 Reading Series filled with timely plays performed by professional actors. All of our readings are free to attend as we look to share a curated list of new and diverse plays through one-night-only staged readings. Doors open 30 minutes before the reading for in-person events. No tickets required; donations accepted.
Alabama Story
By Kenneth Jones
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Monday, March 20, at 7 pm
Virtual Reading Online
Free to Attend
“Alabama Story” by Kenneth Jones takes place in 1959 in Montgomery, Alabama and based on actual events when Garth Williams wrote and illustrated a children’s book involving a white rabbit and a black rabbit. He liked the contrast of the black and white for his illustrations but the politics at that time and in that place brought the controversy of race relations into that story. With a cast of Broadway veterans and through the use of technology we have assembled artists from as far away as North Carolina and New Mexico to bring this script to life. The Live Stream will start at exactly 7 pm on Monday, March 20th. Just click on the button below at that time to view the reading.
Kill Move Paradise
By James Ijames
Directed by Chase Jackson
Monday, April 24, at 7 pm
Virtual Reading Online
Free to Attend
“Kill Move Paradise” by James Ijames is a collaboration of Cape May Stage and Chasearts that brings Chase Jackson as a director to tell this story of four black men who find themselves stuck in a waiting room in the afterlife after their untimely deaths. This 80- minute tone play was inspired by the shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. The author is a native of Philadelphia and an Assistant Professor at Villanova University. The mission of Cape May Stage is to act as a catalyst for discussion and this play fits the bill.
National Playwright Symposium Readings
By Various Playwrights
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Thursday, May 18, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
The National Playwrights Symposium was created by Roy Steinberg and Shawn Fisher to bring Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwrights to work with mid-career writers each May in Cape May. The readings of work will be creations that did not exist prior to the week-long event. Sometimes, the readings you will hear were written that morning. It is a stunning and exciting event.
And Baby Makes Three or Something
By Dan McCormick
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Monday, June 26, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
“And Baby Makes Three or Something” by Dan McCormick, best known in Cape May for his one act play “Becoming Satchel Paige” that wowed audiences here last spring, arrives just in time for Pride month. This New Jersey premiere tells the story of a married black and white gay couple who adopt a white baby from a childhood friend from West Virginia. They get more than they bargained for when the birth mother’s ex-convict ex-husband shows up unannounced. It won “Special Mention” in the Carlo Annoni Playwriting Prize in Italy in 2022 out of hundreds of submissions from around the world.
The Secret Lives of Dogs
By Marisa Smith
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Monday, August 14, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
“The Secret Life of Dogs” by award-winning playwright Marisa Smith is a romantic comedy that tells the story of a courtship and marriage and complications in that relationship through the eyes of each of the character’s pet dogs. The play examines loss as well as making trenchant observations about men and women. It has not been produced and is being strongly considered for a future production.
Rosie is Red, and Everybody is Blue
By John Spellos
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Monday, October 9, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
John Spellos was part of our National Playwrights Symposium and this is a play we are considering for a future production.
Special Events
The Crown Jewel Gala
Saturday, June 10, at 6 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May.
Make plans to join us at our annual spring fundraising event, the Crown Jewel Gala Gala, being held on Saturday, June 10, at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May. Make plans to join us for this royal affair to remember. The evening will be filled with live music by the Cape May Diamonds, delicious tapas dishes, an open bar, signature drinks, and a live auction with amazing one-of-a-kind experiences. Plus the Yacht Club offers a safe, tented outdoor environment with spectacular water views. All to support live, professional theater in Cape May, NJ.
Tickets and Sponsorships will be available to purchase on April 10, 2023.
2023 Movie Night Series
Movie Night at Cape May Stage is a community “Film-Raiser” event to benefit local non-profits. Join us for a series of fun and entertaining movies in our historic theater.
As part of our commitment to the local community, 50% of all proceeds from this movie series will be donated to different non-profit organizations.
Spring Movie Dates:
- Tuesday, March 28th at 6 pm: 9 to 5 (Soroptomist International of Cape May County)
- Saturday, April 1st at 5 pm: 42 (The Negro Baseball League Historic Society)
- Saturday, April 15th at 3 pm, and 7 pm: The Finest Hours (The Maritime Museum’s “Float the Boat” project)
- Saturday, May 6th at 6 pm: The Prom (Lower Cape May Regional After-Prom Committee)
Location: Robert Shackleton Playhouse
42: The Magical Number in Sports
Reception, Art Show, Silent Auction, Lecture, and Movie
In partnership with the Cape May Negro League Historical Society, Cape May Stage is proud to present this special event.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been canceled.
The number 42 has become synonymous in all sports with Robinson but the number has been a source of inspiration in other sports as well. Join us for an evening celebrating this magic number and supporting the Cape May Negro League Historical Society. Every ticket includes a reception with light refreshments, an art show by Sidney SmithJordan, a silent auction, and a lecture by noted baseball historian Gaylon White. The night caps off with a showing of the movie “42” that tells the inspirational true story of Jackie Robinson and how he became the first African American baseball player allowed to play in the Major League.
Black Footprints in the White Sand: Historical African American Beaches and Resorts
In partnership with Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), Cape May Stage is proud to present this special lecture event.
The very idea of African Americans enjoying leisure spaces alongside whites was a challenge during the Jim Crow area because it implied Equality. Out of necessity, African American activists and businesspeople created their own beach communities. “Black Footprints on White Sands: Historical African American Beaches and Resorts” explores the past and provides an update on where the imprints touch down now and why.
The History of Theater in Cape May
In partnership with Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture), Cape May Stage is proud to present this special lecture event as part of MAC’s Lunch & Learn series.
Roy Steinberg, Producing Artistic Director at Cape May Stage, takes us on an exploration of theatre history starting with the Orestia of Aeschylus. In particular, he will concentrate on theater in Cape May, from the 19th century opera and vaudeville through the 20th century star packages and summer stock to the creation of theater companies that exist today. The 21st century theater that exists today grew out of that history and we will discuss contemporary Cape May demographics, national trends, and union protocols.