Cape May Stage offers engaging theater, unique musical performances, and special event programming from May through December. Check out our 2026 season lineup below! For more details about each show, just click on “Learn More” or to purchase tickets choose “Buy Tickets”. To see a monthly calendar view of all 2026 shows and events, click on the button below. For assistance with tickets or season subscriptions, please call the box office at 609-770-8311.
2026 Main Stage Shows
What the Constitution Means to Me
Written by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Roy Steinberg
June 3 – June 28
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 PM
Obie Award Winner – Best New American Play
Tony Award Nominee – Best New Play
“Not just the best play on Broadway, but also the most important.” — The New York Times
Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions across the country. In this electrifying and deeply personal play, she revisits that teenage self to explore how the U.S. Constitution has shaped her life — and how it continues to shape all of ours. Blending humor, history, and heartfelt storytelling, this Tony Award–nominated work invites audiences into a lively, thought-provoking conversation about rights, citizenship, and what the Constitution means today.
Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert
Created by: Meredith Beck & Sarah J. Gafgen
Presented by Live On Stage Productions
ONE WEEK ONLY! July 4 – July 10
Nightly at 8 PM
“An evocative tribute to Ethel Merman & Mary Martin.”
-The Philadelphia Inquirer
Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert celebrates the remarkable bond between Ethel Merman and Mary Martin — two of Broadway’s brightest stars. Performed by Sarah J. Gafgen and Meredith Beck, this elegant concert blends story and song to reveal the humor, heart, and friendship behind the fame. Featuring classics like “I Got Rhythm,” “The Sound of Music,” “A Cockeyed Optimist,” and “Hello, Dolly!”, audiences are invited to step behind the curtain and rediscover the women who helped define the American musical.
This is a one week, limited engagement show at Cape May Stage.
This show is not included in our subscription packages.
Kalamazoo
Written by Michelle Kholos Brooks and Kelly Younger
Directed by Josh Iacovelli
July 15 – August 23
Tuesday – Sunday at 8 PM
Critics agree: Kalamazoo is a warm, witty, and deeply touching romantic comedy about second chances and the courage to begin again.
When two cautious strangers meet later in life, polite conversation quickly takes flight — sparked by sharp wit, surprising confessions, and a shared love of birds. As Peg and Irving navigate the tender awkwardness of starting over, they discover that hope can appear when you least expect it. Witty and uplifting, Kalamazoo is a sophisticated romantic comedy about second chances, unexpected connection, and the courage to spread your wings at any age.
Your Name Means Dream
Written by José Rivera
Directed by Roy Steinberg
September 9 – October 18
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 pm
“A haunting meditation on what it means to be human.” — DC Metro Theater Arts
“Lyrical and thought-provoking.” — BroadwayWorld
This new play is a powerful and poetic story that explores identity, resilience, and the pursuit of hope. Blending raw emotion with lyrical storytelling, it asks urgent questions about humanity in an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping our dreams and decisions. Bold, moving, and deeply human, this play shines a light on the courage it takes to define ourselves—beyond what any algorithm can predict.
The American Soldier
Written and performed by Douglas Taurel
THREE SHOWS ONLY! October 23 – 25
Friday & Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 PM
“A compelling reminder of the human stories behind the uniform.”
— The Huffington Post
Critics praise The American Soldier as a riveting and deeply moving tribute — an intimate solo performance that powerfully honors the courage, sacrifice, and humanity of those who have served.
Inspired by real letters written by service members and their families, The American Soldier is a powerful solo performance that brings to life the voices of those who have served — from the nation’s earliest days to the present. Through stories of courage, sacrifice, humor, and hope, the play reminds us that history is lived one life at a time.
Intimate and deeply moving, this tour de force offers a timely reflection on service, freedom, and the enduring ideals that continue to shape our country.
This is a three day, limited engagement show at Cape May Stage.
This show is not part of our annual subscription packages.
Murder for Two: The Holiday Edition
Written by Book and Music by Joe Kinosian
Book and Lyrics by Kellen Blair
Directed by Roy Steinberg
November 18 – December 27
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 PM
Sunday at 3 PM
Jeff Award–winning musical and Drama Desk–nominated hit.
“A witty and wonderful musical spoof.”
— The Associated Press
2026 Broadway Series
Tap Into Soul with Solomon Jaye
Saturday, May 23, at 7 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
Critics and audiences alike celebrate Solomon Jaye as an electrifying entertainer — a virtuosic tap artist and soulful vocalist whose high-energy performances leave the room buzzing long after the final beat.
Cape May Stage presents award-winning musician Solomon Jaye in Tap into Soul on Saturday, May 23, to kick off the 2025 Broadway Series.
Tap Into Soul is an electrifying concert experience led by the dynamic Solomon Jaye — blending virtuosic tap, powerhouse vocals, and magnetic storytelling into one unforgettable evening. With every shuffle and syncopated beat, Jaye turns the stage into a living instrument, celebrating the rich traditions of jazz, soul, and American rhythm.
Featuring classics like “Feeling Good,” “Georgia on My Mind,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” this high-energy celebration pulses with heart and groove. Don’t miss this one-night-only event that promises to have the theatre pulsing from the very first beat.
Married, Single, and a Baby
Sunday, September 27, at 7 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
A smart, high-energy evening of comedy that turns the ups and downs of relationships into irresistibly funny, deeply human storytelling.
Cape May Stage presents the hit comedy show Married, Single, and a Baby for one unforgettable night of laughter on Sunday, September 27.
Married, Single, and a Baby is a smart, relatable comedy show that dives headfirst into the chaos of modern relationships — from the quirks of married life to the surprises of parenthood and the freedom (and confusion) of being single. With sharp observations and heartfelt humor, the show explores how love evolves, expectations collide, and family redefines everything.
NIC+DESI In Concert
Sunday, December 13, at 7 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at Cape May Stage’s Robert Shackleton Playhouse.
“Incredible vocals, dazzling choreography…” – BroadwayWorld.com
Back by Popular Demand! Cape May Stage presents acclaimed duo Nic+Desi on Sunday, December 13, for a holiday concert as part of our 2026 Broadway Concert Series.
Broadway sparkle meets holiday magic in this joyful concert event starring real-life theatrical power couple Nicolas Dromard and Desiree Davar.
In NIC+DESI: A Holiday Celebration of Broadway, the duo sing, dance, and share the story of their partnership — onstage and off — in an evening bursting with festive spirit. Following acclaimed performances on Broadway and national tours, they bring their signature chemistry and high-energy style to a program that blends beloved holiday classics with show-stopping Broadway favorites.
Reading Series
Cape May Stage is proud to announce its 2026 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. We will be adding more readings as we get closer to reopening.
SHORT NEW PLAYS
Young Playwrights Awards Readings
Written by Various Playwrights
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Saturday, May 9, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
Cape May Stage proudly presents an evening of short play readings featuring the winners of our inaugural Young Playwrights Awards. These original short works by New Jersey high school students spotlight the creativity, insight, and bold voices of the next generation of storytellers. Join us as we celebrate emerging talent and bring these exciting new plays to life on our stage.
SHORT NEW PLAYS
National Playwrights Symposium Readings
Written by Various Playwrights
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Thursday, May 14, 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.
DRAMATIC READING
What Would Meryl Do?
Written by Neal Lerner
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Monday, June 22, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
What Would Meryl Do? is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Playing every character, he delivers a wildly funny, slightly unhinged story that’s part masterclass, part meltdown, and entirely heartfelt. Based on a true story (except for the parts that are completely made up), this sharp and surprising comedy explores identity, survival, and the courage to take center stage in your own life.
DRAMATIC READING
U.S.A.
By Paul Shyre and John Dos Passos
Monday, July 20, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
Experience a bold theatrical portrait of a nation in motion as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Presented as part of our Reading Series, U.S.A., adapted by Paul Shyre from the groundbreaking trilogy by John Dos Passos, captures the energy, ambition, and upheaval of early 20th-century America through a tapestry of voices, headlines, songs, and personal stories. Fast-moving and strikingly relevant, the play offers a vivid reflection on the American experiment — its promise, its contradictions, and its enduring search for identity.
DRAMATIC READING
Appendage
By Derek Murphy
Directed by Roy Steinberg
Monday, August 10, at 7 pm
In-Person Reading at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse
No Tickets Required – Free to Attend – Donations Accepted
A darkly comic and psychologically sharp two-hander, Appendage by Derek Murphy explores grief, masculinity, and the messy ways we cope with loss. Set in a modest New York apartment, two men bound by the same sorrow—mourning the same woman—grapple with unresolved pain, clumsy communication, and escalating tension that’s part black comedy, part emotional reckoning. At once unsettling, funny, and deeply human, Appendage examines how grief can shape identity and the fierce, often flawed ways we try to move past it.
Additional live readings for 2026 will be announced soon! We look forward to sharing more new works and contemporary plays on our stage this season.
Special Events
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT
The Signature Gala
Saturday, May 30, at 6 pm
ONE NIGHT ONLY at the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May.
Mark your calendars for The Signature Gala, our annual spring fundraising celebration, on Saturday, May 30, at the stunning Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May. Inspired by the bold signatures that helped shape our nation 250 years ago, this elegant evening honors the power of making your mark — on history, on community, and on the arts.
Guests will enjoy exquisite dining, an open bar, a live auction featuring exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences, and music throughout the night, all set against the Yacht Club’s breathtaking waterfront views. Join us in supporting professional live theater in Cape May and be part of a celebration that honors the past while investing in the future.
Tickets and Sponsorships will be available soon!
VIRTUAL LECTURE
Top 10 American Playwrights
Monday, April 6, at 7 pm
Join us for a special virtual lecture as Roy Steinberg presents his Top 10 American Playwrights, an illuminating exploration of the writers who have shaped our nation’s theatrical voice. As we commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, this engaging presentation reflects on the storytellers who have examined, challenged, and celebrated the American experience from the stage. Insightful, accessible, and thought-provoking, this online event invites theatre lovers to deepen their appreciation of the plays—and playwrights—that help define who we are. Don’t miss this unique online experience!
This virtual lecture is free and open to the public to attend. Zoom details will be available soon.
RIBBON CUTTING CELEBRATION
Cape May Stage Day
Sunday, May 24, at 3 pm
Join us to kick off our 2026 season. All are welcome to attend this free community event.
Join us on May 24, 2026, as we celebrate Cape May Stage Day — a joyful community gathering marking the official start of our new season. The afternoon will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the grand reopening of our newly renovated front doors, symbolizing our continued commitment to welcoming audiences, artists, and neighbors alike. Together, we’ll celebrate the power of live theatre to bring people together and kick off a season filled with stories that connect and inspire our Cape May community.
250th ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Wednesday, July 8, at 2 pm
Join us to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All are welcome to attend this free community event.
Join us on July 8 at 2 pm on the front steps of Cape May Stage for a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. As communities across the country gather in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, we invite our neighbors to take part in this shared national moment. Local community members and dignitaries will read sections of this historic document aloud, bringing its enduring words to life in a collective expression of reflection, unity, and civic pride.
America at 250: A Year of Celebration in Cape May
In 2026, Cape May will join communities across the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — honoring our shared history in one of America’s most historic seaside towns. As part of this milestone year, Cape May Stage will present a series of special events, performances, and community gatherings that reflect on our nation’s founding ideals and their meaning today.
This reading is part of Cape May Stage’s celebration, honoring the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding through the power of live theatre