South Jersey theaters announced their performance lineups for the fall season.
South Jersey is dotted with theaters that host performances that have been described as comparable to those audiences could see on Broadway in New York City or Philadelphia; but for a portion of the cost.
From "Phantom" to "Rent" to "Jekyll and Hyde," the stages in South Jersey will soon be alive with talent.
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman relit its iconic marquee in 2006, and has been going strong ever since.
From Sept. 11 to Oct. 11, the Broadway Theatre in Pitman will present "Phantom," an adaptation of Gaston Leroux's, "The Phantom of the Opera," which features a storyline that delves deeper into the life of the famous phantom. New York Times said this version of the classic has, "rhapsodic music that entrances, moves and haunts."
"Phantom" Producing Artistic Director John D. Smitherman, who also portrays the Phantom in the musical, said this version of the show was the one that was supposed to be the original stage production.
Leroux wrote the book, "Phantom of the Opera," in 1910. There are several stage versions of the story including the popular broadway version, "Phantom of the Opera."
"Phantom" was written by Yeston and Kopit who originally got permission to adapt the story into a musical.
"However, Andrew Lloyd Webber also found out about it and thought it was a good idea," Smitherman said.
After the book became public domain, Webber began writing his version which was completed first, and very successful on broadway.
"So that was the end of Yeston and Kopit's version of 'Phantom' going to broadway," Smitherman said. "This version has been done more than any other show that has been done regionally, but it hasn't been in this area since 1999 at the Walnut Street Theatre."
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Smitherman said "Phantom" has more backstory about how the Phantom became who he is, and the audience has a clearer vision of "who to root for."
"This one also has beautiful music, but it's not as well known," Smitherman said. "There's more action in this one, too."
He said he wants audience members to know they won't be hearing "Music of the Night" or "Masquerade," two songs made famous Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera," but the music in this version is just as good.
"The music is different, but is just as passionate and beautiful," he said.
Smitherman said rehearsals are going extremely well, but he is slightly nervous about the sets.
"We can't get the sets up until the children's camp ends this weekend," he said, noting that there is a lot of cast interaction with the sets such as the chandelier and the boat.
"There's a lot done with the set like the chandelier crashing down and going back up," Smitherman said. "And I have to drive a boat on stage."
While he is hoping the entire cast will have enough time to practice with the sets, he isn't too concerned and is excited about the show.
"I think it will be a wonderful production," Smitherman said.
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman is located at 43 South Broadway in Pitman.
For tickets, call 856-384-8381 or visit thebroadwaytheatre.org.
Be sure to check out these South Jersey theaters:
Cape May Stage
Cape May Stage is located at The Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette Street in Cape May.
From Sept. 9 to Oct. 9, Cape May Stage will present "Dead Man's Cell Phone," by Sarah Ruhl.
Jean, a waitress, answers the cell phone of a recently deceased cafe patron and decides to hold on to the device to keep the man alive in a strange, yet significant way. Jean's quiet life is turned upside down as she is thrust into a world of mysterious strangers, shady business deals, and the potential for true love.
For tickets, call 609-770-8311 or visit www.capemaystage.org.
Cumberland Players
Cumberland Players is located at 66 East Sherman Avenue in Vineland.
From Sept. 11 to Sept. 19, Cumberland Players will present "Finian's Rainbow Jr." -- a show that will bring the audience the luck of the Irish with a classic score by Burton Lane and Yip Harburg, the Oscar-winning lyricist of "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz."
"Finian's Rainbow Jr." tells the story of Finian McLonergan and his daughter Sharon who emigrate from Ireland to the town of Rainbow Valley in the mythical state of Missitucky. Finian is intent on buying a stolen pot of gold that he believes will grow and multiply. Og the leprechaun is hot on his heels trying to recover his treasure before he is turned human.
For tickets, call 856-692-5626 or visit www.cumberlandplayers.com.
Eagle Theatre
Eagle Theatre in Hammonton is located at 208 Vine Street in Hammonton.
From Sept. 11 to Oct. 19, Eagle Theater will present "Closer" -- an evocative exploration into the anatomy of modern romance as told by a quartet of strangers destined to become tangled lovers. Lead actors Lauren Kerstetter, Jeffrey Coon, Samantha Morrone, and Tim Rinehart are fascinated by the game of desire and seduced by seduction itself. These four lovers become stuck in a stinging web of modern betrayal as they play at sincere, truthful relationships.
For tickets, call 609-704-5012 or visit theeagletheatre.com.
Grand Theatre: Home of the Road Company
The Grand Theatre in Williamstown is located at 405 South Main Street in Williamstown.
From Sept. 17 to 27, the Grand Theatre: Home of the Road Company, will present "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" -- a good-natured, hilarious slice of America that features the antics of quirky adolescents as they participate in a traditional spelling bee. There is audience participation in this production, so be on your toes and ready to spell if you're part of the crowd.
From Oct. 22 to Nov. 7, the Road Company will present "Jekyll and Hyde," a dark and brooding tale of violence, suspense, and love in Victorian London.
For tickets, call 856-728-2120 or visit www.roadcompany.com.
Haddonfield Plays and Players
Haddonfield Plays and Players is located at 957 East Atlantic Avenue in Haddonfield.
From Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, Haddonfield Plays and Players will present "Is He Dead?" -- a newly discovered comedy written in 1898 by legendary author Mark Twain.
In this comedy, Twain dishes out a sly critique of the art world with an acerbic wit and social commentary well ahead of his time.
The play is fast-paced and follows a struggling artist who stages his own death to drive up the price of his paintings. As his scheme unfolds, Twain poses daring questions about fame, greed, and the value of art.
For tickets, call 856-429-8139 or visit www.haddonfieldplayers.com.
Off Broad Street Players
The Off Broad Street Players is a theater group that performs at The Levoy Theatre in at 126 North High Street in Millville, and The Glassworks at 1101 Wheaton Avenue in Millville.
From Sept. 18 to 20, the Off Broad Street Players will present "The Normal Heart" at The Glassworks in Millville.
This largely autobiographical story by Larry Kramer, focuses on the rise of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group.
From Nov. 6 to 15, the Off Broad Street Players will present "Ragtime" -- the story of an upper-class "WASP" family, an African American couple, and a group of Eastern-European Jewish immigrants as they intersect and try to be successful in America.
"Ragtime" will be presented at the Levoy Theatre in Millville.
For tickets, call 856-327-6400 or visit www.obsp.org.
The Ritz Theatre Company
The Ritz Theatre Company is located at 915 White Horse Pike in Haddon Township.
From Sept. 10 to Oct. 4, the Ritz Theatre Company will present "Lend me a Tenor" -- a door-slamming comedy set in a hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, where everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of world famous Italian opera tenor Tito Merelli.
From Oct. 29 to Nov. 22, Pulitzer, Tony, and Drama Desk award winner "Rent" will rock its way into Ritz Theatre.
The popular show tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create in New York City's East Village in the thriving days of Alphabet City, under the shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
For tickets, call 856-858-5230 or visit www.ritztheatreco.org.
South Camden Theatre Company
South Camden Theatre Company is located at 400 Jasper Street in Camden.
From Oct. 16 to Nov. 1, South Camden Theatre Company will present "Charlie Victor Romeo," a unique and riveting theatrical experience. The show is described as a performance piece derived entirely from the "black box" transcripts of six major real-life airline events. Audience members are advised to "fasten their seat belts" because they are in for quite a ride.
For tickets, call 856-409-0365 or visit www.southcamdentheatre.org.
Woodbury Sketch Club Players
The Sketch Club is located at 433 Glover Street in Woodbury.
From Sept. 11 to 13, the Sketch Club Players will present "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill," in honor of what would have been Billie Holiday's 100th birthday this year.
Camden's Toni Richards will portray Holiday who take the audience back in time to perform at a "seedy bar in Philadelphia" circa1959.
The story takes place just four months before the jazz legend's death and revolves around one of Holiday's last performances.
Accompanied by pianist Jimmy Powers, Richards -- as Holiday -- will perform numbers such as "Crazy He Calls Me," "God Bless the Child," "Strange Fruit," "T'ain't Nobody's Business, " and "What a Little Moonlight Can Do."
For more information or tickets, visit www.sketchclubplayers.org or call 856-848-8089.
Kelly Roncace may be reached at kroncace@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellyroncace. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.