Where to see Musicals in Northern New Jersey

Here in Northeastern New Jersey, we live close to Manhattan but that doesn't mean we want to go all the way into the city and pay $200 a ticket for actual on-Broadway shows several times a year. But I have great news, there are some AMAZING venues with Broadway level (or near Broadway level) performances right here in our own backyard!! To make it easier for you (and myself), I've compiled a list of where to see plays and musicals in Northeastern / Northern New Jersey (Essex & Union Counties). Do yourself a favor and sign up for their electronic or snail mail newsletters so you don't miss out on some great musicals, dance performances, plays, and more!

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PROFESSIONAL THEATERS:
These shows and theaters often feature performers right on the cusp of their careers exploding, you'll find these theaters listed in countless Playbill bios!) The sound and performances is top quality, but won't break the bank!

• ​New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) (Newark NJ); Prudential Hall is HUGE with over 2800 seats, they have several more intimate theaters and performance spaces as well. Some 2023-2024 performances include Stomp, Pati Labelle, and Hip Hop Nutcracker.
• Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn NJ) - 1200 seat theater; tickets from $35. ​Their 2022-23-24 seasons include Rent (which I saw in June - it was SO good!!), The Great Gatsby, Fidler on the Roof, Carole King the Musical, and more. They also have childrens' shows, and seasonal subscription options that include 3, 4, or 5 shows!

• Peak Performances (Montclair State University, Montclair NJ) - Memorial Auditorium has almost 1,000 seats.
• Vanguard Theater Company (Montclair NJ) - 175 seat Off-Broadway sized regional theater producing Broadway quality productions. Upcoming 2023-2024 season includes “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” and “Pippin,” as well as productions from their robust educational programs.

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Some Universities with great Performing Arts departments and student shows:

• Kean Stage (Kean University, Union NJ) - 312 seat theater, tickets from $39; kids/family shows from $18; lots of great concerts and dance performances, some professional and some featuring students, fill the 2023-2024 season 
• Montclair State University College of the Arts (Montclair NJ);  Tickets $25

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There are TONS of performing arts centers and theaters throughout the area, I can't begin to list them all! Just head to google to find some closest to you or holding events you like best (concerts, musicals, comedy, etc). They make for a great date night with your partner, mommy and me cultural outing with a child, girls night out, you name it! And they're close enough you  could add dinner and Uber and still not pay as much as you would for a Broadway show in Manhattan!!