By: Najla Alexander
Middlesex County officials announced that the County’s Plays-in-the-Park returns this summer to the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre located at Roosevelt Park, 1 Pine Drive, Edison, 08837, presenting three popular Broadway musicals: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Rent, and Grease.
“These three spectacular shows offer more than just a night of entertainment; they reflect the hard work and talent of our community brought to life on stage,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios.
“Plays-in-the-Park is a special opportunity for our residents to experience Broadway-quality performances under the stars of the beloved Roosevelt Park. Year after year, it is exciting to watch the stunning productions surrounded by a crowd of all ages,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, Chair of the Infrastructure Management Committee.
PLAYS-IN-THE-PARK 2025 SCHEDULE:
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 18 - 28) – Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with the album “Tapestry”, Beautiful takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring such unforgettable classics as "You've Got a Friend", "One Fine Day", "So Far Away", "Take Good Care of My Baby", "Up on the Roof", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", and "Natural Woman", this Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning musical phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember — and a story you'll never forget.
Rent (July 9 – July 19) – Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon, with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Based loosely on Puccini's La Bohème, Jonathan Larson's Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a substantial income and is now estranged from his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider in life. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.
Please note this production contains mature themes and some strong language. Parental discretion is advised.
Grease (July 30 – August 9) – Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie”, recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions, place Grease among the world’s most popular musicals.
There are no Sunday performances.
TICKET SALE PROTOCOLS:
Tickets are available on-site at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre box office only on the day of the performance, Middlesex County officials. There are no advanced sales or online ticketing options.
According to Middlesex County authorities, the ticket booth opens at 5:30 pm, and patrons are admitted to the seating area immediately after purchasing tickets. All shows start at 8 pm, and the ticket booth closes at 8:30 pm each show night. All you need to bring is your favorite lawn chair with a back no higher than 40 inches.
The ticket price is $8 per adult, $5 per senior citizen (60 and over), and children 12 and under enter for free. In the event of inclement weather, retain your ticket stub for admission to another performance this season, MCPO officials say. For questions regarding Box Office information, please call 732-548-2884.
For more information on Plays-in-the-Park, please visit middlesexcountynj.gov/PIP.