The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s “Revolutionary Voices” series will begin with a reading of George Bernard Shaw’s “The Devil’s Disciple,” Feb. 23.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has not announced its full 2026 season yet, though it has shared an intriguing season title, “Method & Madness,” as well as details for two additional series:
• “Revolutionary Voices” will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with readings of the following plays:
Feb. 23: George Bernard Shaw’s “The Devil’s Disciple,” written in 1897 but set in New Hampshire during The Revolutionary War.
April 27: Mat Smart’s “The Agitators” (2017), which focuses on the friendship between women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony and civil rights activist Frederick Douglass.
July 27: Robert Schenkkan’s “All the Way” (2012), about President Lyndon B. Johnson’s efforts to get Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act in 1964, with the support of civil rights leaders.
Sept. 14: “We Declare: Words That Shaped a Nation.” Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey describes this as “a devised piece” that represents “a powerful theatrical journey through the speeches, documents, and proclamations from our nation’s origin. We Declare brings to life the most influential and world-changing documents in American history. From the Declaration of Independence to the musings of prominent American luminaries, the event will feature two and a half centuries of diverse American voices, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, James Baldwin, and others.”
• The “Classics for Kids!” series will offer the following kid-friendly performances:
Feb. 14: “Sleeping Beauty,” presented by The Tanglewood Marionettes. Appropriate for ages 3 and older.
June 13: “American Folktales.” Script-in-hand performances of stories about Paul Bunyan, Calamity Jane and other classic American historical figures and characters. Appropriate for all ages.
Oct. 24: “The Dragon King,” presented by The Tanglewood Marionettes. Based on Chinese folklore. Appropriate for ages 3 and older.
Dec. 19: “Merry, Merry Mischief!” Seasonal short stories and poems. Appropriate for all ages.
By the way … the “Method & Madness” season title echoes the “Hamlet” line, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t,” which may be a clue that “Hamlet” is one of the plays in the season. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has not presented the Shakespeare-written masterpiece since 2009.
“Revolutionary Voices” and “Classics for Kids!” shows will take place at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre at Drew University in Madison. For information and updates, visit shakespearenj.org.
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