Fabulous "Noises Off" at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ

Saw the show tonight, and for a first preview, it's INCREDIBLY tonight. They look like they've been doing this for weeks. Fantastic energy and wonderful performances.

I've seen a lot of productions of this play (because it is probably my favorite comedy of all-time), and this one is definitely one of the best I've seen. The cast gets it, and the laughs are ALL there.

Harriet Harris, as you would expect, is sublime as Dotty. She's delightfully eccentric and mannered, and completely hilarious. Every bit her equal, however, is the brilliant Laila Robbins (who plays Belinda). She manages to nearly steal the entire show, and would have were it not for the wonderful cast around. They're all great, and they all get laughs.

The entire production is laughter from start to finish, as this show should be. All of the gags work, the timing was phenomenal, and the energy was high. It's a side-splitting evening.

Despite the fact that it was a first preview, the only "glitch" seemed to be that the intermissions both ran long, because they haven't quite gotten that massive set change down yet (there's no curtain here, so you can watch them rotate it 180 degrees during each intermission).

The audience enjoyed it and laughed throughout. Even the geriatrics who were complaining loudly before the show that there were two intermissions and that they would be out "very late."

Also, it's infinitely amusing to listen to people before the show as they flip through the Playbill and attempt to figure out what the insert for "Nothing's On" is. One lady goes to her companion, "What play are we seeing? Did they change shows?"

Anyway, definitely worth the trip out to NJ if you can make it. This is a fabulous production, and anyone who likes this play will love it.

Updated On: 8/5/09 at 11:32 PM

ahh it started previews already? i thought this was later in the month. good to hear! i'll grab my tix soon.

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It was the typical Noises Off set. The stage is kind of small, so it felt a bit cramped, but that only added to the hilarity. Like I said, there is no curtain, so when they rotate it during each intermission, you can watch them swing it around.

I am so pissed that I'm working up in Maine this summer. I've worked at STNJ a few years ago, and worked with Paul Mullins (the director) then and last year at the Old Globe in San Diego when he directed Merry Wives of Windsor. He is an extraordinary director. That is one of the main reasons that I am so pissed I can't see it. And one of my favorite shows AND it has a stella cast. I know some of them and the work they have done at STNJ and the Old Globe and if you can go out and see it, it is so worth the trip to Madison. Enjoy it for me. :)

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How far or how hard is it to get to this theater from Manhattan?

Updated On: 8/6/09 at 10:10 AM

madbrian, thank you. Looking at that site, I still can't tell if it's a 45 minute or a two hour trek from the City. If it's not too difficult, I'd love to see this production!

I think travel time varies based on whether a connection is required, and how local the train is. Sixty six minutes is probably the high end of the range, but that may be what's available near show times.

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I hope I have time to go check this out. I've always wanted to see Noises Off.

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Saturday rides are generally longer because they only run hourly, and do most of the stops.

I want to see this, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

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It's the English version, thankfully.

To those considering taking the train, just be aware that the train station is not all that close to the theater. You're looking at a walk of at least a mile. The theatre is on the grounds of Drew University.

Here's the information about the train, by the way, from the theater's website:

By Train: NJ Transit?s Morristown Line provides direct service to Madison, including service to and from Hoboken, Newark Broad Street and NY Penn Station. The theatre is within a scenic and safe 15-minute walk to and from the Madison Train Station. With train trestle on your right, follow Kings Road straight for two and a half blocks and turn left when the road become Madison Ave. (Rt. 124). Make the left into Drew University at Lancaster Road For rail schedules, call 1-800-626-RIDE or visit NJ Transit's Web Site.


It's definitely very scenic (woodsy), but I am not sure it would be a fun walk to make at night. Not because it's unsafe, but because it's very suburban, and there just isn't that much around. If you're coming by train, I would go for a matinee.

I'm going to tomorrow's matinee. Are there any places to eat along the walk from the train station to the theater?

With train fare, it's only about $65 to see the show. Thats a steal.

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