New Jersey Stage 2016: Issue 12 | Page 30

pany. While Two River Theater presents revivals and rarely seen works in addition to their world premieres, NJ Rep presents new work exclusively. Since 1997, the company has produced over 100 plays, most as World or New Jersey Premieres, with many moving on to regional theatres across the country and stages in New York City. In recent years, the industry has begun to notice the tiny theatre in Long Branch that thrives on the challenge of producing new plays. Actors like Michael Tucker (LA Law) and Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years) have starred in their own works presented at NJ Rep. While having stars on stage help enhance the theatre’s profile, it is relationships with playwrights like Gino DiIorio that have led the theatre to thrive as a home for new works. Gino’s latest play, The Jag, is his fifth to be produced at NJ Rep. “We’ve had a great relationship,” said Gino, who like Madeleine is a playwright based in Watch a video about New Jersey Repertory Company NJ STAGE 2016 - ISSUE 12 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 30