Regional News
Justin Waldman Named Artistic Director of Two River Theater
Waldman joins the New Jersey theatre following 11 years as associate artistic director at The Old Globe.
Justin Waldman
Rich Soublet II
Justin Waldman has been named the new artistic director of New Jersey's Two River Theater , with his tenure set to begin November 1. Waldman succeeds John Dias , who programmed the 2022-23 season with Managing Director Michael Hurst that Waldman will oversee.
"I am honored to carry on the legacy of Two River Theater as artistic director,” says Waldman in a statement. "To shepherd the beautiful vision of Robert and Joan Rechnitz , alongside the incredible and dedicated Board, staff, artists, and artisans, is an enormous privilege. Theatre is a place of joy and wonder. I look forward to building on the great good work of John Dias and Michael Hurst and welcoming more people to partake in Two River’s excellent, accessible, and representative work and practice. Two River has the unrivaled ability to highlight beauty, expand community, and bring us all together with considered intention. To be its steward for a time thrills me and is a responsibility I hold with the utmost care."
"We are delighted to welcome Justin aboard,” adds Two River Board President Edward J. McKenna Jr. "Justin is a consummate artist, a bold producer, and a passionate leader of non-profit regional theatre. He deeply believes in the value of further developing Two River’s relationships with its community partners, and is also firmly committed to catching the baton John Dias has passed, expanding Two River’s impact beyond its stages in order to reach a larger, even more inclusive audience."
Two River Theater's search for a new managing director is ongoing.
The theatre's 2022-23 season opens October 15 with Alice Childress' Wine in the Wilderness , directed by Brandon J. Dirden and running through November 6. Also planned for the season are Mando Alvarado's Living and Breathing , running January 28-February 26, 2023; and Hansol Jung's modern verse translation of Romeo and Juliet , running April 8-30.
Visit TwoRiverTheater.org .
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Photo Exclusive: Spend a Day With George Salazar and the Cool Kids of Joe Iconis' Be More Chill!
Photo Exclusive: Spend a Day With George Salazar and the Cool Kids of Joe Iconis' Be More Chill!
Two River Theater is presenting Be More Chill , a new musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, based on the acclaimed 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini. Cast member George Salazar takes us backstage at the New Jersey venue!
46 PHOTOS
Woke up at 12:21pm because back off I love my sleep especially on a two-show day and also numeric palindromes are fun.
George Salazar
How tragic would it have been if I dropped my phone in the shower. This would've been the last picture of this series and it could've saved you so much time. But thanks for stickin' around.
George Salazar
Roomies shot! Nothing like waking up late, showering, and then getting back into bed with two grown men (Eric William Morris who plays the Squip and Jake Boyd who plays... Jake) who then drool on you, forcing you to take another shower. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
George Salazar
Two River Theater really knows how to take care of their actors! Jake Boyd, Eric William Morris, and myself share this gorgeous 5-bedroom house in Red Bank.
George Salazar
Breakfast with Jake Boyd at Starbucks!
George Salazar
A little shopping with Jake Boyd at Urban Outfitters. Clearly, I bought nothing today.
George Salazar
Arrived at the theatre for our 3pm matinee! This space is gorgeous and the toilet paper is soft.
George Salazar
Some of our favorite loyal fans waiting outside the theatre for a glimpse of the incomparable Katie Ladner. She ran in with huge sunglasses over a shawl covering her face. ...diva.
George Salazar
Katie Ladner (Gossip Queen Jenna Rolan) quickly removes her shawl, but keeps her sunglasses on to sign in for our 2:30 call. I asked her to sign me in. She threw hot coffee in my face. I wish we got along.
George Salazar
Our amazing orchestrator, Charlie Rosen, fills in on bass today! Creeping behind is guitarist Mike Rosengarten.
George Salazar
Our lovely front of house team took a break from their pre-show prep to pose for a photo.
George Salazar
A portion of the hardworking crew that makes it all possible. Thanks for everything you do! (The mops are used to sop up all the sweat I leave on stage from the night before.)
George Salazar
The first faces you see when you come to see BE MORE CHILL at Two River, our box office staff! Literally the nicest, most patient people on the planet!
George Salazar
Dropped by the green room to see Paul Whitty (Jeremy's Dad, Mr. Reyes, Scary Stockboy, Awkward Gay Boy) drinking out of Eric's mug. Eric is not happy. Paul does not care.
George Salazar
So many costumes! And only two dressers! Shannon and Maggie make our quick changes run smoothly and stress-free.
George Salazar
Jake Boyd's character, ...Jake... breaks both of his legs and gets to walk around in these dreams. I do not envy him.
George Salazar
Katie Ladner puttin' on dat face before our matinee!
George Salazar
Stephanie Hsu (Christine) hits some yoga poses that I'd never try because I always just ate dairy.
George Salazar
Katie Carlson gets her face ready to play Chloe, the mean girl, in BE MORE CHILL.
George Salazar
Lauren Marcus (Brooke) contours and shows some shoulder. Oh and a jar of bee pollen.
George Salazar
Our stage manager, Bertie, gives Gerard Canonico (Rich) and myself a note that we are pulling too much focus in the mall scene. Come check out the show to find out why.
George Salazar
It's our lovely Jess' birthday! Happy Birthday, love!!
George Salazar
The company gathers in the green room for a little birthday serenade and dessert!
George Salazar
Maggie, one of our incredible wardrobe ladies touches up my Pac-Man tattoo. We're hoping it lasts through the rest of the weekend, but it's hot AF out there and I'll probably end up sweating it off.
George Salazar
An example of obsessive compulsive tendencies can be found at my station.
George Salazar
Thinking about changing my name to George Salazard. What do you think?
George Salazar
The incredibly talented and lovable Will Connolly stretches while I snuggle up and connect with him. We play best friends and my process is my process so again back off!
George Salazar
After a brief spooning session with the lead, I get dressed and into mic and head upstairs to start our matinee!
George Salazar
Our incredible band led by Nathan Dame chill upstage and start the show with an exciting and creepy overture.
George Salazar
Intermission! The first scene of Act Two takes place at a Halloween Party. Will Connolly is my goal weight.
George Salazar
Paul Whitty prepares. I love this man. So much!
George Salazar
At the top of Act 2 getting into what we've dubbed the "Tub Monster" costume. It's a jumpsuit covered in Aqua fabrics, ice cubes, beer cans, loofahs, bars of soap, bottles of shampoo, and solo cups.
George Salazar
First show done! Catching up with the insanely talented Joe Iconis after the show. I love this guy and am so grateful to get to work with him.
George Salazar
After a little between show dinner with my boyfriend and his parents, I headed back to the empty theatre to begin my hour long warm-up process of trolling Instagram feeds and eating more dairy.
George Salazar
Finally got a second to snap a shot with Maggie and Shannon, our wonderful dressers! Also that Red Bull gives me wiiiiiings.
George Salazar
Jason, our A2, is the most vigilant when it comes to making sure Gerard and I don't sweat out our mics. We are very sweaty gents who appreciate him.
George Salazar
Katie Ladner and I love a selfie.
George Salazar
Never leave your phone unattended around Katie Ladner. She loves to take 3,453 photos of herself and then you have to spend an hour deleting photos to make space on your phone.
George Salazar
Found my phone and grabbed it back.
George Salazar
A prop table for a musical set in a high school.
George Salazar
A little backstage crew shenanigan makes for a positive work environment. When they're happy, we're all happy.
George Salazar
Stephanie Hsu, Katie Carlson, and Katie Ladner showing off their Halloween costumes for the top of Act 2!
George Salazar
Killer Clown lurks.
George Salazar
Thalia (Yours Truly) and Awkward Gay Boy (Paul Whitty) take a quick selfie and almost miss their entrance. I blame YOU, Playbill!
George Salazar
Get your tickets to BE MORE CHILL at Two River Theater and sit your butts in these seats for a scifi good time! See you guys in Red Bank!
George Salazar
xo, George & Killer Clown
George Salazar