BURLINGTON, N.J., (April 20, 2023) — ArtPride New Jersey is excited to announce the return of Discover Jersey Arts’ Diner Theatre to the Garden State this May, featuring “pop-up” performances in some of New Jersey’s most iconic diners. After its sold-out performances in 2019, Diner Theatre is back to provide audiences with a unique theatre experience paired with delicious diner cuisine.

The “pop-up” style theatre performances will showcase three diners throughout the state: Westmont Diner in Haddon Township, The Broadway Diner in Summit, and the 1911 Smokehouse BBQ in Trenton. The local theatre companies, Ritz Theatre Co in Haddon Township, Vivid Stages in Summit and Passage Theatre in Trenton, will present mini-plays at each event and entertain guests while they enjoy the diner’s food. There is a $5 registration fee to secure a table for the performances, and space is limited.

Diner Theatre is a unique concept that combines local theatre production companies with local diners and restaurants to produce a one-of-a-kind theatre event. The audience is immersed in a familiar environment, “eavesdropping” on conversations and experiencing surprise scenes performed by seasoned actors.

“After three years of delay, I could not be more excited to see the return of Diner Theatre in 2023,” said Robert Carr, Jersey Arts Diner Theatre producer. “This project brings the best of what New Jersey offers: great food, great atmosphere and a stellar arts community. To be able to resurrect this project by bringing fun and business back all in one package is the whipped cream on a New Jersey diner apple pie.”

The events will take place May 15, 22, and 23 at the Westmont Diner, 1911 Smokehouse BBQ, and The Broadway Diner, respectively. Seating for each event starts at 6 p.m., and the performances begin at 7 p.m.

“What’s not to love about combining two Jersey classics — diners and theatre. These unique performances are a great way to bring the arts to people instead of always trying to bring people to the arts,” says Jim Atkinson, director of programs & services at the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation. “ArtPride is committed to building new audiences for the arts and Diner Theatre is just one example of how we work toward that goal. Besides, it’s just plain fun to host live theatre in a diner!”

For more information on Diner Theatre and to reserve your table, visit jerseyarts.com/dinertheatre.

About Discover Jersey Arts
Discover Jersey Arts is a program of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation dedicated to increasing awareness of and participation in the arts statewide. The JerseyArts.com website showcases New Jersey’s creative community with feature stories, videos, and podcasts; highlighted events; details on Jersey Arts Membership; and other content. Discover Jersey Arts was co-founded and is supported by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

About the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes the value of the arts to New Jersey’s quality of life, education, and economic vitality through research and a variety of programs and services. For more information about ArtPride, visit ArtPrideNJ.org.