There's nothing like summer in New Jersey parks, and one of my favorites is Roosevelt Park - a county park in Edison, New Jersey that includes one of the state's most unique statues, a beautiful war memorial, and even a subsidized summer sleep-away camp. But one thing many people don't know it has? Broadway-style musical theater! The huge amphitheater in the center of the park plays events through the year, but it's never busier than when Plays in the Park kicks off its summer season. This outdoor theater production allows talented young actors to put on past and current musical hits for a New Jersey audience, and the best part is - tickets are under $10 a person! The fun goes all summer long, but that's just the start - this unique theater troupe keeps active all year long with some big surprises. Read on to discover why this might just be your new favorite summer tradition!

Roosevelt Park is a wonderful, peaceful place to spend the day - but in summer, when the sun goes down, the fun begins.

This Edison park is home to Plays in the Park, an outdoor theater production that puts on famous Broadway musicals with talented casts for only $8 a ticket or $5 for seniors. Kids under 12 get in free!

This isn't only old shows, either - many current hits play here. This picture is from the iconic Jukebox musical Rock of Ages, which played in 2023.

This year's lineup kicked off with Beauty and the Beast, followed by In The Heights, and will continue with A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, which will play through August 10th.

The Heights have just concluded their run, which means it's just about time to head over to Ancient Greece! A children's musical, based on James and the Giant Peach, will play in October for a limited run.

That's not the only way kids can get involved, either - each summer, Plays in the Park runs a theater camp where kids can perform in an original musical. The 2024 camp will be performing shows based on Willy Wonka and The Addams Family.

And then there's the holiday tradition of Plays in the Park - four performances of the iconic musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, scheduled for this year on December 28th and 29th.

Have you seen the shows at Roosevelt Park in past years? Let us know which musical you attended and what you thought in the comments section! You can find out more on the Middlesex County website, including a full schedule for this year's shows, and make sure to visit the Plays In The Park Facebook to see pictures of past events! Roosevelt Park is very close to a lot of great towns, so why not precede your show with a dinner to remember at the newly opened Ram & Rooster? If you don't want to make the drive home after the show lets out, go ahead and book a room at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Edison/Woodbridge, which is only three minutes away by car.