RAHWAY – American Theater Group (ATG), Central NJ’s professional regional theater company, will present the endearing My Italy Story by NJ playwright Joseph Gallo as its 2024-25 Season Opener, followed by the exhilarating and TonyAward-winning musical Purlie written by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell with music by Gary Geld.

My Italy Story is a nostalgic exploration of family, heritage and the ties that bind us. Spurred by pleas from his cousin to help reunite his fractured family, a young man quits his job and travels to Vallata — the tiny Italian town of his ancestors. Not until he comes home, however, does he discover a secret that unlocks his past. The one-man show will run October 24 to 27 at Hamilton Stage in Rahway, and November 1 to 3 at the Sieminski Theater in Basking Ridge. Information about casting and the creative team will be announced shortly.

Purlie is the 1970 musical adaptation of Ossie Davis’s comedic play Purlie Victorious about a traveling preacher who returns to his hometown in Georgia and concocts a scheme to reclaim his church. Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction and Best Choreography, the original Broadway production received TonyAwards for Best Performance by a Leading Actor (Cleavon Little as Purlie) and Best Performance by a Featured Actress (Melba Moore as Lutiebelle). ATG performances will run March 6 to 23, 2025. Purlie is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com.

Along with these main stage productions, ATG’s season will include additional events including free play readings and a special spring performance event; details will be forthcoming.