Never miss what is happening in Monmouth County
Events, new openings and weekend plans from every corner of Monmouth County. Straight to your inbox, free.
Two River Theater in Red Bank is cooking up one of the warmest nights out in Monmouth County this fall. Stir, a new comedy by Melinda Lopez and Joel Perez, runs on the Marion Huber Theater stage through Sunday, November 22, 2026, with real food chopped and cooked live during the show.
Vote now
Stir at Two River Theater
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701
- When: Now through Sunday, November 22, 2026. Evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m.
- Box office: 732-345-1400
Stir follows two siblings who reunite in the kitchen to piece together their mother’s beloved black bean recipe. As they cook, old secrets surface and memories come back, and the two find their way back to each other from opposite sides of the country. Two River calls it a fork-tender comedy, and the description fits: it is a funny, big-hearted family story that also happens to smell incredible, because the cast actually chops and cooks on stage. The theater gives a heads-up that cooking aromas fill the room, so guests with airborne food allergies should plan accordingly.
The production is directed by Edward Torres, with Philippe Bowgen as Henry, Maria-Christina Oliveras as Mariana and Bobby Plasencia as Papi. The scenic design is by Alexander Dodge and turns the Huber stage into a lived-in family kitchen.
Performance schedule and special nights
- Saturday, November 7: 2 p.m., a fragrance-free performance (guests are asked not to wear scented products)
- Sunday, November 8: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 11: 2 p.m. with a post-show talkback, and 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, November 14: 2 p.m. Play Date matinee and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, November 15: 2 p.m. with a post-show talkback
- Wednesday, November 18: 7:30 p.m. with a post-show talkback
- Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20: 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, November 21: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, November 22: 2 p.m., audio described and open captioned
A few performances, including the Wednesday, November 11 matinee and the November 14 Play Date matinee, were already sold out when we checked, so book early if you have a specific date in mind. The Play Date matinee offers free childcare for kids 2 months and up while parents and guardians watch the show, with limited spots. The three talkback performances let you stay after the curtain for a conversation about the play, which is a great add-on if you are going with friends who love to talk theater over dinner.
Make a night of it in Red Bank
Two River sits a short walk from Broad Street and Monmouth Street, so it is easy to pair the show with dinner downtown before a 7:30 p.m. curtain or a coffee and a stroll after a matinee. Stir is a strong pick for a date night, a night out with a sibling or a pre-holiday outing with family, since the whole story is about the dishes and recipes that hold families together. Tickets and seating are available through the theater’s website or box office.
Looking for more to do this season? Follow Shop Monmouth County for the latest shows, events and new spots opening across Monmouth County.
Photo: Wasted Time R, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Get Monmouth County in your inbox
The best events, new openings and things to do, once a week. Free.
