PHOTO FLASH: Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Presents EXIT THE KING

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its 54th season with what is considered to be Eugene Ionesco's crowning masterpiece, Exit the King. Performances began August 10 and continue through August 28 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or going online at shakespearenj.org.

This compelling tragi-comedy captures King Berenger in the last hours of his life as his centuries-long reign is coming to an end. Played in real time, the production is only 90 minutes long with no intermission and will feature a talk-back after almost every performance by director Bonnie J. Monte and members of the cast.

As the third piece in Ionesco's "Berenger Cycle," Exit the King stands out in the playwright's canon, as his most accessible and universal play. It has been labeled in many ways: an allegory, a dark comedy, a death ritual, a tragic farce, an absurdist lyric poem, a hymn of praise and moving celebration of life. This moving tale speaks differently to each and every audience member, as it did when it was last performed on Broadway in 2009, 42 years after its American debut in 1967.

Below, Broadway World brings you photos of the production.