“Can’t Run, Can’t Dance” is a funny, foul-mouthed comedy of romance, revolution, and…bitcoins?

Over the past 27 seasons, the New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch has championed new works by playwrights from across the country. 157 of those plays have had their premiere performances — either world premieres, American premieres, or New Jersey premieres — at NJ Rep’s Lumia Theatre. Many have gone on to grace stages in New York and around the world.

Under the leadership of Gabe and SuzAnne Barabas, NJ Rep has set a high standard for championing new works and for production values of the highest quality. In the several years that I have had the pleasure of attending their productions, I have yet to be disappointed, and I find myself at a loss to come up with new ways to say just how great it is to attend shows there.

And so it is with Can’t Run, Can’t Dance, their latest production. Written by Gregg Henry and directed by his wife, Lisa James, this world premiere finds humor among some of the tougher denizens of the present-day Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. We start out by meeting Squeak, a non-stop talker and world-class worrier, and Ingrid, a world-weary, tough-as-nails veteran of life, as they awaken in jail after being arrested on drunk and disorderly charges. Ingrid has called her friend, Ronnie, to come and bail them out. Squeak has a low opinion of Ronnie, characterizing him as someone who, when he takes you out to dinner, always seems to have forgotten to bring along his wallet.

When Ronnie shows up (sans wallet) he takes the two women with him on a trip to his brother Ray’s secluded cabin, much to Ray’s displeasure. Ray, it turns out, is a loner, living like a hermit in the woods; and, one might suspect, an incel following his own agenda. He grudgingly accepts Ingrid’s presence as Ronnie’s “girlfriend” but mistrusts Squeak. Ronnie and Ingrid try matching up Ray and Squeak, but Squeak has her own ideas about what to do with Ray…

Henry’s script is funny and devious, and James’ direction is brisk, mining the script for all the comedy it contains while making each plot twist seem logical and natural. In this, they are ably assisted by their cast. Juliet Brett’s Squeak can be annoying at times with her fast-running mouth, spewing words like water from a mountain creek, but it’s her way of dealing with stress. Besides, Squeak has a cleverness she keeps well-hidden behind that wall of words.

Tracie Lockwood’s Ingrid is the physical and mental opposite of Squeak: a physically strong woman unafraid of using her power when required and calmer, almost stoic, in her mental processes. Her one weakness is her attachment to the hapless Ronnie of John Stout Adams. Adams’ portrayal of Ronnie is comedically brilliant, with much of his hapless behavior coming out of a dogged lack of ability to follow even the simplest instructions combined with an all-too-easily led personality. If Ronnie had even half a working brain, he’d be dangerous — but he doesn’t, so he ain’t. Zachary Grant plays Ray subtly; you may dislike him on first view, but he only slowly reveals the real menace lurking within.

As usual, the design team at NJ Rep works miracles with a small stage and limited budget. Jessica Parks, the resident scenic and prop designer, has come up with a pine forest background suggesting the majesty of the Pacific Northwest. In it, a jail cell consisting of just one sparse cot becomes Ray’s cabin through the use of movable side and rear wall units and a change of furniture. Jill Nagle’s lighting and Nick Simone’s sound design are put to good use in bringing the sets to life. Costume designer Liza Alexis, making her NJ Rep debut, has come up with signature looks for the four actors that encapsulate their characters’ personalities.

Can’t Run, Can’t Dance does use a large amount of rough language in the cause of comedy. There are gunshots at one point, for those who might be upset by that. But there’s so much hilarity to be found in the show that the language and the shots are incidental.

Gregg Henry has written a marvelous script and Lisa James has directed it with style and at times a breakneck pace that is just right. If Mary Poppins were writing this review, I’m sure she would deem it “practically perfect”. I concur. I cannot more strongly recommend this latest offering of the New Jersey Repertory Company. Before its all-too-brief run ends, get yourself down to Long Branch and see Can’t Run, Can’t Dance!

Can’t Run, Can’t Dance is presented by the New Jersey Repertory Company at the Lumia Theatre in Long Branch through Oct. 5, 2025. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to njrep.org.