Here's a look at the original feature articles and columns published by New Jersey Stage from September 1 to September 30, 2022. In addition to these stories, we publish between 50-60 press releases during the week.

music features

Parrotbeach LIVE! in Seaside Heights, NJ

by Spotlight Central

Music lovers replete with comfy beach chairs, colored blankets, and ice-cold coolers wait beside the ocean in Seaside Heights, NJ this Thursday, August 18, 2022 evening for the start of a free concert by the Jimmy Buffett tribute band, Parrotbeach.

A Conversation with Dionne Warwick, Who Appears at UCPAC in Rahway on September 9

by Spotlight Central2

Legendary singer and recording artist Dionne Warwick is coming back to New Jersey to perform at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on September 9, 2022. Warwick, 81, is a six-time Grammy Award-winner who has performed on more than 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records including “Walk on By,” “Do You Know the Way to San José,” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again,” and “That’s What Friends are For.” Her latest efforts are her 2019 recordings, She’s Back and Dionne Warwick and the Voices of Christmas.

Grunin Center presents Brooklyn Rider

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Creative and adventurous string quartet Brooklyn Rider brings their innovative new project, The Four Elements, to the Main Stage at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College on Thursday, September 29 at 7:00pm. Tickets range from $32-$38.

bergenPAC presents Quiet Riot with Vixen

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) is bringing hard rock back into the fold in 2023. The multi-platinum selling, first-ever heavy metal band with a #1 Billboard album, Quiet Riot, will be joined by the hitmaking all-female, 80s hard rock band, Vixen, on May 5, 2023 at 8:00pm. A concert made for the MTV generation; these bands are still rocking with over 2 million monthly Spotify listeners. 

50th Anniversary Benefit Concert - A Legacy, Two Legends and the Great American Songbook

by Sanford Josephson

During the early 1970s, New Jersey jazz fans would gather at the Chester Inn to hear Chuck Slate’s Traditional Jazz Band or at the Hillside Lounge (also in Chester) to see cornetist Will Bill Davison, or alto saxophonist Rudy Powell, or guitarist Al Casey. 

The Adelphi Orchestra presents Love Letter to Humanity

(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- The Adelphi Orchestra welcomes audiences to its 69th consecutive season of "Music for All" with "Love Letter to Humanity" - a concert about musical love letters. Maestro Kyunghun Kim leads the Adelphi Orchestra in Richard Strauss's Serenade for Winds in E flat major, Op. 7, Gustav Mahler's Adagietto from Symphony no 5 (love song to his wife Alma), and  Johannes Brahms Symphony No 1 (Clara Schumann). Concerts take place on Friday, September 30 in Fair Lawn, NJ and Saturday, October 1 in New York City.

Kat Falcey Talks About JerseyCana

by Gary Wien

Kat Falcey is one of those die-hard music fans who often wind up working in the music industry.  Her company, Tunes2Ya, helps artists with networking, promotion, public relations, booking referrals, and more.  She's returning to AmericanaFest in Nashville for the first time since the pandemic hit and has three of her New Jersey artists (Arlan Feiles, Mike Montrey, and Carmen Sclafani) booked for a show at The Basement on Tuesday, September 13th at 8:00pm.

The Jukebox Legends LIVE! on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk

by Spotlight Central

The rain has stopped and a crowd of music lovers has gathered on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ this Monday, August 22, 2022 evening for a concert of classic hits by The Jukebox Legends.

Twenty One Pilots Tour Ices Over Philly

by Jennifer Petrics

Philly experienced an end of summer deep-freeze on Friday, September 2nd at the Wells Fargo Center for the Twenty One Pilots Icy Tour, with band members, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, in support of their home studio project, Scaled and Icy (a wordplay on “scaled back and isolated,” or what music was in its cocoon-state).  It was during a time when Tyler wasn’t sure if music was dead, he explained, as pandemic-laden insecurities forced an anthropological shift and sort of desolation.  The intent here was to counter that point of isolation with a focus, instead, on aspects of escapism and separation from that darkness.  The album, released at the height of COVID-19, follows the previous release Level of Concern (incepted during quarantine) which aided in relief efforts for music and crew.  In this vein, although they’ve been doing it for some time now, the band’s unmasking onstage seems to take on a double entendre, mutually symbolic of the new normal.

SoulShine LIVE! in Seaside Heights, NJ

by Spotlight Central

Colors paint the blue sky this Thursday, August 25, 20222 evening in Seaside Heights, NJ as music lovers await a free concert on the beach by SoulShine. SoulShine is a New York-based ensemble that provides listeners with the experience of attending a live concert by the classic Southern rock group, The Allman Brothers Band.

Spotlight on NJPAC's 11th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents the 11th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival from November 10-20. The festival presents dozens of free and ticketed events! This year’s program offers events combining jazz luminaries in collaboration with artists known for R&B, poetry, hip hop, and much more.  

2022 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival a Stellar Mix

by Gary Wien, JerseyArts.com

The sounds of jazz and blues will float across the Morristown Green once again when the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 17. The festival is free to attend and this year’s lineup includes a stellar mix of swing, big band, and group jazz with a pair of blues artists — one an up-and-coming star and the other a Jersey legend. 

"One of the Best Nights of My Life!" Gavin DeGraw LIVE! at MPAC

by Spotlight Central

The crowd at MPAC in Morristown, NJ, this Friday, August 26, 2022 evening excitedly anticipates the start of a live performance by singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw.

Talking with Robin Wilson: Blossoming to Smithereens

by Bob Makin

Longtime Gin Blossoms front man Robin Wilson has a fun side project as the part-time lead singer of the Carteret-originated New Jersey Hall of Fame act The Smithereens, a role he shares with his good friend and ‘Til I Hear from You’ collaborator Marshall Crenshaw. Given Robin’s connection to Carteret via The Smithereens, it’s fitting that Gin Blossoms also will play such other great hits as “Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down,” and “Found Out About You,” at the borough’s Ethnic Day on Sept. 17 in Carteret Park.

Interview with Walter Trout: A Legendary Bluesman Who Should Be In The New Jersey Hall of Fame

by Gary Wien

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is full of legendary musicians from Count Basie to Bruce Springsteen, but there’s one name that’s missing - Walter Trout. He’s a guy who was born in Jersey and lived the first 23 years of his life here.  He learned how to play the guitar and fell in love with the blues while living in the Garden State.  His guitar has taken him around the world, but he still writes songs about his old hometown.

NJ Festival Orchestra to Present Outdoor Concert in Westfield on October 1st

(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- The New Jersey Festival Orchestra is back on October 1st with another outdoor concert in Westfield featuring music by Gershwin, Copland and more, and a special appearance by NY Metropolitan Opera’s renowned baritone Stephen Gaertner. 

Roxy Music Rocks NYC One Last Time

by Al Nigrin

Roxy Music began its 50th Anniversary tour last week in Toronto and Washington, DC. Last night (September 12), their third show was at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I have seen Roxy and Bryan Ferry quite a few times since my first show in Paris, France back in 1979 but I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss this tour as it may very well be their last. The core band was reunited with guitarist Phil Manzanera, woodwinds/sax player Andy Mackay and drummer Paul Thompson back together again since their 2011 tour. The set list included songs from all of their eight studio albums with most coming from their big hit Avalon including the title track, The Main Thing, More Than This, and others. Surprisingly songs the performed a number of songs from For Your Pleasure including In Every Dream Home a Heartache, Do The Strand, Editions of You and The Bogus Man.

Oleta Adams next up at The Woodland

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Smooth Jazz New Jersey and the Maplewood Department of Arts & Culture team up with Smooth Jazz New York to present 4-time Grammy Nominee Oleta Adams on September 24 at The Woodland. With Oleta behind the Baby Grand piano, she brings her dynamic voice, and the music that brought her international fame. This show is sure to be a blockbuster. With the last two performances selling out, music lovers may want to get tickets early. 

Renée Elise Goldsberry Talks About "Hamilton," "Girls5eva," and Her Ever-Evolving Concert

by Maddie Orton, JerseyArts.com

Renée Elise Goldsberry is the Grammy and Tony-winning talent behind Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton and currently appears on She-Hulk and Girls5eva.

Makin Waves with Alexander Simone & the Whodat? Live Crew: “Wherever the Vibes Are Needed”

by Bob Makin

Soulful singer-songwriter Alexander Simone has been laying down good vibes within the Asbury Park music scene with this delicious band, the Whodat? Live Crew, for a decade. The fruits of their hard work are paying off with such hot singles as the gospel-edged “Even Now” and the forthcoming danceable follow-up, “Long Way to Go,” both on the loving Asbury-based label Telegraph Hill Records.

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band LIVE! in Somers Point, NJ

by Spotlight Central

From the swing era through the early 1980s, the Tony Mart Café in Somers Point, NJ was a premier destination for experiencing live music performed by such legendary artists as Bill Haley and his Comets, Del Shannon, Joey Dee and the Starliters, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and many more. The fictional band, Eddie and the Cruisers, can even be seen performing on the club’s hallowed stage in the 1983 MGM motion picture which was filmed on location at the fabled Jersey Shore music venue.

“Just Beautiful!” Dionne Warwick LIVE! at UCPAC

by Spotlight Central

Music lovers are streaming into Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, NJ this Friday, September 9, 2022 evening for a concert by the legendary singer and recording artist Dionne Warwick. Warwick is a six-time Grammy Award-winner who has performed on more than 75 charted hits and sold over 100 million records, many written by composer Burt Bacharach. Born and raised in the Garden State, Warwick received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and, in 2021, was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Jon Caspi Talks About New Version of "Raise 'Em High", New Beer, and New Label

by Gary Wien

On September 23, 2022, New Jersey punk/americana rock outfit Jon Caspi & The First Gun shared a new version of their fan favorite barroom sing-along song, “Raise ‘Em High!”, featuring Jesse Malin on vocals, and Dez Cadena (known from Black Flag and The Misfits) on guitar. The band also announced a new EP titled, Raise 'Em High! and other delights, which will feature the new version of the song. It will be released on October 14 via Fake Chapter Records. The single will also be coming out as a 7" in March, 2023.

Peabo Bryson LIVE! at SOPAC

by Spotlight Central

The sold-out crowd inside the South Orange Performing Arts Center auditorium in South Orange, NJ, this Saturday, September 10, 2022 evening is ready and waiting to experience a live performance by the talented singer/songwriter Peabo Bryson.

MCR Reunion Tour: The Resurrection of the Black Parade

by Jennifer Petrics

(NEWARK, NJ) -- My Chemical Romance brought their Reunion Tour to Prudential Center on September 20, 2022 and Jennifer Petrics was there to cover the show and take photos. The Homeless Gospel Choir and Thursday opened the night. After more than a decade without touring (and band-made jokes that the Black Parade Is Dead), the parade marches on.  And My Chem fans couldn’t be happier to be in the procession. 

Glory Days Abroad: September 24

by James "JPAT" Dalton

Just steps away from the Adriatic, along a row of what feels like hundreds of different hotels, burning brightly on a corner lot, the Hotel Admiral offers something else along with its comforts, food, drink and water views. The celebration of rock'n'roll and art here is incredible. A gallery of paintings and sculptures in the lobby, individually decorated rooms and the floor to ceiling murals in the stairwells sets a different tone for these accommodation. 

New York City's Babyllon wins Carteret Battle of the Bands

by Bob Makin

New York City-based funky, soulful blues-rock outfit Babyllon wins the Carteret Battle of the Bands on Sept. 18 in Carteret Park

State Theatre presents Three Dog Night

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The newly renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents legendary band, Three Dog Night on Friday, October 14 at 8:00pm. Three Dog Night has been entertaining generations for over 50 years with their live performances and hit songs such as “Black and White,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” and “Joy to the World.”  Tickets range from $29-$99. 

Elizabeth Winterbourne wins the Carteret Battle of the Bands

by Bob Makin

Arizona-raised, New York City-based singer-songwriter Elizabeth Winterbourne won $1,500 from the solo portion of the Carteret Battle of the Bands on Sept. 18 during the borough’s annual Charity Carnival.

PHOTOS From Pat Guadagno & Small Change Paying Tribute To Tom Waits

by John Posada

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Pat Guadagno, a Jersey Shore legend, along with some very special guests celebrated the music of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Waits at Monmouth University's Pollak Theatre on Saturday, September 24, 2022.  Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

PHOTOS from 8th Annual Rock the Farm Festival

by John Posada

(SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The 8th Annual Rock the Farm Festival took place September 24, 2022 in Seaside Heights. This family friendly event features incredible music all day long, food trucks, beer & wine garden, KidZone, and more. It includes performances by many of the area's top tribute bands covering a variety of everyone's favorite music. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

MPAC presents Better Than Ezra

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- With over three decades of touring to credit, New Orleans Alt-Rock heavyweight Better Than Ezra – named one of Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Alternative Artists” – returns to the road for the Better Than Ezra: Legends of the fall Tour 2022. Better Than Ezra’s 2022 tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown on Thursday, October 27 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $39-$69.

Glory Days Abroad: September 27

by James "JPAT" Dalton

James Dalton, a performer and songwriter from New Jersey, is performing at Glory Days - a Bruce Springsteen festival in Italy. He will be blogging for NJ Stage from the festival.

music columns

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/1/22

by Danny Coleman

"September 30th and it's called “Radiance” and it’s a really cool record, I'm really happy and proud of it. Two songs have been released so far off of the album; “Radiance” which is the title track and it's a very heavy melodic track and then “Shine On” is kind of a barn-burner track. “Shine On” is the second single and it just came out last month and then prior to our show on September 7th at the Landis in Vineland; we are going to be releasing “Hypnotize Yourself” from the album and you're gonna hear all of that stuff live as well as four new songs live and four songs from our last album, you’ll hear all of it live.” 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Check the Calendar" by Dentist

by Bob Makin

The Asbury Park fuzz-pop trio Dentist has released their fourth album, “Making a Scene,” their second for the L.A. indie Cleopatra Records.

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music: 9/5/22

by Lazlo

Sunblossom, Kristy Chmura, Tom Barrett, The Lovely Creatures, John Cozz, Damfino, illuminihilation, Jon Caspi & The First Gun and two compilation albums.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/8/22

by Danny Coleman

 “It is a lot of songs that I’ve wanted to sing for a long time," says Irish folk artist Karan Casey as she arrived for her U.S. tour and prepares for an upcoming September 16 show at The Hopewell Theatre. "I have a Janis Ian song on there called, “I'm Still Standing Here” and a great Eliza Gilkyson song called “Man of God,” Patti Griffin; a Bob Dylan song which I've never done before so yeah, it's all good. I wrote a couple of songs on it and one is called “You are the Flower” which I wrote with Sean Og Graham who is actually on tour with me. I'll be on tour with Sean and Niamh Dunne who I've played with for all the best parts of eight or ten years but we've never done gigs over here in the States. So, I'm really excited about bringing them over here and coming to The Hopewell Theatre; it’ll be great.”  

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Mister Van Gogh" by Mason Pace

by Bob Makin

As the co-founding bassist of the psycho-funk band Experiment 34, Hamilton-raised Johnny Zabe made plenty of waves, including a Makin Waves Bassist of the Year Award. 

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music: 9/12/22

by Lazlo

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by jpeck, Julian Cartwright, Social Media & Shocking Twist, and Chris Batten & The Woods.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/15/22

by Danny Coleman

"They had it on that farm but I think the owner of the farm upped the rent so they can't do it there anymore but that's another story but yeah they found this place that I don't know if you've been there; the firehouse?"

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Give Yourself a Chance" by Jack Skuller

by Bob Makin

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Jack Skuller premieres at New Jersey Stage his video for the new single, “Give Yourself a Chance,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music: 9/19/22

by Lazlo

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by Jack Skuller, Well Wisher, All Systems Go, Katye Kellye & The Interruption, Karma Gambit, and Chris Nitti.

Glory Days Abroad: September 22

by James "JPAT" Dalton

Thursday, 9:33am, breakfast buffet alone in the Cage Club, upstairs at the Hotel Admiral, a couple blocks from and in sight of the Adriatic Sea. The owner sneaks in to makes some jokes and hellos in Italian, which I confess, I don’t speak, but a few words here and there are recognizable, so I can sort of understand that this “breakfast room” with custom rainforest wallpaper, birdsongs mixed with Floyd and the Beatles on the speaker system, wrap around deck and windows, but also with a stage, baby grand piano and mic stands doubles as a music venue and somewhere in the pleasant hotelier’s jokes are something about me having to sing a few songs to pay for the lovely spread that I am slowly working on. Good morning, Rimini.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/22/22

by Danny Coleman

Yeah, I don't believe I have ever been there but you’d know better than me because you live in the area,” laughed blues great Joe Louis Walker as he discussed his upcoming appearance at The Beverly Blue Festival, "Ghetto-psychedelic guitar licks," his "Puppies" and much more. "Maybe they’re trying to get something going with the festival; more power to them."   

Makin Waves Song of the Week: “His Time Is Coming” by James Deely

by Bob Makin

Based on Long Beach Island for a long time and now Los Angeles, roots-rockin’ singer-songwriter James Deely will release his latest album, the 10-song “This Train Is Running Out of Track,” during the winter holidays. 

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music: 9/26/22

by Lazlo

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by 9fm, Joe Juliano, Jon Caspi & The First Gun, Yawn Mower, Plus Tax, The Smithereens, Taser Video, and Old Smile.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...9/29/22

by Danny Coleman

“The Sea Of Tranquility Fest will be Saturday at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY. The "Sea Of Tranquility" is an online website with videos and reviews and there's a whole community around it which is led by Pete Pardo. During the quarantine part of COVID, there was a "Sea Of Tranquility virtual festival to help raise money for the ASPCA COVID Outreach and this is kind of an extension of that; this is the live version," explains Epic Tantrum bassist Greg Ross as he and the band prepare to join The Pat Travers Band, Vanilla Fudge, Nektar, Chris Caffery, Andy Powell, Rick LaBonte and Nektar in a return to an old school type of festival featuring diverse acts, a Q & A and more. "Pete sort of helped curate the bands that will be playing and the idea was to create an event that reflects the diversity of this year's Tranquility fan base and what they cover. So, during the afternoon they're doing live versions of the panels they do, they will be reviewing a record, they have a thing called the Hudson Valley Squares where like nine of them get together and review records so, it's trying to encompass the world of Sea Of Tranquility but live instead of online. Epic Tantrum got involved because Pete is a big fan of the Epic Tantrum album and he wrote a really, really nice review of it and I reached out to him just to say thank you and we started talking and that's kind of what led to us being involved in the virtual event and now the concert.” 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "All Nighter" by Natalie Farrell

by Bob Makin

Asbury Park songstress Natalie Farrell can do it all: jazz, rock, R&B, soul, Latin. But with her latest single, the sexy, slow-burning groove of “All Nighter,” she flexes her pop muscles with the help of co-writer and drummer Joshua Van Ness. 

theatre features

Premiere Stages at Kean University Seeks Submissions to Annual Play Festival

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, is accepting submissions for the 18th annual Premiere Play Festival.  This yearly competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental and production opportunities to up to five playwrights with strong ties to the greater metropolitan area (New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware). Premiere will accept submissions September 1 through November 14, 2022.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "The Caretaker"

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) continues its 60th anniversary season with one of Harold Pinter’s greatest works, The Caretaker, starting on September 21st. This taut, riveting tale of a homeless man and two brothers who give him shelter, makes for a gripping night of provocative theater.  It draws the audience into a compelling and mysterious world, where an unsettling and ever-shifting power struggle plays out amidst a strange, domestic scenario within the walls of a “home” that is as threatening as it is fragile. The Caretaker will be on the Main Stage from September 21 to October 9. 

PHOTOS from "5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche" at The Theater Project

by John Posada

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Theater Project is presenting 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche from September 8-18, 2022 at the Burgdorff Cultural Center. The play by Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood takes place in 1956 when some "bachelor gals" refer themselves as widows to avoid embarrassing questions.  Photographer John Posada was at a dress rehearsal to take photos.

Premiere Stages presents "Scab" by Gino Diiorio

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages’ production of Gino Diiorio’s powerful new play Scab will begin performances this week on Thursday, September 8 in Kean University’s Bauer Boucher Theatre Center (Vaughn Eames Hall, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J.). Selected as a finalist from the 2020/21 Premiere Play Festival, Scab features actors John Anthony Torres and Monica Wyche. John J. Wooten, producing artistic director of Premiere Stages, directs.

McCarter Opens 2022-23 Season With "The Wolves" by Sarah DeLappe

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter is excited to welcome back audiences and announces its first production of the 2022-23 season, The Wolves, a fierce and funny play by Sarah DeLappe about a young women’s competitive high school soccer team.  Featuring an all-female cast and creative team, the production is directed by Sarah Rasmussen, Artistic Director. Performances begin September 17th through October 16th.

PHOTOS from "The Fields of Ambrosia" at Surflight Theatre

by John Posada

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is presenting The Fields of Ambrosia now through September 25. Based on the 1970 film The Travelling Executioner the time is 1918 and the place is rural Louisiana in the American deep South. Jonas is a former con-man and carnival hustler whose world is suddenly turned upside-down when he falls head-over-heels for the most alluring and beautiful woman he has ever met. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Vivid Stage presents World Premiere of "Soft Animals" by Erin Mallon

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a world premiere production of Soft Animals by Erin Mallon from September 29 through October 9. Soft Animals is a comedy with heart that asks, what would your life be like if you couldn’t feel physical pain? What if your body had a mind of its own? What if you never fell asleep? How about if you remembered every single thing you’ve ever felt, thought or experienced?

PHOTOS from "Vanities" at StageWorks

by John Posada

(POMPTON LAKES, NJ) -- StageWorks is presenting "Vanities" at Studio 237 from September 15-18. This bittersweet comedy is an astute, snapshot-sharp chronicle of the lives of three Texas girls. Photographer John Posada was at a dress rehearsal to take photos.

Spotlight On State Theatre New Jersey's 2022-23 Broadway Season

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Tickets for State Theatre New Jersey’s 2022-23 Broadway Season, featuring Tony® Award-winning hits and Broadway fan favorites, go on sale on Friday, September 16 at 11:00am.  The season includes performances of Tootsie, My Fair Lady, Legally Blonde—The Musical, and Jesus Christ Superstar.  The series also includes Stomp, R.E.S.P.E.C.T, Menopause The Musical, and concerts with Broadway stars Linda Eder and Patti LuPone.

PHOTOS from "Thou Shalt Not" at Thinkery & Verse

by John Posada

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Thinkery & Verse is presenting Thou Shalt Not in New Brunswick from September 16 - October 8 in Assembly Hall at St. John's. This is a stage-play that reimagines the unsolved Hall-Mills Double Homicide of 1922! Performances start up on the Centennial Anniversary of the tragedy. Photographer John Posada was at a dress rehearsal to take photos.

PHOTOS from "Forever Plaid" at The Barn Theatre

by John Posada

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre is presenting Forever Plaid over three weekends from September 16 to October 2nd. On the way to their gig, tragedy strikes Forever Plaid, a “guy group” specializing in barbershop quartet harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies. Forever Plaid begins when the guys are given the chance to perform from the afterlife. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

PHOTOS from "School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play" at Dragonfly

by John Posada

(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presented School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play at duCret School of the Arts in Plainfield from September 16-18. Beauty, ambition, and fierce humor combine in this comedy by Jocelyn Bioh loosely based on the movie Mean Girls. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

'Scab' -- The Human Side of Job Changes and Loss

by Karen Nowosad

Scab is a Study of What Happens When Jobs Change Hands

PHOTOS from "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at Music Mountain Theatre

by John Posada

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre revisits the wild and wooly Roaring 20s when Thoroughly Modern Millie comes to the stage for a four-weekend run opening on September 16th and running through October 9th.  Set in New York City in 1922, this tells the story of young Millie Dillmount from Kansas, who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

PHOTOS from "Once" at Kelsey Theatre

by John Posada

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- “Once,” winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is kicking off Kelsey Theatre’s 2022-2023 season. The romantic musical drama runs weekends from September 23 through October 2. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Algonquin Arts Theatre Reunites Cast and Creative Team for "Man of La Mancha" Recreating the Epic Production from Ten Years Ago

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Man of La Mancha from October 14-23, 2022. Based on The Adventures of Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha is a remarkable, poignant and moving musical that was one of the first shows to musicalize a piece of historical literature.  At times both inspiring and thought provoking, the story will warm the heart of everyone whose spirits were ever raised by the prospect of a victory by the underdog.

PHOTOS from "Hair" at Phoenix Productions

by John Posada

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presented Hair from September 23-25 and photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos. This classic American tribal love rock musical celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. 

PHOTOS from "Soft Animals" at Vivid Stage

by John Posada

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a world premiere production of Soft Animals by Erin Mallon from September 29 through October 9. Soft Animals is a comedy with heart that asks, what would your life be like if you couldn’t feel physical pain? What if your body had a mind of its own? What if you never fell asleep? How about if you remembered every single thing you’ve ever felt, thought or experienced? Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Cultures and Kin Clash in Family Drama "Her Portmanteau" at George Street Playhouse

by Jesse North & Dave Tavani, JerseyArts.com

A story about a mother and her daughters, split by cultures. In “Her Portmanteau,” a George Street Playhouse production on stage at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center Oct. 11 — 30, we follow a Nigerian-American family trying to reunite amid the stark differences of lifestyles and values when relatives are spread across continents.

PHOTOS from "Bonnie & Clyde" at StageWorks

by John Posada

(POMPTON LAKES, NJ) -- StageWorks at Studio 237 is presenting Bonnie & Clyde from September 29 to October 9. Adrift in the Depression-era Southwest, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker embark on a life of crime. They mean no harm. They crave adventure -- and each other. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Centenary Stage welcomes Mikaela Kafka as Director of Women Playwright Series

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- After leading the Women Playwright Series through 30 years of growth and excitement, Catherine Rust is happy to now hand the reins to their talented artistic colleague and WPS committee member, Mikaela Kafka.  

film features

Cockroaches, Hidden Worlds, Dancing to Agatha Christie, and Forgotten Children are among Highlights of New Jersey Film Festival in September

by Gary Wien

​​​​​​​“Seems everywhere I lived, there were always cockroaches and I figured, well, they were actually being wasted,” said Joey Skaggs.

The Sun Rises in the East screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival this Friday

by Ashley Terer

The Sun Rises in the East by Tayo Giwa is a rich and heart-felt film about how the black community in Bedford-Stuyvesant (Brooklyn, New York) created the most incredible haven for self-expression, education, and additional provision called The East. The story of The East starts with the beginning of integration in Bed-Stuy after Brown v. Board of Education was passed in 1954. Despite the ruling, unfair conditions persisted for black youth and community members recognized a dire need for more enrichment. Jitu Weusi, Al Vann, and other pivotal members of the community proposed having a hub for creativity and education where needs and resources to excel in every aspect of life would be created. This institution would also celebrate the entire African diaspora and different African cultures within the continent. The Sun Rises in the East is a wonderfully enriching experience that truly magnifies what happens when great care is married with fantastic ideas to make a utopia that fostered the prosperity of an entire generation. 

A Crack In The Mountain screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival

by Emily Ranieri

Alastair Evans’ environmental documentary A Crack In The Mountain will be showing at the New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, September 11th, 2022. Evan’s documentary showcases the indescribable beauty of Hang Son Doong, the biggest cave passage in the world. Located in Vietnam, Son Doong has been undisturbed by tourists for centuries, allowing the sight to hold onto its magic.

The Sun Rises In The East Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Video Q+A

by Al Nigrin

The Sun Rises In The East Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Q+A with Director Tayo Giwa and Producer Cynthia Gordy Giwa, Festival Juror Yazmin Omana, and Festival Director Al Nigrin.

A Crack In The Mountain Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Video Q+A

by Al Nigrin

Here is the A Crack In The Mountain Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Q+A with Director Alaistair Evans and Festival Director Al Nigrin.

Little Satchmo screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on September 18

by Vanessa Tirok

Louis Armstrong, the jazz icon who left a legacy of joy and wholesomeness, was long thought to have died without any children to pass his legacy onto. In the documentary Little Satchmo, however, viewers are given ample evidence that proves otherwise. In an up-close-and-personal recount of her upbringing as the estranged daughter of Louis Armstrong, Sharon Preston-Folta tells all, reshaping the way we think of the beloved “Satchmo”, the complicated life he lived, and the impact of his actions on his loved ones. 

Little Satchmo Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Video Q+A

by Al Nigrin

Here is the  Little Satchmo Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Q+A with Director John Alexander and Festival Director Al Nigrin.

Don't Miss Little Satchmo at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival

by Alexia Fraser

Little Satchmo, written and directed by John Alexander, is a captivating documentary that tells the story of Sharon Louise Preston-Folta, Louis Armstrong’s estranged daughter. The documentary is narrated by Preston-Folta and adapted from her memoir, Little Satchmo; Living in the Shadow Of My Father, Louis Daniel Armstrong.

Soldier Island and Cabeco Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Video Q+A

by Al Nigrin

Here is the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Video Q+A with Soldier Island Directors Charly and Eriel Santagado, Cabeco Director Brian James Crewe and Festival Director Al Nigrin.

Howl screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on September 23

by Al Nigrin

Martin Del Carpio and Martin Gerigk’s excellent experimental film Howl screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on September 23! Here is my interview with Martin Del Carpio:

Soldier Island screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on September 23

by Al Nigrin

Charly and Eriel Santagdo’s Soldier Island  -- a dance adaptation of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None -- screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on September 23. Here is my interview with Charly Santagdo:

Commodity Trading: Dies Irae Screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, September 25

by Al Nigrin

M. Wood’s experimental feature Commodity Trading: Dies Irae screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, September 25. Here is my interview with M. Woods:

Horror film spoof The House screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, September 30

by Rebecca Raush

The House directed by Liang-Chun Lin dares to explore what few others have considered: Which is scarier - the cost of living or living in a house haunted by ghosts?

Trippy animated short Panta Rei screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, September 30

by Al Nigrin

KWA’s wild animated short Panta Rei (everything is in flux) screens at the Fall 2022 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, September 30. Here is my interview with him:

Hopewell Theater presents Halloween Fright Fest

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Indie venue Hopewell Theater’s Halloween Fright Fest returns with a classic lineup of Halloween, horror, and thriller films from October 26-30. Kids, families, and fans of horror, thriller, and classic film will enjoy the event’s lineup.

 

LATEST NEWS

NJPAC presents Neil deGrasse Tyson: Science As A Way Of Knowing

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Interested in exploring the mysteries of our Universe? Don't miss out on the chance to see world renowned astrophysicist, professor, and New York Times best-selling author of the Hayden Planetarium Neil deGrasse Tyson at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 3:00pm.

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Lincoln Mill Haunted House presents Star Wars Inspired - May The 4th Corrupt You

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Revisit the Hindenburg's Final Flight at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch

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NJPAC presents An Evening with Richard Dawkins and Friends

Click here for more event previews

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