Maybe you don’t envision seasonal cheer when you hear “Murder for Two: Holiday Edition,” the title of the current production at Cape May Stage through Sunday, December 29. But, trust me on this, it’s plenty merry!

The latest issue of New Jersey Stage magazine is available for free at www.NJArtsMag.com. This is not a website, not a blog - it's an actual magazine with pages that turn! It is designed to be readable on any SmartPhone, tablet, or PC.

Experience the arts in a new way!

One of the most intriguing shows this December will take place at The Strand in Lakewood on Friday the thirteenth.  Wesley Stace, an artist who released great albums for two decades under the name John Wesley Harding, will bring his Cabinet of Wonders show to town. It’s a one of a kind variety show featuring musicians, writers and comedians. The goal is to make the audience laugh, think, and sing along. Cabinet of Wonders has been described as a little bit vaudeville, a little bit literary, and a lot of rock ‘n’ roll.

​​​​​​​The South Camden Theatre Company that Joe Paprzycki founded is celebrating a pair of anniversaries this season.  It is the theatre company’s 15th anniversary and the 10th year of the Waterfront South Theatre, which was built on the site where Paprzycki’s grandfather once owned a bar. Joe’s life was closely tied to the theatre and to Camden itself for a long time, but that ended a few years ago.  Today, he’s living up in North Truro, Massachusetts, and enjoying a new chapter in his life.  Instead of regrets, he’s having fun hanging out with people like Kathleen Turner and Tony Kushner.

The elevator (or in this case, dumb waiter) pitch for In Fabric, writer/director Peter Strickland's fourth feature, ostensibly concerns a cursed dress, which may remind horror buffs of Robert Bloch's short story 'The Weird Tailor', adapted for the screen as an episode of the '60s Boris Karloff hosted show Thriller and an installment of the 1972 Amicus anthology Asylum. Splitting the film into two distinct though interconnected stories, Strickland's movie recalls the output of Amicus, and while he continues to channel the exotic spirit of '70s Euro horror, In Fabric is distinctly British in its self-deprecating humor. A succinct elevator pitch might read 'Dario Argento's Are You Being Served?'

Makin Waves’ annual Top 10 Records of the Year list includes Experiment 34, Baron Praxis,The Anderson Council, Frank Lombardi, Cyclone Static, Chill Smith, From Good Homes, Pyrenesia, The Vansaders and Stella Mrowicki. Plus another 10 honorable mentions. Be a pal, and buy some! 

This month's featured music video is a new holiday tune by The Cucumbers.

​​​​​​​Those of us who were affected and lived through Hurricane Sandy in 2012 will never forget it.  For many of us, our lives were never the same after that storm.  Dennis King chose to stay in his Morris County house despite having no heat or power for 11 days. One thing he did have was a guitar and a desire to write music.

Hopewell Theater will screen four holiday favorites while holding a fundraising drive for HomeFront NJ - an organization whose mission is to end homelessness in Central New Jersey by harnessing the caring, resources and expertise of the community.  Hopewell Theater patrons can add a donation for HomeFront to their ticket purchase online or in person at the box office  now through Monday, January 6, 2020. 

Here's a look at plays taking place on stages across the Garden State in December. Remember to add your plays to the New Jersey Stag event calendar (listings are free) and send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com

In the #metoo era, we have become accustomed to seeing women portrayed as victims.  Zaritza, an artist living in Monmouth County, recently released a single and music video for a song that shows a different side - instead of being a victim, the song celebrates female desire and sexuality.  It would be a bold song in any era, but it’s completely eye-opening today.

Ian McKellen and director Bill Condon reteam once again for this adaptation of Nicholas Searle

Makin Waves’ annual Top 10 songs of the year list includes Honey Wild, From Good Homes, Jackson Pines, Arlan Feiles, Frank Lombardi, Mike Daly & The Planets, Hot Blood, The Vansaders, Experiment 34, and Stella Mrowicki.  Be a pal, and buy some! 

Bob Makin takes a look at the latest releases by The Clydes, Daughter Vision and Baron Praxis in this month

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- NJDTE presents the 50th Anniversary of their acclaimed production of The Nutcracker with performances on December 14-15 at Montclair State University. This milestone will honor the brilliant history of the past as well as celebrate the present and future generations of NJDTE Dancers - some of the top artists from New Jersey who go on as professionals in the field.