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Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from September 27 to October 3, 2026

Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from September 27 to October 3, 2026. Each week we publish at least 70 articles, including original columns and features, promoting events and covering arts news taking place throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 7 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Cape May, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Morris).



Light Opera of New Jersey presents "Amahl and the Night Visitors"

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- This holiday season, Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) invites audiences of all ages to experience the magic of Gian Carlo Menotti's beloved one-act opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors.



WBGO's "All The Jazz" Series Comes to Holmdel

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Executive Director Andrew DePrisco brings Smooth Jazz to the Bell Theater in Holmdel with the ever-popular WBGO "all that jazz" Concert series. Procured by Smooth Jazz New Jersey, the first two offerings will be Spyro Gyra on October 24th and Rick Braun on November 21, 2026.



New Novel "Immediate Gratification" Delivers a Sharp, Unfiltered Ride Through Life on the Edge

Debut author Brad S. Horwin captures the raw, chaotic energy of early adulthood and bygone New York City in his newly released book, now available nationwide on Amazon.










FEATURED EVENTS


Ellis Paul

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon to the singer-songwriter who is undoubtedly his greatest inspiration, Woody Guthrie, Paul weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul attended Boston College on a track scholarship and in the evenings became a fixture on the city’s open mic circuit. After winning a Boston Acoustic Underground songwriter competition, he caught the ear of folk luminary Bill Morrissey, who produced his indie album Say Something in 1993. This led to a sevenalbum contract with Rounder Records and the 1994 album, Stories.



 

Samara Joy & Her Septet

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

Samara Joy has emerged as one of the most captivating new voices in jazz, bringing a fresh perspective to a beloved tradition. With a sound that feels both rooted in history and uniquely her own, she has quickly drawn the attention of audiences and critics alike. Experience the artistry, warmth, and unmistakable brilliance of a true rising icon—live and in person.



 

Illumination - A Haunted Concert by Candlelight featuring Ian Fraser & The Biggest Little Wurlitzer Organ

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ

To welcome Fall, renowned organist Ian Fraser will play a selection of Halloween inspired pieces on UCPAC’s “Biggest Little Wurlitzer,” our 1928 organ that is original to our beautiful Main Stage theater, in Illumination – A Haunted Concert by Candlelight!

 

Best of the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Part 2

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 12:00am
NJ Film Festival
New Brunswick, NJ

The 45th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place between September 4-October 4, 2026. The Festival will be a hybrid as we will be presenting it online as well as doing select in-person screenings at Rutgers University. Almost all the films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date. VOD start times are at 12 Midnight Eastern USA. Each General Admission Ticket or Festival Pass purchased is good for both the virtual and the in-person shows when both are offered.This program is only available Online for 24 hours on this show date!




 

Patriot Songs of the American Revolution

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ

Musician and historian Bobby Horton combines storytelling, musicianship, history, and a genuine love for the people who settled this nation, fought for our future, and created a new nation in Patriot Songs of the American Revolution.

 

"Coconut Cake" Play-Reading

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 4:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ

Join us for a staged play-reading of Melda Beaty’s Coconut Cake, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson. Presented by Dunbar Repertory Company.

 

The Stylistics - An Unforgettable Night of Soul

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Kean Stage - Wilkins Theatre
Union, NJ

The Stylistics, live with Herb Murrell, Airrion Love & Jason Sharp!

 

Leonia Chamber Musicians present Schubert Fest!

Sunday, October 04, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Presbyterian Church in Leonia
Leonia, NJ

Edgar Girtain  Trio No. 1
F. Schubert  "Shepherd on the Rock" 
F. Schubert  "Trout" Quintet in A major, D. 667
... with guest artists: Melissa Fogarty (soprano), Junah Chung (viola) & Deb Spohnheier, (double bass) 

 

Compagnie HERVE KOUBI

Tuesday, October 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

Absolutely unique and utterly original, this fearless, powerful company reigns from France, Algeria, and beyond. Combining contemporary and urban dance movements, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography, the dancers defy gravity. Inspired by Algerian author Yasmina Khadra’s novel, What The Day Owes To The Night traces Koubi’s own personal lineage as a French-Algerian choreographer. After learning about his family’s Algerian roots, Koubi returned to the country of his ancestors to collaborate with streetdance performers from across the Mediterranean basin. What emerged is “a creation of poetic beauty” (The New York Times), a meditative yet strikingly athletic work about the ties that bind us.

 

A Beat of Our Own

Wednesday, October 07, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ

From the Tony Award-winning producers of Hadestown comes A Beat of Our Own — a brand-new musical comedy that pulls you straight into the pulsating rhythms, kaleidoscopic colors and raw energy of competitive bhangra dance. 



 





EVENT PREVIEWS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS

To narrow results by date, categories,
or region of New Jersey click here.
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Music lovers are invited to experience the artistry of the Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) faculty at a free Faculty Recital on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) in Plainfield. Showtime is 3:00pm.

(CLARK, NJ) -- Waves of Education's 6th Annual Run Toward a Better Future 5K & Family Fun Event will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company will welcome internationally acclaimed Indian classical musician Ustad Shafaat Khan to the Kutz Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 2:00pm.

(NEW YORK, NY) -- NiCori Performing Arts Academy celebrates the next generation of musical theatre and cabaret talent on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Triad Theater. The NiCori Youth Cabaret Showcase features an extraordinary group of young performers sharing songs that inspire, challenge, and tell their unique stories. The event begins at 2:00pm.

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents a New Play Reading Series from October 5-14, 2026. Plays include Neither Snow Nor Rain by Erin Mallon; The Halal Brothers by Alaudin Ullah; and Sunshine Madness by Lori Fischer. Admission is free, but tickets are required.







LATEST FEATURES

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS



In 2020, trumpeter Ted Chubb and his wife, Rachel Ryl, purchased The Statuary, a former sculpture factory in Jersey City, and converted it into a jazz club. Five years later, Chubb's quintet recorded an album, Live at the Statuary, which was released in May of this year by Circle 9 Records



(NEW HOPE, PA) -- This Halloween season, Roxey Ballet Company presents Dracula's Lair: Immortal, an unforgettable immersive experience that blends haunted attraction, live theatrical storytelling, and breathtaking professional dance into one haunting journey. Tours take place October 23, 24, 30 & 31 at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm from the Mill Ballet School.



(MEDFORD, NJ) -- South Jersey Pops presents Stage Fright - The Soundtrack of the Mysterious on Sunday, October 25, 2026 in the Lenape High School Auditorium. This is a family-friendly celebration of the Spooky & Strange. Showtime is 3:00pm.



(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Combine a Jersey diner, four couples, and a live-streaming video series and you have Midnight at the New Dawn, a new comedy making its world premiere at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College's West Windsor Campus with performances from October 16-18, 2026.







LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" by Jake Thistle

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "The Only Man to Make It Through the Dance" from "A Stranger By Design," the latest album by Jake Thistle.


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/01/2026

What do you call a rocker by night who pays tribute to multiple classic rock bands and someone who has done children's music during the day? You call him Paulie Z that's what.


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "In Another Life" by Deardarkhead

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "In Another Life" from "The Pendulum Swings," the first album in 26 years from the Atlantic City rockers Deardarkhead.

* Events This Week in New Jersey

* This Week in Music

* This Week in Theatre

* Top 15 Most Read Stories from the Past Week




Daily Edition 10-03-26