Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from April 16-22, 2023. Each week we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening 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, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Sussex).
1) The Playground Theatre Project presents "Lost Angels" at The Vogel - (RED BANK, NJ) -- The Playground Theatre Project, an outreach program of Actors Playground School of Theatre, will present Lost Angels at The Vogel on Sunday, April 30 at 2:00pm and Monday, May 1 at 7:30pm. The play, written and directed by Ralph Colombino, takes place during a lock down where 11 high school students are stuck in a classroom without a teacher and only texts and the PA system to let them know what is happening in the rest of the school.
2) New Jersey Symphony presents Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony will present the Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert featuring screenings of the complete film with Oscar®—winning composer John Williams’ musical score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by acclaimed conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos. Performances will take place in Morristown, Red Bank, Newark, and New Brunswick from May 18-21.
3) Wild West City Highlights 'New' Traditions This Season - (BYRAM TWP, NJ) -- Wild West City, a western theme park which is based on the "wild west", is bringing plenty of "new" to this year's action. Looking for something to do in New Jersey? The iconic Western-themed amusement park's season opening is the weekend of May 6-7, 2023.
4) State Theatre New Jersey 2023-24 Broadway Season Preview - (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey has announced its 2023-24 Broadway Season, featuring eight fantastic shows. The 2023-24 Season includes Tony® Award-winning hits, Broadway fan favorites, and multiple State Theatre debuts. Season tickets for the 2023-24 Broadway Series are now on sale.
5) Makin Waves Album of the Month: "Intrusive Thoughts" by Juliana Frangella - If Taylor Swift was haunted by the ghost of Warren Zevon while she made an album, it might sound like Juliana Frangella’s 10-song debut LP, “Intrusive Thoughts,” Like Swift, she surprisingly inspires empathy and relatability in the face of young female angst. Like Zevon, her witty wordplay and skewering sarcasm are hysterical.
6) McDonald's Gospelfest returns to Prudential Center on May 13th - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The Annual McDonald's Gospelfest returns to Prudential Center on Mother's Day Weekend Saturday, May 13, 2023, for the biggest and best gospel event of the year. This year's event will celebrate the 40th Year Anniversary of McDonald's Gospelfest. Live performances to help celebrate the anniversary are Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir, the Legendary Clark Sisters and so many more!
7) New Monthly Salsa series comes to Hoboken's Sinatra Park - (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to move as the brand new Salsa series Música Hoboken comes to Sinatra Park. The Hoboken Business Alliance has teamed up with Riverview Jazz, the local non-profit that produces the Jersey City Jazz Festival and PierFest to bring an exciting new series to the Hoboken waterfront. The monthly events will take place April 28, May 19, June 23 and will feature a world-class salsa band, DJ, and dance instruction. The events are free to the public.
8) State Theatre New Jersey Announces 2023 Free Summer Movies Series - (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The fully renovated State Theatre New Jersey is proud to announce the return of the Free Summer Movies Series. Movies featured in the 2023 series include Moana on July 11, Minions: The Rise of Gru on July 18, Soul on July 25, The LEGO Batman Movie on August 8, and Into the Woods on August 15. Tickets are FREE, but registration is required. Groups of 15 or more or those planning a bus trip, must email education@stnj.org to register.
9) Remember When – The Boys of Summer - Lee Mrowicki was nicknamed "The Voice of the Stone Pony" by Rolling Stone Magazine and has been associated with the legendary Asbury Park club and the rock and roll city for decades. He currently can be heard each week spinning the best of New Jersey music with Radio Jersey. This is part of an ongoing series entitled, "Remember When".
10) The 12th Annual Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival to Take Place April 26-27 - (RIDGEWOOD, NJ) -- The 12th Annual Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival (RGIFF) will take place April 26-27 at Ridgewood's Bow Tie Cinemas Warner Theater (190 East Ridgewood Avenue). Come join in the fun and excitement in downtown Ridgewood and see over 50 films by up and coming filmmakers, see the premiere of a NJ feature film, enjoy panels by industry experts, do some networking, hear inspiring Q & A's, pose on the Red Carpet and mingle at the Awards After Party.
11) Renowned Do Portugal Circus is bringing its world class show to Woodbridge from April 7-23 - (WOODBRIDGE, NJ) -- Do Portugal Circus is an internationally acclaimed circus group who have been enthralling audiences across the globe for over 30 years with its entertaining performances. Do Portugal Circus is proud to announce its upcoming performances in New Jersey. The show will be held in Woodbridge Center in Woodbridge Township every day from April 7th until April 23rd.
12) Ocean Casino Resort presents Matt Rife on August 19th - (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Comedian and actor, Matt Rife, takes the stage at Ocean Casino Resort's Ovation Hall on Saturday, August 19. Matt is best known for guest roles on the sketch comedy and improv game show series Wild 'n Out, as Brandon Bliss on the comedy television series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and as Logan on the sitcom television series Fresh Off the Boat. Showtime is 7:00pm.
13) Algonquin Arts Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team for "Hello Dolly!" - (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its spring musical, Hello Dolly! The show will run at Algonquin Arts Theatre from May 6-21. Jerry Herman's energetic musical is filled with charisma and with heart. Matchmaker Dolly Levi is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler - but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself.
14) Playhouse 22 presents "Superior Donuts" - (EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Called "a very entertaining comedy-drama with a whole lot of heart", Superior Donuts by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts is coming to Playhouse 22 on April 21 and runs weekends through May 7. Directed by Jon Heron, the play follows the relationship between despondent Arthur Przybyszewski, a former 1960s radical who owns a rundown donut shop in Chicago's Uptown, and Franco, his energetic but troubled young African American assistant, who wants to update the establishment with lively music and healthy menu options.
15) "The Shot" – A Stunning Theatrical Experience - The New Jersey Repertory Company produces many new plays some of which enjoy a world premiere and then go on to other theaters. Although this show is not a world premiere, it appears they have again struck gold with their current offering, The Shot. This show should be one that is seen in other theaters and by many people. It is that good.
Event previews are always one of the most popular areas of the website. Event previews get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again when they are brought back to the main area of the site the week the event takes place - sometimes even several months later. Make sure your events get previewed by sending press releases to us at info@newjerseystage.com - for even more promotion, check out our ad rates which run $50-$100 for an entire month of targeted advertising which includes events listed in our online calendar. Or you have your events listed in the calendar for $10 per event.
