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This Week in Comedy: May 19-25, 2026

Here's a look at comedy shows taking place across the state from May 19 to May 25, 2026. New Jersey Stage compiles this list from comedy clubs, casinos, and performing arts centers



Art House Productions presents the 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions has announced the lineup for the 2026 Jersey City Comedy Festival, taking place June 9–13. From more than 300 submissions, 40 stand-up comics from across the U.S. have been selected to perform in the festival's stand-up competition.



Punkie Johnson (SNL) to Headline LGBTQ Comedy Show at Newark Culture Club

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Comedian, writer, and actor Punkie Johnson is known for her hilarious work as a former cast member on Saturday Night Live. When Johnson joined SNL in its 45th season, she made history as the first out Black lesbian cast member and became a featured player the following season. She will be headlining a lineup of LGBTQ comedians at Newark Culture Club on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 9:00pm.



Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents comedian Jeff Allen

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents comedian Jeff Allen on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is part of his first "Final" Farewell Tour - the last tour until the next one.








Nationally Recognized Comedian Adam Sank presents "Bad Dates: A One-Man Show About Many Men" in Cape May on June 6th

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The new East Lynne Theater Company celebrates Pride Month with a raucous one-night-only stand-up comedy show starring nationally recognized veteran comic Adam Sank in his award-winning show "Bad Dates: A One-Man Show About Many Men," on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME in Cape May. Showtime is 8:00pm.



Bananas Comedy Club presents Nick Smeriglio This Weekend

(RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- Bananas Comedy Club presents Nick Smeriglio on May 15-16, 2026 with two shows each night. Nick is a New York–based actor, stand-up comedian, content creator, and podcast producer known for grounded charisma and sharp comedic instincts across stage, screen, and digital platforms.



Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club presents Sheba Mason this weekend

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club presents Sheba Mason on May 15-16, 2026. Born into a theatrical family – Jackie Mason (comedian) and Ginger Reiter (playwright) – Sheba has been performing since the age of two as a stage prop in her mother's play where she sat in her high chair and drank from her bottle.



bergenPAC presents Tracy Morgan on June 19th

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents comedian Tracy Morgan on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tracy is one of the most well-respected comedians and actors in his field. He currently stars in the tv show CRUTCH.



Newark Culture Club to Host Shows for The 2026 North To Shore Festival

(NEWARK, NJ) -- North to Shore is a festival celebrating all the talent, diversity and creativity this great state has to offer. North to Shore will bring together over 100 venues for an over-the-top showcase of Jersey-wide excellence, aligned with former Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy's vision for a celebration worthy of the Garden State's legacy in the arts and innovation. Two shows from this year's festival will be held at Newark Culture Club!







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Arden

Arden Theatre Company presents "Dear Evan Hansen"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company brings the Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, to the F. Otto Haas Stage this spring. Featuring a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the production is directed by Terrence J. Nolen and co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Nolen. Performances begin May 21, the show opens May 27, and runs through July 5, 2026.



Paper

Paper Mill Playhouse presents "West Side Story"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents West Side Story, the final production of Paper Mill's 2025-2026 season, from May 28 through June 28, 2026. An enduring masterpiece based on a conception of Jerome Robbins, West Side Story reimagines Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York, where young lovers Tony and Maria dare to dream of a future together as rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks clash for control of the streets.



MPAC

MPAC Announces Free Summer Concert Lineup for 2026

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's Arts in the Community free summer concert schedule for 2026 has been announced. MPAC will present six free concerts between June and August. The lineup includes the return of three of their most popular events – Bollywood Dance Party, Country Line Dancing and Salsa at Sunset, as well as singer-songwriters, and more.



Cape

Cape May Stage presents "What the Constitution Means to Me"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck from June 3-28, 2026. Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions across the country. In this electrifying and deeply personal play, she revisits that teenage self to explore how the U.S. Constitution has shaped her life — and how it continues to shape all of ours.



Two

Two River Theater and Deaf West Theatre Announce Taylor Iman Jones to Star in new musical "Elephant Shoes" alongside Daniel Durant and James Olivas

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater and Deaf West Theatre are thrilled to announce Taylor Iman Jones (Six The Musical, Head Over Heels) will star as Roxy in the world premiere co-production of Elephant Shoes, alongside Daniel Durant (Spring Awakening, CODA) and James Olivas (Evita, American Idiot).












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Western Shores" by Renee Maskin

In November, Multiple Makin Waves Award-winning Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin will release her latest solo album, "If the World Is Ending." The LP's first single, "Western Shores," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 06/25/2026

There are differences and then there is different and as it may have been written before when Dave Vargo records are reviewed; the differences are few but this time around, something is definitely "Different."




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "I Will Walk You Home” by Wiser Time

Wiser Time, aka Central Jersey singer-songwriter-guitarist Carmen Sclafani, just dropped his latest album, "There’s A Change A-Comin'," on his own Wiser Time Music. The closing focus track, "I Will Walk You Home," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.








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