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NJ State Council on the Arts Announces New Partnership with NJ Department of Veterans Affairs through National Arts Grant

(TRENTON, NJ) -- During a New Jersey State Council on the Arts public meeting on May 19, 2026, the Council announced a new partnership with the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs focused on serving older adult residents of veterans homes through high quality arts learning programs. Evidence shows that creative engagement improves health outcomes, strengthens social bonds, and increases quality of life — all driving factors behind the competitive national grant program supporting this work.



Jersey Arts Podcast: Assimilation, Immigration, and the Dance-Nation within West Side Story

by Gina Marie Rodriguez, JerseyArts.com
published 2026-05-21

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- "West Side Story" is making its way to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn this May and we could not be more excited. If you're unfamiliar with the classic tale, we suggest you buckle up and get ready for an evening of music you’ll be singing all the way home, and likely for the foreseeable future.



Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Maurer Productions OnStage and the newly formed Maurer TheaterWorks have announced a special co-production partnership — in association with Kelsey Theatre — for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn. The ensemble comedy, written and directed by Dan Maurer, will hold open auditions on June 6-7, 2026.



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/21/2026

by Danny Coleman
published 2026-05-21

"I'm enjoying the beautiful weather here in Florida, I live in Orlando. I used to live in Nashville for about six years but I'm originally from Transylvania, Romania," said an excited Alex Kilroy as he happily discussed the release of his album "Break My Chains," his classical training, Vince Gill and more.








Rick Michel LIVE! at PNC Bank Arts Center

by Spotlight Central
published 2026-05-21

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Las Vegas headliner Rick Michel performing at the PNC Bank Arts Center on May 12, 2026.



2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Middle Life Director Pavan Moondi

by Al Nigrin
published 2026-05-21

Here is Festival Director Al Nigrin’s interview with Pavan Moondi. Pavan is the director and writer of the terrific Canadian feature film Middle Life. Middle Life screens with two shorts at the New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026.



Behind the Scenes as Misfits Theatre Co. prepares for their Inaugural Book Musical Production: "She Loves Me"

by John Posada
published 2026-05-20

(MATAWAN, NJ) — Misfits Theatre Co. is currently rehearsing for their inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me, which will be presented July 10-12, 2026 at Matawan Regional High School. Photographer John Posada was at a rehearsal to take photos.



21st Annual Basie Awards Roundup

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The 21st Annual Basie Awards took place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The awards honor the best in Monmouth County high school theatre and have become a huge celebration of the arts.



New Release Review - "The Christophers"

by Eric Hillis, TheMovieWaffler.com
published 2026-05-20

Since coming out of his brief self-imposed "retirement" in 2017, Steven Soderbergh has been knocking out films at a rate close to two a year. He's clearly a filmmaker who cares about his legacy, but an artist doesn't get to determine their legacy. That's up to the public. Some will consider Soderbergh an unimpeachable genius. A few will label him a talentless hack. I suspect most will look back on his prolific filmography as a series of hits and misses. The Christophers, which is very much wrestling with the notion of legacy, is one of the hits.







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Arden

Arden Children's Theatre presents "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This spring, Arden Children's Theatre invites families into a hilariously twisted world where classic fairy tales don't go quite as expected in its next production of the 2025/26 season, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (The Stinky Cheese Man). Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, adapted by John Glore, the production brings the book's fractured fairy tales to life for kids and adults alike. Directed by Steve Pacek, the production runs on the Arden’s Arcadia stage with previews starting April 8, opening night on April 18, with performances running through May 31.



Haddon

Haddon Township to Hold 4th Annual String Band Parade

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Camden County Board of Commissioners, along with Haddon Township, invites residents and visitors to the fourth annual String Band Parade down Haddon Ave, featuring the Philadelphia Mummers String Bands on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. (note: it was rescheduled from April 25th due to the weather)



Hitchcock

Hitchcock Meets Hilarious: Bergen County Players presents "The 39 Steps"

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Fresh off being named the top live music or theater venue by 201 Magazine's "Best of Bergen" readers, Bergen County Players (BCP) invites audiences to brace themselves for a whirlwind of espionage and outrageous comedy with the Tony Award-winning The 39 Steps, which runs weekends from May 2-31, 2026. Directed by BCP life member Steve Bell, this breakneck adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film classic blends film noir suspense with Monty Python-style absurdity.



Ritz

Ritz Theatre Company presents "Porgy and Bess"

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Porgy and Bess from May 1-24, 2026. Set in the 1930s in Catfish Row, a Black community in Charleston, South Carolina,the musical tells the story of Porgy, a kind but disabled beggar, and Bess, a woman trying to escape her violent lover Crown and the seductive pull of drugs offered by Sportin' Life. The production is directed by Darryl Thompson, Jr.












LATEST COLUMNS


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/21/2026

"I'm enjoying the beautiful weather here in Florida, I live in Orlando. I used to live in Nashville for about six years but I'm originally from Transylvania, Romania," said an excited Alex Kilroy as he happily discussed the release of his album "Break My Chains," his classical training, Vince Gill and more.




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




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "ICE SS" by Sally Draper

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "ICE SS" by the Central Jersey punk act Sally Draper.