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New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 12-23-24

Here is the morning update from New Jersey's arts newswire. We regularly publish between 8-15 new articles and news reports each day. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!





New Release Review - "The Man In The White Van"

by Eric Hillis, TheMovieWaffler.com
published 2024-12-22

1970s-set thriller The Man in the White Van purports to be inspired by real-life events. Some reviews have suggested it draws on the crimes of serial killer Billy Mansfield, though the villain's identity remains ambiguous throughout the film (likely to leave things open for a possible sequel). I suspect if director Warren Skeels were honest, he would admit to his primary influence being John Carpenter's Halloween. Like that classic, Skeel's narrative feature debut takes place in the final days of October and is centred on a virginal teenage girl being stalked by an antagonist who seems to have randomly chosen her as his target (let's not forget the sister/brother stuff didn't pop up until Halloween II). As the title implies, the villain here spends most of his screen time unseen behind the wheel of a white van, and the stalking scenes recall the early segments of Halloween in which Michael Myers pursues Laurie Strode while commandeering a stolen station wagon. The van becomes something of a villain itself, like the eponymous Plymouth Fury of Carpenter's Christine, the truck from Spielberg's Duel, or the car from, well, The Car. Were it not for a series of flashbacks, we might wonder if there really is a human driver behind that foggy windscreen.



Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From December 15-21, 2024

Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from December 15-21, 2024. 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 8 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Morris, Sussex, and Union).



Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums

by Bob Makin
published 2024-12-22

Here are the top 10 albums by New Jersey indie artists for 2024, according to Makin Waves.








Family Worth Fighting For: TJ Klune's Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Discover the magic in family life with New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist TJ Klune. He'll take you inside the new installment of his "Cerulean Chronicles," Somewhere Beyond the Sea, during his Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The event begins at 7:00pm.



WBGO presents the return of the All That Jazz series to the Hamilton Stage with smooth jazz musicians Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- WBGO presents the return of the All That Jazz series to the Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center. This is a unique concert series showcasing some of the genre's most talented and respected performers via a partnership between UCPAC and Smooth Jazz NJ. On Friday, January 17, 2025, the series features smooth jazz musicians Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner. Showtime is 8:00pm.



The Summit Playhouse Is Accepting Directors' Submissions For 2025-26 MainStage Season

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse is now accepting directors' submissions for their 2025–26 MainStage Season - submissions are due January 15, 2025. Directors may submit one play or musical proposal for consideration.



New Shows Announced at The Sieminski Theater

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Sieminski Theater has announced Act 1 of their 2025 season featuring diverse shows that are sure to deliver something unforgettable for every theatergoer. Shows added include a tribute to CSN&Y, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and performances by the New Jersey Festival Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players.



The Town Hall presents Judy Collins and Friends: 85 Years of Music and Protest

(NEW YORK, NY) -- The legendary Judy Collins will present a star-studded 85th birthday celebration Judy Collins and Friends: 85 Years of Music and Protest at The Town Hall on March 8, 2025. Directed by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Russ Titelman, Judy Collins will be joined onstage by her peers and some of the young talents she inspired and helped nurture. Showtime is 8:00pm.







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

"Slanted

"Slanted Floors" returns to its Greenpoint Apartment

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Following critical acclaim and sold-out performances, Slanted Floors — hailed by the Daily Beast as "one of New York's most unique and exclusive pieces of theatre" — returns for a strictly limited five-week engagement in its original Greenpoint apartment setting. Performances will run May 26 through June 26, 2026, with 150 seats available.



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.












LATEST COLUMNS


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.




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/15/26

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Night Windows; Bionic Rhoda; The Mighty Alrighty; Danello, The Sad Surfer; Wiser Time; and Mars Kushi. Plus a look back at "Hot Town" by Chris Rockwell.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Under the Carousel" by Josh Herman

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Under the Carousel," the latest video from North Jersey singer-songwriter Josh Herman.








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