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New Release Review - "Hamnet"

by Eric Hillis, TheMovieWaffler.com
published 2026-01-17

Remember that time when Batman and Superman stopped fighting because they realised they had both been raised by women named Martha? Chloé Zhao's Hamnet, adapted from the 2020 novel by Maggie O'Farrell, is centred on an equally silly contrivance. Just as Zack Snyder noted the aforementioned tenuous link between Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent, O'Farrell twigged that William Shakespeare had a short-lived son named Hamnet and also wrote a play titled 'Hamlet'. Could the two be linked? Err, no. 'Hamlet' was based on the Danish legend of Amleth and doesn't feature so much as a single dead son. But in O'Farrell's eyes Willy the Shake wrote the tragedy as a coping mechanism for the grief he felt over the loss of his boy, which is odd given how the bard penned a couple of comedies in the immediate aftermath of his kid's death.



 

New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 01-17-26

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 Jersey Film Festival Interview with A Way to Be Together Director Trina Bardusco!

by Al Nigrin
published 2026-01-17

The beautiful short documentary A Way to Be Together screens at the New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, January 24, 2026! Here is my interview with A Way to be Together Director Trina Bardusco.



NJPAC presents comedian Alfred Robles

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents comedian Alfred Robles on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:00pm.



Villagers Theatre presents "Dogfight"

(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents Dogfight across two weekends from February 13-22, 2026. Based on the 1991 Warner Brothers film, Dogfight takes audiences on a romantic and heartbreaking theatrical journey that stays with you long after the performance.








Main Street Theatre Company presents Disney's "High School Musical"

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Disney's High School Musical across two weekends from January 24 to February 1, 2026. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.



Vanguard Theater presents "Little Women"

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents Little Women across two weekends from January 16-25, 2026. Based on Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel, Little Women is a moving story of family, ambition, and finding your voice—brought to life through beautiful music and heartfelt performances by their dedicated pre-professional artists.



Visual Arts Center of New Jersey presents Three Exhibitions that Examine Various Intersections of Identity and Representation

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- From February 13 to August 23, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) will showcase three exhibitions that examine various intersections of identity and representation. The exhibitions will feature artists whose work engages with themes such as material culture, Indigenous identity, queerness, and cityscapes, while questioning how narratives and visibility are controlled and reclaimed. Special attention is paid to the various processes of photography as artists demonstrate contemporary approaches to the wet plate, photogravure, and more.



Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Announces 2026 Season

(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has announced its 2026 season, Method & Madness, which features three brilliant comedies, an explosive American classic, the world's most famous sleuth, and a Shakespeare masterpiece. The season will include five shows and a special add-on performance on its Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison.



West Windsor Arts Announces April Zay as Its Third Artist in Residence

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts has announced that April Zay, a West Windsor–based multidisciplinary artist and educator, is kicking off her Artist in Residency by leading an artist talk at the arts center later this month. Zay is the third artist in residence for West Windsor Arts.







 

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents a Spring Season of Jazz

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



PBS'

PBS' Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum. The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.



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.



Megan

Megan Thee Stallion to make her Broadway debut in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical"

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Producers of the Tony Award®-winning, record-breaking Broadway hit Moulin Rouge! The Musical have announced that three-time Grammy Award-winning superstar and actress Megan Thee Stallion will make her Broadway debut in the production as "Zidler", impresario of the titular nightclub. Taking the stage for a strictly limited 8-week engagement, Megan will light up the Al Hirshfeld Theatre from Tuesday, March 24th to Sunday, May 17, 2026, promising an unmissable, moment in the show's legendary run.



Paper

Paper Mill Playhouse presents "1776"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical, from April 1 through May 2, 2026. It brings the story behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the stage with witty satire, compelling drama, and a thrilling score. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and their fellow delegates as they navigate fiery debates, political tensions, and personal conflicts in their struggle to unite thirteen colonies.












LATEST COLUMNS


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 04/23/2026

April 26, 2009; 17 years to the day this Sunday that "Danny Coleman's Rock On Radio" took to the airwaves on WIFI 1460 AM radio. Can it be that long? The answer is yes it can be and yes it has. 




This Week in Comedy: April 21-27, 2026

Here's a look at comedy shows taking place across the state from April 21 to April 27, 2026. New Jersey Stage compiles this list from comedy clubs, casinos, and performing arts centers.




BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 4/20/26

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 each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Petal Aggression, Francesca Fuentes, Loose Panic, Fate-Touched, Rhonette Smith, ILL-ADVISED, and 1adam12. Plus a look back at "Jerry Ryan" by The Deafening Colors.








UPCOMING EVENTS