Here's a look at the top 10 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage during the week of January 16-22, 2022.  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 10 includes articles involving 6 counties in New Jersey (Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean). We were glad to see an article from one of our favorite stories series (a look at our favorite 25 articles in each genre from our history to celebrate publishing our 25,000th story) make the list!

1) Newark Arts Names Felicia A. Swoope as Executive Director - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The Board of Directors of Newark Arts has named Felicia A. Swoope as its new Executive Director. Ms. Swoope, a former dancer and producer, has held leadership positions in major New York City arts organizations and brings a range of administrative, artistic, and programming expertise to the post. She was selected after a national search facilitated by Arts Consulting Group. 

2) Mayor Reiman Announces Contract Awarded to NY Waterway for Purchase of Carteret’s First Ferry Boat - (CARTERET, NJ) -- On January 18, 2022, Mayor Daniel J. Reiman announced that the Borough of Carteret has awarded a contract from public bid with NY Waterway to purchase Carteret’s first ferry boat.

3) Our Favorite Stories In Film - An Interview With Joey Skaggs - New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Every Wednesday will feature a story about film.  This week's choice is our interview with Joey Skaggs - the subject of the film, Art of the Prank, which screened at the New Jersey Film Festival in 2017.

4) New Jersey City University presents "Pippin" - (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- There's magic to do when Pippin learns the true meaning of glory, war, love, and fulfillment in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable award-winning musical masterpiece. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated version of Pippin continues to captivate and appeal to the young at heart throughout the world. New Jersey City University's Theatre and Dance Department presents the classic musical across two weekends from March 25 to April 3, 2022.

5) “The Search is Over!” Spotlight on The Ides of March’s Jim Peterik - Jim Peterik is a musician, singer, and songwriter who struck gold as a teen with his #1 hit with The Ides of March, “Vehicle.” He’s also co-written songs including “Eye of the Tiger” and “The Search is Over” for Survivor, and has written or co-written material for such well-known artists as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, Sammy Hagar, REO Speedwagon, and many more.

6) Grunin Foundation Announces Six New Board Members - (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Grunin Foundation has announced the addition of six new board members. Each of these new appointees brings extensive knowledge, experience and a diverse perspective to help govern and provide strategic direction to the organization as it continues to works to improve the quality of life of the community by using philanthropy to drive economic excellence at the Central Jersey Shore and beyond. 

7) Ali Wong to film Netflix comedy special at Count Basie Center On November 21st - (RED BANK, NJ) -- Comedian Ali Wong's Milk & Money Tour stops at the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre on Sunday, November 21 at 5:00pm and 8:00pm.  The shows will be filmed for an upcoming Netflix comedy special. Tickets, priced from $49.50 are on sale through theBASIE.org, the Basie Center box office and Ticketmaster.

8) Information on Newark Arts’ 2022 ArtStart Mini Grant Program - (NEWARK, NJ) --  If you are an artist with an idea for a community project, a resident seeking to collaborate with a local arts organization, a non-profit that is servicing Newark’s youth, or a school with an arts education program that needs funding, you may be eligible to receive an ArtStart grant from Newark Arts. 

9) Kansas To Be Featured At 2022 New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning - (READINGTON, NJ) -- America’s preeminent progressive rock band Kansas has been announced as the first featured concert headliner at the 39th annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. The legendary band ("Carry On Wayward Son," "Dust in the Wind," "Point of Know Return") will perform Sunday, July 31, at 3:30pm. in association with Q104.3 at the 39th annual festival at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ.

10) THE END? Movie Theaters Are Hanging on for Dear Life - When I was a teenager in Morris County in the 1960s, my buddies and I went to the movies at least  once week. We had plenty of movie theaters to attend, too.

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 [email protected] - for even more promotion, check out our ad rates which run $50-$100 for an entire month of advertising. It's the best deal around!