Here's a look at the top 10 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage during the week of January 30 - February 5, 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. Essex County was this week's big winner with six stories to go along with stories from Middlesex and Ocean County.

1) Mother's Day Good Music Festival at Prudential Center features The Isley Brothers, Keith Sweat, Monica, and SWV - (NEWARK, NJ) -- SJ Presents The Mother’s Day Good Music Festival with multi-platinum and Grammy Award-Winning iconic performers The Isley Brothers, Keith Sweat, Monica, and SWV at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Friday, May 6 at 8:00pm. 

2) Review: "Clue" at Paper Mill Playhouse - Clue, the mystery boardgame of my youth, has been wonderfully, intelligently and hysterically been brought to the stage of the Paper Mill Playhouse.  It’s no mystery why this deftly directed and designed production is so entertaining.  Every aspect of the show is well done and deserves praise.  Do not pass, go directly to papermill.org and book tickets.  The production runs through February 20, 2022. 

3) NJPAC Hosts 90s All Star Dance Party - (NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a spectacular night of Freestyle, it’s a 90s All Star Dance Party with hitmakers Brenda K. Starr, Robin S, Cece Peniston, Black Sheep, George Lamond, Lisette Melendez, Aly-Us, Nardo Ranks, Marshall Jefferson, Strafe, and Rochelle Fleming -all are taking to the stage to perform their hits on Saturday, March 19 at 8:00pm. 

4) Akwaaba Gallery presents Victor Davson’s “In Full Bloom” Landscape Series - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Akwaaba Gallery presents Victor Davson’s solo exhibition of panoramic landscapes, “In Full Bloom,” from February 12 through March 26, 2022. These lush large-scale paintings are a departure for Davson, who is more well-known for work with socio-political overtones, including references to his Guyanese Caribbean cultural heritage.

5) Production Assistant Bootcamp To Take Place at Rutgers University February 5-6 - (PISCATAWAY, NJ) -- The NJ Motion Picture and Television Commission invites New Jersey residents interested in pursuing a career in film and television production to apply for the upcoming Production Assistant Bootcamp scheduled for February 5 and 6 at Rutgers University in Piscataway.

6) Mayor Baraka Signs Executive Order Extending Mandatory Vaccination To Enter Certain Establishments In Newark - (NEWARK, NJ) -- On February 1, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced that effective Wednesday, February 2, under a new Executive Order, the City of Newark will extend the requirement of proof of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for entry into certain establishments and facilities for an additional two weeks, to Wednesday, February 16.

7) Paper Mill Playhouse Presents "Clue" - (MILLBURN, NJ) -- After a postponement in the fall of 2020, Paper Mill Playhouse finally brings Clue to the stage. Murder and blackmail are back on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble for a dinner party at Boddy Manor. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro game, this farce-meetsmurder- mystery is bloody good fun. Directed by Casey Hushion, Clue runs from January 26 through February 20, 2022.

8) It’s Not Safe for You in this Zoo screens at the Spring 2022 New Jersey Film Festival Today as part of the Short Film Program! - It’s Not Safe for You in this Zoo is a short film by John Garet Stoker that will be playing at the New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, January 30, 2022. It’s a film about a modern couple [a female businesswoman and a male artist] who’s differences are beginning to put a strain on their relationship. The audience is given all of its’ information in the form of dialogue between the two main characters and the conversations that these people share are packed with commentary on the human experience in a developed society.

9) Andy Fediw of Kinderhook Releases Debut Solo Album "Unfinished Business" - Andy Fediw, co-founder of one of Kinderhook (one of New Jersey’s most enduring Americana bands), is stepping out on his own with his debut solo release Unfinished Business. The eight-song collection by the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is available through his website, including in CD format, and is available on all digital platforms.

10) Ocean County Library Toms River Branch Presents “Beyond the Sea: The Life and Times of Bobby Darin” - (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch will host Jimmy Scalia’s live, multimedia presentation, “Beyond the Sea: The Life and Times of Bobby Darin,” on Wednesday, February 23 at 6:00pm. Darin’s compelling story unfolds through memorabilia, music and video clips. 

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!