Here's a look at the top 10 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage during the week of March 13-19, 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 Top Ten includes articles covering seven counties in New Jersey (Camden, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic). 

1) Newark Mayor Launches Neighborhood Investment Program - (NEWARK, NK) -- On -March 11, 2022, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the launch of his Neighborhood Investment Program with the release of an $820,000 Request for Proposal (RFP) for initiatives that strengthen Newark’s commercial corridors and help small businesses recover from the effects of COVID-19. The Neighborhood Investment Program, administered by the Department of Economic and Housing Development (EHD), is a critical part of Mayor Baraka’s $8.8 million Equitable Economic Recovery Plan to strengthen Newark’s economy and bring aid to communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

2) Light of Day Winterfest Announces Asbury Angels Class of 2022 - (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Light of Day WinterFest 2022 has announced the Asbury Angels class of 2022 and inductees include Andrew “Hood” Kafafian, Kerry Layton, Jonathan T. Richardson and Billy Ryan.  The inductees will be recognized this evening at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park by Eileen Chapman, Jean Mikle and Tony Pallagrosi.

3) Melba Wilson Brings Her Signature Harlem Restaurant to Newark - (NEWARK, NJ) -- On March 9, 2022, Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Melba Wilson announced that the restaurateur will bring her signature Melba's Restaurant to downtown Newark, with the opening of Melba's 550 in 550 Broad Street later this year.

4) Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story" Uses New Jersey As Its Backdrop - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Steven Spielberg's reimagining of the legendary "West Side Story" was filmed on location on the streets of Paterson and Newark. The film, already garnering positive reviews from critics, marks Spielberg's musical debut and his third time filming in New Jersey.

5) Chris Rock and Kevin Hart To Co-Headline Shows In July - Chris Rock and Kevin Hart have announced an iconic co-headlining five show run – ROCK HART: ONLY HEADLINERS ALLOWED – taking place this July. The tour includes shows at Prudential Center in Newark, Madison Square Garden in New York City, PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, and Barclays Center in Brooklyn - all shows take place between July 22-25.

6) Sexy Modern Love Story Online Billie Premieres at the New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, September 20, 2019 - Here is the interview I did with Online Billie Director Lou Assous.

7) Exit 82 Theatre Company opens 2022 season with "First Date" - (TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Exit 82 Theatre Company opens their 2022 season with First Date. When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives? ​​Performances run across two weekends (March 18-20 and March 25-27).

8) The Ritz Theatre Company Announces 2022-23 Season - (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Following a triumphant “Grand Reopening” back in September and amid a booming return season, The Ritz Theatre Company aims to make a giant splash in the months ahead, officially announcing a new season that reinforces the organization’s ongoing commitment to “embracing diversity in our stories and those who share them.” 

9) 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. 

10) Artist Kelly Sullivan to Re-open Historic Lambertville Theater as Strand Arts: An Enterprising Art House - (LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- The historic landmark building, The Strand Theatre, which was destroyed by fire 50 years ago in Lambertville, New Jersey will get a new lease on life courtesy of the local artist, Kelly Sullivan. The iconic theater located on the oldest street in the bustling commercial district of Lambertville is slated to open in Spring 2023 as Strand Arts; An Enterprising Art House. Recreated and reimagined by Sullivan, the revival of the grand old gem solidifies her commitment to creating a high-quality performance/art space for community residents and visitors alike.

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!