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!
If your arts organization sends out press releases, make sure you have [email protected] on your media list for coverage.
theatre
An Interview with Ashley Blanchet (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse is presenting The Sound of Music now through Sunday, January 1, 2023. Celebrate the holidays with the heart-soaring melodies of The Sound of Music, including such beloved gems as "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss," and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." Rodgers and Hammerstein's final musical conjures an Austria replete with rolling hills, singing nuns, and a tender love story, set in the shadow of World War II.
REVIEW: "Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol" at Mile Square Theatre Holiday theater offerings intended for families offer the awakening of future long-term theater lovers. An early holiday present awaits families at Hoboken’s Mile Square Theatre in an exquisitely realized, vibrant production of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.
PHOTOS from "Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe" at Pegasus (BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- Pegasus Theatre Company is presenting the New Jersey premiere of the feel-good, family-friendly, holly-jolly mystery Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe by Bill D’Agostino, running December 2-23 in Bordentown City. This is Pegasus Theatre Company’s first children’s production. A mystery mixed with comedy, Murray is an exciting story everyone in the family will enjoy. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
PHOTOS from "A Tomato Can't Grow In The Bronx" at Chain Theatre (NEW YORK, NY) -- A Tomato Can't Grow in the Bronx, an acclaimed drama by playwright/novelist Gary Morgenstein, opened at the Chain Theatre in New York City on Friday, December 2nd for a limited engagement through December 17th. The play premiered at Center Playhouse on South Street in downtown Freehold, NJ, in April, 2022. Center Players’ Artistic Director Bernice Garfield-Szita will once again direct the play, which was named “Best Original Play” at the 2022 Perry Awards by the NJ Association of Community Theaters (NJACT). Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
Wharton Community Players Present "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" (BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) --New Jersey’s largest non-profit community performing arts education organization continues its 2022-23 season with a family-friendly production of It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play in the intimate Wharton Black Box Theater in Berkeley Heights. Audiences are welcomed to eight shows during the holiday season from December 9-18 in what is sure to be an uplifting event for the entire family. John A.C. Kennedy directs Joe Landry’s “outstanding” and “inspiring” (KPBS San Diego) live radio play adaptation of Frank Capra’s film It’s a Wonderful Life.
The MAC PLAYERS to Hold Auditions for "Seussical" (MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC PLAYERS at the Middletown Arts Center will hold auditions for its production of the musical comedy Seussical on Wednesday, December 14 from 5:00pm-9:00pm. Seussical takes us into the world of Dr. Seuss, where we revisit beloved characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and JoJo.
Pegasus Theatre Company presents NJ Premiere of "Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe" (BORDENTOWN, NJ) -- Pegasus Theatre Company presents the New Jersey premiere of the feel-good, family-friendly, holly-jolly mystery Murray the Elf and the Case of the Missing Mistletoe by Bill D’Agostino, running December 2-23 in Bordentown City. This is Pegasus Theatre Company’s first children’s production. A mystery mixed with comedy, Murray is an exciting story everyone in the family will enjoy.
PHOTOS from "Elf Jr. The Musical" at BCCT (MANAHAWKIN, NJ) -- Brick Children's Community Theatre (BCCT) is having audiences singing loud for all to hear this holiday season with Elf Jr., the musical adaptation of the classic Christmas film December 2, 3 and 4 at the Stafford Township Arts Center. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
music
"So Hot She Melts the Paint Off the Wall!" Joan Osborne LIVE! at The Vogel Patrons sip drinks at tables inside Red Bank, NJ’s sparkling Vogel Theater this Thursday, November 17, 2022 evening as they ready themselves for a live performance by seven-time Grammy nominee Joan Osborne.
Fueled by Women: A Charity Compilation Fueled by Women is a music compilation that is raising funds for two women-focused charities: 1) Nomi Network, which creates pathways to fight against human trafficking and equip women and girls with economic tools, and 2) the Center for Reproductive rights, which works globally in the court of law to maintain and advance women’s reproductive rights.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Solitary Waltz" by 00 Stoner-rock veteran George Pierro (Solarized, Maegashira) has a new project 00 (Double Zero) whose full-length debut album, “Volume,” on Bandcamp is a fundraiser for Forked River-based Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, where he is pictured with his children, “Brother” George and Anna. The epic six-song LP’s opening track, “Solitary Waltz,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
comedy
Kevin James to Perform Two Shows at Count Basie Center for the Arts (RED BANK, NJ) -- Due to popular demand, a second show has been added for Kevin James at Count Basie Center for the Arts. He will be performing on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 5:00pm & 8:00pm. Kevin is one of the most successful comedians of all time, best known for his Emmy-nominated performance in the hit CBS series The King of Queens.
film
Hot Time Coming to Surf City Firehouse for Chili Cook-off and Screening of "Dashcam" (SURF CITY, NJ) -- There will be a hot time in Surf City on Thursday, December 8th, when the firemen of Surf City’s Volunteer Fire Company take on Wally’s restaurant for the bragging rights of who makes LBI’s best-tasting chili. Attendees are invited to sample up to five varieties; including beef, vegan, red and white bean chilis, and then vote for their favorites. The event starts at 6:30pm.
dance
Art of Motion, Inc. presents PULSE: Resonating EARTH (PARAMUS, NJ) -- Art of Motion, Inc. presents AOMDT in PULSE: Resonating EARTH on Thursday December 8, 2022 at GALLERY Bergen at Bergen Community College. The night features a live music, dance and immersive visual art installation with performances by the Art of Motion Dance Theatre, Sculpture and Art Installation by Poramit Thantapalit and Live Music by Steinway Artist: Carolyn Enger and Percussionist: Teddy Gibbons. Showtime is 7:00pm.
art
Riverside Gallery presents "The Artistry of Zun" (HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Riverside Gallery presents Zun, Hoo Yon’s paintings in his solo exhibition, titled “The Artistry of Zun,” from November 25 to January 5, 2023. Zun’s paintings can be said to be a kind of lyrical figuration, if there is such a thing, as a parallel to lyrical abstraction which are abstract works that take on poetic qualities and are similar to abstract expressionism and color field movements in style.
Mayor Baraka Joined Mayor of Sebastián, Puerto Rico To Unveil Mural at Mt. Prospect Place (NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka joined Javier Jiménez, Mayor of San Sebastián, Puerto Rico, Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles, Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs fayemi shakur, Newark Municipal Council Members, Greater Newark Convention Visitors Bureau President and CEO Ricardo Salazar, and artist José R. Beltrán Ramos "Flavor" to unveil a new 500-foot long mural on Mt. Prospect Place between 2nd and Mt. Prospect Avenues in Newark's North Ward on December 2, 2022. The two municipalities signed a "Sister City" agreement in September 2021.
poetry
Princeton Second Sunday Poetry Reading features Briana Rodriguez and Andrew Condouris (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, and Ragged Sky Press, a local publisher focused on poetry, will host a Second Sunday Poetry Reading on Sunday, December 11 at 4:00pm. The readings will take place at the Princeton Makes store in the Princeton Shopping Center. The December reading will feature Briana Rodriguez and Andrew Condouris. Their readings will be followed by an open mic available to up to 10 audience members who would like to read their original poetry.
community
Top 15 Most Read Stories at New Jersey Stage from November 27 to December 3, 2022 Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from November 27 to December 3, 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 15 includes articles from 9 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union).
Brook Arts Center Events In January (BOUND BROOK, NJ) -- Brook Arts Center kicks off 2023 with a celebration of Elvis' 88th birthday, continues with a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and finishes with performances of Cabaret.
Sleep Out in Convention Hall to Raise Awareness and Funds for the Homeless (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Blessing Bag Brigade is launching their Sleep Out campaign with EmPowerMe, an Asbury Park non-profit, on Thursday, December 8th. They are challenging you to give up your bed for a sleeping bag to Asbury Park's Convention Hall for just one night to help raise funds for hundreds of thousands homeless people sleeping in the streets. The sleep out starts at 6:00pm.
Atlantic City Launches 2022 Tinseltown Holiday Experience (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The holiday spirit was in the air as a pair of festive events kicked off the Atlantic City Tinseltown Holiday Experience on Thursday, December 1. The monthlong celebration of the holidays gives visitors the chance to enjoy an array of fun holiday happenings throughout the resort and region and discover why Travel + Leisure has named Atlantic City one of 2022’s “25 Best Christmas Towns in the USA.”
Ramapo College of New Jersey Launches Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center (MAHWAH, NJ) -- Ramapo College of New Jersey, the State’s public liberal arts college, has launched the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center (IGG Center), the first Center of its kind to offer case work, research, and hands-on education in investigative genetic genealogy. The vision of the innovative new Center is to secure justice through the ethical and proficient use of investigative genetic genealogy to support the resolution of cases involving wrongful convictions, unidentified human remains, and violent crime. The first class of students in the Center’s IGG Certificate Program will enroll in the Spring of 2023.
