New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

The Showroom presents the NJ Premiere of "Relative"

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 01/26/2023


(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The ShowRoom presents the New Jersey theatrical premiere of writer/director Michael Glover Smith’s Chicago-made film Relative on Saturday, February 4, via Newcity/Chicago Film Project. Also screening that weekend: Signature Move, another Newcity release. Tickets and showtimes are available now at showroomcinemas.com.

Produced by Newcity/Chicago Film Project, this Chicago-made dramedy stars Wendy Robie (Twin Peaks) and Steppenwolf Ensemble legend Francis Guinan as the parents of a family at a crossroads. How will the Frank family handle separations, new romances, and empty-nesting following the college graduation of Benji (played by The Walking Dead's Cameron Scott Roberts), the youngest member of their clan? Time, love, family reunions and online proclivities test all of the characters in this ensemble film. Also starring Clare Cooney, Melissa DuPrey (Grey's Anatomy), Keith D. Gallagher, Emily Lape and Elizabeth Stam. Written and directed by Michael Glover Smith (Mercury in Retrogade).

Relative had its World Premiere at the 2022 Gasparilla International Film Festival (where Cameron Scott Roberts won the Grand Jury Award for Best Performance), and has also racked up awards at the Midwest Film Festival (Best Actor for Francis Guinan), Buffalo International Film Festival (Best Narrative Feature), Festival of Cinema NYC (Best Ensemble Cast) and Full Bloom Film Festival (Best Narrative Feature). It has played extensively in the Chicago area in commercial theaters and is currently expanding throughout the country.

Relative is the fourth feature from Newcity/Chicago Film Project, following the critically acclaimed Signature Move, Knives and Skin, and Dreaming Grand AvenueSignature Move is the story of a Muslim lesbian from Chicago who cares for her TV-obsessed mother and falls in love with a wrestler. It is rated 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, it's on Glamour's list of "50 Best LGBTQ+ Movies of All Time" and Bazaar's "25 of the Best Lesbian Films of All Time" list.

The ShowRoom Cinema, Asbury Park’s independent movie theater, is located at 707 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here




EVENT PREVIEWS

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, sits down with Vincent Turturro, director and writer of Sonia and Lisa on Mushrooms, for a filmmaker interview at EBTV. Sonia and Lisa on Mushrooms will be screened on May 29, 2026.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Middle Life Video Q+A

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Middle Life Video Q+A

Here is the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Q+A with Middle Life Writer/Director Pavan Moondi, Lead Actors Leah Fay Goldstein and Peter Dreimanis, and Festival Director Albert Nigrin.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Sundays Director Ashley Gerst

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Sundays Director Ashley Gerst

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, sits down at EBTV with Ashley Gerst -- Director and Animator of the film Sundays for a filmmaker interview. Sundays will be screened on Saturday May 30, 2026.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Middle Life Director Pavan Moondi

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Middle Life Director Pavan Moondi

Here is Festival Director Al Nigrin’s interview with Pavan Moondi. Pavan is the director and writer of the terrific Canadian feature film Middle Life. Middle Life screens with two shorts at the New Jersey International Film Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Trenton Filmmaker Phillip McConnell to Premiere New Short Film "Tell Me Where We Stand"

Trenton Filmmaker Phillip McConnell to Premiere New Short Film "Tell Me Where We Stand"

(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Independent filmmaker Phillip McConnell will premiere his new short film, Tell Me Where We Stand, at Mill One on Sunday, May 31, 2026, bringing together local artists, performers, and members of the community for an evening celebrating independent film and storytelling.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Interview with What We Dreamed of Then Director Taylor Olson

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Interview with What We Dreamed of Then Director Taylor Olson

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, interviews What We Dreamed of Then Director, Writer and Actor Taylor Olson. What We Dreamed of Then will be screened on May 31, 2026.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place from May 29th to June 7th

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place from May 29th to June 7th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, presents the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival which marks their 31st Anniversary. The NJIFF competition will be taking place on the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 29 - June 7, 2026 and will be a hybrid one as they will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel

Here is the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel featuring Festival Director Al Nigrin and Filmmakers Owen Andrejco, Myra Sito Velasquez, Evan Bode, and Heidi Kumao.
Emmy-nominated, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor/director Jason Alexander to Lead Acting Masterclass on Long Beach Island

Emmy-nominated, Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor/director Jason Alexander to Lead Acting Masterclass on Long Beach Island

(LONG BEACH ISLAND, NJ) -- The Lighthouse International Film Festival (LIFF) presents a rare five-day acting masterclass led by acclaimed actor and director Jason Alexander, taking place June 7–11, 2026 on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, just prior to the opening of the Festival's 18th edition, which runs June 10–14.
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Overview

2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Overview

The New Jersey International Film Festival returns online and to Rutgers University on the weekends between May 29 - June 7, 2026. Professor Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator, provides a video overview of the films being showcase at the 31st annual Festival.

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage







 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info