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
Somerville High School presents: Disney's "Newsies, The Musical" (SOMERVILLE, NJ) -- Somerville High School presents: Disney's Newsies, The Musical with performances from March 2-4, 2023. Based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, this Disney musical tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from the beautiful female reporter Katherine Plumber, all of New York City soon recognizes the power of “the little man.”
REVIEW: "Clyde's" at George Street Playhouse For a discouraging piece of advice, it’s hard to beat this one: “Don’t get high on hope.”
The title character in “Clyde’s,” now on stage at the George Street Playhouse, lays that on her employees at a truck-stop diner, and she counts on them to accept it, or else she’s in trouble.
Vanguard Theater Company presents "Passing Strange" (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents Passing Strange from February 16-26, 2023. Passing Strange is a 2008 Tony Award-winning comedy-drama, autobiographical rock musical about a young African American's artistic journey of self-discovery, with strong elements of philosophical existentialism, metafiction, and the artistic journey. The musical's lyrics and book are by Stew with music and orchestrations by Heidi Rodewald and Stew.
music
At The Tabernacle presents Willie Nile & Graham Parker (MT. TABOR, NJ) -- At The Tabernacle presents Willie Nile & Graham Parker on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30pm. Two icons in one night for a special At The Tabernacle co-bill. Two of the leanest and meanest artists who laid the groundwork for the post-punk age, both perform with the passionate stage attack that taps the urgency and energy of punk and new wave with the polish and finesse of classic rock’s best writers and singer-songwriters. Willie and Graham’s songbooks are still full of melodic hooks that are as sharp and dramatic as their words. Two stars in one night on one stage!
An Afternoon of Springwood Ave. Songs & Stories with Al Holmes (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- On the afternoon of Sunday, February 26, veteran singer-songwriter-guitarist Al Holmes stakes out a new patch of turf, when he takes to the in-house performance space of the historic Stephen Crane House (508 Fourth Avenue in Asbury Park). A collaboration between AP-AMP and the Asbury Park Historical Society, “An Afternoon of Springwood Ave. Songs & Stories” is presented as a special public-welcome program for Black History Month, and an opportunity to learn about the people and places that helped the West Side scene craft a legacy that resonated throughout the Jersey Shore and the big world beyond. The event runs from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
James Deely Talks About "This Train Is Running Out of Track" In February, James Deely released his 8th studio album, "This Train Is Running Out of Track". The former South Jersey artist may have moved to the West Coast years ago, but he's got his Jersey Shore musician friends on this album and hearing these tunes kind of feels like he never left. In fact, a few of these songs would undoubtably find their way on to a Deely greatest hits collection. It's always good to catch up with him, so we reached out to learn more about the latest record.
Ramapo's Les Paul Festival features Zoë Keating (MAHWAH, NJ) -- The annual Les Paul Concert at Ramapo College will feature a performance by Emmy-nominated cellist Zoë Keating on Saturday, February 18 at 8:00pm. The Concert, generously supported with funding from the Les Paul Foundation, is a collaboration between Ramapo’s Berrie Center for the Performing and Visual Arts and the College’s esteemed music department.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Dancing in Place" by Colossal Street Jam feat. Anthony Krizan Veteran Jersey Shore rockers Colossal Street Jam will celebrate the release of their long-awaited “No Way to Live” LP with three shows this month, two of which feature Anthony Krizan, who also is featured on the track “Dancing in Place,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
film
Coming of Age Feature Song of a Dying Summer screens at the 2023 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, February 17! Song of a Dying Summer , directed by Kohei Sengen, follows a group of teenage best friends, Natsu (Takeshi Yoshida), Haru, Fuyu and Aki, as they struggle to put on a stage play to commemorate their last summer together before they go their separate ways. Set and filmed in Japan, Song of a Dying Summer is also shot entirely in 8mm film, giving the feature a nostalgic quality that perfectly captures the bittersweet tone of growing up, coming of age, and saying goodbye to the childhood you once knew. The care imbued in this story is present in every lovingly crafted frame as the languid pace draws in the audience and reminds them of their own hot teenage summers.
2023 New Jersey Film Festival Q+A with Junho Director David Seok Hoon Boo Here is the Spring 2023 New Jersey Film Festival Filmmaker Q+A with Junho Filmmaker David Seok Hoon Boo and Festival Director Al Nigrin.
New Jersey: Certified Film Ready (NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), in partnership with the Somerset County Film Commission, announced that Franklin, Hillsborough, South Bound Brook, and Watchung, have completed the multi-step training and certification process and have been designated as Film Ready Communities: ready and prepared to cooperate with movie and television producers. Launched as a pilot in Somerset County in September 2022, the Film Ready New Jersey program is set to extend statewide this spring.
Cosmic Film Revelation to the Disembodied screens at the New Jersey Film Festival Friday, February 10! Films that have the cosmic resonance that this work leaves bring about a sense of awe as equal to its sense of importance. Director Andre Silva’s odyssey of a film appears to be an experience from an extraterrestrial force, yet it feels so familiar. Revelation to the Disembodied is an experimental animation work that meditates on the interconnectedness present in our lives with technology, nature, reality, the nature of reality. The film intersects biblical mythology, the story of Adam and Eve, with a present-day framework of humanity and its creation of artificial intelligence. It is a very spiritual work that leaves the viewer with a vast ocean of connected ideas to contemplate as more waves roll onto the shore of the mind. This enigmatic piece deeply moved me, and I was lucky enough to be able to discuss the film with director Andre Silva along with all the ideas and concepts that spring from the core of this work.
art
The Art of Resisting Soviet Oppression: Zimmerli Showcases Fight Against a Regime (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Some people fight against oppression with weapons. Russian-born artists Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid chose to wield paint brushes dipped in mockery.
community
Top 15 Most Read Stories at New Jersey Stage from February 5-11, 2023 Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from February 5-11, 2023. 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 8 counties in New Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Somerset).
New Jersey Community Capital Announces Lyneir Richardson, Impact Fund Manager, Rutgers Business School Professor and Brookings Institute Fellow, Joins Board of Directors (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), the state of New Jersey’s largest community development financial institution (CDFI), announced Lyneir Richardson joined the organization’s Board of Directors. Richardson is currently an assistant professor at Rutgers University where he leads the Business School’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. He was also recently appointed as a nonresident senior fellow with the Brookings Institution where he’ll lend his expertise to the Brookings Metro program. The news of Richardson’s appointment is joined by the announcement of additional NJCC Board member appointments to specific committees.
Seton Hall Students Look to Make America More News Literate (SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Seton Hall University’s Bateman Case Study Competition launched its public relations campaign for the News Literacy Project in February, which includes an array of activities including promoting the cause at the Prudential Center, hosting a discussion panel on diversity and news literacy and collaborating on a book drive with the Unified Vailsburg Services Organization (UVSO).
television
AfroBeats Unscripted Scheduled to Launch in March (KEARNY, NJ) -- AfroBeats Unscripted is a tri-state-based AfroBeats talk show taking place and filmed in Kearny, New Jersey dedicated to using its platform to spotlight the next-generation leaders and talents of our African diaspora and educate the diaspora of current events, trends, and issues within our culture of today. The show is scheduled to launch in March.
FEATURED EVENTS
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EVENT PREVIEWS
The Chatham Community Players presents Reading of "In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play" by Sarah Ruhl
November 16, 2025
The Glorious Sounds of Brass to Take Place in Trenton
November 16, 2025
Vivid Stage Brings Pop-Up Theatre: Fiona's Café to Serra Doce in Summit
November 18, 2025
The Newton Theatre presents Colt Ford
November 20, 2025
Jersey City Theater Center to Open 20th Anniversary Season with Brent Birckhead Jazz at White Eagle Hall
November 20, 2025
StocktonPAC presents Swift Nation - Taylor Swift Tribute
November 20, 2025
Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts Hosting Open House on November 20th
November 20, 2025
NJPAC presents Carlos Varela with special guest Diana Fuentes
November 21, 2025
Jonas Brothers, David Bryan, and The Isley Brothers among New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2025
November 21, 2025
The Newton Theatre presents Yesterday, A Tribute to The Beatles
November 21, 2025
