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!
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theatre
Youth Performers Take Flight in ShowKids Invitational Theatre's "Mary Poppins" 
(GLEN GARDNER, NJ) -- ShowKids Invitational Theatre (SKIT) brings the magic of Disney's "Mary Poppins" to the stage this May, featuring a double cast of talented young performers ages 7-18 at Voorhees High School in Glen Gardner. The production includes six performances between May 3-11, 2025 with special aerial effects allowing the iconic nanny to truly take flight.
Algonquin Arts Theatre to Hold Open Auditions for Summer Productions of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Rent" 
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is thrilled to announce open auditions for its two highly anticipated summer musicals: the enchanting family favorite The Wizard of Oz and the iconic rock musical Rent. Opportunities are available for performers of all ages, with a mix of in-person and virtual audition options.
East Lynne Theater Company to Host its Annual "Spring Soiree" at New Venue 
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May's award-winning, Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company will host its annual "Spring Soiree" fundraiser on Sunday, May 25, 2025 as a kick off to the theater company's 45th Season, which they have themed "The Story Continues." The limited-ticket event will provide guests with an extra-special treat: the opportunity to be among the first to witness East Lynne's new home–the Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME Church.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to present "The Importance of Being Earnest" 
(MADISON, NJ) -- After a two-decade-long absence from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe brings Oscar Wilde and his delicious wit back to the Main Stage with one of the playwright's most beloved comedies – The Importance of Being Earnest. The production runs from May 14 – June 1, 2025.
'Take the Lead' is Informative and Entertaining 
The importance of having arts appreciation studies in schools is an issue that continually draws debate. Questions about what value students get from these studies is at the heart of the discussion. Some answers to those questions are in a new show now playing at Paper Mill Playhouse. The world premier of Take the Lead introduces a new musical based on the 2006 movie of the same name. It tells the true story of Pierre Dulaine who was a champion ballroom dancer. Dulaine is a co-founder of Dancing Classrooms, an arts education program designed to enhance essential life skills through social dance. Dancing Classrooms was brought into the New York City schools where, over the last 30 years, hundreds of thousands of student have participated.
music
Middletown Arts Center's May MAC Music Cafe features Gabrielle Lea, Carol Lester, Keith Monacchio, and Mark Healy 
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Middletown Arts Center's monthly music showcase features singer-songwriters Gabrielle Lea, Carol Lester, Keith Monacchio, and Mark Healy. It takes place Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation.
Tony Award Winner Donna McKechnie to present "Take Me to the World: The Songs of Stephen Sondheim" at Bell Theater 
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line) will perform her one-woman show, "Take Me to the World: The Songs of Stephen Sondheim" on Friday, May 16, 2025 at Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Peter Frampton LIVE! at State Theatre New Jersey 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Peter Frampton at State Theatre New Jersey on April 7, 2025.
comedy
North to Shore presents Bob Sumner with The Rising Stars of Comedy: I'm in Love with Mary Jane Show 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Prudential North to Shore presents, comedy kingmaker Bob Sumner — co-creator of HBO's Def Comedy Jam —and the next wave of comedy greatness with The Rising Stars of Comedy: I'm in Love with Mary Jane Show on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.
Catch a Rising Star presents Al Lubel 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Catch a Rising Star presents Al Lubel on Friday, May 9th and Saturday, May 10, 2025. Al became a lawyer to satisfy his mother and quit to become a comedian to satisfy his sadistic need to torture her.
art
Dorie Dahlberg: "People I Used to Know" 
Maybe you’ve got a friend who won't stop texting old photographs to you. I do. At any moment, I am one glance away from an uncomfortable saunter down Memory Lane. Gentle suggestions that he ought to reorient his attentions to the future haven't deterred him. The shots of me at younger, spryer, healthier ages can be tough to take. But for sheer destabilization, they've got nothing on the pictures of acquaintances I once had but forgot about entirely, or the pictures of people I'll never see again. Those can be a midday stomach punch: a reminder of the frailty of memory and the transience of all things.
community
Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at East Coast Gaming Congress 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International (HRI) and Hard Rock Digital and Chief Executive Officer of Seminole Gaming, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on April 16, 2025 at the 28th Annual East Coast Gaming Congress (ECGC). Allen accepted the award in a ceremony at ECGC, the longest-running gaming conference in the United States, in his hometown, held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Famous Oyster Schooner A.J. Meerwald Returns to Mercer County May 14-18 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- From May 14-18, 2025, New Jersey's Official Tall Ship, oyster schooner A.J. Meerwald, will be anchored at The Docks on the Delaware River next to Waterfront Park in Trenton. The ship’s visit was arranged by The Bayshore Center at Bivalve and the Mercer County Park Commission. The ship is 115 feet long and 70 feet tall with two masts and three sails.
Monmouth County Officials Announce Student Essay Contest for America's Upcoming 250th Anniversary 
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- The MonmouthNJ 250 Committee is accepting entries for a Semiquincentennial Essay Contest for Monmouth County students in grades six through eight in recognition of America's 250th birthday. This contest invites students to write an essay reflecting upon what patriotism means to them. The deadline for submission is May 16, 2025 and winners will be announced by June 1, 2025.
Angelina Bakery Opens in Fort Lee 
(FORT LEE, NJ) /PRNewswire/ -- Angelina Bakery, the acclaimed New York City bakery famous for serving the "Greatest Bomboloni in America," proudly announces the opening of its first-ever store outside New York City at 142 Linwood Plaza, Fort Lee, New Jersey. This significant milestone expands Angelina Bakery's beloved Italian pastries and unique culinary flair to the diverse and vibrant Fort Lee community.
FEATURED EVENTS
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Mr. Ray to Perform Free Concert in Monroe Township
November 15, 2025
New Jersey Festival Orchestra Presents "Romance in the Mansion" – A Candlelight Evening of Music, Wine, and Elegance
November 15, 2025
The Dryden Ensemble presents "Daydreams (and Dictators)"
November 15, 2025
Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts presents Ensemble Novo
November 15, 2025
The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "B.B'S"
November 15, 2025
East Lynne Theater Company presents Story of Local, Former U.S. Marshal
November 15, 2025
The Yard at Bally's AC presents The Amish Outlaws
November 15, 2025
Meet Loaf comes to The Strand on November 15th
November 15, 2025
2nd Annual NJ Wine Expo to Take Place November 15th
November 15, 2025
Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club presents Tim Grill - "The Barely Can Stand-Up Comic"
November 15, 2025
