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Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from May 11-17, 2025

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 05/18/2025


Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from May 11-17, 2025. 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 (Atlantic, Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean).

Make sure your events are part of our weekly columns by sending press releases to us at [email protected]. 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.  We also run weekly columns promoting events, music, and theatre shows taking place for the week. These columns include our featured event previews and event listings along with all of our event previews of the week. Your events can stand out for as low as $10! Many times, they are among the most read stories of the week. There is no cost for us to run your press releases!

1) Glen Burtnik Talks About Revisiting the Music of Styx at The Basie - (RED BANK, NJ) -- Glen Burtnik has lined up a great group of musicians to play songs by Styx at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Friday, May 30, 2025.  It's a show I've got to admit I didn't see coming, but one that long-time fans of Glen should get a ticket for.

2) Under Cover Music Fest to Take Place May 31st in South Orange - (SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- South Orange Downtown presents its signature event, Under Cover Music Fest, on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 2:00pm to 10:00pm.  The event takes place at the Sloan Street Parking Lot (12 Sloan Street). It features eight cover bands, a beer garden, and food vendors. Admission is free.

3) Steampunk Alchemy Fest Returns to Morris County in June - (BUDD LAKE, NJ) -- Steampunk Alchemy Fest returns June 6-8, 2025 to Budd Lake for its fourth year of celebrating the creativity and innovation of steampunk culture. Steampunk Alchemy Fest, which will be held on the spacious outdoor grounds of Vasa Park (1 Vasa Drive), combines the steam-powered Victorian Era energy of the classic science fiction genre with unique activities and entertainment.




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4) Paper Mill Playhouse Hosts Private Developmental Reading In NYC This Week for "Bull Durham" - (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse will present a private reading of the new musical Bull Durham, previously announced to open the theater’s upcoming 2025-2026 season, on Friday, May 16, 2025 in New York City.

5) Raanan Hershberg and Kasaun Wilson to Headline 2025 Jersey City Comedy Festival - (JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions has announced Raanan Hershberg and Kasaun Wilson as the 2025 Jersey City Comedy Festival headliners. The festival takes place June 10-14 at Art House Productions and The Laugh Tour Comedy Club at Dorrian's Red Hand.

6) New Jersey Symphony's The Music of Led Zeppelin LIVE! at STNJ - Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of New Jersey Symphony performing The Music of Led Zeppelin at State Theatre New Jersey on May 4, 2025.

7) Albert Music Hall presents the Made in Memphis Show - (WARETOWN, NJ) -- On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Albert Music Hall will present a special "Made in Memphis" show celebrating the rich musical legacy of Memphis. Building on the success of last year's Elvis Show, this year's event expands its focus to honor a broader range of artists who helped shape American music.

8) Events This Week in New Jersey from May 13-19, 2025 - Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from May 13-19, 2025 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.

9) McCarter Theatre Center to Hold Costume Sale; May 16–18 - (PRINCETON, NJ) -- From beautifully crafted period pieces to whimsical fantasy looks, McCarter Theatre Center's Costume Sale offers the public a rare opportunity to own a piece of theatrical history. Running May 16 through May 18, 2025 from 10:00am to 6:00pm daily, the sale will take place at 755 Alexander Road in Princeton.

10) Billy Walton Band releases "Knife In My Back" single - The Billy Walton Band, regarded as one of Southern New Jersey's most dynamic, popular live acts, release the soulful, rockin' new single, "Knife In My Back." 

11) REVIEW: "The Shark Is Broken" at George Street Playhouse - (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — In the film, Jaws, the main star was a shark that wasn’t even seen until the movie’s 80th minute.  In The Shark is Broken at George Street Playhouse, the main star is a boat that is among the most impressive set designs I’ve ever seen. It not only looks incredible, but moves around and provides the 3D effect that Jaws 3 wishes it had.  My first thought was that it’s such a shame that this will likely be taken apart following the run.

12) Two from New Jersey among winners of 2024-25 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for High School Students - (WASHINGTON, DC and NEW YORK, NY) -- The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) are excited to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge. This program provides high school students with an unparalleled opportunity to develop and showcase original musical compositions that could potentially become part of full-scale musical theater productions. The winning songwriters will come to New York City this June to work with mentors and refine their songs for a special concert on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:30pm, at New World Stages and available to watch at arts.gov/songwriting and namt.org/challenge.

13) Hard Rock Atlantic City Announces Action-Packed Summer Including A-List Entertainment, Anniversary Celebrations, New Dining Venue and More! - (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- /PRNewswire/ -- Ahead of the summer season, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City announces its plans for a jam-packed summer offering A-list entertainment, exciting anniversary promotions, a new Indian dining venue, along with luxury beach amenities, and more.

14) The Music Box at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa presents The Allman Betts Band with special guest Mattie Schell - (ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Music Box at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa presents The Allman Betts Band with special guest Mattie Schell on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm.

15) PHOTOS from "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical" at Growing Stage - (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is presenting Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical weekends from May 2-18, 2025.  Based on the book by Mo Willems and published by Hyperion Books for Children, the musical features a script and lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Michael Silversher. It tells the story of Trixie, her father and her favorite stuffed bunny as they set off on a trip to the Laundromat. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.​​​​​​



Want your events to stand out? Check out our ad rates which start at just $50 for an entire month of targeted advertising and includes events listed in our online calendar. Or you can have your events listed in the calendar for $10 per event (shows with multiple performances get every show listed for just $10). Either way your events will be featured in the weekly columns. NJ Stage keeps our rates low so they are affordable to arts organizations of all sizes. We are proud to be an independent media company. Nobody covers the Arts throughout the Garden State like New Jersey Stage!​​​​​​


EVENT PREVIEWS

(BELMONT PARK, NY) -- UBS Arena will host an International Soccer Watch Party, a public screening of two of the FIFA World Cup 26 (TM) matches on Friday, June 19 featuring USA v. Australia and Haiti v. Brazil. The fan-focused events will highlight all the excitement the tournament is bringing to the New York Metro area this summer and provide local residents with a unique way to experience these soccer matches together as a community.
Newark Restaurant Week Returns June 19-28 to Showcase the City

Newark Restaurant Week Returns June 19-28 to Showcase the City's Global Flavors during FIFA World Cup 2026(TM)

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Taste the World: Newark Restaurant Week returns June 19-28, 2026, bringing together the city's celebrated restaurants, longtime local staples, and emerging destinations for 10 days of dining timed with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ festivities across the region.
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026

37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret

Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes

(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America

Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year

(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival

Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026

Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.

Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th

Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Bluey’s Big Play

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 @ 3:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


"The Antoinette Montague Experience: Here's to the Ladies Who Swing and Bling" as part of North to Shore

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Newark Culture Club
Newark, NJ


Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl

Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Erin Harpe Blues Duo

Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration

Thursday, June 18, 2026 @ 4:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ



 

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