Published by New Jersey Stage
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
Players Guild of Leonia presents "Red Speedo" to Open New Season 
(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia is diving headfirst into their new season with Red Speedo, the razor-sharp, hilarious, and fast-paced play by acclaimed playwright Lucas Hnath (A Doll's House, Part 2). Performances will take place from September 12-28, 2025 at the Civil War Drill Hall Theater in Leonia, home of the Players Guild.
music
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...7/31/25 
Back in March of this year, Christine Zemla of the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation put together what has now become an annual sojourn to the place widely considered to be the birthplace of Blues music; Clarksdale, Mississippi. Seven hearty souls (Including this writer and "Rock On Radio's" Producer Claire) made the trip with Zemla and Scott "Blind Squirrel" Zemla (His given Blues name) for four days of fun, local cuisine, education, history and the most incredible music the Mississippi Delta has to offer.
Harmonium Choral Society to Hold Auditions for 2025-2026 Season 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Harmonium Choral Society will hold selective auditions for a limited number of openings in all voice parts for experienced singers with good sight-reading ability for the 2025-2026 concert season. Auditions will be held on select dates held by appointment starting August 24th going through September 3rd at Grace Church (4 Madison Avenue at Kings Road) in Madison.
Echo Plum releases "Feels Like Home" 
Hailing from Ocean County, Echo Plum are the fast-rising indie rockers shaking up the Asbury Park scene with their lush soundscapes and magnetic presence. Known for their dreamy guitar layers, soaring choruses, and nostalgic lo-fi textures, Echo Plum has quickly gone from local secret to buzzworthy name.
Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival to Take Place August 16th on the Green 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The free annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 on the Green. Music begins at noon and runs until 10:00pm. The lineup includes Dani G and Friends, The Jazz Ambassadors, Blues People, King Solomon Hicks, and Samantha Fish. As it has for the past three years, the Festival will honor two of its founders, Linda Smith and Michael Fabrizio, who both sadly passed away in June 2021.
Helen O'Shea and All-Star Cast Share Rendition of "Dense Water Deeper Down" by Sineád O'Connor to Mark 2nd Anniversary of Passing 
"Dense Water Deeper Down" is the first single release from Helen O'Shea's forthcoming album Songs In The Key Of O, due for release on March 6, 2026. Produced by Marc Swersky, the song features Andrew Carillo (Joan Osbourne), Rob Clores (The Black Crowes), Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors), Brielle Brown, Sharon Lasher, Fiona Tyndall, and Jo Wymer.
comedy
The Newton Theatre presents Rich Francese's Comedy All Stars 
(NEWTON, NJ) -- Rich Francese's Comedy All Stars comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8:00pm. This is a fast paced, unpredictable, and hysterically funny show! The lineup consists of National Headliners Rich Francese, Regina DeCicco, Joseph Anthony, and Eric Tartaglione who are all our proud Italian Americans.
NJPAC presents comedian Alfred Robles in special Midnight Show 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready for a wild night of comedy as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) welcomes Alfred Robles on Friday, February 6, 2026 at midnight. Originally from East Los Angeles, Robles is a stand-up powerhouse known for his sharp humor and unforgettable audience interactions.
film
The Showroom's "Summer Camp" Series Returns With Outrageous Cult Classics In August 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Break out the glitter, hairspray, and roller skates because The ShowRoom's Summer Camp Series is returning with four gloriously over-the-top cult classics in August. Whether you're in the mood for roller disco, divine delinquents, dystopian musicals, or neon-soaked Vegas dreams, this lineup promises a cinematic summer of pure excess. No merit badges required—just a love of the outrageous.
books
Catching Up with Author Paul Bomba 
Paul Bomba came of age in Asbury Park during the No Lifeguard on Duty era and brings personal insights to a story set in an historic time and place. In the book, three unlikely teenage friends struggle with family conflicts and their racial, cultural and class identities while Asbury Park erupted with racial unrest in July 1970. The idea came to him as a teenager, and it traveled with him when he graduated from Asbury High (class of 1974), and through careers in academia and business.
Returning to Romance through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction with Casey McQuiston Virtual Author Talk 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Bring an appetite for sizzling drama as New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston discusses her upcoming book The Pairing on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 7:00pm.
