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
Playful Theatre Productions presents "The SpongeBob Musical" at Kelsey Theatre 
(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Join Playful Theatre Productions on a trip to Bikini Bottom and "The SpongeBob Musical," September 19-28, 2025, when the Kelsey Theatre kicks off a season of "Matinee Masterpieces" on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College.
Playhouse 22 presents "If/Then" 
(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22's 65th season opens with the musical "If/Then", a musical by Brian Yorkey with score by Tom Kitt. This is a contemporary musical that follows two distinct storylines in the life of Elizabeth, a city planner who moves back to New York to restart her life in this city of infinite possibilities. Performances run weekends from September 12-28, 2025.
This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place September 9-15, 2025 
Here are previews of plays taking place from September 9-15, 2025 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents "Never Too Late" by Sumner Arthur Long )
(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Never Too Late by Sumner Arthur Long from September 16 through October 18, 2025. This is a hilarious farce about a man in his fifties who suddenly learns he’s about to be a father again.
Holmdel Theatre Company presents a reading of "The Elephant in the Room" by Helene Montagna 
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- The Holmdel Theatre Company presents a reading of The Elephant in the Room by Helene Montagna on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. The play is an exploration of the unspoken truths we carry.
The Barn Theatre presents "The Cottage" by Sandy Rustin 
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Cottage by Sandy Rustin across 3 weekends from September 12-28, 2025. A romantic (and not quite murderous) comedy of manners. Inspired by Noël Coward, the play unfolds in the English countryside in 1923.
Burlington County Footlighters presents "Bat Boy: The Musical" 
(CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- Burlington County Footlighters presents Bat Boy: The Musical across 3 weekends from to September 12-27, 2025. Based on a story in The Weekly World News, thisis a musical comedy/horror show about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia.
Chatham Players presents "Stage Kiss" by Sarah Ruhl 
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players presents Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl across 3 weekends from October 10-25, 2025. Directed by Gabrielle Wagner Mann, the play is about art imitating life and life imitating art.
The Theater Project presents a reading of "Define Good" by Stephanie Griffin 
(CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project will launch its 2025 New Play Readings series on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. Admission is free, with no registration required. The first play is Stephanie Griffin's Define Good, which draws its inspiration from the incendiary days of groups like the Weather Underground, whose violent tactics represented the dark side of the anti-Vietnam War movement. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Vivid Stage presents the World Premiere of "The Mighty Four" 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, presents The Mighty Four by Catherine Butterfield, a world premiere production about family, friends and politics, from October 2-12, 2025. In the play, the lives of a prominent liberal couple are upended when their son commits a horrific act of racial violence that is caught on video and goes viral.
music
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 9-15, 2025 
Here is a look at shows taking place from September 9-15, 2025 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Love Story - A Tribute to Taylor Swift 
(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Love Story - A Tribute to Taylor Swift on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Known as the pinnacle of Taylor Swift tribute shows, Love Story has captivated audiences across the U.S. and beyond, delivering a spectacular homage to the pop sensation. Performances take place at 2:00pm & 8:00pm.
film
“I Will Revenge This World With Love” S. Paradjanov has its US Premiere at the New Jersey Film Festival 
“I Will Revenge This World With Love” S. Paradjanov starts from the director’s perspective in 2022 Moscow. We hear protestors crying, “No War! No War!”
We see her thumb scroll through articles and eventually click on an interview of rebel artist Sergei Paradjanov. And so we start learning about him, over a dialogue with this powerful man, interviews with acclaimed artists and admirers of his, and the director’s journey into the enigma of his legacy.
community
More Than Bootstraps Awarded Focus for Health Foundation Grant 
(PASSAIC, NJ) -- More Than Bootstraps (MTB), a New Jersey non-profit organization, has received a $20,000 grant from the Focus for Health Foundation to support its college access and success work in Passaic. This is the third year that Focus for Health has supported MTB.
Events This Week in New Jersey from September 9-15, 2025 
Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from September 9-15, 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.
Professional Hockey Is Returning to Trenton 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Professional ice hockey is returning to Trenton as the ECHL announced on Tuesday, September 9th that the League's Board of Governors has approved the Transfer of Controlling Interest in the Utah Grizzlies' Membership from Grizzlies Hockey Club, LLC to Pro Hockey Partners, LLC, who will relocate the team to Trenton, at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
2025 Haddon Township Fall Festival to Take Place on Saturday 
(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Breaking with the tradition of quiet fall fests full of pumpkins and apples, the Haddon Township Fall Festival on Saturday, September 13, 2025 extends summer vibes with amusement rides, a beer garden, rocking live bands and dancing, a wing eating contest, a dunk tank, food trucks and Disney character drop-ins.
FEATURED EVENTS
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