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
This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place October 16-20, 2025 
Here are previews of plays taking place from October 16-20, 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.
PHOTOS from "The Rocky Horror Show" at Algonquin Arts Theatre 
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents The Rocky Horror Show from October 10–19, 2025. Audiences are invited to do the "Time Warp" again as this outrageous, rock-filled cult classic comes to thrilling life on the Algonquin stage. The production features Book, Music and Lyrics by Richard O'Brien.
Old Library Theatre presents "Jekyll & Hyde" 
(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT) presents the musical, Jekyll & Hyde weekends from October 17-26, 2025. This pre-contemporary thriller follows Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant scientist, who becomes obsessed with separating the good and evil sides of human nature.
The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents "Hound of the Baskervilles" at Farmstead Arts Center 
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents Hound of the Baskervilles in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center across two weekends from October 17-26, 2025. This is Tim Kelly's stage adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most spine-chilling mystery features suspense, humor, and terror.
Music Mountain Theatre presents the Tony-winning musical thriller "Sweeney Todd" 
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Sweeney Todd weekends from October 17 through November 2, 2025. Based on the play by Christopher Bond, this Tony-winning musical features a score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler. It's a story of love and murder set in 19th century London, where an unjustly exiled barber returns home seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him.
Maurer Productions OnStage presents "Young Frankenstein" at Kelsey Theatre 
(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Combine a classic horror movie with a comedy legend and what do you get? The Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, presented by Maurer Productions OnStage weekends from October 24 to November 2, 2025 at the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Macbeth" 
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will bring one of Shakespeare's most haunting tragedies to life this fall with its production of Macbeth, running October 24 through November 2, 2025, at the duCret Center of Art. Macbeth tells the chilling story of a Scottish nobleman whose ambition, stoked by prophecy and manipulation, drives him to murder and madness. Filled with witches, ghosts, and unforgettable poetry, this timeless play explores the corrupting power of unchecked desire and the devastating consequences of moral compromise.
PHOTOS from "URINETOWN" at Middletown Arts Center 
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present URINETOWN, the hilarious musical with a terrible name, running October 17–26, 2025. Audiences can expect a wickedly funny, fast-paced satire that takes on the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, environmental collapse, privatization of natural resources, bureaucracy, municipal politics and even the very conventions of musical theatre itself. Fawn Nocera Photography was on hand to take photos.
PHOTOS from "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" at Growing Stage 
(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children's Theatre of New Jersey kicks off their 44th Main Stage Season with Diary of a Wimpy Kid weekends from October 10-26, 2025. Based on the book series by Jeff Kinney, the musical has a book by Kevin Del Aguila, music and lyrics by Michale Mahler & Alan Schmuckler. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
music
Latin GRAMMY Winner Nella performs at Kean University on Saturday 
(UNION, NJ) -- Kean Stage will present Latin Grammy Award Winner Nella on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 7:30pm in Enlow Recital Hall. Born in Venezuela, Nella rapidly rose to international fame thanks to her powerful voice and undeniable presence. In a short period of time, she went from graduating from Berklee College of Music to winning the 2019 Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best New Artist.
Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation presents Regina Bonelli 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation presents New York Blues Hall of Fame artist Regina Bonelli at the Women's Club of Red Bank on Friday, October 24, 2025 as part of their Reckless Steamy Nights series.
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 16-20, 2025 
Here is a look at shows taking place from October 16-20, 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.
Makin Waves with James Mastro: 'The Passenger' 
Best known as a world-touring musician, Jersey legend James Mastro shares images from his travels with a unique perspective in "The Passenger." The photography exhibit has an opening reception on Oct. 16 and is on display through Nov. 23 at 503 Social Club, a visual and performing arts space James founded in Hoboken.
Soweto Gospel Choir LIVE! at Kean Stage 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Soweto Gospel Choir at Kean Stage on October 5, 2025.
comedy
NJPAC hosts An Evening With Conan O'Brien And Stephen Colbert to benefit Montclair Film 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Montclair Film, New Jersey's leading film non-profit, announced that Conan O'Brien will join Stephen Colbert on stage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 7:00pm. The pair will sit down for an unforgettable evening of conversation celebrating Mr. O'Brien's career as one of our leading comic minds.
The Flip Side Brings Live Unscripted Comedy to Madison 
(MADISON, NJ) -- Looking for a night out to escape the Netflix doom scroll? Something beyond movies at the megaplex or a typical bar crawl? The Flip Side, a completely improvised theatrical comedy experience, brings sharp, unscripted humor to the Madison Community Arts Center every other month — and it's anything but predictable. The Flip Side is the house team of Vivid Stage, a professional theatre company based in Summit.
dance
Spend Halloween with Roxey Ballet's Dancers at Dracula's Lair Haunted House Tour .jpeg)
(NEW HOPE, PA) -- Roxey Ballet invites thrill-seekers, dance lovers, and Halloween enthusiasts to experience an unforgettable night of fright and artistry with Dracula's Lair Haunted House Tour, this October to the Mill Ballet School in New Hope, PA.
art
Max Budnick & Francesca Reyes: "Your House & Mine" 
How many animals are nesting in your vicinity? I don't mean pets, necessarily, although you might have a few of those at your feet. I mean plushies, statuettes, depictions of critters, sketches and drawings of fauna charismatic and humble. Though we live in the city, many of us dwell by choice in private bestiaries. Even as we put up walls to keep the outdoors at bay, we invite representations of the feral world into our sanctuary.
community
Events This Week in New Jersey from October 16-20, 2025 
Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from October 16-20, 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.
State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage in New Brunswick: Daring True Stories Told Live 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Moth Mainstage in New Brunswick: Daring – True Stories Told Live on Friday, October 17, 2025 at 8:00pm. Five storytellers will explore the theme of "DARING," with true and personal stories told live and without notes. Stories of bold choices, audacious proclamations, and moments that required everything they had.
FEATURED EVENTS
To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.
To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.
