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
An Interview with Tony Roach and Tiffany Topol who Star in "It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" 
Are you one of the many people who watch It's a Wonderful Life each year? If you are, you'll love the experience of seeing it performed live on stage as a radio play. Complete with musical jingles and sound effects, it brings the audience back to the look and feel of the 1940s and is the perfect complement to a holiday season full of performances of A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker.
This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place December 2-8, 2025 
Here are previews of plays taking place from December 2-8, 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.
The Growing Stage presents "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" 
(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer weekends from December 5-21, 2025 at the Historic Palace Theatre. The holiday classic soars off the screen in this musical adaptation of the beloved television special.
Main Street Theatre Company presents "Christmas in Neverland" 
(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Christmas in Neverland across two weekends from December 6-14, 2025. Peter Pan once again brings the Darling family to Neverland, but this time, he’s trying to bring the spirit of Christmas to a land where Captain Hook has banned it.
The Barn Theatre presents "Misery" 
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents Misery weekends from January 16 to February 1, 2026. The play by William Goldman is based on the novel by Stephen King in which a romance novelist is kidnapped by his obsessed fan, Annie Wilkes, who demands he write a new Misery novel.
Old Library Theatre presents "The Wolves" 
(WAYNE, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre presents The Wolves with three performances from December 12-14, 2025 at Preakness Reformed Church in Wayne. A sold-out Off-Broadway smash, the 2017 Pulitzer Prize finalist The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe is a portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls.
Villagers Theatre's Minature Musical Makers presents "The Wizard of Oz" 
(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre's Minature Musical Makers presents The Wizard of Oz with four performances from December 4-6, 2025. The musical follows Dorothy Gale's journey from Kansas to the Land of Oz after a tornado whisks her away with her dog Toto.
Chatham Players presents "Any Night" by Daniel Arnold & Medina Han 
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players presents Any Night by Daniel Arnold & Medina Han weekends from January 23 to February 1, 2026. The writers/performers of the international hit Tuesdays & Sundays are back with a contemporary Hitchcockian thriller.
Yates Musical Theatre presents "A Christmas Carol" at AvenelPAC 
(AVENEL, NJ) -- The Yates Musical Theatre presents A Christmas Carol at Avenel Performing Arts Center on Saturday, December 13, 2025 with performances at 2:00pm & 5:00pm. This is a musical adaptation of the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who hated Christmas until ghosts take him on a journey into the past, the present and the future …. into the lives of his poor office clerk, Bob Cratchit and the crippled, cheerful Tiny Tim.
Art House Productions & Skyline Arts presents "Seussical, Jr." 
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions & Skyline Arts presents four performances of Seussical, Jr. from December 6-7, 2025. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical Jr., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
music
Christian McBride Has Two Week Residency at Village Vanguard 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Nine-time GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and composer Christian McBride has a two-week residency from December 2nd to Sunday, December 14 with show times at 8:00pm & 10:00pm at Village Vanguard located at 178 7th Avenue in New York City.
State Theatre presents Engelbert Humperdinck - "A Winter World of Love" 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Engelbert Humperdinck "A Winter World of Love" on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7:00pm. In this special holiday concert, Engelbert Humperdinck blends his timeless hits with beloved holiday classics.
John Scofield LIVE! at SOPAC 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of John Scofield and his trio at SOPAC on November 21, 2025.
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from December 2-8, 2025 
Here is a look at shows taking place from December 2-8, 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. Click on the title to go to the full preview.
comedy
Comedian Russell Peters to Return to NJPAC in May 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Russell Peters returns with an all-new world tour, entitled the Relax World Tour, making a stop in Newark, at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 8:00pm.
Borgata Event Center presents comedian Andrew Santino 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Borgata Event Center presents comedian Andrew Santino on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 8:00pm. Santino stars in FX's most-watched comedy series, "Dave," alongside Lil' Dicky. He also appears in the SHOWTIME series "I'm Dying Up Here," which is executive-produced by Jim Carrey and directed by Jonathan Levine.
The Second City New York Launches Holiday Shows 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Comedy institution The Second City New York is celebrating the Ho Ho Ho Holiday season with several holiday shows including Reindeer Games: A Family Improv Show; Everything Festive All At Once: An Improvised Holiday Spectacular-er; Ho Ho Hollis Holiday Special; and Work Hard, Sleigh Hard.
film
New Jersey Film Academy presents Breaking In Lecture Series with Armand Assante 
(LINCROFT, NJ) -- New Jersey Film Academy presents Breaking In Lecture Series with Armand Assante on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Brookdale Community College. Join them for an evening with the award-winning actor. The event begins at 6:30pm.
20th Anniversary of Teaneck International Film Festival is a Wrap 
(TEANECK, NJ) -- It all began 21 years ago with an idea and planning, and this November the Teaneck International Film Festival, a project of The Puffin Foundation, Ltd., celebrated its 20th anniversary of presenting films and programs that bring people together as a community and foster a commitment to caring and involvement. This year's festival was marked by feelings of pride and gratitude on the part of the TIFF committee, Executive Director Jeremy Lentz, and the many sponsors who have been supporters from the earliest days.
dance
MPAC presents New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with the New Jersey Symphony 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- New Jersey Ballet's presentation of the holiday favorite The Nutcracker comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for 15 performances from December 12-26, 2025. New Jersey Symphony under the direction of Constantine Kitsopoulos will provide live orchestral accompaniment.
community
Events This Week in New Jersey from December 2-8, 2025 
Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from December 2-8, 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.
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Millstone Township Performing Arts Center presents Daybreak: The Music & Passion of Barry Manilow
December 13, 2025
Asbury Park Theater Company presents A Big Band Holiday to Remember starring Remember Jones and his 17-piece Big Band
December 13, 2025
Celebrate the Holidays with the Muppets and East Lynne Theater Company on December 13th
December 13, 2025
The American Ride (Toby Keith Tribute) comes to Stafford Township Arts Center
December 13, 2025
Jazz at Berrie Center: NY Voices Spend One More Year Together
December 13, 2025
Yates Musical Theatre presents "A Christmas Carol" at AvenelPAC
December 13, 2025
Holiday POPS! Concert to Feature Vocalists Kara Dugan and John Brancy
December 13, 2025
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "Merry, Merry Mischief: Holiday Classics"
December 13, 2025
Drew University hosts John Mellencamp and Bad Company Tribute Bands
December 14, 2025
Christ Church in Short Hills presents Special Holiday Concert
December 14, 2025
