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
MPAC to hold auditions for Disney's Frozen 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Let it Go! Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)'s 2026 spring production will be Disney's Frozen. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this musical includes all the film's beloved songs by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage. The show will be directed by Cathy Roy. Music Direction by Charles Santoro.
"Kim's Convenience" comes to McCarter Theatre Center 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center welcomes the new year with Kim's Convenience, the award-winning comedy about a Korean family-run corner store that inspired the hit CBC television series later distributed internationally on Netflix. Running in the Berlind Theatre from January 23 through February 15, 2026, the play brings heart and humor to the stage as it explores family, identity, and resilience in a rapidly changing world.
music
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 01/08/2026 
"I'm good," began Jersey Shore area artist Danny Giovanna, "I was born and raised in Monmouth County, a wonderful place to grow up and so close to the shore, which is where so much of my story when I was younger started. I found myself going to Asbury Park, it was a way for me to get away from everything going on at home."
Jersey Arts Podcast: Roomful of Blues Welcomes First Female Vocalist in Over Fifty Years 
Today we are highlighting the five time Grammy Award Nominated band, Roomful of Blues. First formed in 1967, the group touts an impressive tenure approaching almost sixty years in the industry. While some new faces have come and gone in that tenure, the eight-piece blues band is still going strong- most recently welcoming their first female singer, D.D. Bastos, to the octet.
Kean Stage presents Billy Ocean on April 2nd 
(UNION, NJ) -- Kean Stage is proud to announce that Billy Ocean, the biggest black recording star Britain has ever produced, will perform on Thursday, April 2, 2026 in the Wilkins Theatre. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Jersey Four featuring Gerry Polci to Perform at Drew University 
(MADISON, NJ) -- Experience the timeless music and rich legacy of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons like never before when Gene DiNapoli Presents brings The Jersey Four, joined by renowned musician Gerry Polci, to Drew University's Concert Hall on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Showtime is 3:00pm.
Centenary Stage Company presents the Six One Five Collective 
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents the Six One Five Collective as part of the Winter THAW Music Festival on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. The Six One Five Collective, performing in the spirit of the Highwaymen and Little Big Town, is a Grammy-nominated, award-winning group of artists that has blossomed into one of Music City's best.
film
Barrymore Film Center & Teaneck International Film Festival partner to champion independent journalism with the NJ Premiere of "Steal This Story, Please!" 
(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF), a project of The Puffin Foundation, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Barrymore Film Center, launching with the New Jersey premiere of the acclaimed documentary Steal This Story, Please! on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 7:30pm followed by a special talkback with Amy Goodman (Democracy Now!) who is the subject of the documentary and Karen Ranucci, one of the film's producers.
art
RVCC presents "Designing the Dream State" by Chiraag Bhakta 
(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Raritan Valley Community College's Arts & Design department will present Designing the Dream State, a solo exhibition showcasing the work of Chiraag Bhakta, January 21-February 19, 2026 in the Art Gallery at the College's Branchburg campus.
books
Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures with Novelist Vanessa Riley 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Join award-winning novelist Vanessa Riley as she discusses her newest book, Fire Sword and Sea on Thursday, February 5, 2026 during a virtual author talk presented by the Ocean County Library. The event begins at 7:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
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or region of New Jersey
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine with Journalist Julia Hotz
January 20, 2026
Hear Tales of Holocaust Survival at the Ocean County Library's Brick Branch
January 20, 2026
The Legendary Wailers featuring Julian Junior Marvin come to the Scottish Rite Auditorium
January 23, 2026
RVCC Holocaust Institute to Present Online Discussion with Author Julie Brill
January 23, 2026
Lighthouse International Film Society presents a screening of "VESELKA: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World"
January 23, 2026
Lee Brice: Acoustic with special guest Deltona at State Theatre on January 23rd
January 23, 2026
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents the Matt O'Ree Band on January 23rd
January 23, 2026
New Jersey Film Festival Filmmaker Video Interview with B.F. Skinner Plays Himself Director Ted Kennedy
January 23, 2026
The Eye-opening Documentary B.F. Skinner Plays Himself Opens the 2026 New Jersey Film Festival on Friday, January 23!
January 23, 2026
WXPN presents Jillith Fair - Loving Jill Sobule at The Fallser Club
January 24, 2026
