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
State Theatre New Jersey presents RENT in Concert 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- RENT in Concert is hitting the road for a special Performing Arts Center tour, bringing the unforgettable music of Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking musical to audiences across the country. The tour comes to State Theatre New Jersey on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 7:30pm. This limited concert engagement celebrates the score that changed musical theater forever—performed exclusively in song, in a powerful symphonic concert setting.
This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place February 3-9, 2026 
Here are previews of plays taking place from February 3-9, 2026 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
Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "She Kills Monsters" 
(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company presents She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen across three weekends from February 6-21, 2026. This action-packed, heartfelt show follows a young woman who dives into her late sister's Dungeons & Dragons world – facing monsters, magic, and the messy bonds of family along the way.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents "Married by the Mob" 
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Married by the Mob from February 13-15, 2026. From the Creator of Mob Wives comes the live, immersive mafia wedding experience where YOU become part of the family drama — starring Renee Graziano, your favorite Mob Wife!
The Levoy Theatre presents "Shrek, The Musical" 
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Shrek, The Musical across two weekends from February 20 to March 1, 2026. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" :format(webp)/media/images/events/music-mountain-theatre/img-banner/d50e7a35-27d.png)
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents Les Liaisons Dangereuses across three weekends from February 6-22, 2026. The Tony-nominated play by Christopher Hampton is based on the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. It's a tale of seduction and treachery among aristocrats in pre-revolutionary France.
South Street Players presents "I Hate Hamlet" by Paul Rudnick 
(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- South Street Players presents I Hate Hamlet by Paul Rudnick across two weekends from February 13-22, 2026. In Rudnick's play, television star Andrew Rally is about to start rehearsals to play Hamlet, and he is terrified.
Dunbar Repertory Company presents "A Raisin In The Sun" at Middletown Arts Center 
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Dunbar Repertory Company presents A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry across two weekends from February 14-22, 2026 at the Middletown Arts Center. Set on Chicago's South Side, Hansberry's celebrated play concerns the divergent dreams and conflicts in three generations of the Younger family: Son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and matriarch Lena.
music
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from February 3-9, 2026 
Here is a look at shows taking place from February 3-9, 2026 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.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience on Saturday 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. This power-packed tribute to Michael Jackson has ignited crowds around the world and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. Limited tickets remain.
MPAC presents Alan Cumming: Uncut 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Multi-hyphenate, multi-award winning, multimedia mogul Alan Cumming returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026 with a new cabaret show, this time even more revealing, hilarious and authentic than ever before. It is, in fact, Alan Cumming Uncut. With musical direction by Henry Koperski. Showtime is 7:30pm. Limited tickets remain.
comedy
Bananas Comedy Club presents Helen Hong this Weekend 
(RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- Bananas Comedy Club presents Helen Hong with three performances from February 6-7, 2026. A fan favorite on the hit NPR podcast Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Helen Hong also hosts the celebrity trivia game show podcast Go Fact Yourself.
The Concert Venue at Harrahs Atlantic City presents comedian Alfred Robles 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Concert Venue at Harrahs Atlantic City presents comedian Alfred Robles on Saturday, February 7 at 8:00pm.
Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents Chelsea Handler: The High and Mighty Tour on Valentine's Day 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena presents Chelsea Handler: The High and Mighty Tour on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 8:00pm. Chelsea brings her bold, unfiltered comedy to Atlantic City on Valentine's Day.
film
Touching documentary Mama’s Voice screens at the 2026 New Jersey Film Festival on Sunday, February 8! 
Ganna Yarovenko’s documentary Mama’s Voice portrays the experience of a family displaced from Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war, highlighting daily life and artistic healing.
dance
Riverdance 30 - The New Generation comes to MPAC 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Abhann Productions' Riverdance 30 – The New Generation will come to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for five performances from March 6-8, 2026. This new show rejuvenates the much-loved original with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics. And for the first time, Riverdance will welcome "The New Generation" of performers, all of whom were not born when the show began 30 years ago.
Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Hearts in Motion 
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Hearts in Motion with the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy x Ballet Reve with performances on February 13-14, 2026.
community
Events This Week in New Jersey from February 3-9, 2026 
Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from February 3-9, 2026 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.
