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
Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater & Music Theater presents "Manual for a Desperate Crossing" 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University presents Manual for a Desperate Crossing by María Irene Fornés, an epic migratory montage that follows a group of Cuban rafters, or "balseros," fleeing to the United States in the mid-1990s. The production is directed by Princeton junior Didi Vekri with lighting design and dramaturgy by senior Elena Milliken. Performances are February 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at 8:00pm in the Wallace Theater at the Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton campus.
Long Island University's Post Theatre Company presents "Feels Like the First Time – The Foreigner Musical" 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- In collaboration with legendary rock band FOREIGNER, Tilles Center for the Performing Arts and Long Island University's Post Theatre Company have announced the creative team and performance schedule for the first production of Feels Like the First Time – The Foreigner Musical. The show will take place at the Little Theatre on LIU's Brookville campus, where it will play eleven performances beginning Friday, April 17, 2026, through Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents a reading of "The Devil's Disciple" by George Bernard Shaw 
(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) has announced the cast for its upcoming reading of The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw, presented as part of the theatre's Revolutionary Voices play reading series. The performance will take place on Monday, February 23, 2026 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. The reading begins at 7:30pm.
Players Guild of Leonia presents "The Psychic" 
(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents The Psychic by Sam Bobrick across three weekends from March 13-29, 2026. The production, directed by Terri Caust, takes you into a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
The Blue Moon Theatre presents "The Importance of Being Ernest" 
(WOODSTOWN, NJ) -- The Blue Moon Theatre presents The Importance of Being Ernest across two weekends from March 13-22, 2026. In this classic by Oscar Wilde, a country gentleman named Jack maintains a double life in London as Ernest to escape the responsibility of being guardian to his niece, Cecily, and to pursue the desirable Gwendolyn.
music
Trenton City Museum to present Trenton Makes Jazz concert featuring Omeed Nyman Quartet 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum will present an all-star jazz concert Friday, March 6, 2026 in Ellarslie Mansion in Cadwalader Park. Presented in partnership with E.C. Bradley Candlelight Jazz Events with the Omeed Nyman Quartet, the concert will have as its backdrop 80 jazz-inspired works accepted in the juried TRENTON MAKES JAZZ exhibition. The works, by artists largely from the greater Trenton area, were selected by jurors Janis Purcell and Michael Richardson and will be on view from February 13 through March 22, 2026.
New Jersey Symphony to perform Ludwig van Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Symphony presents Ludwig van Beethoven's iconic Fifth Symphony on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00pm at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown; Friday, February 27 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 2:00pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.
Musicians On A Mission presents Come to Your Senses on February 22nd 
(LINCROFT, NJ) -- Musicians On A Mission presents Come to Your Senses on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at The Gallery at Thompson Park. The event promises to tantalize all five senses with art, music, food, drinks, and handmade candles & essential oils from the Radiant Angel Candle Company. Plus, you'll have the chance to win some amazing raffle baskets! The event runs from 3:00pm to 7:00pm.
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 02/12/2026 
"I'm definitely excited about it," said a very enthusiastic Kenny Wayne Shepherd as he readies to launch a massive U.S. tour celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of his debut record "Ledbetter Heights."
comedy
Wellmont Theater presents comedian Brett Goldstein 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Wellmont Theater presents comedian Brett Goldstein on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. Goldstein—a breakthrough British creative force on and offscreen — has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought-after multihyphenates. He is the co-executive producer, writer, and star of the Peabody-winning Apple TV+ series, "Ted Lasso."
film
2026 United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival Video Panel 
Here is the 2026 United States Super 8 Film & Digital Video Festival Video Panel with Filmmakers A. Rosalie Chandler, Dan Lopez, Marco Mazzi, Alan Halls, David O. Rogers and Festival Director Al Nigrin.
art
GlassRoots Celebrates A Quarter Century Of Sparking Change In New Jersey's Biggest City and Beyond 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Twenty five years ago, GlassRoots started as a table and two torches at the Boys and Girls Club of Newark. A small number of students joined them once a week for an after school flameworking class. A few years later, they moved into their current space at 10 Bleeker Street: a 5,000 square foot glass art center that serves 5,000 individuals annually. Collectively, they've reached 40,000 people over the past 25 years and currently offer a dozen programs serving participants ages 8 - 80.
community
Monmouth County Officials Announce Third Round of Student Contests for America's Upcoming 250th Birthday 
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- The MonmouthNJ 250 Committee is accepting entries for two contests for Monmouth County students as part of the county's commemoration of America's upcoming 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. A Semiquincentennial Poetry Contest for grades three through five invites students to write a poem in response to the prompt "What is America to me?" The Semiquincentennial Essay Contest for grades six through eight invites students to write an essay answering the prompt "What does patriotism mean to me?" This is the third round of student contests – the first round was held in spring of 2025; the second round in fall of 2025.
Bergen County Offering Free Flu & COVID Vaccines for Residents Through March 
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III and the Board of County Commissioners, in coordination with the Bergen County Department of Health Services, are reminding residents that free COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are available for eligible children, adults, and seniors through the end of March.
Grunin Center for the Arts presents the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Trio 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Welcome one, welcome all, and step right up! The Grunin Center for the Arts proudly presents the legendary Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Trio on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:00pm.
