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
PHOTOS from "1776" at Paper Mill Playhouse 
(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse celebrates our nation's 250th anniversary, and history comes to life in 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical that brings the story behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the stage with witty satire, compelling drama, and a thrilling score. The production runs now through May 2, 2026. Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade was on hand to take photos.
Literature to Life Seeks to Cast a New Actor for "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Díaz 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Literature to Life (LTL), a nonprofit literary organization that adapts classic literature into solo performances, is currently seeking a new actor for their solo adaptation of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz. LTL tours nationally, performing wherever a book is needed most — schools, libraries, correctional facilities, performing arts venues, community centers, etc.
Theatre Exile presents the Philly Premiere of "The Great Privation (How to flip ten cents into a dollar)" 
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- South Philadelphia's Theatre Exile closes its season with the Philly premiere of The Great Privation (How to flip ten cents into a dollar), a powerful and darkly comic play by Nia Akilah Robinson. The production, directed by Ontaria Kim Wilson, runs May 28 through June 14, 2026. The play confronts a troubling chapter of American history while exploring the ways the past continues to echo across generations.
music
Clover Stieve releases "How Big Can I Dream" 
(FRENCHTOWN, NJ) -- Singer-songwriter, Clover Stieve (formerly CLOVER), has release the single, "How Big Can I Dream," from her upcoming album, Born to Live. Originally written for WXPN's 24-Hour Songwriting contest, the ethereal song highlights Clover Stieve's honey-drenched alto over shimmering acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies.
Bassist Martin Wind Adds Piano to His Gravity Trio for Area Performances 
German-born bassist and composer Martin Wind has built an extensive résumé with more than 20 albums as a leader or co-leader and performance credits with legends such as clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, guitarist Pat Metheny, alto saxophonist Phil Woods, harmonicist Toots Thielemans, and many others. He has regularly performed at some of the top jazz venues in the world. Upcoming performances include release performances for his newest record September (2026, Laika Records) with his Gravity Trio and special guest Glenn Zaleski on piano -- April 9 at Smalls Jazz Club in New York; April 10 at the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck, NJ; and at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA, April 11.
Low Cut Connie Pays Tribute To Prince 10 Years After His Passing with "Little Red Corvette" Cover 
On April 2, 2026, Low Cut Connie paid tribute to one of his musical heroes Prince with a cover of "Little Red Corvette" ahead of the 10th anniversary of his passing on April 21, 2016. The live performance video was recorded live at The Current in Prince's hometown of Minneapolis, MN.
Hellbender Vinyl Expands East with New Pressing Plant in Philadelphia 
Hellbender Vinyl, the beloved independent pressing plant expands to Philadelphia via acquisition of Softwax Record Pressing and welcomes industry veteran Travis Whitlock to the team.
Monmouth County Park System presents 2026 Creative Arts Festival on May 9th 
(LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System is hosting its annual Creative Arts Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Thompson Park. This celebration of the arts features more than 50 specially selected artists in a variety of mediums such as pottery, painting, jewelry, and more. This family-friendly festival also includes live music, engaging art demonstrations, and children’s art-based activities.
Boots in the Borough to Take Place April 18th 
(WASHINGTON, NJ) -- With country music and line dancing kicking all day, it'll be a family friendly fun-filled day of dancing, dancing and more dancing when Washington (Warren County) hosts Boots in the Borough on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The free event, which will take place in Downtown Washington from 11:00am to 7:00pm, is the first of its kind in the region.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Promises" by Dave Vargo 
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Promises" from Jersey Shore-based roots rocker Dave Vargo's latest album, "Ghost Towns."
film
New Release Review - "Pretty Lethal" 
Pitting teenage ballerinas against heavily armed Hungarian mobsters, Pretty Lethal gives new meaning to the term "balletic violence." It's a throwback to all those '70s/'80s exploitation thrillers in which stranded cheerleaders were menaced by mouth-breathing rednecks. Surprisingly for a movie debuting on a mainstream streaming service in 2026, it carries over the extreme violence of those movies, along with the threat of sexualised violence, but its tongue is firmly in its cheek.
art
Riverside Gallery presents Bong Jung Kim: Between Pulse and Horizon 
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Riverside Gallery presents a solo exhibition, Between Pulse and Horizon, featuring assemblages and sculptural paintings of Bong Jung Kim. The exhibition runs from April 10-27, 2026. Kim's recent body of work juxtaposes traditional painting with found objects in the fashion of a techno abstract expressionism with mechanical, electronic, and organically painted parts.
community
Rider University Named Presenting Sponsor of ONNJ Mornings with Ken Rosato in New Statewide Media Partnership 
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- On New Jersey (ONNJ), the state's only 24/7 streaming television network dedicated to New Jersey news, talk, sports, and entertainment, announced a new strategic partnership with Rider University, naming the university as the presenting sponsor of its flagship morning program, ONNJ Mornings with Ken Rosato.
books
The Princeton Branch of the English-Speaking Union to Host Talk about Jane Austen on April 19th 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Branch of the English-Speaking Union will host a talk about iconic writer Jane Austen on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Monument Hall (One Monument Drive) in Princeton . There will be a $10 charge for nonmembers. The event begins at 3:00pm.
