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
The Maplewood Strollers presents "Much Ado About Nothing" 
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers presents Much Ado About Nothing across two weekends from May 15-24, 2026. Wit flies, sparks ignite, and love is anything but simple in this classic by William Shakespeare.
Studio Players' Reading Series presents a staged reading of "Othello" on Sunday 
(UPPER MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players' Reading Series presents a staged reading of Othello on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 7:00pm. Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and enduring tragedies—a riveting story of love, jealousy, betrayal, and the devastating cost of misplaced trust.
Nutley Little Theatre presents "Asuncion" by Jesse Eisenberg 
(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre presents Asuncion by Jesse Eisenberg across three weekends from June 12-27, 2026. In the play, Edgar, who is aimless and socially inept, lives with Vinny, his former T.A. in Binghamton, NY. Both are committed to being actively anti-racist.
Cumberland Players presents "Reefer Madness, the Musical" 
(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents Reefer Madness, the Musical across two weekends from June 19-28, 2026. When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed polticial satire will go straight to your head!
Phoenix Productions presents "Beautiful, The Carole King Musical" 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presents Beautiful, The Carole King Musical from May 1-3, 2026 at Count Basie Center for the Arts. This is the inspiring true story of Carole King's journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
brooklynONEproductions presents "Savage In Limbo" by John Patrick Shanley 
(BROOKLYN, NY) -- brooklynONEproductions presents Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award–winning playwright John Patrick Shanley's Savage In Limbo, directed by Anthony Marino. It will play a limited engagement at The Tom Kane Theatre from April 23 through May 3, 2026. In a special highlight for audiences and a first-ever, Francis Shanley, son of the playwright, will make his onstage debut performing in his father's landmark play.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents "West Side Story" 
(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents West Side Story, the final production of Paper Mill's 2025-2026 season, from May 28 through June 28, 2026. An enduring masterpiece based on a conception of Jerome Robbins, West Side Story reimagines Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York, where young lovers Tony and Maria dare to dream of a future together as rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks clash for control of the streets.
music
The South Jersey Jazz Society accepting applications for its 2026 Bob Simon Scholarship 
The South Jersey Jazz Society is accepting applications for the 2026 Bob Simon Scholarship from June 1, 2026 through September 30, 2026. The award will be presented to the most qualified student demonstrating his/her work as a promising jazz instrumentalist or vocalist. This award is available to middle and high school students in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Ocean counties.
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) presents Yellow Brick Road - A Tribute to Elton John on Saturday 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) presents Yellow Brick Road - A Tribute to Elton John on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 8:00pm. Limited tickets remain.
Albert Music Hall presents a Modern Country Music Show on Saturday 
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On any given night at Albert Music Hall, audiences are more likely to hear early honky-tonk or the songs of Johnny Cash than the modern country sounds of artists like Luke Combs or Miranda Lambert. That will change on Saturday, April 25, 2026, when the Hall leans into the modern era with a special show dedicated to new country music.
Melissa Etheridge LIVE! at bergenPAC 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Melissa Etheridge at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on April 10, 2026.
A Darker Americana: Don Ryan on Chaos, Craft, and His New Album 
Don Ryan writes songs that feel like they've been left out in the rain—warped, weathered, and quietly glowing. Operating out of the NJ/NYC orbit, his latest album pushes further into that uneasy space between Americana, gypsy jazz, and a fractured strain of psychedelic folk, where jagged arrangements and ghost-haunted lyrics replace anything resembling polish.
BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 4/20/26 
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Petal Aggression, Francesca Fuentes, Loose Panic, Fate-Touched, Rhonette Smith, ILL-ADVISED, and 1adam12. Plus a look back at "Jerry Ryan" by The Deafening Colors.
dance
mignolo international screendance festival is accepting submissions 
Screendance is a growing art form that explores dance through various mediums. mignolo international screendance festival is open to screendance makers worldwide. Dance filmmakers are encouraged to collaborate with artists working in different disciplines to develop their films. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 11:59pm EST.
art
Jersey Artist Registry presents works by over 30 artists in exhibit at Oyster Point Hotel 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- There are over 50 works by 31 artists in the latest Jersey Artist Registry art exhibition at The Oyster Point Hotel, curated by Ellen Martin, founder of the JAR. The exhibit runs from May 8 through June 29, 2026. The exhibition includes a wide range of styles and media, from Brian Hallas' surreal photography to Gary Steven Groves' hard-edged geometry to Jodi DiLiberto's mystical fractals.
community
State Theatre New Jersey presents Price is Right Live(TM) - On Stage, Hosted by Todd Newton 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Price is Right Live(TM) - On Stage on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 8:00pm. The show will be hosted by Todd Newton. This is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to hear their names called and "Come On Down" to win.
Haddon Township to Hold 4th Annual String Band Parade on Saturday 
(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Camden County Board of Commissioners, along with Haddon Township, invites residents and visitors to the fourth annual String Band Parade down Haddon Ave, featuring the Philadelphia Mummers String Bands on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
History comes alive at Wild West City 
(BYRAM TWP, NJ) -- Wild West City is more than just a theme park. It's a living history of America.
In addition to the 1880's Dodge City-like Main Street filled with artifacts and curios, there is a chuck wagon, stagecoach, a train ride and even a bonafide saloon like you see in old western movies and TV shows. On weekends you may see calvary soldiers, Civil War encampments, and always, horse-riding cowboys and cowgirls.
