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
Music Mountain Theatre presents "Present Laughter" 
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) — You’re invited into a world of wit, glamour, and delightful chaos as the curtain rises on Present Laughter at Music Mountain Theatre (MMT). Running from April 24 through May 10, 2026, this sophisticated comedy by legendary playwright Noël Coward brings one of theatre’s most charming and complicated leading men to life.
Maurer Productions OnStage presents "The 39 Steps" at Kelsey Theatre 
(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, and you have a fast-paced whodunit when Maurer Productions OnStage presents "The 39 Steps," weekends from April 24 to May 3, 2026, at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College's West Windsor Campus.
music
Harmonium Choral Society Announces winners of their 29th Annual High School Composition Contest 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Harmonium Choral Society has announced the winners of the 29th Annual High School Composition Contest. Sophomore Theodore Tavi Hein from Kinnelon has won the grand prize. Senior Gabriel Tarrow of Columbia High School takes second prize, placing for the fourth time. Senior Ryan Snyder of Morristown wins third prize, and two honorable mentions were also awarded to Basking Ridge senior Nate Lawton from Rutgers Preparatory School and freshman Anuj Shah from JFK Memorial High School in Iselin.
Punch Brothers to Kick off 28-City Tour at Mayo Performing Arts Center on May 14th 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Grammy Award-winning Punch Brothers will begin a twenty-eight city U.S. tour on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC). Tickets range from $53-$85. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour" 
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour" with Marco Mendoza, and Vinnie Moore on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:00pm.
comedy
NJPAC presents comedian Majah Hype on May 30th 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Majah Hype, internationally celebrated as the "Caribbean King of Comedy," at the Victoria Theater's Lizzie & Johnathan Tisch Stage on Saturday, May 30, 2026. He will be performing shows at 6:30pm and 9:00pm.
The Flip Side returns to Madison with Improv Comedy on May 9th 
(MADISON, NJ) -- Looking for a night out to escape the Netflix doom scroll? Something beyond movies at the megaplex or a typical bar crawl? The Flip Side, a completely improvised theatrical comedy experience, is appearing at the Madison Community Arts Center on Saturday, May 9, 2026 — and it's anything but predictable. The Flip Side is the house team of Vivid Stage, a professional theatre company based in Summit.
art
New Providence Artist Zenia Olesnyckyj Opens "Impressions of Alaska" Exhibition at Summit Free Public Library 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Gallery at the Summit Free Public Library will present Impressions of Alaska, a twenty-piece exhibition by New Providence artist Zenia Olesnyckyj, from May 1 through June 30, 2026. The exhibition is presented by the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey's Members' Committee and the Summit Free Public Library. Admission is free and open to the public during regular library hours.
Waretown Library presents "Nature in Ocean County" Photography Exhibit by Don Edwards 
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- The Waretown Branch of the Ocean County Library will host Nature in Ocean County, an exhibit by award-winning local photographer Don Edwards, from May 1 until June 30, 2026 in the branch's meeting room. Edwards's work includes nature, wildlife, landscapes, cityscapes, and astrophotography.
community
Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie presents African American Abstractions: Artists' Roundtable on Sunday 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie presents African American Abstractions: Artists' Roundtable on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
