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
Middletown Arts Center and Dunbar Repertory Company presents "Seven Guitars" by August Wilson 
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center, in conjunction with Dunbar Repertory Company, presents a special production of Seven Guitars, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson, across two weekends from May 23-31, 2026. The play by August Wilson follows a blues musician chasing redemption and a second chance as love, ambition, and fate collide in powerful portrait of dreams deferred.
South Camden Theatre Company presents "Chicken & Biscuits" by Douglas Lyons 
(CAMDEN, NJ) -- South Camden Theatre Company presents Chicken & Biscuits by Douglas Lyons across three weekends from May 8-24, 2026. This is a story that explores love, family, and the families we choose, reminding us all of the resilience and unity at the heart of our community.
music
Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents Music That Tells a Story: Opera 101 
(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- On Friday, May 8, 2026 at 4:00pm, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents Music That Tells a Story, a free event for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an opera star. The presentation will take place at Westrick Music Academy (231 Clarksville Road, Suite 8) in Princeton Junction.
Sentimental Journey Big Band Takes the Stage at OCC's Grunin Center on May 17th 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Enjoy the music of the Greatest Generation when the Sentimental Journey Big Band presents "It Might as Well Be Swing" at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Showtime is 3:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center 
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sweet Honey in the Rock LIVE! at McCarter Theatre 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Sweet Honey in the Rock at McCarter Theatre on April 24, 2026.
"The Great Albums Podcast" Returns June 1st with New Monthly Episodes and Patreon Exclusives 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Great Albums Podcast, a music commentary show that averaged 20,000 Week 1 downloads per episode and amassed over 6 million total downloads during its initial run from 2015-2019, will return on June 1 with its first regular episode in over seven years. New episodes will follow on the first of every month.
McCarter Theatre presents Madeleine Peyroux's "WE ARE AMERICA: American Songs That Give Us Hope" on May 14th 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Madeleine Peyroux brings her WE ARE AMERICA: American Songs That Give Us Hope tour to McCarter Theatre Center on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.
film
Free Film & Media Training Program Launches in South Jersey to Support Growing Industry Workforce 
(MOUNT LAUREL, NJ) -- Aspire Youth Development has officially opened enrollment for its new Film Readiness & Media Education (FRAME) program, a free, 18-week training initiative designed to prepare South Jersey residents for careers in the rapidly expanding film and digital media industry.
Atlantic County Film Club & Eammon Films present a screening of "The Chronology of Water" on May 18th 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Atlantic County Film Club & Eammon Films present a screening of The Chronology of Water at Anchor Rock Club on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Based on the beloved memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch, this film is a raw and unflinching portrait of survival, sexuality, and self-invention.
New Release Review - "Mother Mary"
Following Brady Corbet's Vox Lux and the recent horror sequel Smile 2, David Lowery's Mother Mary is another dark drama centred on a troubled female pop star. It also joins Peter Strickland's In Fabric and the "Weird Tailor" segment of Amicus anthology Asylum to form a sub-genre of horror movies featuring supernatural fabric.
comedy
NJPAC presents Earthquake's Father's Day Comedy Show with Sheryl Underwood, Mr. Bishop, D'Lai, Junior, TK Kirkland, and Donnell Rawlings 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to laugh out loud as Earthquake, the iconic comedian known for his electrifying stage presence, brings his annual Father's Day Comedy Show to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. This special event promises a night of nonstop humor with Earthquake at the helm, joined by a stellar lineup of comedic talent and hosted by the incomparable Sheryl Underwood.
art
Lacey Library presents "Little by Little" - Exhibit featuring art by Suzanne Pasqualicchio 
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- The Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will feature pieces by local artist Suzanne Pasqualicchio's exhibit Little by Little in the branch's meeting room throughout the month of May.
Novodo Gallery presents "Object Permanence" Group Exhibition 
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Novodo Gallery presents "Object Permanence" from May 9 through June 6, 2026. This is a group exhibition curated by Nicole Basilone and Daniel Morowitz.
community
Two River Theater Hosts 32nd Annual Gala at Park Loft 
(OCEANPORT, NJ) -- On April 30, 2026, the award-winning Two River Theater held its 32nd Annual Gala at Park Loft on the Fort Monmouth campus in Oceanport. The celebration featured a dynamic program of special guest speakers, live performances, and a successful fundraising appeal to raise $320,000 in support of the theater's artistic and educational initiatives.
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from April 26 to May 2, 2026 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from April 26 to May 2, 2026. Each week we publish at least 70 articles, including original columns and features, promoting events and covering arts news taking place throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 7 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Union).
