Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from May 3-9, 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 9 counties in New Jersey (Camden, Cumberland, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Somerset) including six features or columns.
The vast majority of articles at New Jersey Stage are written in-house, but we also accept press releases sent to [email protected]. These event preview articles get noticed when we first publish them and then get noticed again the week the event takes place. Our articles and event calendar web pages are picked up by search engines and resources like Google News and NewsBreak. We also offer banner ad advertising prices for the arts. For information on advertising at NewJerseyStage.com, click here.
1) PHOTOS from "Pippin" at Algonquin Arts Theatre - (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is presenting Pippin from May 8–17, 2026. There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
2) Middlesex County's FolkLIVE Event Series Returns for Summer 2026 - (MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- Middlesex County's FolkLIVE event series, led by the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, returns this summer for a third year, inviting residents and visitors to celebrate the arts, cultural traditions, and local talent. Running from June through September, the series features an exciting lineup of four outdoor events highlighting diverse cultures through artistic expression including music, dance, and storytelling.
3) MPAC Breaks Ground on Expansion and Restoration Project - (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) broke ground on May 6, 2026 on a $65 million expansion and restoration project that signals the dramatic next phase in the evolution of the non-profit arts organization. The project will include construction of the newly announced Ilene and Bruce Jacobs Arts & Education Center and a major restoration of the MPAC theatre. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
4) Events This Week in New Jersey from May 5-11, 2026 - Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from May 5-11, 2026 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
5) Cumberland Players Concert Series presents Steven Lemon and Friends on Saturday - (VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players Concert Series presents Steven Lemon and Friends on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:00pm. He will be joined by Della Valla Trio, Lizz Sooy, and Eric Shorter.
6) 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.
7) Artyard presents Aqualumina Festival on May 9th - (FRENCHTOWN, NJ) -- A free nighttime festival featuring music, art, performance, and a sea of illuminated aquatic creatures, ArtYard's Aqualumina returns to Frenchtown for the third time at dusk on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
8) Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/07/2026 - Terry Barber is an "Internationally acclaimed" vocalist who has graced stages such as The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, The kennedy Center and more and his recent project called "Mercury" will now grace the stage of The Brook Arts Center, otherwise known as "The Brook," in Bound Brook, NJ on May 15 at 8 p.m. for a one night only engagement.
9) This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays May 5-11, 2026 - Here are previews of plays taking place from May 5-11, 2026 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.
10) 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.
11) 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.
12) "My Lord, What a Night" – A Fascinating Story of Concern and Compassion - They were an unlikely pairing of two people to become life long friends. When they met in 1937, Albert Einstein was a world renowned physicist who made his mark in the world with his theory of relativity. Marian Anderson was regarded as one of the greatest opera voices of all time. Yet despite her talent, racism and segregation kept her from wide notoriety. What started as a simple act of hospitality was the beginning of a lifetime friendship for the two. It also set the stage for the events that led to the groundbreaking concert given by Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in April, 1939.
13) "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.
14) Hopewell Theater to Reopen in New Location - (HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Hopewell Theater is taking steps to reopen on 7 West Broad Street in Hopewell. The theater closed in 2024 due to rising costs and the inability to obtain a liquor license – a key income source for live venues. Hopewell Theater now has an opportunity to apply for a liquor license given the State of New Jersey's 2025 passing of a law allowing theaters to obtain a liquor license, and Hopewell Borough's subsequent passing of an ordinance allowing Borough theaters to apply for this new theater license.
15) 53rd Annual St. George Greek Festival to Take Place May 14-17 - (PISCATAWAY, NJ) -- The 53rd Annual St. George Greek Festival returns May 14-17, 2026. This Central Jersey tradition kicks-off New Jersey's "Greek Festival Season" lasting from May until October at Greek churches throughout the State. St. George-Piscataway Greek Festival is synonymous with "philotimo" the Greek ideal of welcoming EVERYONE to explore Greek culture through homemade food, good music, traditional dancing and cultural tours.
