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!
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theatre
This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place May 12-18, 2026 
Here are previews of plays taking place from May 12-18, 2026 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage provides comprehensive coverage of Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour" 
(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour" by Fay Corinotis on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. Admission is free ($10 cash donation suggested).
Dover Little Theatre presents "Fun Home" 
(DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents "Fun Home" weekends from June 5-20, 2026. Adapted from Alison Bechdel's groundbreaking graphic novel, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Luna Stage presents PLAYFEST in May 
(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage presents PLAYFEST across two weekends from May 14-24, 2026. PLAYFEST contains staged readings, works-in-progress, workshop performances, and magic! Best of all, tickets are FREE!
Middletown Arts Center presents The MAC One-Acts Play-Reading Festival on Thursday 
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Middletown Arts Center presents the seventh edition of The MAC One-Acts Play-Reading Festival on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. The festival features original, one-act works by New Jersey playwrights read theatrically by local actors. Admission is free and open to the public, but donations are appreciated.
Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues" 
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues" across two weekends from June 12-20, 2026 at the Navesink Library. A whirlwind tour of a forbidden zone, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning play features personal monologues from women of various ages, races and sexualities.
Center Drama to Hold Auditions for "Grease" this week 
(DEAL, NJ) -- Center Drama will hold in-person auditions for Grease on May 14 and May 17, 2026 at JCC Performing Arts Theater (100 Grant Avenue) in Deal, NJ. Virtual auditions are accepted until May 15th. With a hip-shaking rock 'n' roll score featuring hits like "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin" and "We Go Together," Grease celebrates Rydell High's class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory.
New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman 
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents a staged reading of "Portrait of a Woman in Repose" by Nicky Glossman on Monday, May 18, 2026 at the West End Arts Center. The production is directed by James Glossman and features an outstanding cast: Richard Kind, David Strathairn, and Michelle Wilson.
Playhouse 22 presents "Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill: The Musical" 
Playhouse 22 presents Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill: The Musical weekends from June 12-28, 2026. This exhilarating musical was inspired by the themes and raw emotions laid bare in Alanis Morissette's seminal album of the same name.
Main Street Theatre Company presents "Annie KIDS" 
(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Annie KIDS on May 23-24, 2026. The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved, Award-winning musicals.
The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "High School Musical 2 JR." 
(BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- The Mainstage Center for the Arts presents High School Musical 2 JR. on June 4-5, 2026 in the Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater. The Wildcats are back for an unforgettable summer at Lava Springs Country Club!
Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on May 19th 
(LEONIA, NJ) -- Liberty Arts Theatre presents "I Know What I Give My Life For" (The Short Life Of Walter Klingenbeck) on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at American Legion Post #1 in Leonia. Admission is free, showtime is 7:30pm. The production is presented by Roland Weimer.
music
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from May 12-18, 2026 
Here is a look at shows taking place from May 12-18, 2026 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
Albert Music Hall presents Rock Around the Pines: A Celebration of Early Rock 'n' Roll on Saturday 
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall presents "Rock Around the Pines" on Saturday, May 16, 2026, an evening dedicated to the sounds of 1950s and early 1960s rock 'n' roll. The themed program brings classic jukebox favorites, rockabilly rhythms, and vintage dance hall energy to the Pinelands stage, with five local acts performing throughout the evening.
RECAP: Lily Vakili's "Live Wire" EP Release at Francis Kite Club 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- On May 6, 2026 - a rainy Wednesday night in New York City - fans and friends packed into Francis Kite Club on the Lower East Side to celebrate the release of Live Wire, the new EP from Lily Vakili. The intimate venue created the perfect setting for a performance that felt deeply personal, emotional, and completely alive.
Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th 
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
Roger McGuinn LIVE! at the Pollak Theatre 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn at Monmouth University on May 1, 2026.
film
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Overview 
The New Jersey International Film Festival returns online and to Rutgers University on the weekends between May 29 - June 7, 2026. Professor Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator, provides a video overview of the films being showcase at the 31st annual Festival.
community
Events This Week in New Jersey from May 12-18, 2026 
Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from May 12-18, 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.
Vivid Stage Offers Summer Studio Classes for Adults in July 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is offering its first slate of creative summer workshops for adults, the Summer Studio, in addition to its popular Improv Classes. Workshops include Public Speaking, Script Reading, Creativity and Storytelling. They begin on July 6 and end on July 23, 2026. Enrollment is now open.
