Published by New Jersey Stage
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 June 2-8, 2026 
Here are previews of plays taking place from June 2-8, 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.
The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on June 13th 
(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 4:00pm. The plays include Snapped, The Wind in the Wildflowers, Timmon and the Magic Shoes, and My Tree.
Surflight Theatre presents "Guys & Dolls" 
(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents what is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys & Dolls, from June 18 through July 5, 2026. It ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers.
Vanguard Theater Company presents Disney's "Newsies, The Musical" 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater Company presents Disney's Newsies, The Musical from June 11-28, 2026. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, this is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of "newsies," who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets.
Luna Stage to present "& Sons" outdoors this weekend 
(ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage has brought & Sons back for three outdoor performances in the Kelli Copeland Arts Center Courtyard (located two blocks from Luna) June 5-7, 2026. Winner of the Kirk Prize for Best New Play, & Sons by Jack Angelo Cummings is a sharply funny, quietly devastating portrait of brotherhood, labor, and the ways men learn—often badly—to love one another. Admission is free.
Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner 
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a reading of What Would Meryl Do? by Neal Lerner on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
The Ritz Theatre Company presents "Grease" 
(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from June 26 to July 19, 2026. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form. The production is directed by Bruce A. Curless.
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th 
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
The Summit Playhouse's Kaleidoscope Youth Theatre presents "Beetlejuice, Jr." 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse's Kaleidoscope Youth Theatre presents Beetlejuice, Jr. with two casts from June 25-28, 2026. Based on the blockbuster motion picture turned Broadway show, Beetlejuice Jr. tells the story of a strange and unusual teenager named Lydia Deetz, still grieving the loss of her mother, and obsessed with death.
Villagers Theatre presents "Legally Blonde, The Musical" 
(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents Legally Blonde, The Musical across three weekends from June 12-28, 2026. Harvard’s beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat musical about self-discovery.
Studio Garage presents "Chekhov's People" at HACPAC 
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Studio Garage presents Chekhov's People at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on June 8-9, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. Performed in Turkish. The play explores the human condition through a blend of Anton Chekhov's The Good Doctor and his short plays The Bear and A Marriage Proposal.
The Artist Collective Troupe presents "Once Upon A Mattress" 
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- The Artist Collective Troupe presents their summer musical, Once Upon A Mattress from June 26-28 at The Villas of Holmdel. Winnifred the Woebegone is just a simple swamp princess looking to win the heart of Prince Dauntless. But can she pass the impossible test Queen Aggravain has in store for her?
Chatham Community Players present a reading of "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel 
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players present a reading of Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.
The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase 
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase, its biennial festival of original one-act plays, from June 19-21, 2026. This three-day event showcases new works of up-and-coming playwrights from the NJ/NY area and beyond and other theatrical talent.
Brundage Park Playhouse presents "Bye Bye Birdie" 
(RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park Playhouse presents Bye Bye Birdie across three weekends from June 19-28, 2026. Teenagers, rock & roll and national television – Bye Bye Birdie captures the energy and excitement of the late 1950s with warmth, hilarity and an exuberant score.
The Premier Theatre Company presents "1776" 
(RUMSON, NJ) -- The Premier Theatre Company presents the musical 1776 in the Rumson School District Auditorium from June 26-28, 2026. Witness the birth of a nation as our forefathers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence.
First Avenue Playhouse presents "Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure" 
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure, across three weekends from June 12-27, 2026. Soar away to Neverland in this magical adaptation drawn from the beloved novel. The production is directed by Bethany Miranda with Musical Direction by John Sheehy.
Center Players present "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney 
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Center Players present Love Letters by A.R. Gurney with three performances from June 20-28, 2026. A Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama, Love Letters is about two lifelong friends and the letters they exchange, told with warmth, grace and heart.
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park presents "All Shook Up" by Joe DiPietro 
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents All Shook Up by Jersey's own Joe DiPietro from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955 and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
music
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from June 2-8, 2026 
Here is a look at shows taking place from June 2-8, 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.
MPAC presents Straight No Chaser on June 26th 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- A cappella favorite Straight No Chaser brings its summer-themed Beach Bash to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $57-$114 (All fees included).
comedy
KO Comedy presents Sammy Obeid: Live in Jersey! at NBPAC 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- KO Comedy presents Sammy Obeid: Live in Jersey! on Monday, June 8, 2026 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.
film
Finding YiYi screens at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival on June 6th! 
Kim Caicedo’s Finding YiYi is a compelling interpretation of sexuality, acceptance, and identity in its many forms. The film revolves around YiYi, a straight-laced, lonely, Asian woman in her fifties on a journey to find her late grandmother’s lost dumpling recipe.
community
Events This Week in New Jersey from June 2-8, 2026 
Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from June 2-8, 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.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
