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!
If your arts organization sends out press releases, make sure you have [email protected] on your media list for coverage.
theatre
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "Shrek: The Musical" 
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Shrek: The Musical, running July 11–26, 2026. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud spectacle brings everyone's favorite green ogre and his unlikely companions to the stage in a colorful adventure celebrating friendship, acceptance, and the importance of being true to yourself.
Pushcart Players Receives Pine Tree Foundation of New York Grant 
(VERONA, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, the renowned touring theater for young audiences commencing its 52nd year, has received a generous grant from Pine Tree Foundation of New York to support the programs and services of the 2026-27 Season.
2026 Central Jersey Marquee Award Winners
(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center hosted the 4th Annual Central Jersey Marquee Awards on Monday, May 18, 2026, honoring outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre across Middlesex, Somerset, and Mercer Counties.
music
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 06/04/2026 
"I am absolutely wonderful," laughed the always gracious and warm Bill Medley. "How are you doing? We're out here doing our thing, enjoying it, having a ball. I can't figure it out; well I know why people are showing up, they want to hear those songs."
2026 Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival to Take Place August 15th 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty has announced the line-up for this year's free annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. It will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 on the Green. The music begins at noon and runs until 10:00pm. As it has over the years, the festival will honor two of its founders, Linda Smith and Michael Fabrizio, who both sadly passed away within a week of each other in June 2021.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC 
(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
film
2026 New Jersey International Film Festival closes this weekend! 
Here below is the line-up for the closing weekend of 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival!
Acclaimed Artist Mitchell Rasor Speaks at the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival on June 5! 
The 2026 New Jersey Film Festival is proud to present a lecture by acclaimed Landscape Architect and Artist Mitchell Rasor in conjunction with a screening of Tom Bell's short documentary film about Rasor entitled Salt Marsh. This talk contextualizes Mitchell Rasor's work in the context of Robert Smithson's interest in dialectics, Olmsted's park designs, the relationship between Cezanne and Pissaro and the birth of modern art, post-punk rock, his education at Oberlin and Harvard...and then ends with three recent series of drawings and paintings done this past winter as an extension of the work depicted in Tom Bell's Salt March film. The talk would be of great interest to students of environmental studies, art, art history, landscape architecture, and film.
Film Review - "Erupcja" 
Being a globally famous popstar is a lot like being in a romantic relationship or marriage, but instead of one spouse or partner you have millions of adoring fans. You must consider those fans before making any major decisions, just as you would your husband or wife. Artists often get stuck in a creative rut out of fear of losing their fanbase if they try something different, just as so many people stay in jobs they hate out of fear of upsetting the status quo by making their other half angry. A popstar suddenly deciding they want to make a jazz album is akin to a middle-aged husband ditching his nine to five office job to pursue his dream of opening a record store - such moves aren't likely to go down well with fans and wives.
community
Music Mountain Theatre Announces Summer Lineup of Comedy, Concerts, Family Events, and Special Nights 
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- This summer, Music Mountain Theatre is offering audiences far more than just mainstage productions. From stand-up comedy and family concerts to Pride celebrations and interactive special events, MMT's summer lineup is packed with unforgettable entertainment for all ages.
