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
Livingston High School Theatre Students Bring Beloved Children's Story to Life on Monday 
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- Students from Livingston High School's Theatre Arts 1 program will take center stage in a heartwarming and imaginative production of "The Adventures of Little Billy: In Search of the Magic Tree" on Monday, June 15, 2026 in the Livingston High School Auditorium. This special event is open to the public with free general admission. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along" 
(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios Community Theatre, a nonprofit theatre organization serving Central New Jersey, announces its upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The production will close the company's 2025-26 season, themed "Our Time," with five performances at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Auditorium in Metuchen, NJ from August 20-23, 2026.
2026 Broadway Bound Theatre Festival Preview 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival features the world premieres of two musicals and ten new plays by writers from New York and across the country. The festival runs July 23–August 16, 2026 at AMT Theater in the heart of the Theater District.
music
Asbury Lanes presents Matthew Curry and Erik Mason Band on June 26th 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Curry sets off on his 2026 Spring/Summer "One For The Ride" Tour (named for his new Ruf Records album release) with a performance at Asbury Lanes on Friday, June 26, 2026. Erik Mason Band will open the night. Showtime is 8:00pm.
The 2026 Happy Together Tour LIVE! at MPAC 
Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of the 2026 Happy Together Tour at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on June 5th. The show featured The Cowsills, The Vogues, Ron Dante, The Fortunes, Gary Puckett, Jason Scheff, The Troggs, and The Association.
comedy
Newark Culture Club presents Ha! or Nah!: A Joke Lab! on June 25th 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Lauren LoGiudice brings her innovative comedy showcase to Newark! On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Newark Culture Club presents Ha! or Nah!: A Joke Lab! Showtime is 7:00pm.
film
New Jersey Filmmaker Jay Franklin Wins Three Awards at the International Movie Awards for Short Film "Tumbleweave" 
New Jersey-based filmmaker, photographer, and visual artist Jay Franklin recently won three awards at the International Movie Awards for his short film Tumbleweave: Best Indie Short, Best Dark Comedy (Jury Award), and Best Actor for lead performer Mike C. Scott. The film, running approximately two minutes and fifty seconds, was selected in the Indie Short (Low Budget) category and represents Franklin's first international festival recognition.
art
Riverside Gallery presents Keunhee Park: MAZE 
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Riverside Gallery presents a solo exhibition, MAZE, featuring the works of Keunhee Park. The exhibition opens from June 19 to July 6, 2026. Keunhee Park is a glass artist from South Korea, who received their BFA from the Namseoul University in 2006. His glass sculptures merge different materials and glass types for contrast, composition, and meaning.
Monmouth County unveiled MonmouthNJ 250 Monument at Swimming River Park 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Monmouth County officials unveiled the MonmouthNJ 250 Monument during a ceremony at Swimming River Park to commemorate America's 250th birthday on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
The Fort Lee Museum presents "Art, Unfixed" 
(FORT LEE, NJ) -- Art, Unfixed brings together four artists—Manhee Kim, Wonchul Lee, Insook Yang, and David Park—working across abstract painting and photography to explore what it means to resist fixity in art, identity, and time. The exhibition runs at the Fort Lee Museum from June 15–30, 2026, with free admission daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Trenton City Museum announces 2026 Ellarslie Open award winners 
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Nine artists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and California were awarded prizes during the Artists and Members Reception for Ellarslie Open 43 on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion. The Juror of the annual juried show, Adam Welch, is Executive Director of the Arts Council of Princeton.
community
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year 
(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a free community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year.
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026 
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Centenary Stage Company Is Accepting Applications for its 2026/27 Artistic Internship Program 
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company (CSC), the not-for-profit professional theatre company in residency on the campus of Centenary University is now accepting applications for its 2026/27 Artistic Internship Program. This year-long paid internship provides emerging theatre artists with professional training, hands-on experience, and career development opportunities designed to bridge the gap between academic study and the professional performing arts industry.
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from June 7-13, 2026 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from June 7-13, 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 8 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Warren).
kids
Folk Singer Jessica Carroll to Perform Americana Songs for Kids at the Waretown Library on June 30th 
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Music is a tried-and-true tool for developing young minds. The Waretown Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "Jessica Carroll Sings Americana for Kids" on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. The event begins at 10:30am.
Laurie Berkner releases "I'm Proud" in honor of Pride Month 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Beloved children's musician Laurie Berkner's new single, "I'm Proud," was released in honor of Pride Month. The song is featured on Laurie's upcoming album, Walking With The Penguins, which will be released on June 26, 2026.
