Articles By Carolyn M. Brown
Oscar Wilde's Witty Comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest" Comes to The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

Characterized as a trivial comedy for serious people, "The Importance of Being Earnest" kicks off the 2025 season of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. The production runs from May 14 through June 1, 2025.
published on 05/15/2025
Celebrate the Arts and Artists of South Jersey at the Appel Farm Arts & Music Center's Annual Festival

The South Jersey Arts Fest is an annual celebration of the arts and local artists of South Jersey, featuring live music, craft vendors, food trucks, artmaking, culinary artists, and beer, wine, and spirits by local producers. People of all ages are welcome to attend this free event hosted by the Appel Farm Arts & Music Center on Saturday, April 26, from 11 AM to 3 PM, in Elmer, New Jersey. Appel Farm teaching artists will lead artmaking workshops, and local young artists who participated in the Scholastic Art Awards will display their artwork in a pop-up art gallery.
published on 04/10/2025
Stockton University Takes Audiences on a Heartfelt Journey of the Wizarding World in 'Puffs'

The playful world of wizardry and witchcraft takes to the stage at Stockton University with a presentation of the play "Puffs, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic." Performances run April 3–5, 2025, at 7:30 PM and April 5–6 at 2 PM in the Experimental Theater below the Performing Arts Center. Written by Matt Cox, who was inspired by books about pubescent youth finding their way at wizarding school, "Puffs" is a humorous and heartwarming story told from the perspective of the often-overlooked members of Puff House at a magical school.
published on 03/27/2025
Atlantic City Ballet Brings Carl Orff's Masterpiece 'Carmina Burana' to New Jersey

A performance of Carl Orff's masterful piece "Carmina Burana" will feature a collaboration between the Atlantic City Ballet, the Ocean City POPS, and The Greater South Jersey Chorus, showcasing a blend of dance and music. This performance is part of the ballet's 42nd season and will take place in two New Jersey locations, the Pfleeger Concert Hall at Rowan University in Glassboro on Friday, March 28, 2025, 7:30 p.m., and the mainstage at Stockton University’s Performing Arts Center in Galloway on Saturday, March 29, 2025, 7:30 p.m. Atlantic City Ballet's staging of "Carmina Burana" at multiple places highlights the company's commitment to bringing ballet to diverse audiences in the Garden State.
published on 03/20/2025
Passage Theatre Company presents Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play "Topdog/Underdog"

Topdog/Underdog by Pulitzer prize-winning Black playwright Suzan-Lori Parks is receiving its Trenton, New Jersey premiere at Passage Theatre Company, as part of its landmark 40th anniversary season. The play opens February 21, 2025, and runs until March 9, 2025, at the Mill Hill Playhouse. A darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity, Topdog/Underdog tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names were given to them as a joke by their father, foreshadowing a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment.
published on 02/13/2025
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company Welcomes the Lunar New Year of the Snake at NJPAC

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year of the Snake on Saturday and Sunday, February 1- 2, 2025, at 2 p.m. This annual family-friendly celebration is a highlight of NJPAC's winter season. It weaves together graceful movements and vibrant costumes to bring ancient traditions to life. Audiences will experience spellbinding performances featuring majestic dragons, dancing lions, elegant peacocks, stunning acrobats, twirling ribbons, and much more.
published on 01/23/2025
The Roxey Ballet Returns with 'The Nutcracker' Holiday Classic and a Sensory-Friendly Performance

The Roxey Ballet is thrilled to bring back its holiday classic, "The Nutcracker." This acclaimed annual favorite has become a tradition of area residents and holiday visitors alike. The magical Christmas ballet set to the music of Tchaikovsky returns to the Villa Victoria Theater in Ewing, New Jersey, for its 29th season from November 30th to December 8th, 2024. The Roxey Ballet is also proud to present a sensory-friendly performance on December 14th, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for children, adults, and families with special needs. Virtual performances are also available.
published on 12/05/2024
The Headless Horseman Rides Again in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow at Mile Square Theatre

The beloved tale of Ichabod Crane, the Headless Horseman, and the town of Sleepy Hollow is woven into the fabric of American folklore. A witty adaptation of Washington Irving's timeless ghost story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," comes to life on stage, October 3-20, 2024, at the Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken, New Jersey. The 80-minute show is full of twists, turns, and tee-hees, all told by one man, Shawn K. Jain, performing courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association. Jain embodies a variety of characters using vocal and physical changes to transform seamlessly from one person to the next.
published on 10/03/2024
West Side Story Comes to the Ritz Theatre

A local production of "West Side Story" is coming to the Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, New Jersey, running from July 12 through July 28, 2024. Director Edwin Rico Santiago pays homage to the iconic dance-driven musical which first leaped onto the stage in 1957 when it premiered on Broadway, followed by a popular film version released in 1961 and Steven Spielberg's Hollywood remake in 2021. Choreographer Jen Gordon also steps into the illustrious shoes of Jerome Robbins who choreographed and directed the original stage production and film adaptation of this musical theater classic.
published on 07/12/2024
Red Bank Parks and Recreation Hosts Fourth Annual Pride In The Park Celebration

The month of June is a time to showcase pride and recognize the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. Across the state of New Jersey, there will be a series of Pride events from festivals to outdoor concerts and other events, reflecting the diversity of LGBTQ+ people. Red Bank Parks and Recreation is hosting its annual Pride In The Park celebration on Saturday, June 8th from 12 PM to 3 PM, at Riverside Gardens Parks.
published on 06/06/2024
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Extends Its Run At The Paper Mill Playhouse

Carole King is by far one of the most prolific female musicians of the latter half of the 20th century. Since writing her first number-one hit song at the tender age of 17, King has become a highly celebrated singer-songwriter, with over 100 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and over 400 compositions recorded by 1000-plus artists.
published on 05/23/2024
Moore's Lounge Players Lead Spirited Jazz Jam Concert at SOPAC's Jammin' in the Loft

The Moore's Lounge Players, one of New Jersey's longest-running jazz jam bands, will head up an unforgettable jazz performance and the ultimate jam session as part of the "Jammin' in the Loft" series at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 PM. Curated by Gregory Burrus Productions, "Jammin' in the Loft" is a series that takes the local music scene by force with an energetic experience of seeing talented local musicians perform up close and personal, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of friends, fans, and fellow musicians.
published on 04/11/2024
Danú Ensemble to Take New Jersey Audiences on a Musical Journey to Their Native Ireland

Hailing from the counties Waterford, Cork, Dublin, and Donegal in Ireland, Danú is one of today's leading traditional Irish music bands to traverse the global stage, playing standing room only concerts. For nearly 30 years, the ensemble has hosted high-energy performances around the world and has recorded ten critically acclaimed albums. Danú will take audiences on a memorable and moving musical journey to their native Ireland, performing a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and their biggest hits at Stockton University's Performing Arts Center main stage in Galloway, NJ, on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2:00pm.
published on 03/07/2024
"Black Girl Magic" Celebrates the History and Accomplishments of Black Women Through Story and Song

Guided by the Ancestors, African Warrior Queens, a woman named Sister struggles to find a place of self-reconciliation and acceptance in the world as she is given a glimpse into the lives and legacy of Black women—past and present, young and old. This is the story behind "Black Girl Magic," a powerful show coming to West Windsor Township, NJ, hailing from the Underground Performing Arts Collective in Suffolk, Virginia. "Black Girl Magic" premieres at the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer Community College on Friday, March 1, 8 PM EST.
published on 02/22/2024
The Caribbean Musical Retelling of The Little Mermaid, "Once On This Island," Is Coming To South Jersey

A restaging of the Caribbean-infused musical "Once On This Island" is coming to the Levoy Theatre in Millville, New Jersey, running for four performances from February 9th through February 11th. Filled with immersive storytelling, the show is directed by Domonic Barnes and choreographed by Olivia Cruz. Conducting a live band is music director Bryan Broughton.
published on 02/08/2024