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New Release Review - "The Christophers"

Since coming out of his brief self-imposed "retirement" in 2017, Steven Soderbergh has been knocking out films at a rate close to two a year. He's clearly a filmmaker who cares about his legacy, but an artist doesn't get to determine their legacy. That's up to the public. Some will consider Soderbergh an unimpeachable genius. A few will label him a talentless hack. I suspect most will look back on his prolific filmography as a series of hits and misses. The Christophers, which is very much wrestling with the notion of legacy, is one of the hits.



Daily Edition 05-20-26

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!



RVCC Holocaust Institute to Offer 6th Annual Virtual Summer Book Series

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Raritan Valley Community College Institute of Holocaust and Genocide Studies will present its 6th annual virtual Summer Book Series. The series, which is free of charge and open to the public, will look at The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble, The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson, and The Last Woman of Warsaw by Judy Batalion. The segments will be held via Zoom webinars and registration is required.



The Theater Project presents "Having Our Say" by Emily Mann

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 summer season will begin with a bang with a production of Having Our Say, Emily Mann’s 1995 Tony Award-nominated drama about "two 'maiden ladies' with century-old stories to tell", July 11-21, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theatre.










EVENT PREVIEWS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS

To narrow results by date, categories,
or region of New Jersey click here.
(LONG ISLAND, NY) -- In the Devil's Hands, Helen Banner's riveting new play will extend its run to 21 performances running between May 20 and June 14, 2026. Set in the Channel Islands in the 1940s, this intimate and immersive production will have its world premiere at the new micro theatre space Zoopraxic in Long Island City (first stop in Queens).

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Richard Barone & Glenn Mercer: Hazy Cosmic Jive on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:30pm. 

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This spring, Arden Children's Theatre invites families into a hilariously twisted world where classic fairy tales don't go quite as expected in its next production of the 2025/26 season, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (The Stinky Cheese Man). Based on the beloved book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, adapted by John Glore, the production brings the book's fractured fairy tales to life for kids and adults alike. Directed by Steve Pacek, the production runs on the Arden’s Arcadia stage with previews starting April 8, opening night on April 18, with performances running through May 31.

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Camden County Board of Commissioners, along with Haddon Township, invites residents and visitors to the fourth annual String Band Parade down Haddon Ave, featuring the Philadelphia Mummers String Bands on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. (note: it was rescheduled from April 25th due to the weather)

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Fresh off being named the top live music or theater venue by 201 Magazine's "Best of Bergen" readers, Bergen County Players (BCP) invites audiences to brace themselves for a whirlwind of espionage and outrageous comedy with the Tony Award-winning The 39 Steps, which runs weekends from May 2-31, 2026. Directed by BCP life member Steve Bell, this breakneck adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film classic blends film noir suspense with Monty Python-style absurdity.

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Porgy and Bess from May 1-24, 2026. Set in the 1930s in Catfish Row, a Black community in Charleston, South Carolina,the musical tells the story of Porgy, a kind but disabled beggar, and Bess, a woman trying to escape her violent lover Crown and the seductive pull of drugs offered by Sportin' Life. The production is directed by Darryl Thompson, Jr.

(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Haddonfield Plays and Players presents "Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill: The Musical" from May 8-23, 2026. This exhilarating musical was inspired by the themes and raw emotions laid bare in Alanis Morissette's seminal album of the same name.







LATEST FEATURES

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY | KIDS

MPAC presents comedian Janelle James




The Vogel presents BobFest on May 28th

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents BobFest on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is the music of Bob Dylan presented in the round Nashville style by John Cruz, Steve Delopoulos, Pat Guadagno, Renee Maskin, Rob Paparozzi, and Anne Hills.




Brian Erickson Offers New Cover Album - "Others' Songs"

On June 5, 2026, Brian Erickson will issue Others' Songs, the follow up to 2025's dual releases Everyday Sketches and its AP Music Awards Album of the Year-nominated companion, Everyday Forever (Brian's Version). How does one follow a windfall of such critical riches? If you're Brian Erickson, the answer is simple: with a sharp, unexpected turn! 




2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel

Here is the 2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Video Animation Panel featuring Festival Director Al Nigrin and Filmmakers Owen Andrejco, Myra Sito Velasquez, Evan Bode, and Heidi Kumao.




Vivid Stage presents ​2026 Vivid Summer Solos

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage has announced the lineup for 2026 Vivid Summer Solos - performances outside on the lawn of the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. The weekly play reading series takes place each Wednesday in July. This year includes readings of Fair State by Megan Gogerty, Long Drive Home by Stephen Kaplan, Maker of Worlds by Wendy Schmidt, and The Call List by Brian James Pollak.




UCPAC presents John Waters' "Pink Flamingos" in 35mm on Thursday

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) presents the film Pink Flamingos in 35mm on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. Join them for John Waters' notorious 1972 cult classic, starring the inimitable Divine as a self-proclaimed queen of filth competing in a grotesque rivalry for the title of "the filthiest person alive."




McCarter Theatre Center presents the Mark Morris Dance Group: Dances to American Music on May 30th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents the Mark Morris Dance Group: Dances to American Music on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7:30pm in the Matthews Theatre. This is a vibrant celebration of the rich tapestry of American music and dance.




State Theatre New Jersey presents Magical Mystery Doors on Friday

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Magical Mystery Doors on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is a tribute to the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors. They blend and layer the music of three legendary bands to create something new and unique for music fans everywhere.  Limited tickets remain.










UPCOMING EVENTS


Mrs. Christie

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




LATEST COLUMNS

Here's a look at comedy shows taking place across the state from May 19 to May 25, 2026. New Jersey Stage compiles this list from comedy clubs, casinos, and performing arts centers



Makin Waves Song of the Week: "ICE SS" by Sally Draper

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "ICE SS" by the Central Jersey punk act Sally Draper.



Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/15/2026

"I'm alright, very good thank you," began musician and author David Marx who has recently released a new book about the rock band XTC titled, "XTC: I Am The Audience" (Sorrento Books). 



* Events This Week in New Jersey

* This Week in Music

* This Week in Theatre

* Top 15 Most Read Stories
from the Past Week




DAILY EDITION


Daily Edition 05-20-26

Here is a look at the articles published yesterday. The Daily Edition comes out Monday through Friday with a recap of articles published Friday through Sunday on Mondays.