New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



FEATURES | EVENTS | PREVIEWS | COLUMNS | LINKS | RADIO | ADVERTISE




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Make It Happen" by Mike Chick

by Bob Makin

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Make It Happen" by Asbury Park Yawn Mower legend Mike Chick from "Congarts," his third solo album and second for Mint 400 Records.



 

Advertise here for $50-$100 per month,
click here for info




The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang

(FORT LEE, NJ) -- The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang in a double bill of Chinese music culture on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:00pm.



PHOTOS from "SpongeBob SquarePants Jr " at Roman Productions

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Roman Productions presented The SpongeBob Musical Jr. at Saint John Vianney High School April 25-26, 2026. Under the direction of Wendy Roman, this production showcased the strength of a youth theater program rooted in confidence, collaboration, and individuality. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.



State Theatre New Jersey Announces 2026-27 Broadway Season

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey has announced its 2026-27 Broadway Season, featuring seven fantastic national Broadway tours. The 2026-27 Broadway Season will feature Tony® Award-winning hits, fan favorites, and multiple State Theatre debuts. Season tickets for the 2026-27 Broadway Series are on sale now and save buyers over 35% on tickets to these shows. Single tickets will go on sale in late July.



Tributes to Chicago, Taylor Swift, Van Morrison, Zac Brown, Elvis, Genesis, and Zach Bryan are coming to The Strand

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- La Jolla Booking Agency continues its acclaimed tribute concert series at the Strand Center for the Arts with a diverse lineup of nationally touring tribute acts celebrating some of the most iconic artists in music history.



15th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition is Now Accepting Registrations

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced that registration is now officially open for the 15th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, the premier springboard for emerging vocalists. The search is on for the next great jazz singer! Solo vocalists from around the world are encouraged to submit their entries before September 8, 2026, by visiting SarahVaughanCompetition.com. In the Fall, the Top Five Finalists will be announced followed by a final competition and performance on the iconic NJPAC stage.



Penn Live Arts Announces 2026-27 Season: "Belonging"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Penn Live Arts, known for its presentation of thought-provoking and transformational performances across multiple genres, announces its 2026-27 season. Curated by Executive & Artistic Director Christopher A. Gruits, the season explores the concept of belonging, reflecting on how people experience change and find acceptance in new worlds while longing for the community and traditions of home. This season-spanning thematic thread shines a light on migration and immigrant experiences.



Masterwork Music and Art Foundation to Honor Wayne Walters At 65th Birthday Celebration on May 17th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will celebrate its 65th Anniversary with a gala at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (21 Normandy Heights Road) in Morristown on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00pm. The event will showcase some of its grant awardees plus honor Wayne Walters, a well-known New Jersey musician who sings, composes, conducts, and has taught and influenced many over the years.



Trumpeter Brandon Lee is Drawn to the 'Lasting Community Feel' of Big Bands

The big band format is, of course, one that is jazz's most timeless, enduring, and malleable. A big band could take a classic standard and update it for a modern audience, or transport that audience back to a Jazz Age ballroom. It's no wonder, then, that so many modern jazz practitioners view the big band format not as an anachronism to be scoffed at, but rather a sanctuary to be revered.



Daily Edition 05-01-26

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!










EVENT PREVIEWS

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

To narrow results by date, categories,
or region of New Jersey click here.

U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Headline 2026 Stars on Ice Tour

(NEWARK, NJ) -- U.S. Figure Skating returns from Milan with one of the most decorated American teams in Winter Olympic history. The 2026 Stars on Ice tour will bring the opportunity to celebrate their achievements to Newark on Friday, May 1, 2026 for a 7:00pm performance at Prudential Center.


Roxey Ballet's Latin Creations Celebrates 30 Years of Artistic Excellence with a Powerful Showcase of Culture, Legacy, and World-Class Dance

(NEW HOPE, PA) -- On Friday, May 1, 2026, Roxey Ballet presents Latin Creations—an electrifying evening of dance that honors the company's rich history while showcasing the extraordinary talent of its acclaimed artists. This dynamic program brings together powerful storytelling, cultural depth, and bold contemporary vision, reaffirming Roxey Ballet's role as a leading force in regional and national dance. Showtime is 7:00pm.


Lighthouse International Film Society presents Ten Films That Shaped American Comedy

(LOVELADIES, NJ) -- What role does film play in shaping a nation's sense of humor? How have films like Some Like it Hot, Blazing Saddles and Bridesmaids left a lasting impression on American society?


Ocean Casino Resort presents UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Ali Campbell, UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell will be bringing their Big Love Tour to Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City with Matisyahu on Friday, May 1, 2026. Showtime is 9:00pm.


Bridge Players Theatre Company presents "Seussical"

(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company presents Seussical across three weekends from May 1-16, 2026. Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza while weaving a story of friendship, loyalty, and love.







LATEST FEATURES

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

Trumpeter Brandon Lee is Drawn to the 'Lasting Community Feel' of Big Bands
The big band format is, of course, one that is jazz's most timeless, enduring, and malleable. A big band could take a classic standard and update it for a modern audience, or transport that audience back to a Jazz Age ballroom. It's no wonder, then, that so many modern jazz practitioners view the big band format not as an anachronism to be scoffed at, but rather a sanctuary to be revered.



New Release Review - "The Mummy"

Hitchcock's Psycho is often cited as the first slasher movie but the tropes of that sub-genre go right back to the 1930s. The likes of Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees are essentially descendants of Kharis, the shambling antagonist of Universal's Mummy series of the '30s and '40s. In recent decades Universal has taken their Mummy property out of the horror genre and into the realm of blockbuster action, in a series of hit films starring Brendan Fraser and a flop headlined by the usually reliable Tom Cruise.




UCPAC presents comedian Eddie B. "If These Classroom Walls Could Talk"

(RAHWAY,NJ) -- By popular demand, America's favorite teacher comedian Eddie B. returns to the main stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) with his "If These Classroom Walls Could Talk" tour on Friday, June 26, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.




State Theatre New Jersey's A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala to Take Place May 30th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey (STNJ) invites the community to its signature fundraising event, A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Christopher's Restaurant & Bar located inside The Heldrich Hotel. This highly anticipated evening directly supports STNJ's arts education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 30,000 children and families each year.




'60s Rock 'n Roll Revival LIVE! at STNJ

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of '60s Rock 'n Roll Revival concert at State Theatre New Jersey on April 18, 2026.




Roxey Ballet Company presents Latin Creations on Friday

(NEW HOPE, PA) -- Roxey Ballet Company presents Latin Creations on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is an evening of three new & original works by Mark Roxey and Giovanni Ravelo, celebrating 30 years of Roxey Ballet.




Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The New York Times once called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." Jersey City based artist Debra Devi will open the night.




The Stress Factory Comedy Club presents Kevin Nealon

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Stress Factory Comedy Club presents Kevin Nealon on May 15-16, 2026. Kevin Nealon is a legendary force in comedy whose career spans stand-up, television, film, and digital media. David Letterman once called him "one of the funniest humans on the planet."










UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




LATEST COLUMNS
The second episode of Lighty’s Corner is live! This is a bi-weekly recorded radio show presenting new rock music from around the globe. Each of the 15 new tracks played were received via email within the last two weeks - a practice I hope to continue each time.



"She's Like the Wind"

The first thing you'll see upon entering the gallery at Deep Space (77 Cornelison St.) is the shadow-outline of a woman's leg. There it is, on a chartreuse background, sticking straight up in the air with a curvaceous bare foot inches from the ceiling. That's all of the subject of "Lemon Lime Toe of God" that the oil painter Delilah Ray Miske is willing to show us. The rest of the body, she implies, is splayed out on a bed. We know it's summer because the window is closed and the air conditioner is plugged in. There's a pretty good chance that the possessor of the leg is undressed. In one hand, she holds a cellphone, and she might be broadcasting something. On the wall, a small whip-like broomstick hangs. It could be the ride of a tiny witch. It could be the professional tool of a dominatrix.



This Week in Comedy: April 28 to May 4, 2026

Here's a look at comedy shows taking place across the state from April 28 to May 4, 2026. New Jersey Stage compiles this list from comedy clubs, casinos, and performing arts centers.


* 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

Here is a look at the articles published on Thursday. The Daily Edition will be back on Monday with a recap of the articles published over the weekend.


New Jersey Stage

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the
Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and on our RSS feed

Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Advertising | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy