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Sweet Honey in the Rock LIVE! at McCarter Theatre

Spotlight Central and Love Imagery have photos and a recap of Sweet Honey in the Rock at McCarter Theatre on April 24, 2026.



 

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Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents Music That Tells a Story: Opera 101

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- On Friday, May 8, 2026 at 4:00pm, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents Music That Tells a Story, a free event for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an opera star. The presentation will take place at Westrick Music Academy (231 Clarksville Road, Suite 8) in Princeton Junction.



Free Film & Media Training Program Launches in South Jersey to Support Growing Industry Workforce

​​​​​​​(MOUNT LAUREL, NJ) -- Aspire Youth Development has officially opened enrollment for its new Film Readiness & Media Education (FRAME) program, a free, 18-week training initiative designed to prepare South Jersey residents for careers in the rapidly expanding film and digital media industry.



Sentimental Journey Big Band Takes the Stage at OCC's Grunin Center on May 17th

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Enjoy the music of the Greatest Generation when the Sentimental Journey Big Band presents "It Might as Well Be Swing" at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Showtime is 3:00pm.



Lacey Library presents "Little by Little" - Exhibit featuring art by Suzanne Pasqualicchio

(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- The Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will feature pieces by local artist Suzanne Pasqualicchio's exhibit Little by Little in the branch's meeting room throughout the month of May.



French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.



Two River Theater Hosts 32nd Annual Gala at Park Loft

(OCEANPORT, NJ) -- On April 30, 2026, the award-winning Two River Theater held its 32nd Annual Gala at Park Loft on the Fort Monmouth campus in Oceanport. The celebration featured a dynamic program of special guest speakers, live performances, and a successful fundraising appeal to raise $320,000 in support of the theater's artistic and educational initiatives.



Atlantic County Film Club & Eammon Films present a screening of "The Chronology of Water" on May 18th

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Atlantic County Film Club & Eammon Films present a screening of The Chronology of Water at Anchor Rock Club on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Based on the beloved memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch, this film is a raw and unflinching portrait of survival, sexuality, and self-invention.



Novodo Gallery presents "Object Permanence" Group Exhibition

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Novodo Gallery presents "Object Permanence" from May 9 through June 6, 2026. This is a group exhibition curated by Nicole Basilone and Daniel Morowitz.



Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage from April 26 to May 2, 2026

Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published on New Jersey Stage from April 26 to May 2, 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 7 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Union).










EVENT PREVIEWS

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bergenPAC presents Six-Time Tony Award (R) Winner Audra McDonald on May 3rd

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 7:00pm.


Acclaimed Organist Chelsea Chen to Perform Solo Recital Concert at Christ Church in Short Hills on May 3rd

(SHORT HILLS, NJ) -- Christ Church in Short Hills will present a solo concert recital by internationally acclaimed organist, Chelsea Chen, on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 4:00pm. The special concert will feature a selection of traditional organ compositions along with contemporary music.


T.K. Blue to Celebrate Randy Weston's 100th Birthday at Jersey Jazz LIVE! Concert in Madison

(MADISON, NJ) -- In the history of jazz, no American musician's career has been more interconnected with the continent of Africa than that of the great pianist and composer Randy Weston. Weston, whose centennial birthday was celebrated on April 6, 2026, was a giant, not only as a creative and spiritual force, but standing six feet, seven inches, an imposing figure in the venues at which he performed throughout the world.


The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra to present a program Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Zimmerli Art Museum on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2:00pm. The program will honor the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.







LATEST FEATURES

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

Middletown Arts Center and Dunbar Repertory Company presents "Seven Guitars" by August Wilson
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center, in conjunction with Dunbar Repertory Company, presents a special production of Seven Guitars, directed by Mark Antonio Henderson, across two weekends from May 23–31, 2026. The play by August Wilson follows a blues musician chasing redemption and a second chance as love, ambition, and fate collide in powerful portrait of dreams deferred.



McCarter Theatre presents Madeleine Peyroux's "WE ARE AMERICA: American Songs That Give Us Hope" on May 14th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Madeleine Peyroux brings her WE ARE AMERICA: American Songs That Give Us Hope tour to McCarter Theatre Center on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.




New Release Review - "Mother Mary"

Following Brady Corbet's Vox Lux and the recent horror sequel Smile 2, David Lowery's Mother Mary is another dark drama centred on a troubled female pop star. It also joins Peter Strickland's In Fabric and the "Weird Tailor" segment of Amicus anthology Asylum to form a sub-genre of horror movies featuring supernatural fabric.




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.




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.










UPCOMING EVENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




LATEST COLUMNS
Due to a death in the family, the "Sound Bites" weekly column has ben postponed for this week. However, the listings of live music and entertainment are enclosed; we shall return on Thursday May 7 which happens to be the same day as the monthly "Rock On Radio" Happy Hour at the Nottingham Tavern located at 9 Mercer Street in Hamilton Square, NJ with music by Carmen Marranco.



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

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.



Lighty's Corner: April 30, 2026

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.


* Events This Week in New Jersey

* This Week in Music

* This Week in Theatre

* Top 15 Most Read Stories
from the Past Week



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