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Behind the Scenes as Misfits Theatre Co. prepares for their Inaugural Book Musical Production: "She Loves Me"

(MATAWAN, NJ) — Misfits Theatre Co. is currently rehearsing for their inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me, which will be presented July 10-12, 2026 at Matawan Regional High School. Photographer John Posada was at a rehearsal to take photos.



21st Annual Basie Awards Roundup

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The 21st Annual Basie Awards took place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The awards honor the best in Monmouth County high school theatre and have become a huge celebration of the arts.



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.



New Jersey Stage: 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!



2026 New Jersey International Film Festival Interview with Sundays Director Ashley Gerst

Al Nigrin, Executive Director and Curator of the New Jersey International Film Festival, sits down at EBTV with Ashley Gerst -- Director and Animator of the film Sundays for a filmmaker interview. Sundays will be screened on Saturday May 30, 2026.










EVENT PREVIEWS

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

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(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- The Asbury Park Theater Company presents Thornton Wilder's Our Town across two weekends from May 21-31, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Described by Edward Albee as "the greatest American play ever written"- it is one of the defining plays of American theater. The production is directed by Bailey Dumlao.

(SOMERSET, NJ) -- Villagers Theatre presents a reading of "The Best Most Super Fantastic Hiking Tour" by Fay Corinotis on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. Admission is free ($10 cash donation suggested).

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bruce Eric Kaplan, writer, cartoonist and executive producer, will receive the Maplewood Literary Award on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Maplewood Memorial Library. The event begins at 7:00pm. Admission is free and open to the public.







LATEST FEATURES

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



(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Janelle James, who stars in the scene-stealing role of "Ava Coleman" in the Emmy-nominated ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary, performs an evening of stand-up comedy at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.



(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.



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! 



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.



(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.



(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."



(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.












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


"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). 




DAILY EDITION

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.