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The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:00pm.



New Jersey State Council on the Arts Releases the 2026 Artist Fellowship Catalog

(TRENTON, NJ) -- On September 14th, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts announced the release of its 2026 Artist Fellowship Catalog, celebrating the remarkable work of the 99 artists recognized through the Council’s distinguished Individual Artist Fellowship program.



This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place September 16-22, 2026

Here are previews of plays taking place from September 16-22, 2026 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview.



The Levoy Theatre presents Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman from October 2-4, 2026. This thrilling Pulitzer Prize-winning drama – a work of deep and revealing beauty – remains one of the most profound achievements in the American theatre.



Premiere Stages presents "Effa Loves Baseball"

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Premiere Stages presents Effa Loves Baseball across two weekends from October 15-25, 2026 at Enlow Recital Hall. In this Liberty Live Commsion play, Effa Manley manages the Newark Eagles, a team she wants to take all the way to the Negro League World Series.



Surflight Theatre presents "Deceived"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Deceived from October 7-11, 2026. Based on the original play, Gaslight, by Patrick Hamilton, Deceived is a psychological thriller that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat.



The Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl's "Matilda, the Musical"

(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage kicks off their season with Roald Dahl's Matilda, the Musical weekends from October 9-25, 2026. Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.



NJ Rep presents "Nacho Ate Superman"

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company presents Nacho Ate Superman from October 1-25, 2026. This is a comedy by Michelle Kholos Brooks about a sunny, laid-back, progressive beach community that becomes a lot darker as next-door neighbors clash over an incident involving their pets.



Monmouth County Park System presents Wind & Sea Festival this Saturday

(PORT MONMOUTH, NJ) -- From kayaking to sandcastle building, the Monmouth County Park System's upcoming Wind & Sea Festival offers coastal activities the whole family can enjoy. Held on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 11:00am-5:00pm, this event takes place at Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth. Visitors are invited to try fishing, crabbing, kite flying, seining, shell painting, and more!



Pinelands Heritage & Americana Fest returns to Albert Music Hall on September 19th

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will celebrate the music, culture and community of the New Jersey Pinelands with its fourth annual Pinelands Heritage & Americana Fest on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The free outdoor festival runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm, with a rain date of Sunday, September 20.



Vibraphonist Joe Locke to Honor Roy Hargrove and Billy Strayhorn at West Orange Jazz Festival

The late WBGO Radio personality Michael Bourne hosted an annual "Jazz on the Mountain" festival at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY, for 22 years. In 2013, he asked vibraphonist Joe Locke to perform a solo vibe concert. "Michael Bourne," Locke recalled, "threw the gauntlet down. He kind of challenged me to do a set of solo vibraphone. At first, I said, 'Absolutely not. I can't do a whole set of solo vibraphone.' I did it, and I ended up really enjoying it, and so did the audience."



Rutgers Symphony's 2026/27 Season Opens On September 20th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Rutgers Symphony Orchestra's season opens on Sunday, September 20, 2026, with a concert at Nicholas Music Center featuring Viet Cuong's Ladders, commissioned by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. Also: a performance of Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto, featuring Maureen Hurd Hause, associate director of the Music Department. Showtime is 5:00pm.










FEATURED EVENTS


The American Soldier

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center
Toms River, NJ

RENTAL EVENT -- As part of the VA New Jersey Health Care System’s Veterans Resilience Arts Trail for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, VA New Jersey Health Care System and OCC’s Veteran and Military Resource Center are proud to present The American Soldier.

 

Dementia Man, An Existential Journey

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 11:00am
Grunin Center - Main Stage
Toms River, NJ

Is it possible to believe in a meaningful future with a neurocognitive disease?

 

Lou Antonucci - "You, Me, & Harry" Celebrating The Music of Harry Chapin​

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

"You, Me & Harry" offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the music of Harry Chapin, transcending the typical tribute show. By integrating lesser-known anecdotes and backstories with a captivating solo musical performance, this show delves into Harry Chapin's multifaceted career - not only as a singer-songwriter but also as a storyteller, filmmaker, and, most importantly, as a humanitarian. His music resonates deeply, embodying truth, emotion, and purpose.

 

Will Hoge

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

Will Hoge has a career whose milestones include Number One hits, Grammy nods, major-label record deals, and hard-won independence. Years before Americana music received its own category at the Grammy Awards, Hoge was on the frontlines, helping to pilot and popularize the genre's blend of American roots music. In the current digital era dominated by influencers seeking shortcuts to stardom, Will Hoge proudly treads the scenic route, immersing himself in the journey rather than fixating on the destination.



 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 35mm

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ

Raised in the sewers of New York, bathed in radioactive ooze, and trained in the art of ninjutsu by their rat sensei Splinter, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael – are heroes in a half shell!



 

The Rascals 60th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ

Celebrate 60 years of The Rascals featuring original frontman Felix Cavaliere. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, Grammy Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame and Songwriter Hall of Fame members, The Rascals are widely considered the best “blue-eyed soul” group to come out of the 1960s and their music is the soundtrack of a generation. The Rascals have 17 Top 20 hits, seven Top 10 hits, and three No.1 hits that include “Groovin’,” “People Got To Be Free” and “Good Lovin’.”



 

Flawless

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ

A writer and an AI software designer battle to create the next great play in this cautionary tale about the impending intersection of technology and creativity.

 

Trace Adkins

Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

Over the course of his three-decade reign in Country music, MULTI-PLATINUM hitmaker Trace Adkins has emerged as a full-fledged icon whose reach spans far beyond the genre’s borders.



 

Moana Sing-Along Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series

Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
Rahway, NJ

Doors: 6 PM – Before the movie, have a seat at our craft table and make something fun to take home!

Film: 7 PM



 

Gary Gulman: Grandiloquent

Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
Princeton, NJ

Grandiloquent is Gary Gulman’s hilarious new show about insecurity, empathy, self-acceptance and how a thoughtful boy learned to use humor, reading and writing to cope with the consequences of his parents’ blunders. Learn why a seemingly confident middle-aged man feels most comfortable in a large room where a thousand strangers are laughing at him. 

 





EVENT PREVIEWS

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

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or region of New Jersey click here.
(RED BANK, NJ) -- After 28 years as a recording artist, singer-songwriter Chris Knight remains boldly empowered to make music that always delivers the unflinching truth. In fact, the man raised in Slaughters, Kentucky uses a simple, direct barometer to regularly check his muse: "If I can't believe myself, I won't sing the song."

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents singer-songwriter Chris Knight on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 7:30pm. Special guest Chance Stanley will open the night.

(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Send Me No Flowers from September 16 through October 22, 2026. When George Kimball, a Westchester commuter with a flair for hypochondria, overhears his doctor discussing a heart patient, he’s convinced his time has come.

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents The Unwitting Magician on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Is it a play? Sort of. Is it a reading? Kind of. Is it a magic show? Sure. With a magician? Definitely not.

(LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ) -- On Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 12:15pm, the 25th season of Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will open with a recital of music for solo piano by Korean composers. The performer, Eunju Kim, is a member of the teaching faculty of Westminster Conservatory. The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church (61 Nassau Street) in Princeton. It is open to the public free of charge.







LATEST FEATURES

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



The late WBGO Radio personality Michael Bourne hosted an annual "Jazz on the Mountain" festival at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY, for 22 years. In 2013, he asked vibraphonist Joe Locke to perform a solo vibe concert. "Michael Bourne," Locke recalled, "threw the gauntlet down. He kind of challenged me to do a set of solo vibraphone. At first, I said, 'Absolutely not. I can't do a whole set of solo vibraphone.' I did it, and I ended up really enjoying it, and so did the audience."



(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Audiences looking to discover something new and exciting this fall can take their pick from three distinctive performances at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts as part of "Heidi's Hits," a special series curated by Executive and Artistic Director Heidi Sheridan.



(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Compagnie Hervé Koubi in Sol Invictus on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7:30pm. Sol Invictus is a contemporary dance work combining acrobatics, street dance, hip-hop, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography.



(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, will present a new comedy from October 8-18, 2026 - B.I.N.G.O. (or Brittney Isle's Nice Geriatric Orgy) by Erin Mallon. In this workshop production, we meet Barb, who desperately needs friends, who has moved into a 55+ community.







LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Home in Your Heart" by Gary Shaffer

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Home in Your Heart," the latest single from veteran Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Gary Shaffer.


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 09/10/2026

"I'm very good, how are you doing?" Laughed John Ondrasik also known as Five for Fighting as his Five for Fighting String Quartet Tour readies to come to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with multiple shows beginning September 20 in Newton, NJ at the Newton Theatre.


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Long Live the Low" by Sean Kiely

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Long Live the Low," the title track single of the forthcoming LP from Jersey City-based singer-songwriter Sean Kiely.

* 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 09-11-26

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.