In October 2003, Gary Wien launched Upstage Magazine, a monthly print publication that covered the arts throughout Central New Jersey. The publication ultimately grew to 25,000 copies per month with distribution throughout much of the state. Upstage was well received critically and ultimately earned an Asbury Music Award for Top Music Publication in 2007, becoming the first publication other than The Aquarian to ever win the award. In addition, both the website and Wien picked up multiple Asbury Music Awards (for Top Website and Top Music Journalist) as well. Wien left the publication shortly afterwards, and Upstage ceased publishing a few months later.
In the months that followed, arts groups continued to submit press releases and materials. In 2008, Wien launched NewJerseyStage.com as a hobby to be an online news resource to continue coverage of the arts. Six years later, he decided to return to covering the arts full-time and redesigned the website to become a digital version of the old Upstage Magazine. On May 1, 2014, New Jersey Stage became a full-time resource covering the arts. On July 15, the first issue of New Jersey Stage digital magazine was released.
One year after New Jersey Stage Magazine was launched, Gary Wien was diagnosed with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis. He uses the website and magazine as a way of fighting the disease each day. Over 35,000 articles have been posted since New Jersey Stage became official and 75 issues of the magazine were published until the pandemic of 2020 forced it to go on hiatus. Over 550,000 unique visitors come to the website each year.
The website is primary run by Wien, but it benefits from the work of writers like Danny Coleman, Bob Makin, Eric Hillis, Karen Nowosad, Al Nigrin, and Spotlight Central. All of the writers on the site are volunteers - a group who love the arts. New Jersey Stage aims to bring artists, organizations, and art councils together. In addition to regularly publishing original feature articles, interviews, and columns, we encourage organizations to send us press releases. New Jersey Stage considers itself the Garden State's Arts Newswire and home of original arts journalism.
Blues-rock powerhouse Kenny Wayne Shepherd celebrates 30 years of his groundbreaking debut Ledbetter Heights with a milestone tour coming to State Theatre New Jersey. In this electrifying live experience, Shepherd and his band perform the landmark album in full, along with a second set of career-spanning favorites that showcase his signature blend of fiery guitar work, blues tradition, and rock energy.
“There are concerts. And then there are musical events that come across as transcendent experiences, celebrations of songs and sounds and stories that have endured for good reason, live shows that enter the space of the sacred.” – Miers on Music (2025)
Critically acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of Kitty Bruce (daughter of the late Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation, proudly present “I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce,” directed by Joe Mantegna.
Grammy Award -winning producer and guitarist extraordinaire, John Pizzarelli salutes the legendary Tony Bennett celebrating over 60 years of unparalleled artistry. From Bennett’s ’50s pop hits like “Because of You” and “Rags to Riches” through his timeless classics of the ’60s such as “I Wanna Be Around” and “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” to his remarkable collaborations with Bill Evans, Pizzarelli’s trio will bring these iconic songs to life once again. The evening will also highlight Bennett’s incredible revival in the ‘90s while Pizzarelli weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that reveal the man behind the music.
UCPAC’s Sensory Friendly Theatre movie screening of “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a digital presentation specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Supported in part by funding from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the NJEDA’s A.R.T. Phase II Grant Program. Learn more about Sensory Friendly Theatre events.
UCPAC’s Sensory Friendly Theatre movie screening of “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a digital presentation specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Supported in part by funding from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the NJEDA’s A.R.T. Phase II Grant Program. Learn more about Sensory Friendly Theatre events.
Laura Mann has been following her passion for music since picking up the guitar at age eight and performing professionally as a teenager. Guided by legendary songwriter and producer Robert Hazard, she launched her career in Philadelphia and appeared on Star Search. Throughout her career, Laura has performed with artists including Warren Zevon, Dave Mason, and Ronnie Spector, collaborated with acclaimed songwriters, and developed a long-standing creative partnership with Charlton Pettus of Tears for Fears.
Join the original "Brad Majors"—BARRY BOSTWICK—for a screening of the movie in a new 4k restoration with a live shadow cast and audience participation! Plus a memorabilia display with artifacts and an actual costume from the movie, a costume contest, an after party immersive experience, and more!
Stop The Funeral – The Remix is an electrifying multimedia stage production that fuses live theater, cinematic sequences, and interactive social media engagement into a fully immersive experience.
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