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.
You can follow New Jersey Stage on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky and via our RSS feed
Mailing Address:
NewJerseyStage.com
P.O. Box 811
Belmar, NJ 07719
Email: [email protected]
Something Special a round robin evening of music featuring a group of the finest singer/songwriter from our local area who come together for this one of a kind show not be missed
Celebrate two legendary voices with Jenna Pastuszek in this soaring tribute to Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. Backed by a full live band, she delivers stunning vocals and heartfelt storytelling that honor these icons without imitation-bringing timeless songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "Don't Rain on My Parade" vividly to life.
Usually you’ll find Rick Steves touring the great destinations of Europe. Now you can join him on a different journey: A Symphonic Journey. In this unique concert, Rick Steves teams up with the New Jersey Symphony for a performance that combines Europe’s most stirring romantic-era anthems with beautiful high-definition cinematography and Rick’s insights into European history.
Usually you’ll find Rick Steves touring the great destinations of Europe. Now you can join him on a different journey: A Symphonic Journey. In this unique concert, Rick Steves teams up with the New Jersey Symphony for a performance that combines Europe’s most stirring romantic-era anthems with beautiful high-definition cinematography and Rick’s insights into European history.
Starring Cynthia, The Jets, George Lamond, Johnny O, Nyasia, Denine and hosted by Dom G! Freaturing Dare Goes Da DJzz. After-Party available for additional fee. (Must purchase a show ticket to buy the After Party ticket)
Rick Steves host
Nicholas Hersh conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Rick Steves host
Nicholas Hersh conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Get ready to be part of an extraordinary theatrical experience. PHP, Arts & Entertainment presents It’s a Family Affair—a play like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉
WBGO presents All That Jazz concert series, a unique series showcasing some of the genre’s most talented and respected performers, featuring the return of 13-time Grammy nominated band Spyro Gyra, back by popular demand! This series is a partnership between WBGO, UCPAC, and Smooth Jazz NJ.
WBGO presents All That Jazz concert series, a unique series showcasing some of the genre’s most talented and respected performers, featuring the return of 13-time Grammy nominated band Spyro Gyra, back by popular demand! This series is a partnership between WBGO, UCPAC, and Smooth Jazz NJ.
(BAYVILLE, NJ) -- The outdoor festival season may be coming to a close, but it's going out in epic style. Raise your glass and join the celebration as the 6th Annual Sip in Autumn Wine Festival returns to Veterans Park in Bayville, NJ, on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 11:30am to 4:30pm each day. This event is the grand finale of New Jersey's outdoor wine festival season, and there's no better way to say goodbye to sunny days and crisp fall afternoons than by savoring the very best our state has to offer.
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers invite you to celebrate 50 years of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a screening featuring a LIVE shadow cast by The Cosmic Light Cabaret for the ultimate interactive movie experience on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. Showtime is 7:00pm.
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Trilogy Repertory presents Clue across two weekends from November 7-15, 2026 at The Sieminski Theater. It's a dark and stormy night. Whodunit? And how? The answer(s) may surprise you.
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Halloween may have come and gone, but the Jersey Devil is always lurking in the Pines! On Saturday, November 7, 2026, Albert Music Hall will celebrate one of New Jersey's most enduring legends with its annual Jersey Devil Show, an evening combining live music, storytelling, and the rich folklore of the New Jersey Pinelands.
(ORADELL, NJ) -- As September 11 rapidly passes from living memory into recorded history—with well over a third of Americans today knowing that tragic day only through history books—Bergen County Players (BCP) invites the community to meaningfully "never forget" with a special, limited-run Second Stage presentation of Anne Nelson's The Guys.
