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!
If your arts organization sends out press releases, make sure you have info@newjerseystage.com on your media list for coverage.
theatre
NJ Rep to Hold Auditions for 2025 Season 
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company will hold auditions for their 2025 season on Monday, August 5 and Tuesday, August 6 for the 2025 season by appointment only. No walk-ins please. Auditions will be held at New Jersey Repertory Company’s West End Arts Center (132 West End Avenue) in Long Branch, NJ. Free parking and entrance to the building is in the parking lot off of Sairs Avenue.
Dover Little Theatre presents "Pterodactyls" 
(DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents "Pterodactyls" by Nicky Silver across three weekends from July 26 to August 10, 2024. This is an absurdist black comedy about the demise of the Duncan family, and, by extension, the species.
Pebble Players presents first college age production with "Alice By Heart" 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Pebble Players launches its first college age production with limited performances opening August 1-4, 2024. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Aspire Performing Arts Company presents "Urinetown" 
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- "It's a privilege to pee..." are not words one would expect to hear in a musical, but in Urinetown anything goes... or doesn't go as the case may be! Find out exactly what is going on when Aspire Performing Arts Company presents the Broadway musical Urinetown from July 19-21, 2024 at the Barn Theatre in Montville.
Summer Heats Up at Cape May Stage with the New Jersey Professional Premiere of "Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B" 
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents the New Jersey professional premiere of Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B, a fast-paced, comedic, and modern reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth and sidekick. Written by award-winning playwright Kate Hamill, this lively production is set to open on July 17th and runs through August 25, 2024, with shows Tuesday through Sunday nights at 8:00pm.
West Side Story Comes to the Ritz Theatre 
A local production of "West Side Story" is coming to the Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township, New Jersey, running from July 12 through July 28, 2024. Director Edwin Rico Santiago pays homage to the iconic dance-driven musical which first leaped onto the stage in 1957 when it premiered on Broadway, followed by a popular film version released in 1961 and Steven Spielberg's Hollywood remake in 2021. Choreographer Jen Gordon also steps into the illustrious shoes of Jerome Robbins who choreographed and directed the original stage production and film adaptation of this musical theater classic.
music
Bread & Roses Film Festival Hosts Music Fundraising Event 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The film and music community are coming together in downtown Asbury Park on Saturday, July 20, 2024 for a special event featuring several local musicians performing a fundraising show for Bread & Roses, Jersey Shore's only female-centric film festival.
The Newton Theatre presents Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience 
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 8:00pm. This performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music's one true King. Their power-packed performance of Michael Jackson's expansive catalog has ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see.
The Vogel presents Chris Pinnella: Christmas in Red Bank 
(RED BANK, NJ) - This December join powerhouse vocalist & platinum selling recording artist Chris Pinnella (formerly of Trans-Siberian Orchestra) along with his phenomenal 15-Piece Orchestra, as they return to The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Performing Arts in Red Bank to ring in the holiday season with all your favorite Christmas Classics and Holiday Hits!
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Sue Foley 
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the Lizzie Rose Music Room presents 4x Blues Music Award Winner Sue Foley. She will be bringing her band, The Pistolas and will also perform a solo acoustic set, featuring songs from her latest album, One Guitar Woman, which was recently released on Stony Plain Records. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Gaslight Anthem releases "History Books (Expanded Edition)" 
On July 12, 2024, The Gaslight Anthem released History Books (Expanded Edition), available now on their own Rich Mahogany Recordings label via Thirty Tigers. The album showcases a brand new mix of The Gaslight Anthem's acclaimed 2023 return to action.
Horizon Sounds of the City presents Kofi Kinaata at NJPAC's Chambers Plaza 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Don't miss out on the upcoming Horizon Sounds of the City FREE performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), featuring Kofi Kinaata, a Ghanaian singer-songwriter and rapper. The concert will take place at Chambers Plaza on the NJPAC Campus on Thursday, July 18, 2024, starting at 5:00pm.
Return to Dust to open for Chevelle at The Wellmont Theater 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Wellmont Theater presents Return to Dust on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 7:30pm. They, along with Tigercub, will open for Chevelle.
Swing into "A Night at the Copa" at Ocean County Library Jackson Branch 
(JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Travel back to the era of fashionable night spots and memorable music. Join the versatile duo of singer Deb Lyons and pianist John Bianculli for "A Night at the Copa: Swinging Songs of the '60s" at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The event begins at 6:30pm.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Strange and Wonderful" by Whirling Dervishes 
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Strange and Wonderful," the title track of Whirling Dervishes' 1992 album, now available on all streaming platforms.
comedy
Ocean Casino Resort presents Trevor Noah 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Renowned comedian, television host, and political commentator, Trevor Noah, brings his Off the Record Tour to Ocean Casino Resort's Ovation Hall on Friday, August 23, 2024. Showtime is 9:00pm.
film
New Release Review - "Maxxxine" 
With 2022's X, Ti West delivered a successful homage to hicksploitation thrillers like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Eaten Alive and Motel Hell. Hicksploitation is one of the easier sub-genres to imitate as all you need are some good-looking young folk to be butchered by redneck grotesqueries. That said, many filmmakers have tried and failed to emulate this simple formula, with only X and Devereux Milburn's underseen Honeydew managing to pull it off in recent years.
art
Akwaaba Gallery Exhibition Explores Immigrant Experience of Caribbean American Artists 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Akwaaba Gallery in Newark presents "Currency of Resilience: Exploring Immigrant Narratives," an exhibition of four Caribbean American artists whose work reflects their cultural roots and how they employ art to navigate the intersection of power and identity in America. The exhibition will be on view from July 13 through August 31, 2024.
community
Brookdale to launch Achieve Academy for Adults with Autism on Monday 
(WALL, NJ) -- Thomas A. Arnone, Director of the Monmouth County Commissioners, and Dr. David Stout, President of Brookdale Community College, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official launch of the Achieve Academy for Adults with Autism on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 9:30am at Brookdale Community College Wall Campus, located at 800 Monmouth Blvd, in Wall Township, NJ.
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American Dream wants you to "Party Like a Sponge" in celebration of SpongeBob Squarepants' 25th Anniversary 
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream invites everyone to come Party Like a Sponge in celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants' 25th Anniversary, now through August 2, 2024. Guests will be immersed in a world of SpongeBob activities as a portion of the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere transforms into Bikini Bottom.
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From July 7-13, 2024 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from July 7-13, 2024. Each week we publish about 70 articles, including several original columns and features, along with news releases for events happening throughout the state and nearby areas like Philadelphia and New York City. This week's top 15 includes articles from 9 counties in New Jersey (Atlantic, Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Passaic).
Newark presents NFL Star Al-Quadin Muhammad with Key to the City 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mayor Ras J. Baraka and the City of Newark honored National Football League Defensive End and city native Al-Quadin Muhammad by presenting him with the "Key to the City" at a Prudential Center ceremony on Friday, July 12, 2024.
books
The Power of Poetry: Elizabeth Acevedo's Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Elizabeth Acevedo's decision to create an entire novel in verse resulted in the National Book Award-winning The Poet X. You’ll discover poetry's potency in her Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The event begins at 2:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
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A Girl Can Touch The Sky – Online for 24 Hours Only!
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 12:00am
NJ Film Festival
71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: film
Click here for full description
MD Keep the Faith Fundraiser
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: comedy
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Premiere Stages presents "Diversion"
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre
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Premiere Stages presents "Diversion"
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 3:00pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre
Click here for full description
Veronica Swift
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 7:30pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music
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Sugar Mountain - Celebrating the Genius of Neil Young
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music
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Broadway Night: Set Rudetsky Live! with Sierra Boggess
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre
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Empire Records
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theater)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre
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Americana Women
Saturday, September 07, 2024 @ 7:30pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: music
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Seth Rudetsky hosts Broadway Concert with Sierra Boggess at Bell Theater in Holmdel on Saturday
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- SiriusXM radio host Seth Rudetsky is bringing Seth's Big Fat Broadway LIVE! concert series to Bell Theater in Holmdel on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 8:00pm. Rudetsky's guest is Broadway's Sierra Boggess (The Little Mermaid, The Phantom of the Opera). This up-close and personal concert series is a mix of the greatest hits from the Boggess' Broadway career plus intimate, behind-the-scenes stories, coupled with Rudetsky's funny, insightful and revealing questions. The series continues in the fall with Adam Pascal, J. Harrison Ghee and Krysta Rodriguez.
ON-GOING EVENTS
Montclair Art Museum presents "Family, Community, Belonging: Works from the Collection"
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Art Museum is thrilled to present its latest exhibition, Family, Community, Belonging: Works from the Collection. This unique collection-based exhibition delves into the ever-evolving notions of family and community, and explores themes of belonging, diversity, and inclusion through a diverse array of artworks. The exhibition opens on February 9, 2024, and will be on display at the museum until January 2026.
