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
Two River Theater presents "American Mariachi" 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for American Mariachi, a moving comedy full of humor, heart, and joyful live music, written by José Cruz González (If by Chance, The Extraordinary Ms. ZLuna Captures the World), directed by James Vásquez (Two River's smash hit Hair, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), arrangements by Cynthia Reifler Flores (American Mariachi, Seabiscuit). The production runs from September 28 through October 20, 2024.
East Lynne Theater Company presents Samuel D. Hunter's "A Case for the Existence of God" 
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- East Lynne Theater Company will present Samuel D. Hunter's award-winning play A Case for the Existence of God from September 18 through October 12, 2024. Directed by East Lynne's Artistic Director Craig Fols, the play revolves around two men--one Black, one white; one gay, one straight; both single fathers of young daughters—who form an unlikely bond inside an office cubicle.
Bridge Players Theatre Company Presents "Dinner With Friends" 
(BURLINGTON CITY, NJ) -- Bridge Players Theatre Company, the Burlington City-based community theatre group, is proud to begin its 2024-2025 "Season of Change" with Dinner With Friends, opening September 6 and continuing weekends through September 21. Written by Donald Margulies, Dinner With Friends was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2000.
music
UCPAC presents The Rascals 
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Two legendary founders of The Rascals are together again. Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish cite the fans and love of their timeless songs as reasons for collaboration. You can see them as part of The Rascals 2024 People Got to Be Free tour on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents acclaimed blues guitarist Joanna Connor 
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- On Sunday, September 22, 2024, the Lizzie Rose Music Room presents acclaimed blues guitarist Joanna Connor. Bees Deluxe will open the night. Showtime is 7:30pm.
ASBURY MEDIA expands services with Dolby Atmos and Apple Spatial Audio Mastering 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- As a complement to its existing audio mastering and digital media services, ASBURY MEDIA is pleased to announce the availability of its new Dolby Atmos and Apple Spatial Audio Mastering Studio for artists, labels and producers seeking opportunity with this emerging, state of the art music delivery platform which is available on Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon HD.
Broadway star Norm Lewis kicks off MPAC's 30th Anniversary Season on September 20th 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Three decades in the making, Mayo Performing Arts Center's 30th anniversary season officially kicks off on Friday, September 20, 2024 with a performance by Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee Norm Lewis. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Pineland Symphonic Band to Perform at Ocean County Library Toms River Branch 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County Library is pleased to present a live concert by the Pineland Symphonic Band at the Toms River Branch on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The popular Whiting-based wind ensemble has performed for Ocean County community groups, retirement communities, civic events and schools for more than 30 years. Its volunteer members include virtuosos from professional symphonies, music teachers and music enthusiasts. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Vogel presents Five for Fighting with a String Quartet 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Grammy® nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) will kick off a series of special string quartet shows beginning September 26. Ondrasik will be bringing top musicians including Tony-Award winning concertmaster and co-orchestrator of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Katie Kresek (Violin), Melissa Tong (Violin), who toured with Post Malone in 2023, and Broadway’s Chris Cardona (Viola) and Peter Sachon (Cello). The unique nature of the shows allows Ondrasik to go behind the music and tell stories while the format allows for a deeper dive into the catalog, while there is always a surprise or two in store.
Albert Music Hall hosts Pinelands Heritage & Americana Fest 
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- On September 14, 2024, Albert Music Hall invites you to a day of Pinelands-style family fun at the 2nd Annual Pinelands Heritage & Americana Festival. The event runs from 12:00pm to 5:00pm and is a FREE outdoor event filled with fantastic music, entertainment, and rich cultural festivities. The rain date is September 15th.
Rod Wave - Last Lap Tour comes to Prudential Center in December 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- This Fall, AG Touring and Mammoth, Inc. proudly present the Rod Wave - Last Lap Tour. This large-scale multi-city outing will feature Rod Wave headlining 36 of North America's top arenas coast-to-coast. The tour will kick off on October 19 at Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, AZ visiting major markets across the country, including Newark’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 with special guests Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior and Eelmatic.
Greater South Jersey Chorus Announces its 2024-25 Season 
The Greater South Jersey Chorus has announced its exhilarating 2024-25 season which boasts an inspiring series of great choral works, both traditional as well as contemporary. Performances take place in Collingswood, Glassboro, Cherry Hill, Vineland, and Galloway.
film
First Look Review - "Out Come The Wolves" 
Following The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, Hunting Daze and Hunters on a White Field, Adam MacDonald's Out Come the Wolves is the latest indie drama to employ the backdrop of a hunting trip for an exploration of men regressing to an animal state. This one is more of a survival thriller than the aforementioned examples, with human savages coming up against actual animals in a pack of hungry wolves.
Smart Rom-Com Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts opens the New Jersey Film Festival! 
“So, is this film really about reunion or drifting apart?”
I hesitated for three seconds before answering, “It’s complicated.”
It’s hard to pinpoint the delicate changes in emotions in Shaun Seneviratne's Ben and Suzanne: A Reunion in Four Parts. Yet, this intricacy vests the film with more relatability and, therefore, an unrefined attraction. Partially autobiographical, this film tells the story of a long-distance couple’s reunion on a half-business-half-travel trip. In the exotic land of Sri Lanka, Ben, who comically lands with a gigantic Toblerone chocolate bar, and Suzanne, his long-distance girlfriend who works for an NGO organization, rediscover, reconnect, and redirect their relationship as they encounter awkward intimacy, comical dilemmas, and inevitable disagreements and redraw their individual lifelines.
“Complicated?”
art
New Works by Chitra Ganesh and Eirini Linardaki Exhibited at New York Penn Station as Part of "Acclaimed Art at Amtrak" Series Curated by Debra Simon Art Consulting 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Debra Simon Art Consulting and Amtrak have announced new, large-scale public art works by Chitra Ganesh and Eirini Linardaki now on display at New York Penn Station. The installations are the latest in the Art at Amtrak series of rotating public art exhibitions, curated by award-winning public art curator and producer Debra Simon. For the first time since the series started at the station, Art at Amtrak has expanded from beyond the Amtrak Rotunda and 8th Avenue Concourse to the Hilton Corridor.
poetry
Poetry Out Loud to Celebrate 20th Anniversary During 2024-2025 School Year 
The 2024-2025 school year marks the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud®, an arts education program and dynamic poetry recitation competition for high school students that lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Poetry Foundation, and state and jurisdictional arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud takes place in all 50 states, American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Schools and organizations are encouraged to contact their Poetry Out Loud state coordinator to get involved in this year's competition.
community
Atlantic City Arts Foundation Appoints New Executive Director Michael Atkins 
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Atlantic City Arts Foundation has appointed Michael Atkins as its new Executive Director, effective September 1, 2024. Atkins is native to South Jersey and leverages extensive experience in multimedia production and nonprofit communications into the crucial role of executive director. He is a proud Atlantic City resident with a lifelong passion for literature, visual arts, and performing arts.
New York Times Journalist Peter Baker to Speak at Stockton University about Election 2024 
(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Award-winning author and New York Times journalist Peter Baker will share his insights into the 2024 presidential election during a talk September 12, 2024 at Stockton University. Baker will speak with Stockton professor Toby Rosenthal at 6:00pm in the Campus Center Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 5:30pm.
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FEATURED EVENTS
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Matisyahu
Monday, September 16, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music
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Common and Pete Rock: The Auditorium Tour
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 @ 8:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music
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Dan Buettner
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 @ 6:00pm
Grunin Center
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: community
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Literature to Life to Host Two Free Events in NYC - "What is the American Dream?"
(NEW YORK, NY) -- This month, Literature to Life (LTL) will host two free events in New York City entitled "What is the American Dream?" The goal is to bring communities together and explore the unique perspectives of immigrants and refugees in New York City through theatrical performances and interactive discussions.
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.
