Teaneck High School drama teacher puts George Bernard Shaw to shame

by Jeff Parsons - published 2024-01-25
In his 1905 play Man and Superman, George Bernard Shaw famously included the line "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." This derogatory phrase is often used to denigrate theatre educators who have made the sacrifice to dedicate their careers to students, particularly at a time when arts-focused education is often the first to be cut in budget crises.

Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...1/25/24

by Danny Coleman - published 2024-01-25
"We finished the summer out with Blues Traveler for about a month and a half out on the West Coast and we are now gearing up to release a new album towards the end of May and as you mentioned, we have some singles kind of trickling their way out; we just released the second one, which is called, "Her Way Out."  

New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 01-25-24

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!

Amelie Magdalena Loy’s beautiful stop motion animation screens at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, January 27!

by Al Nigrin - published 2024-01-25
Austrian Filmmaker Amelie Magdalena Loy was kind enough to respond to my queries via email. Here is our conversation about her animated film Irina:

Can't make it out? You can watch the New Jersey Film Festival films at home

by Gary Wien - published 2024-01-24
If there is a bright side of the pandemic, it might be the way it forced the arts to take a look at offering events virtually. There are many challenges to doing this (costs, royalties, licensing issues, etc.) but many advantages as well. Virtual programming expands the reach of an arts event far beyond its local area, potentially opening up new markets; it offers a night out without the need to hire a babysitter; and it is wonderful for adding to the accessibility of the arts.

Actor's latest role: Student in Rutgers Executive MBA Program

(NEWARK, NJ) /PRNewswire/ -- Being led away in handcuffs isn't the best look for someone in business school – unless, of course, you're Michael Worden.

New Jersey Stage: Daily Edition 01-24-24

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!

Moving Documentary about American Farmers screens at the Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, January 27!

by Al Nigrin - published 2024-01-24
​​​​​​Muckville examines the ongoing mental health and suicide epidemic on American farms through the eyes of a 4th-generation onion farmer in New York’s Black Dirt region. Director Jeff Mertz responded to my questions about his important film Muckville via email. Here is my interview with him:

REVIEW - "Ibsen's Ghost" at George Street Playhouse

by Gary Wien - published 2024-01-23
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — George Street Playhouse is presenting the World Premiere of Ibsen's Ghost, a promising new comedy by Charles Busch. The play deals with the days following the state funeral of Henrik Ibsen when two women are seeking to have memoirs involving the legendary playwright published. The literary legacy of who inspired Ibsen's legendary characters lies in the balance.