With just a few hours to go in the year, we are spotlighting the top 25 most read articles of 2023 at New Jersey Stage. Topics included comedy, film, music, and theatre with a mix of show previews, concert and play reviews, features, and news releases. Counties covered included Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, and Union.
Thanks go out to all of writers and photographers, and to the people who keep coming back to our site each day. We are proud to have the support of so many arts organizations and fans of the arts and wish everyone a very Happy New Year!
1) Poetic Film Exposed to Each Other screens at the 2023 New Jersey Film Festival on Saturday, January 28! - Exposed to Each Other is a film by Mersolis Schone and comes to us from Vienna, Austria. This short film is based on a poetic text collage by Marion Steinfellner that brings together a multicultural and multilingual collection of Indian, Japanese, German and Austrian texts by Yuko Kaseki, Savita Rani, Mersolis Schone and Marion Steinfellner. Presented as a kind of film poem, the common thread of these texts is touch and touching which are presented as journeys and how interpersonal, intercultural encounters connect us to each other across the world. This is the fundamental question at the heart of Exposed to Each Other - How are we connected to each other? - and each scene propels us further on a multi-faceted journey exploring this idea.
2) Seeking NJ Locals to Appear as Extras in Feature Film - A high school movie musical feature film from Paramount Pictures will be filming in Middletown, NJ area. New York City-based Grant Wilfley Casting, Inc. is now seeking locals to appear as extras in the film.
3) REVIEW: "The Great Gatsby" at Paper Mill Playhouse - For 85 years, Paper Mill Playhouse has presented musicals and plays with loving flair. The house is saturated in history – near financial ruin, fire, and a devotion to theatrical arts. For a banner anniversary, the theater unfurls a resplendent, largely glorious world premiere production of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby reflecting the complications of romance. Book a seat on the Morris & Essex New Jersey Transit line for the musical ride of your life.
4) REVIEW: "Disney's Hercules" at Paper Mill Playhouse - There’s a fine line with Disney’s adaptations of its animated musicals to the stage. Of the cannon, only “Lion King” has successfully fully made the leap from two dimensional. Paper Mill Playhouse and Disney’s stab at updating the big screen version of “Hercules” has wonderful elements, many strong performances, a solid book, but feels under baked in battle for audience dollars. There's clear appeal for families, especially boys which is admirable.
5) NJPAC Announces Lineup for Horizon Sounds of the City 2023 - (NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the annual Horizon Sounds of the City 2023, a FREE live summer concert series taking place under the stars during the summer every Thursday Night from July 13 – August 17 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm on the NJPAC Campus at Chambers Plaza.
6) McDonald's Gospelfest returns to Prudential Center on May 13th - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The Annual McDonald's Gospelfest returns to Prudential Center on Mother's Day Weekend Saturday, May 13, 2023, for the biggest and best gospel event of the year. This year's event will celebrate the 40th Year Anniversary of McDonald's Gospelfest. Live performances to help celebrate the anniversary are Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship Choir, the Legendary Clark Sisters and so many more!
7) An Interview with ‘The Geator with the Heater,’ Jerry Blavat - Jerry Blavat — aka ‘The Geator with the Heater’ and ‘The Boss with the Hot Sauce’ — is a disc jockey, actor, and entertainer who’s had a major influence on the music industry. Born in Philadelphia, Blavat gained fame as a teen when he appeared as a regular on WFIL-TV’s Bandstand. After hosting live dances in the Philly/South Jersey area, he started his own radio show, created the Lost Nite and Crimson record labels, and appeared in films and on television. In 1998, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His 2011 memoir is entitled You Only Rock Once.
8) "The Best Man: The Final Chapters," Filmed In Jersey, Premiered on Peacock on December 22 - (NEWARK, NJ) -- The latest installment of the popular and successful The Best Man franchise returned to New Jersey for the filming of its conclusion. The Best Man: The Final Chapters will bring viewers up-to-date on the lives of its endearing characters Lance (Morris Chestnut), Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), Harper (Taye Diggs), Candy (Regina Hall), Quentin (Terrence Howard), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Jordan (Nia Long), and Julian (Harold Perrineau). Relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.
9) Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2022-2023 Season - (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced its 2022-2023 season, including a gripping murder mystery, a Disney hero of mythic proportions, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved final musical, the Tony-nominated story of two Latin music icons, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that defined a generation.
10) New indy film argues Alabama woman was wrongly convicted of murder - (ELIZABETH, NJ) -- An independent African-American filmmaker with a relentless pursuit of the truth and justice has produced a stunning documentary that makes a powerful case: arguing that an Alabama white woman has been unjustly imprisoned for 30 years.
11) "Still at the Top of Their Game!" Chicago LIVE! at STNJ - Fog rolls in on the stage under white lights this Sunday, June 25, 2023 at New Brunswick, NJ’s State Theatre New Jersey, illuminating a raised bandstand filled with drums and percussion, keyboards, assorted horns, and mic stands.
12) "Stupendous!" Micky Dolenz LIVE! at BergenPAC - Fans of The Monkees ready themselves inside Englewood, NJ's BergenPAC auditorium this April 12, 2023 evening for a concert of Monkees' hits and a live performance of The Monkees' 1967 album, Headquarters, presented by the group's sole surviving member, Micky Dolenz.
13) REVIEW: "Tales From the Guttenberg Bible" - Ever wonder what it takes to make it in Hollywood? Steve Guttenberg took a very unique approach and his story is told in Tales from the Guttenberg Bible, currently having its World Premiere at George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ. The production runs through May 21st.
14) The Playground Theatre Project presents "Lost Angels" at The Vogel - (RED BANK, NJ) -- The Playground Theatre Project, an outreach program of Actors Playground School of Theatre, will present Lost Angels at The Vogel on Sunday, April 30 at 2:00pm and Monday, May 1 at 7:30pm. The play, written and directed by Ralph Colombino, takes place during a lock down where 11 high school students are stuck in a classroom without a teacher and only texts and the PA system to let them know what is happening in the rest of the school.
15) Paper Mill Playhouse Announces Cast and Creative for "Rent" - (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced the cast and creative team for Rent by Jonathan Larson, directed by Zi Alikhan (Resident Director of Hamilton) and choreographed by Steph Paul (New York Theatre Workshop: How to Defend Yourself). The show runs June 7 through July 2, 2023.
16) "Maybe I Do" - Film Shot In New Jersey Comes To Theaters - (MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- An all-star cast visited Essex, Union, Hudson, and Passaic Counties for the filming of the upcoming multigenerational romantic comedy Maybe I Do. Produced by Endeavor Content, the movie follows Michelle and Allen, who have reached the point in their relationship where they are considering next steps. They decide to invite their parents to finally meet and offer their insights about why marriage works. Turns out, the parents already know one another quite well, which leads to some differing opinions about the value of matrimony. Maybe I Do is produced by Michael Jacobs, Scott Mednick, and Vincent Newman and will be released in theaters on January 27.
17) DJ Cassidy to Kick Off "Pass The Mic" tour at Prudential Center - (NEWARK, NJ) -- DJ Cassidy will take his highly lauded primetime television series "Pass The Mic" on tour in 2023 in partnership with Black Promoters Collective. "DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic Live!" Tour kicks off on Friday, May 12th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with an epic lineup including Ashanti, Fabolous, Ja Rule, Lil Kim, Ma$e, Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, 112, and a slew of exciting surprise guests. The debut show, brought to you by SJ Presents' "Mother's Day Good Music Festival," will be the first in a series of one-night-only events taking place throughout the year, each with its own unique roster of superstar performers.
18) The Weeknd's After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour: A Wild Excursion Into the Unknown - On July 16, 2022, The Weeknd performed at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The show was opened by Mike Dean and Kaytranada. Jennifer Petrics was there to cover the show and take photos.
19) The Smooth Cruise Is Back! - (NEW YORK, NY) -- Smooth Jazz New York with Smooth Jazz New Jersey present Jonathan Butler and Gerald Albright on The Smooth Cruise on June 22, 2023. The cruise sails from Pier 40 (Westside Hwy. and Houston Street) in New York, NY. Boarding is at 6:30pm; the cruise departs at 7:30pm. There is a buffet and cash bar available on board.
20) Newark to Hold Annual Latin Festival on Sunday - (NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Deputy Mayor for Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles, and the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR) will host the Annual Latin Festival on Sunday, August 20, from noon to 10:00pm, on Bloomfield Avenue between Lake Street and Clifton Avenue, in Newark's North Ward. This year's event is being presented as an opportunity for citywide anti-violence organizations to raise awareness for domestic violence prevention, with speakers sharing personal stories of transformation from the stage.
21) MPAC presents Kevin James: the Irregardless Tour - (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- TV and film star Kevin James will perform an evening of stand-up comedy at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 8:00pm. Kevin James began his career as a stand-up on the Long Island comedy scene. After being discovered at the 1996 Montreal Comedy Festival, he signed a network development deal to create his own sitcom.
22) M. Night Shyamalan Returned to South Jersey to Film "Knock at the Cabin" - (BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ) -- M. Night Shyamalan returned to South Jersey to film his upcoming apocalyptic horror film Knock at the Cabin, which just wrapped. The film marks the 15th feature film produced and directed by Shyamalan, with Jarin Blaschke as cinematographer. Produced by Binding Edge Pictures and Universal Pictures, Knock at the Cabin will be released by Universal on February 3, 2023. The principal photography was done in Burlington County.
23) State Theatre New Jersey 2023-24 Broadway Season Preview - (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey has announced its 2023-24 Broadway Season, featuring eight fantastic shows. The 2023-24 Season includes Tony® Award-winning hits, Broadway fan favorites, and multiple State Theatre debuts. Season tickets for the 2023-24 Broadway Series are now on sale.
24) Inside Paper Mill Playhouse's 2023-24 Season - (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced its 2023–2024 season of five musicals, including a world premiere, a Tony Award winner, and an electrifying new musical inspired by real events in post-emancipation Texas.
25) Burlington County announces 2023 Summer Concert Series - (BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ) -- Get your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers ready because Burlington County’s Summer Concerts Series is returning with a full slate of music and entertainment spanning all ages and genres.
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