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
Old Library Theatre presents "A New Brain" 
(FAIR LAWN, NJ) -- Old Library Theatre (OLT), Fair Lawn Recreation Department's resident theatre company, will present the musical, A New Brain, over two weekends from April 12- 21, 2024. Created by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist William Finn and playwright James Lapine, this is an unexpectedly funny show that gives a glimpse into the inner world of Gordon Michael Schwinn (played by Patrick Dwyer), a frustrated composer for a children's television show.
Pushcart Players Presents "Velveteen Rabbit" at Algonquin Arts Theatre 
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, celebrating 50 years, presents "Velveteen Rabbit" at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10:00am & 11:45am. "Velveteen Rabbit" is based on the beloved children's book by Margery Williams, adapted for the stage by Pushcart Players' artistic director, Paul Whelihan. Choreography is by Stacie Gogo, music and lyrics are by NJ composer, Paul Farinella, and orchestrations are by Tony award-winner, Larry Hochman.
South Street Players presents "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" 
(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- South Street Players presents "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" in Wesley Hall across two weekends from May 3-12, 2024. This play parodies the plays of William Shakespeare with all of them being performed in comically shortened or merged form by only three actors. The production is produced and directed by SSP Board Member Rob Sullivan.
"East Carson Street" Premiering at Bell Theater 
The World Premiere of a new musical, East Carson Street, will open the new Bell Theater in Holmdel, NJ. The play has music by Joe Grushecky with a book by Jonathan Rosenberg
Gateway Playhouse presents "Much Ado About Nothing" 
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point will open its 2024 mainstage season with William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The beloved comedy will run for one weekend only, April 19-21, 2024 with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:00pm and a 2:00pm matinee on Sunday. The comedy revolves around two couples in love: Claudio and Hero—whose ultimate coupling is almost ruined due to baseless accusations by Don John, the play's villain; and Benedick and Beatrice, whose witty banter provides much of the show's humor.
Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" 
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's NEXTStage Repertory presents their spring musical production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical from April 18-28, 2024 in the Sitnik Theatre on the Centenary University campus. The musical was written by Joe Tracz, Composed by Rob Rokicki, and adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan with an original rock score.
Dover Little Theatre presents "Talk Radio" by Eric Bogosian 
(DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents Talk Radio by Eric Bogosian across three weekends in April. This is a thought-provoking play that delves into the world of media and the power it holds over society.
music
Dashboard Confessional to Kick Off Fall Tour 2024 at Stone Pony 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Dashboard Confessional, announced their Fall Tour 2024 featuring special guests BOYS LIKE GIRLS and Taylor Acorn. Produced by Live Nation, the 28-city tour kicks off on Tuesday, September 10 at Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park making stops across the U.S. in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and more before wrapping up in Irving, TX at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory on October 27.
MiMo The Musician releases "Love The Most Dangerous Drug" 
(NASHVILLE, TN) -- With strong ties to the Garden State, rock artist MiMo The Musician has released his latest single, "Love The Most Dangerous Drug." It details a rollercoaster romance from MiMo's college days, including his time at Montclair State University, and spanning locations such as Bayonne, North Bergen, and Whippany. Produced by Grammy award winner Dave Hagen, the song is available on all major streaming platforms.
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS Announces 2024 MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL SOUNDCHECK SERIES 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The nationally recognized nonprofit arts organization JAZZ HOUSE KiDS announced the lineup for their 2024 MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Soundcheck Series. Kicking off on Thursday, April 25th, the new bimonthly concert program takes place at the JAZZ HOUSE in Montclair, NJ. The Soundcheck Series will lead up to the JAZZ HOUSE KiDS-produced 15th Annual MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL Downtown Jamboree taking place on September 14th.
Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital Series presents music of Cecelia Reilly 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Westminster Conservatory of Music presents 60 Ellipses Around the Sun, a recital featuring music by Westminster Conservatory faculty member Cecelia Reilly, on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 7:30pm. The concert will take place in Bristol Chapel (101 Walnut Lane) in Princeton. Admission is free.
"Like Being Inside Joy!" Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra LIVE! at MPAC 
Anticipation is in the air this Sunday, March 24, 2024 evening inside Morristown, NJ's MPAC auditorium as jazz aficionados await a concert by the world's premiere big band, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, starring trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and special guest star, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel.
Light Opera of NJ Hosts "Stars of Tomorrow" Vocal Competition Finals 
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- Light Opera of New Jersey hosts the finals of Stars of Tomorrow, a vocal competition for New Jersey High School students, on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Basking Ridge. Showtime is 2:00pm.
Westminster Choir to perform at Carnegie Hall 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- The Westminster Choir will return to Carnegie Hall for a performance that will honor the late composer James Whitbourn, whose deep ties to Westminster Choir College lasted more than 20 years before his death in March. The event will take place in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium, one of the national historic landmark’s three venues, on April 13, 2024 at 1:00pm.
Princeton Porchfest to take place on April 27th 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) announces the return of Princeton Porchfest on Saturday, April 27. Princeton Porchfest, which made its debut in 2022, is a family-friendly event where musicians play free shows on porches throughout the neighborhood. Attendees are invited to stroll from porch to porch and relax on front lawns and sidewalks as they enjoy live, local talent.
Alex Biese and Somewhat Relative Expand Their Jam Band World 
There are bands who think of themselves as a family and there are bands like Somewhat Relative who truly are a family. About a decade ago, Alex Biese joined forces with his father-in-law (Fred Matthews) and mother-in-law (Jen Yacovelli) and began taking their music from the kitchen table to the stage. The acoustic Americana jam band is based in Monmouth County, but is branching out with shows across the state.
The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, Inc. Celebrates 50 Years of Concerts with Free Concert 
(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, Inc., a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, will play their final concert of the 2023-2024 Season on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at the Presbyterian Church in Leonia (181 Fort Lee Road). As part of the golden anniversary celebration, admission will be free. A donation of $25 at the door is suggested. Showtime is 3:00pm. This performance completes their celebration of 50 years of chamber music concerts in Leonia.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Apple Tree Days" by Patrick Fitzsimmons 
From Good Homes’ Patrick Fitzsimmons is the Makin Waves Song of the Week with the title track of his latest solo album, "Apple Tree Days.”
art
Grounds For Sculpture presents Slow Motion, Guest Curated by Monument Lab 
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- This spring, Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) presents Slow Motion, an exhibition guest curated by Monument Lab that expands the boundaries of contemporary sculpture through the use of unconventional materials and processes. Founded in 2012, Monument Lab is a nonprofit public art and history studio based in Philadelphia, which cultivates and facilitates critical conversations around the past, present, and future of monuments. Traditional approaches to monument-making emphasize durability, solidity, and myths of enduring permanence; however, Slow Motion, which will be on view from May 5, 2024 through September 1, 2025, will embrace the pleasures and possibilities of material transience.
Gabriela Salazar Exhibition "Whether Break or Shape" on Display at Drew University Korn Gallery 
(MADISON, NJ) -- Drew University artist-in-residence Gabriela Salazar's exhibition Whether Break or Shape is on view at The Korn Gallery through Friday, April 19, 2024. The exhibition, curated by Jason Karolak, includes large-scale paper castings which incorporate natural and gathered materials, and sculpted wall railings made from paper pulp and fired clay.
poetry
Lucas Wilson to Compete In 2024 Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals 
(WASHINGTON, DC) -- Lucas Wilson, a 12th grade student at Red Bank Regional High School was recently named the 2024 New Jersey Poetry Out Loud champion, one of more than 160,800 students to compete in this poetry recitation competition across the nation this year. Wilson is now advancing to the Poetry Out Loud National Semifinals in Washington, DC on Wednesday, May 1. Wilson will compete in the first semifinal, beginning at 9:00am, which will be available through a one-time-only webcast at arts.gov/Poetry-Out-Loud.
community
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From March 31 - April 6, 2024 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from March 31 - April 6, 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 7 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Camden, Essex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset)
The Third Annual Carteret Earth Day Celebration 
(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Third Annual Carteret Earth Day Celebration will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in Carteret Park on Carteret Avenue at Cypress Street. This year the popular event includes a wellness expo featuring a dozen vendors. They either will be selling holistic, organic products or providing wellness services, including physical therapy, chiropractic care, health screenings, yoga, and exercise classes. The event runs from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
Six Middlesex College Students Are in the Hunt for the Prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship 
(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- Six Middlesex College students have been selected as semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship. The students are: Safia Ansari of Woodbridge Township, Adriana Fung of North Brunswick, Theodore Kozak of Middlesex Borough, Nima Sedghi of Piscataway, and Idaliz Herrera and Crystal Paulino, both from Perth Amboy.
Morris Arts presents 16th Annual Great Conversations 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Morris Arts presents the 16th Annual Great Conversations on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 6:00pm-9:30pm at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany. Hosted by Morris Arts' Board Trustee, Merle Johnson, this unique event gives guests the opportunity to dine and talk with a prominent individual while supporting the arts.
"Hold On I'm Coming" Founder Mark Haug to Speak at Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch 
(BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Superstorm Sandy's destruction of lives and property will be long remembered. For Mark Haug, it led to an ongoing mission to help people in distress. Join the founder of Hold On I’m Coming for "Stories of Disaster Relief from Superstorm Sandy to Today" at the Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The event begins at 6:00pm.
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