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
This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place April 30 to May 7, 2024 
Here are previews of plays taking place from April 30 to May 7, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.
REVIEW: "tick, tick.. BOOM!" at George Street Playhouse 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse continues its 50th anniversary season with a fantastic production of Jonathan Larson's tick, tick... BOOM! There are many universal themes in theatre, but one that holds true for many is the theme of this wonderful play - the way we feel the impending deadline we've given ourselves to succeed in life.
WHATCO in association with the Hackensack Performing Arts Center announce open auditions for Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" 
(WEST HUDSON, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) and Teaneck New Theater, in association with The Hackensack Performing Arts Center have announced open auditions for their Shakespeare productions scheduled for this summer.
StageWorks Theatre Group presents "Violet" 
(POMPTON LAKES, NJ) -- StageWorks Theatre Group presents Violet across two weekends (May 9-12 and May 16-19, 2024). It is based on "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts. As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful.
Premiere Stages at Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists for 2024 Play Festival 
(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has announced the 2024 Premiere Play Festival Semi-Finalists.
music
Bay Atlantic Symphony's Breaking Away! Concert Concludes Season this Weekend 
(VINELAND, NJ) /EINPresswire.com/ -- Rising Cuban American star and solo cellist Tommy Mesa is featured in Breaking Away!, Bay Atlantic Symphony's final concert of the season. A charismatic, innovative and engaging performer, Mesa is sure to dazzle with his exquisite skills and stage presence. He performs on a Nicolò Gagliano cello made in 1767 and a bow made by Andre Richaume.
John Conte talks about Early Elton Trio who comes to The Vogel on Saturday 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 7:30pm. Early Elton Trio is a tribute to the Elton John, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson trio tours of 1970 – 1972 featuring Jeff Kazee (piano, vocals) and John Conte (bass and vocals) from Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes (piano, vocals), along with Rich Pagano (drums and vocals) of The Fab Faux.
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts Taking Place from April 30 to May 7, 2024 
Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from April 30 to May 7, 2024 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
Billie Eilish to Perform Shows in Philly, Newark, and NYC 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Billie Eilish has a new studio album coming out and will be hitting the road starting in September 2024. Locally, she will be at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 5; the Prudential Center in Newark on Wednesday, October 9th; and has three shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City October 16-18, 2024.
WXPN Announces the 24-Hour Song Challenge for Area Songwriters 
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- WXPN, the member-supported Philadelphia radio station, is inviting local songwriters to participate in a 24-Hour Song Challenge on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 12 noon ET, when it will announce a song prompt to start the challenge.
comedy
The Newton Theatre presents Vic DiBitetto 
(NEWTON, NJ) -- His pace is frenetic. He holds no hostages. He says what you are thinking but are afraid to say out loud. The bottom line is this: Wear adult diapers if you are going to see Vic DiBitetto perform live. The popular comedian returns to The Newton Theatre on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 8:00pm.
New Improv Classes for Adults, Beginner through Intermediate, at Vivid Stage this Summer 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is offering a new season of improv classes for adults this summer. The next session, which includes two different classes, begins on June 20, 2024.
film
Mick Jagger & Anita Pallenberg Electrify the Screen at The ShowRoom 
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The ShowRoom will present a weekend celebration (May 4-5, 2024) dedicated to the legendary Anita Pallenberg. The weekend will feature two exclusive one-night-only screenings, including one film co-starring fellow icon Mick Jagger.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert comes to NJPAC 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Building on the success of sold out shows worldwide, a new 50+ city U.S. tour will kick off the next chapter of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse saga. Spider-Man™: Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert comes to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 3:00pm.
dance
McCarter Theatre Center Announces 2024-2025 Dance Series 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On April 30th, Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen, Executive Director Martin Miller, and Director of Presented Programming Paula Abreu announced McCarter Theatre Center's 2024-2025 Dance Series – featuring Ballet Hispánico, SW!NG OUT from superstar choreographer Caleb Teicher, Noli Timere – a new collaboration between Director/Choreographer/Princeton University Professor Rebecca Lazier and sculptor Janet Echelman, Seoul-based Bereishit Dance Company, and Twyla Tharp Dance. Also included as an optional season encore is the highly anticipated return of Pilobolus.
art
The Art House Gallery presents "A Hidden Unveiling" by Troy Jones 
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Art House Gallery is thrilled to showcase "A Hidden Unveiling" by Troy Jones, curated by Andrea McKenna weekends from May 4-26, 2024. Troy Jones' work offers a compelling exploration of the Black experience. His figures, depicted in relaxed, familiar poses either alone or in company, are shrouded by traditional African masks, prompting contemplation about the identities concealed within.
Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to Display Rob Henne's Digital & Traditional Art 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- A New Jerey artist equally conversant in digital art and oils on canvas will display both at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch. Rob Henne's dual exhibit will be on view Wednesday, May 1 through Friday, June 21, 2024.
The Gallery at Green Door Studio presents: Pencils, Pens, Paper & Paint 
(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Pencils, Pens, Paper & Paint opens May 4th, 2024 at The Gallery at Green Door Studio. Four illustrators who incorporate their unique perspectives on the ups and downs of life, will be coming together for this special exhibit. Each artist and their selected work captures the silly and the serious, maintaining their illustrative lines while also stepping into the world of fine art.
community
The City of Rahway to Cosponsor NJ Art and Music Express on Saturday with Woodbridge, Avenel, and NJ Transit 
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Mayor Raymond Giacobbe and Rahway City Council present the inaugural NJ Art and Music Express, an all-day collaborative art festival set to captivate audiences on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The event features free NJ Transit rides between Rahway, Woodbridge, and Avenel all day long.
