New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


New Jersey Stage:
Daily Edition 09-11-24

NJ Stage Daily Update

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


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.

 



This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place September 10-17, 2024
 

Here are previews of plays taking place from September 10-17, 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.

 



Playhouse 22 presents "Grand Horizons" by Bess Wohl
 

(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Playhouse 22 presents Grand Horizons, a play by Bess Wohl, from September 13-29, 2024. It's a play about Bill and Nancy. They have spent fifty full years as husband and wife -- practically breathing in unison, and anticipating each other's every sigh, snore, and sneeze. But just as they settle comfortably into their new home in Grand Horizons, the unthinkable happens: Nancy suddenly wants out.

 



Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" - a structured, longform improvisation series that mixes comedy and drama
 

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. This season, the company will present thirty performances of different kinds, in locations all over the region. Next up is the first episode of an original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 1 runs Saturday, September 21 at 8:00pm and Sunday, September 22 at 2:00pm.



Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



 


music


Dirty Deeds - The AC/DC Experience to Play 2 Nights at Newton Theatre
 

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Dirty Deeds - The AC/DC experience on Friday, October 4th and Saturday, October 5th - both nights at 8:00pm. The band celebrates the thunderous energy of the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson era delivering a power-packed performance that takes the audience on a journey through the story that is AC/DC.

 



Talking with Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive: 'Takin' Care of Business'
 

Randy Bachman, founder of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, will play Sept. 17 at Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center. The show also chronicles his greatest hits with The Guess Who.

 



This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 10-17, 2024
 

Here is a look at upcoming shows taking place from September 10-17, 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.

 



Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Lucy Kaplansky on Sunday
 

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Lucy Kaplansky on Sunday, September 15, 2024 with a matinee performance at 3:00pm. Blending Country, Folk and Pop styles, she has the unique ability to make every song sound fresh, whether singing her own sweet originals, covering Country classics by June Carter Cash and Gram Parsons or singing Pop favorites by Lennon/McCartney and Nick Lowe.

 



Jane Getter Premonition and PAKT Concert Review
 

I had a great time last Saturday evening seeing a double bill of Jane Getter Premonition and PAKT perform their respective musical magic at the Williams Center in Rutherford, New Jersey.  I had seen PAKT a few times before but last night they were really on fire. It is no accident that I now call their sound "volcanic music." I will explain what I mean by this in a bit.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



 



New Jersey Symphony announces 2025 Lunar New Year Composition Competition
 

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony has announced a Lunar New Year Composition Competition. They are calling on New Jersey-based composers of all backgrounds, ages and ability levels to submit their own solo piano arrangement of the Korean folk song "Arirang." The winner's arrangement will be performed at the Symphony's Lunar New Year Celebration on January 25, 2025, by pianist Min Kwon.

 


comedy


Avenel Performing Arts Center presents comedian "Goumba Johnny" Sialiano on Saturday
 

(AVENEL, NJ) -- The Avenel Performing Arts Center presents comedian "Goumba Johnny" Sialiano on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 8:00pm. Comedian Laura High will open the night.

 


film


Newark Launches Office of Film and Television to facilitate film, television, and multimedia production in the city
 

(NEWARK, NJ) -- On September 10, 2024, Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced the newly created Newark Office of Film and Television (NOFTV), a specialized agency dedicated to facilitating film, television, and multimedia production in the city.

 



New Release Review - "AfrAId"
 

While the rest of us try to figure out if Artificial Intelligence will ultimately help us do our jobs or put us all out of work, Hollywood is determined to embrace AI. We've already seen movies like The Creator, Atlas and Alien: Romulus act as stealth AI propaganda by equating fear of AI to racism and xenophobia. One corner of Hollywood however seems determined to exploit our fears of AI, and that's the horror studio Blumhouse. The studio scored a hit with their 2022 AI thriller M3GAN, which likened AI to an uncontrollable tearaway child. With AfrAId, AI is posited as something of an irresponsible parent. That the movie attracted actors of the quality of John Cho, Katherine Waterston and Keith Carradine probably reflects the current disdain towards AI in Hollywood's acting stable.

 



Horror-Comedy All You Need is Blood screens at the Fall 2024 New Jersey Film Festival on September 14!
 

Cooper Robert's feature film All You Need is Blood is a bold entry into the horror-comedy genre and offers a fresh cinematic experience, blending dark humor with supernatural elements, anchored by the strong performances of the leading cast. The film follows amateur filmmaker Bucky, seeking the mentorship of a legendary filmmaker and ultimately producing a campy, zombie slasher. This delves into human behavior's complexities and intertwines personal struggles with an overarching sense of suspense. A playful and inventive visual style characterizes Cooper Roberts' direction. The vibrant color palette and dynamic cinematography enhance the film's humorous and horror elements, creating a visually engaging experience. The film maintains a comedic tone while making a believable zombie world through quick camera movements and practical effects. Roberts successfully balanced the horror aspect of this film and the comedic elements, with the humor complementing rather than overshadowing the zombie theme. In the words of Dick Boeing, "Is this a comedy?" The film is aware of its genre-bending and balance of the two. The script is filled with witty and clever dialogue, pulls the audience in, and entertains them with a playful score and situational comedy.

 


art


Stockton University Art Gallery to Explore Indigenous Culture Throughout Fall in New Exhibit, Workshops
 

(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Stockton University plans to bolster and celebrate Indigenous cultures through a new art exhibition titled "Indigenous Approaches, Sustainable Futures" that will highlight the work of more than 25 local and international Indigenous artists and host various interactive workshops open to the community starting Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

 


community


NJPAC will host live broadcast of WNYC's Notes from America with Kai Wright on September 29th
 

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will host an in-person Standing in Solidarity (SIS) program that is also a live broadcast of Notes from America with Kai Wright on Sunday, September 29, 2024 in the Chase Room. Standing in Solidarity is NJPAC's ongoing series of social justice conversations and film screenings. The event begins at 6:00pm.

 



Events This Week in New Jersey: September 10-17, 2024
 

Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from September 10-17, 2024 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Music, Theatre, Comedy, Dance, Film, Kids, Community, Event Listings.

 


FEATURED EVENTS

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Erth’s

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live!

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Kean Stage - Wilkins Theatre
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: community

Click here for full event listing

 

Sherlock

Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

George

George Street Playhouse presents "Small"

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

Blackberry

Blackberry Smoke: Rattle, Ramble and Roll Tour 2025

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

Sun

Sun Ra Arkestra

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Lucrecia

Lucrecia Pays Homage to Former Bergen County Resident and Reigning Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz

"Life is a carnival! It's much more beautiful to live it singing." If you're unfamiliar with my life's mantra, perhaps you’d recognize it if I were instead to say "la vida es un carnaval, es más bello vivir cantando." Now put a salsa beat under it and add the iconic voice of the Queen herself, Celia Cruz. Sound familiar? One would hope.



Jersey

Jersey Arts Podcast: Dancing through the Air: 'Noli Timere' Marks World Premiere at McCarter Theatre

"Noli Timere" is Latin for "be not afraid," and the name of the world premiere presentation from Director and Choreographer, Rebecca Lazier and Sculptor, Janet Echelman. The collaboration features eight multidisciplinary performers dancing up to 25 feet in the air within a voluminous, custom-designed Echelman net sculpture.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC hosts Ukraine Odesa National Ballet US Tour 2025: Don Quixote

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Step into over 200 years of history with the legendary Ukraine Odesa National Ballet as they bring the timeless classic Don Quixote to life at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Founded in the early 19th century, the Odesa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre stands as one of Ukraine's oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions, preserving a legacy of excellence and inspiration. Showtime is 7:00pm.



MPAC

MPAC presents Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Beyond

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Beyond on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 7:30pm. With over two billion streams, pop-culture inspired instrumentalists Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) has helped establish classical crossover as a genuine force in contemporary music.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Are Your Ready For It? A Taylor Experience Starring Traci Marie, paying tribute to Taylor Swift's iconic Eras Tour on Friday, February 14, 2025 at 7:00pm. This is a fast paced, energetic, captivating show, that features a live band tribute to the most successful tour in music history.