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
REVIEW: "Empire Records: The Musical" at McCarter Theatre 
(PRINCETON, NJ) — It isn't often that you hear songs by The Cure and Nirvana before the opening of a play, but that's the vibe at McCarter Theatre for Empire Records: The Musical. Based on the cult classic '90s film about a group of employees fighting to keep their record store from going corporate, the play is having its World Premiere in Princeton now through October 6, 2024.
Vanguard Theater presents "Alice By Heart" 
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Vanguard Theater presents a Summerstock encore performance of Alice by Heart from September 26-29, 2024. From the award winning writers of Spring Awakening and following a highly successful run at Dream Summerstock VTC, they are bringing the show to Vanguard's main stage for 6 additional performances.
Molière in the Park presents OneLove OneTheater 2024 gala on September 30th 
(BROOKLYN, NY) -- Molière in the Park will present their annual OneLove OneTheater 2024 gala, co-hosted by Amir Arison (nine seasons as a series regular on NBC's "The Blacklist," lead role in Broadway's The Kite Runner) and Lakisha May (Broadway's Jaja's African Hair Braiding and Skeleton Crew, MIP's The Miser), on Monday, September 30, 2024 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm at Negril BK (256 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn.
NJ Rep presents the World Premiere of "Pen Pals" starring Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar 
(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) by special arrangement with Lisa Dozier Shacket, will continue its 27th Season with an added special presentation of the world premiere of Pen Pals by Michael Griffo, directed by SuzAnne Barabas. Performances run from October 3 through October 20, 2024. The production stars Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar.
Ali Keller's "(un)conditional" named SoHo Playhouse's 2024 Lighthouse Series Winner 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- SoHo Playhouse is thrilled to announce Ali Keller's (un)conditional, directed by Ivey Lowe, as their 2024 Lighthouse Series winner. The series features amazing works by NYC's talented up-and-comers. A competition, first of its kind, specifically designed to showcase the best new talent and writers across the New York City area. Starting with 15 semi-finalists, audiences chose the six finalists. From this group an overall winner was picked by SoHo Playhouse to receive a full Off-Broadway production in 2025. Exact dates to be announced.
music
Music at the Mansion(TM) Returns September 29th 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- NiCori Studios & Productions announces the next installment of the long running Cabaret series "Music at the Mansion™" at the historic Thorne Mansion home of the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Morristown on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 3:00pm.
The Levoy Theatre presents Yngwie Malmsteen 
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents guitar legend Yngwie Malmsteen on Friday, October 11, 2024. Malmsteen's career has spanned over 40 years with over twenty albums to his name. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Christopher Riddle Tribute 
During our life journey, many people cross our paths, and if we are lucky, meaningful relationships develop with those who touch us in the most inspiring way.
Music at Bunker Hill Announces 17th Season 
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Entering its 17th season, Music at Bunker Hill continues its mission of bringing great performers to the heart of Southern New Jersey. Grammy-winning Imani Winds opens the series on October 6, 2024 with The French Connection, consisting of works by Blanchet, Françaix, Shifrin, Coleman, Stravinsky. Returning favorite Escher Quartet performs works by Mozart, Price, and Ravel on October 20. Appearing for their first time in their series, American Brass Quintet, founded in 1960 and in residence at Juilliard since 1987, performs on November 10 with works spanning five centuries.
Second Annual Jazz in the Streets features Carrie Jackson 
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), in partnership with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), present the second annual Jazz in the Streets event on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Clinton Avenue Sound Stage as part of CHCA and NJPAC's collaborative ArtsXChange series. The event runs from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and features Vocalist Carrie Jackson, who hails from the South Ward and is a Weequahic High School grad and will delight with her genre-bending style that includes jazz classics, blues, pop and some surprising renditions that are uniquely her own.
Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Remember Jones: Bat Out Of Hell Live 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Remember Jones brings Bat Out of Hell LIVE to The Count Basie Center for the Arts on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 8:00pm. The popular New Jersey musician will perform Meatloaf's entire album and more with a 15-piece band. With a one-of-a-kind stage show and top-tier musicianship, this band of nationally touring artists and show stopping vocalists bring the music of Jim Steinman alive like no other rock experience out there today.
Harmonium Choral Society Announces 2024-2025 Concert Season 
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Harmonium Choral Society welcomes you to their 46th year of cutting-edge choral performances. Artistic Director Dr. Anne Matlack has planned an exciting season. "We are celebrating the creative spirit in fresh works, old gems, and new collaborations in the community. I am inspired to balance old favorites of the choral canon with inspired new works by contemporary composers".
Internationally acclaimed cellist Mo Mo joins NJFO for season opening concerts 
(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Under the baton of Maestro David Wroe, acclaimed guest cellist Mo Mo joins NJ Festival Orchestra (NJFO) to perform the Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon Concerto, a concert work based on Tan Dun’s score for Ang Lee's Oscar-winning mystical martial arts film. Mo Mo, from Beijing, China, was specially selected by composer Tan as one of the few official performers of his Oscar-winning score, originally written for Yo Yo Ma. Mo Mo will perform with NJFO in Westfield on September 27th and September 29th in Basking Ridge.
Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Cherry" by The dt's 
The latest single by the dt's, "Cherry," is a hook haven that proves the Central Jersey power-pop duo is getting better with age.
film
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2024 Video Filmmaker Q+A with The Horse Tail Director Justyna Łuczaj-Salej .jpg)
Here is the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2024 Video Filmmaker Q+A with The Horse Tail Director Justyna Łuczaj-Salej and Festival Director Al Nigrin:
Interview with Look at Me Director Taylor Olsen for the New Jersey Film Festival 
Here is the interview I conducted with Look at Me Director Taylor Olsen over the internet:
Nigrin: Your feature film Look at Me is a fictional autobiography about an insecure, awkward and lonely bisexual actor who goes on an unwitting journey of self-love in the midst of an eating disorder relapse. Tell us about the genesis of this film and the process you went through to complete it.
Intriguing feature Look at Me screens at the New Jersey Film Festival 
“Seeking external validation isn’t healthy.”
“Always prioritize yourself, take care of your body and mind.”
“You must accept and love yourself before you can love someone else.”
…Really?
Whenever I open YouTube, there are always those people: demonstrating Pilates tutorials in front of their panoramic view windows or sharing “super easy, low carb” chia seed pudding recipes, smiling, radiant, and effortless. Through their Morandi-colored filters, it seems “changing for the better” is merely one inspirational slogan away, and all we lack is determination or “the right mindset.” “Embrace your imperfections; there is always a way to cure you.” Those tender, tickling voices that initially feel like feathers brushing our bruises would eventually weave a suffocating pile of nets but are barely enough to extricate a person already caught in the swamp.
When the tasteless, lukewarm chicken broth numbs our hearts, Look at Me spilled in a spoonful of black pepper mixed with cayenne chili.
art
Atlantic Highlands Arts Council presents An Exhibition of new work by Robert O'Connor 
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Atlantic Highlands Arts Council presents an exhibition of new work by Robert O'Connor, Upward Toward The Light, from September 21 through October 26, 2024. Artist, composer and environmentalist, Robert O’Connor elevates the backdrop of our everyday lives - the trees and plants that populate our yards and towns.
community
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From September 8-14, 2024 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from September 8-14, 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 (Atlantic, Bergen, Camden, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union).
