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
The Summit Playhouse Is Accepting Directors' Submissions For 2025-26 MainStage Season 
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Summit Playhouse is now accepting directors' submissions for their 2025–26 MainStage Season - submissions are due January 15, 2025. Directors may submit one play or musical proposal for consideration.
Twelve Puppies from The Seeing Eye to Attend McCarter Theatre Center's Beloved Holiday Tradition "A Christmas Carol" 
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On December 22, 2024, McCarter Theatre Center will welcome twelve special guests to its beloved holiday offering A Christmas Carol — adorable puppies from the Middlesex County Seeing Eye puppy raising club. These future guide dogs, bred by The Seeing Eye, the oldest guide dog school in the world, will practice theater etiquette and experience being in a crowded public space as part of their essential training.
George Street Playhouse presents "SMALL" 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents SMALL from January 14 through February 2, 2025. This is a Penguin Rep Theatre production written and performed by Robert Montano (The Steel Man), and directed by Jessi D. Hill (Daniel's Husband). From the racetrack to the stage, Robert Montano shares his extraordinary true story of resilience and reinvention through the highs and lows of an unconventional life.
music
Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums 
Here are the top 10 albums by New Jersey indie artists for 2024, according to Makin Waves.
WBGO presents the return of the All That Jazz series to the Hamilton Stage with smooth jazz musicians Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner 
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- WBGO presents the return of the All That Jazz series to the Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center. This is a unique concert series showcasing some of the genre's most talented and respected performers via a partnership between UCPAC and Smooth Jazz NJ. On Friday, January 17, 2025, the series features smooth jazz musicians Brian Simpson and Jackiem Joyner. Showtime is 8:00pm.
The Town Hall presents Judy Collins and Friends: 85 Years of Music and Protest 
(NEW YORK, NY) -- The legendary Judy Collins will present a star-studded 85th birthday celebration Judy Collins and Friends: 85 Years of Music and Protest at The Town Hall on March 8, 2025. Directed by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Russ Titelman, Judy Collins will be joined onstage by her peers and some of the young talents she inspired and helped nurture. Showtime is 8:00pm.
New Jersey Youth Chorus To Hold Auditions in January 2025 
(NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ) -- The New Jersey Youth Chorus, a program of Wharton Arts, will hold mid-year auditions in January 2025 for singers in grades 3-12. To register for an audition for one of its five auditioned ensembles, visit NJYC.org.
Makin Waves Dirty Jersey Dozen 
Each year, Makin Waves picks the 12 independent New Jersey bands who made the most waves. That means extensive touring in support of a new LP or EP, preferably internationally; professional quality narrative videos; singles that garnered broadcast and online radio play (since Spotify rips artists off, I don't really care about streams); national press, and other awards. Note that the Dirty Jersey Dozen are presented in alphabetical order. To get a sense of pecking order, please check out the 26th Annual Makin Waves Awards, as well as the Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums and Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Songs.
Southside Johnny Announces Retirement from Touring; New Year's Eve Show is Cancelled 
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Sad news for the Jersey Music Community. Southside Johnny has announced he has retired from touring immediately, leading to the cancellation of this year's annual New Year's Eve performance at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
26th Annual Makin Waves Awards 
Makin Waves' annual holiday gift to the New Jersey music scene turns 26 this year with a bevy of goodness, particularly for top winners Jackson Pines, Rachel Ana Dobken, and Emerson Woolf, who each won two. And here we go...
State Theatre New Jersey presents Freestyle Flashback 
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Fever Records present Freestyle Flashback 2025, featuring freestyle artists from the '80s and '90s on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 8:00pm.
film
New Release Review - "The Man In The White Van" 
1970s-set thriller The Man in the White Van purports to be inspired by real-life events. Some reviews have suggested it draws on the crimes of serial killer Billy Mansfield, though the villain's identity remains ambiguous throughout the film (likely to leave things open for a possible sequel). I suspect if director Warren Skeels were honest, he would admit to his primary influence being John Carpenter's Halloween. Like that classic, Skeel's narrative feature debut takes place in the final days of October and is centred on a virginal teenage girl being stalked by an antagonist who seems to have randomly chosen her as his target (let's not forget the sister/brother stuff didn't pop up until Halloween II). As the title implies, the villain here spends most of his screen time unseen behind the wheel of a white van, and the stalking scenes recall the early segments of Halloween in which Michael Myers pursues Laurie Strode while commandeering a stolen station wagon. The van becomes something of a villain itself, like the eponymous Plymouth Fury of Carpenter's Christine, the truck from Spielberg's Duel, or the car from, well, The Car. Were it not for a series of flashbacks, we might wonder if there really is a human driver behind that foggy windscreen.
art
Riverside Gallery presents Along the 'LOVE' Road - a solo exhibition by Sungmo Cho 
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Riverside Gallery presents Along the 'LOVE' Road - a solo exhibition by Sungmo Cho from December 18, 2024 through January 8, 2025. There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, December 21st.
community
Top 15 Most Read Stories At New Jersey Stage From December 15-21, 2024 
Here's a look at the top 15 most read articles published at New Jersey Stage from December 15-21, 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 8 counties in New Jersey (Bergen, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Morris, Sussex, and Union).
New Shows Announced at The Sieminski Theater 
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Sieminski Theater has announced Act 1 of their 2025 season featuring diverse shows that are sure to deliver something unforgettable for every theatergoer. Shows added include a tribute to CSN&Y, Puccini's Madama Butterfly, and performances by the New Jersey Festival Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players.
Radio Tower or Espionage Center? "WSC Calling?" at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch 
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- The Tuckerton Wireless was a communications marvel at its inception in 1912. But it soon plunged the Jersey Shore into a web of international intrigue. Join historian Jeffrey Brown for "WSC Calling? The Tuckerton Wireless" at the Ocean County Library Waretown Branch on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The event begins at 12:00pm.
Bell Theater at Bell Works Announces 2025 Concerts and Theatrical Productions 
(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- Bell Theater, located in the iconic Bell Works complex in Holmdel, has a slate of exciting concerts and stage productions lined up for the 2025 season. With performances ranging from classic rock, jazz, country, Motown and family shows, along with a groundbreaking musical and a tear-jerker of a play, there's something for everyone!
books
Family Worth Fighting For: TJ Klune's Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk 
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Discover the magic in family life with New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist TJ Klune. He'll take you inside the new installment of his "Cerulean Chronicles," Somewhere Beyond the Sea, during his Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. The event begins at 7:00pm.
kids
Laurie Berkner Releases "Happy New Year" Video for Kids & Families 
Beloved kids' musician Laurie Berkner, a Princeton native, invites families to welcome 2025 with her new music video, "Happy New Year." Laurie hopes everyone will join the Conga line and celebrate the New Year each time they watch this video. The danceable Afro-Caribbean beat will have kids partying no matter where they are. Grab a pot and spoon, be part of the rhythm section, and count down to midnight!
