Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from May 27-June 2, 2025 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, Art, Community, Event Listings.
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FEATURED EVENTS
Wednesdays in May: Meet the Artist New Play Readings by Vivid Stage at the Summit Community Center. (SUMMIT, NJ) — Vivid Stage will present its annual Meet the Artist new play reading series on Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21 and 28. All readings will take place at the Summit Community Center (100 Morris Avenue) at 7:00pm. This year’s readings include works by Joe Sutton, Nick Gandiello, David Lee White, and Laura Ekstrand.
Oscar Wilde’s Witty Comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” Comes to The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Characterized as a trivial comedy for serious people, “The Importance of Being Earnest” kicks off the 2025 season of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. The production runs from May 14 through June 1, 2025.
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Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS from May 23 – June 1, 2025. This is a celebration of some of the most treasured works from their archive with contemporary voices of today and new plays that reflect the promise of tomorrow. VANGUARDS features works by Ntozake Shange, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, James Anthony Tyler and Silma Sierra Berrada.
Tuesday, May 27 – Men Come Celebrate Garden State Gay Socials’ First Birthday!. (EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) — Garden State Gay Socials is excited to invite gay men from across New Jersey and beyond to celebrate its first birthday with a lively and welcoming gathering. The event will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Taqueria Los Güeros, located conveniently in East Rutherford.
Thursday, May 29 – bergenPAC presents Back to the Garden 1969. (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) — Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Back to the Garden 1969 on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7:00pm. Founded by Gary Adamson, they are a group of seasoned players who have toured, performed, and recorded nationally.
2025 New Jersey International Film Festival to Take Place May 30th through June 8th. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center, in association with the Rutgers University Program in Cinema Studies, is proud to present the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival which marks its 30th Anniversary. The NJIFF competition will be taking place on the Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between May 30 – June 8, 2025 and will be a hybrid one as they will be presenting it online as well as doing in-person screenings at Rutgers University. Click here for a video overview.
Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Fest takes Place May 30th through June 1st. (AUGUSTA, NJ) — Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Fest takes place at the Sussex County Fairgrounds from Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1, 2025, bringing the best food, music, and culture that Louisiana and New Orleans have to offer to the East Coast.
12th Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival – May 30-31. (JERSEY CITY, NJ) — Exchange Place Alliance presents the 12th Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival May 30-31, 2025. A two-day celebration of music takes place on the Hudson River waterfront and features three stages, a community zone, food trucks, bars, a VIP experience, and even a parade.
Friday, May 30 – Glen Burtnik Talks About Revisiting the Music of Styx at The Basie. (RED BANK, NJ) — Glen Burtnik has lined up a great group of musicians to play songs by Styx at the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Friday, May 30, 2025. It’s a show I’ve got to admit I didn’t see coming, but one that long-time fans of Glen should get a ticket for.
Friday, May 30 – State Theatre New Jersey presents Andrew Dice Clay. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — State Theatre New Jersey presents Andrew Dice Clay Live in Concert on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 8:00pm. Andrew Dice Clay is proud to be one of America’s most controversial and outrageous comics. Quite simply, Dice is a Rock and Roll comedy legend.
MPAC’s spring production of “Newsies” features cast of local performers. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) — Disney’s Newsies, MPAC’s spring production, will feature a cast of over 50 young performers from Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Essex and other surrounding counties. Newsies takes the MPAC stage for five performances, Friday, May 30 – Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Friday, May 30 – Cléa van der Grijn’s surreal feature Elisa in Wonderland has its USA Premiere at the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival. In 2024, Cléa van der Grijn released her first feature film, The Disembodied Adventures of Alice, a new take on the classic story surrounding Wonderland. A year later, van der Grijn is now releasing another feature that carries heavy references to historical works, Elisa in Wonderland. The film surrounds Elisa, who, upon returning to her ancestral home, grapples with anxiety and other mental health conditions. As the film progresses, her state of health worsens alongside her sense of reality. The film itself is carefully crafted by van der Grijn to deliver this narrative, offering references to historical works of art and poetry to showcase Elisa’s state and her isolation from the world around her.
Saturday, May 31 – Outpost in the Burbs presents the Martin Sexton Abbey Road Show. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Outpost in the Burbs presents The Martin Sexton Abbey Road Show on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 8:00pm. Martin Sexton puts his signature style on his rendition of this iconic Beatles album combining what Rolling Stone calls his “soul-marinated voice” with his inventive guitar prowess. The show takes place at the First Congregational Church of Montclair.
Saturday, May 31 – State Theatre New Jersey presents The Fab Faux performing “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Abbey Road” albums. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — State Theatre New Jersey presents The Fab Faux on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 8:00pm. The band will perform A Hard Day’s Night and Abbey Road in their entireties. Joining The Fab Faux are The Hogshead Horns (with Blues Brothers, Blood, Sweat & Tears and SNL band alums) and The Creme Tangerine Strings.
Saturday, May 31 – 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival Broken Pieces Filmmaker Q+A. Here is the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival Broken Pieces Filmmaker Q+A featuring Director Justin Ho, Producer James Orfanos, Lead Actor Elisha Jachetti and NJIFF Director Al Nigrin. Broken Pieces will be screening along with the short film Chambers Street on Saturday, May 31, 2025 – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM.
Terrific short Wrestle-Off screens at the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival on May 31. Achieving our goals that we hold so dearly requires a long road with complicated obstacles and opponents that we come into contact with. These hurdles shape us and guide our decisions and actions in the long term. Sabatino Ciatti Jr.’s Wrestle-Off acknowledges these facts and creates a powerful and poignant representation of them through its main character, Alex.
Saturday, May 31 – “The Sandy Mack Experience” to Screen at New Jersey International Film Festival. One of the things that makes Asbury Park so special is its music scene and one of the guys who helps make that scene so special is Sandy Mack. His story and the weekly jams he organizes are the subject of The Sandy Mack Experience, a documentary film created by his daughter Sarah Ann McCuiston and Henry Donohue Frost.
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Saturday, May 31 – Excellent feature Broken Pieces screens at the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival. Broken Pieces is a great film which looks at the many intertwining lives in a place like New York City. Following multiple storylines which all eventually brush past or converge with each other, the film has the viewer constantly bouncing back and forth between different points in the city, mimicking the fast paced and mildly chaotic feeling of New York.
Sunday, June 1 – Grunin Center presents Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon with vibraphonist Behn Gillece and guitarist Brian Betz. (TOMS RIVER, NJ) — The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts will welcome vibraphonist Behn Gillece and guitarist Brian Betz to the Prima Studio Theatre for Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 3:00pm. The Grunin Center is located on the main campus of Ocean County College in Toms River.
Sunday, June 1 – Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre presents A Taste of Spain with the 12th Annual Feria de Sevilla. (WOODBRIDGE, NJ) — Join New Jersey’s premier Spanish & Flamenco Dance Company, the critically acclaimed Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre, on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 2:30pm to 6:00pm (rain date: Sunday, June 8) as it transports you, your friends and family to the famous Spanish fair, La Feria de Sevilla at the Parker Press Park (400 Rahway Avenue) in Woodbridge. Admission is free.
Touching Documentary Our Borderlands premieres at the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival on Sunday, June 1!. Viktor Witkowski’s Our Borderlands has an authentic beauty. It centers on three people living near the Poland-Germany border; the late Mr. Adamczyk, a local farmer, and two of whom are Witkowski’s family: his grandmother, Janina, and his aunt, Dana.
Important and timely documentary Freeing Juanita screens at the 2025 New Jersey International Film Festival on Sunday, June 1!. I had planned to do an interview with Freeing Juanita Director Sebastián Lasaosa Rogers in early May, but he tragically died while surfing off Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York on Saturday, April 12. So, I reached out to Sebastian’s dad Paul Rogers and he connected me with Tristan Philip Call, who is one of the producers of Freeing Juanita. Here is the interview I did with him:
Monday, June 2 – bergenPAC to Hold 3rd Annual New Jersey High School Musical Awards. (ENGLEWOOD, NJ) — For the third consecutive year, bergenPAC’s Performing Arts School proudly presents the High School Musical Awards Ceremony. This distinguished event celebrates and showcases the exceptional talents of students and staff involved in musical theater from high schools across New Jersey.
MUSIC
Tuesday, May 27 – Jersey City Jazz Week Leads Up to 12th Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival. (JERSEY CITY, NJ) — The 12th annual Jersey City Jazz Festival, produced by the non-profit organization Riverview Jazz and presented by Exchange Place Alliance, will host hundreds of musicians on Friday, May 30 beginning at 6:00pm and Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Exchange Place plaza on the Hudson River waterfront from noon to 9:00pm. The festival is a free event with one ticketed stage (Clubhouse by Fords Gin) and VIP options.
Wednesday, May 28 – The Vogel presents Tab Benoit. (RED BANK, NJ) — Acclaimed Grammy-nominated Bayou Blues guitarist Tab Benoit, “Louisiana’s Living Legend,” makes a special local appearance at The Vogel on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Doors are 6:30pm, showtime is 7:30pm. He’s coming off a memorable performance at New Orleans’ Jazz Fest, where Live Music News & Review wrote, “there are lots of blues musicians that play Jazz Fest each year, but none exemplify the Delta blues and swampland style better than Tab Benoit.”
Wednesday, May 28 – Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms join Jimmy Kimmel Live! on May 28th ahead of tour. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025 multi-platinum rock legends Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms will hit the stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a special performance on ABC. The appearance sets the tone for their upcoming summer co-headlining tour — an electrifying 30+ date run that includes a show in Atlantic City – Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort on Saturday, July 19. Spin Doctors are on the bill as well.
Thursday, May 29 – Latin Night Thursdays presents “Rumba Cubana and Rhythms” with Enildo Rasua. (WEEHAWKEN, NJ) — The vibrant rhythms of Latin music will take over the stage one last time this spring, as United Children’s Music Project’s Latin Night Thursdays series wraps up with the electrifying sounds of “Rumba Cubana and Rhythms” and the dynamic artistry of Enildo Rasua (“The Third Hand”) on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7:30pm (4710 Park Avenue, Weehawken, NJ). Proper attire and a $15 donation at the door are requested.
Thursday, May 29 – Princeton Makes Artist Cooperative to host Rhythm and Hues event on Thursday. (PRINCETON, NJ) — On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Princeton Makes, a Princeton-based artist cooperative, will host Rhythm and Hues, a musical and artistic collaborative event, in the Courtyard of the Princeton Shopping Center. The event will take place at 6:00pm.
Friday, May 30 – Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Festival to take place May 30 to June 1st. (AUGUSTA, NJ) — Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Festival returns to New Jersey, May 30 – June 1, 2025, to showcase the best food and music that Louisiana and New Orleans have to offer. The festival welcomes several Grammy Award winning and nominated musicians and more to two stages this year.
Friday, May 30 – Tusk to perform Two Nights at The Newton Theatre. (NEWTON, NJ) — Tusk, the Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute, comes to The Newton Theatre for performances on Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.
Friday, May 30 – 12th Annual Jersey City Jazz Festival to Take Place May 30-31. (JERSEY CITY, NJ) — Riverview Jazz, the non-profit producer of the Jersey City Jazz Festival, has announced the lineup for its ambitious 2025 festival. The annual event where hundreds of musicians perform for thousands of attendees will take place Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 at Exchange Place plaza on the Hudson River waterfront. The festival will also host events throughout Jersey City leading up to the festival beginning Tuesday, May 27.
Saturday, May 31 – Tuckerton Porchfest Returns May 31st with 7 Stages, 30+ Performers, and One Big Community Celebration. (TUCKERTON, NJ) — On Saturday, May 31, 2025, the streets of Tuckerton will once again come alive with music, poetry, and art as Tuckerton Porchfest returns for another unforgettable year. This free, all-ages event transforms front porches, local businesses, and community spaces into live performance venues from 11:00am to 7:00pm, showcasing over 30 local musicians, poets, and performers across seven stages.
Saturday, May 31 – James Dalton presents “Harmonica Lesson: The Show” at Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch. (SURF CITY, NJ) — Ocean County native James Dalton’s harmonica artistry takes him around the world, and each stop on the way creates memorable moments. Join James for stories from the road and learn some mouth harp magic during “Harmonica Lesson: The Show” at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Saturday, May 31 – The Bongos to Celebrate Release of “The Shroud of Touring: Live in 1985” at The Wonder Bar. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) — The Bongos will celebrate the release of The Shroud of Touring: Live in 1985 at The Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm. The CD will be released by JEM Records on May 23rd.
Saturday, May 31 – Under Cover Music Fest to Take Place May 31st in South Orange. (SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) — South Orange Downtown presents its signature event, Under Cover Music Fest, on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 2:00pm to 10:00pm. The event takes place at the Sloan Street Parking Lot (12 Sloan Street). It features eight cover bands, a beer garden, and food vendors. Admission is free.
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THEATRE
Bergen County Players presents “A Little Night Music” by Stephen Sondheim. (ORADELL, NJ) — Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America’s longest-running little theater companies, will close its 92nd season with Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning A Little Night Music at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from May 3 through June 1, 2025. With music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler, lovers reunite, passions reignite, and new romances blossom in 1900s Sweden.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to present “The Importance of Being Earnest”. (MADISON, NJ) — After a two-decade-long absence from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe brings Oscar Wilde and his delicious wit back to the Main Stage with one of the playwright’s most beloved comedies – The Importance of Being Earnest. The production runs from May 14 – June 1, 2025.
Arden Theatre Company to Close Out 2024-25 Season with “RENT”. (PHILADELPHIA, PA) — Arden Theatre Company is thrilled to close out its 2024-25 season with the electrifying Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT. Following its Broadway debut in 1996, where it earned four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical, RENT redefined musical theatre by taking audiences on an unforgettable journey of love, loss, hope, and resilience.
2025 Next Step Festival to Take Place May 27 through June 8. (NEW YORK, NY) — The 2025 Next Step Festival launches this spring at the Gural Theater (502 W 53rd St, NYC) with a weeklong lineup of boundary-pushing performances designed to spotlight emerging artists and urgent contemporary storytelling. Produced as a collaboration, this year’s festival offers a dynamic platform for theatrical innovation, social dialogue, and unfiltered creative expression.
Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin’s “Top Hat”. (BEACH HAVEN, NJ) — Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin’s Top Hat from May 28 through June 15, 2025. This uplifting and entertaining romantic comedy, featuring 14 glorious songs by Irving Berlin, celebrates 1930s music and romance with elegance and panache.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. (MILLBURN, NJ) — Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid, from May 29 through June 29, 2025. The beloved musical is the final production of Paper Mill’s 2024-2025 season. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater, and a book by Doug Wright, The Little Mermaid is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements.
Stony Hill Players presents “Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral”. (SUMMIT, NJ) — Stony Hill Players presents Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral from May 29 through June 1, 2025. This is the same kind of interactive theater experience as Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding and puts the audience in the center of the action among 21 actors. The production is directed by Peter Curley. The Executive Producer is Jayne Myers.
Gateway Playhouse presents “South Pacific”. (SOMERS POINT, NJ) — Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point opens its first musical of 2025, South Pacific, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The show runs on weekends from May 30 to June 8, 2025.
The Players Guild of Leonia presents “Desperate Measures”. (LEONIA, NJ) — The Players Guild of Leonia presents the musical, Desperate Measures weekends from May 30 – June 15, 2025. Imagine Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure stripped down (pun intended) to its most fun parts, staged in the old west (Arizona), and set to music. This is a fast-paced comedy that will have the audience laughing from start to finish.
Magnolia Productions presents James Cougar Canfield’s “Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII”. (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) — Magnolia Productions presents the North East United States premiere of James Cougar Canfield’s Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII across two weekends from May 30 – June 7, 2025. The play finds the infamous king in a strange afterlife where he is confronted by the six women he married. Truths are revealed, scores are settled, and legacies are challenged.
Theatrical Artist’s Prep presents “Oliver! Jr.”. (RAHWAY, NJ) — Theatrical Artist’s Prep, a youth performing arts studio in Scotch Plains, returns this spring after the success of Godspell with their production of Lional Bart’s classic musical, Oliver! Jr., based on Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. Performances take place May 30-31, 2025 at Hamilton Stage.
Magnolia Productions presents the Northeast US premiere of “Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII”. (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) — Magnolia Productions, a Monmouth County based all-female theater company is presenting the Northeast US premiere of James Cougar Canfield’s Ladies in Waiting: The Judgement of Henry VIII from May 30-June 6, 2025 at the Navesink Library.
The Lord Stirling Theater Company presents “She Stoops to Conquer”. (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) — The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform their adaptation of Oliver Goldsmith’s classic madcap comedy She Stoops to Conquer in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center in Basking Ridge weekends from May 30 to June 8, 2025. The play was first performed in London in 1773. Despite being over 200 years old, the commentary on social classes, tension between generations, and romance are still fresh.
Mainstage Center for the Arts presents “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind”. (BLACKWOOD, NJ) — Mainstage Center for the Arts presents Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind by Greg Allen on May 30-31, 2025 in the Little Theater at Lincoln Hall. It’s 30 plays in 60 minutes.
Pig Iron Theatre Company presents World Premiere of “Franklin’s Keys” – Sci-Fi Adventure weaving Philly history, science, discovery, and magic. (PHILADELPHIA, PA) — The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Philadelphia- based physical theater company Pig Iron Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Franklin’s Key, written by Dan Rothenberg and Robert Quillen Camp. This thrilling, magical, sci-fi theatrical adventure explores Benjamin Franklin’s hidden discoveries in a parallel universe and runs from June 3-29, 2025 at Plays & Players Theatre.
Cape May Stage presents “Vanities”. (CAPE MAY, NJ) — Cape May Stage presents Vanities by Jack Heifner from June 4-29, 2025. This bittersweet comedy is an astute, snapshot-sharp chronicle of the lives of three Texas girls. The production is directed by Roy Steinberg.
Luna Stage presents a new solo adaptation of “The Ground on Which We Stand (abridged)”. (WEST ORANGE, NJ) — Luna Stage presents a new solo adaptation of The Ground on Which We Stand (abridged) from June 5-21, 2025. The play was inspired by the history and legacy of The James Howe House, the first home owned by a formerly enslaved person in Montclair. The project was conceived and is directed by Ari Laura Keith.
The Ritz Theatre Company presents “Angels In America, Part 2: Perestroika”. (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) — The Ritz Theatre Company presents Angels In America, Part 2: Perestroika as a Black Box Production weekends from June 6-22, 2025. The play by Tony Kushner won the 1994 Tony Award for Best Play. In the second part of Kushner’s epic, the plague of AIDS worsens, relationships fall apart as new relationships form, and unexpected friendships take flight.
Philadelphia Theatre Company presents “Small Ball”. (PHILADELPHIA, PA) — Philadelphia Theatre Company closes out their season with Small Ball from June 6-29, 2025 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Commissioned and co-produced by Daryl Morey, President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, Small Ball is an off-beat and surreal musical about a professional basketball team, a mysterious new recruit, a tiny island nation, and the big questions that bounce between them.
Theater to Go presents “Fiddler On The Roof” at Kelsey Theatre. (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) — A beloved musical following a family’s celebration of life and all of its challenges, “Fiddler on the Roof,” comes to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage from June 6-15, 2025 on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Presented by Theater To Go, this internationally celebrated musical delivers a profound message of resilience, unity, and hope, making it as relevant today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1964.
Studio Players presents “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon”. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Studio Players presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis across three weekends from June 6-21, 2025. Over two hundred Fairytales in two hours… what could go wrong?
Two River Theater presents “The Price” by Arthur Miller. (RED BANK, NJ) — Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for The Price by Arthur Miller (Death of A Salesman, The Crucible), directed by Brandon J. Dirden (August Wilson’s Radio Golf, Wine in the Wilderness). This American Classic will run in the Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, June 7-29, 2025.
Vanguard Theater presents “Hair”. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — Vanguard Theater presents Hair, The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical from June 12-29, 2025. A celebration of the 1960s counterculture, Hair bursts onto the stage in all its barefoot, beaded, and bell-bottomed glory.
Pioneer Productions Company presents Jonathan Larson’s enduring masterpiece “RENT”. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) — Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of RENT, the iconic Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson. The performances will run from June 13-22, 2025, at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located in the Morristown United Methodist Church.
Nutley Little Theatre presents “For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday”. (NUTLEY, NJ) — Nutley Little Theatre presents “For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday” by Sarah Ruhl weekends from June 13-28, 2025. When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, particularly when he used to bring her flowers after her performance.
Obvious Agency presents World Premiere of “Space Opera” – an interactive theatrical experience blending immersive role-playing, live performance, and collaborative storytelling. (PHILADELPHIA, PA) — Philadelphia-based and worker-owned Obvious Agency premieres its newest production, Space Opera, a “playable theater” and sci-fi/fantasy game for building empowered community. The groundbreaking interactive theatrical experience blending immersive role-playing, live performance, and collaborative storytelling debuts to audiences and participants Saturday, June 14 and continues on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch St, Philadelphia).
North Star Theater Company presents “Ride the Cyclone”. (STOCKHOLM, NJ) — North Star Theater Company presents Ride the Cyclone, the darkly comedic and heartfelt cult musical that asks: What would you do if you had one more chance at life? The show runs for two weekends only, from June 20-June 29, 2025 at Madonna Hall in Stockholm.
New Jersey Performing Arts High School Makes History. (TOMS RIVER, NJ) — The Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s (OCVTS) Grunin Performing Arts Academy (GPAA) is thrilled to announce that its fall drama production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has been selected to perform at the International Thespian Festival, the world’s largest celebration of high school theatre. This prestigious event will take place at Indiana University Bloomington from June 22-27, 2025.
“Heathers, the Musical” returns to NYC this summer. (NEW YORK, NY) — Producers Bill Kenwright LTD., Paul Taylor-Mills and Jerry Goehring are pleased to announce that after smash hit runs in London and on tour throughout the UK, a new production of Heathers the Musical will make its eagerly awaited return to New York City in June.
NJ Playwright Duo to Receive NYC Premiere of New Historical Satire, “Sacco & Vanzetti are Dead”. (NEW YORK, NY) — Wayne natives Joey DeFilippis and Matthew Ferrara take to the page and stage with their latest endeavor: a satirical retelling of the historic trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, two Italian immigrants caught in the web of prejudice and political persecution during America’s first “Red Scare”. Sacco & Vanzetti are Dead will receive its New York City premiere this July at The American Theatre of Actors. DeFilippis and Ferrara conceived and wrote the play, and will also star as the titular characters.
Two River Theater Announces “Be More Chill” 10th Anniversary Concerts. (RED BANK, NJ) — Two River Theater is proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the World Premiere of Be More Chill, the hit Broadway musical, with two nights of concerts on July 24-25, 2025 at 8:00pm. With music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, book by Joe Tracz, and based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill was originally commissioned and produced by Two River, directed by Stephen Brackett and choreographed by Chase Brock, on their Red Bank stage in 2015, and ran on Broadway in 2019.
Leslie Odom, Jr. to Return as Aaron Burr in “Hamilton”. (NEW YORK, NY) — Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated performer Leslie Odom, Jr. will make a highly anticipated return to Broadway this fall in his critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. The original star is set to reprise his wildly successful and iconic portrayal of Aaron Burr, which comes nine years after he took his final bow in July 2016.
COMEDY
Friday, May 30 – Howdy Stranger to Perform Improv Comedy Show at HACPAC. (HACKENSACK, NJ) — Howdy Stranger, Hackensack’s professional improv team, will perform their unscripted comedy show on Friday, May 30, 2025 at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC). Showtime is 8:00pm.
Saturday, May 31 – Julia Scotti, Dena Blizzard, and Steve Trevelise to Perform at Drew University. (MADISON, NJ) — Enjoy nonstop laughter as Julia Scotti, Dena Blizzard, and Steve Trevelise deliver an unforgettable performance at The Concert Hall at Drew University on May 31, 2025. This lineup guarantees hilarious takes on life, family, and everything in between, with stories and jokes that will keep you laughing all night. Showtime is 8:00pm.
DANCE
Saturday, May 31 – Freespace Dance presents the Montclair Dance Festival. (MONTCLAIR, NJ) — New Jersey nonprofit Freespace Dance brings the first Montclair Dance Festival to Montclair State University (MSU) on Saturday, May 31, 2025. The family-friendly day-long ticketed event features a variety of dance genres performed by the best of New Jersey dance artists and ensembles.
FILM
Saturday, May 31 – The ShowRoom presents a screening of “Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between”. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) — The ShowRoom presents a screening of Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 7:30pm. It’s a soul-stirring ride through music, race, rebellion, and resilience. Join director Claire Jeffreys for a post-screening Q&A, moderated by singer songwriter James Maddock.
COMMUNITY
Saturday, May 31 – West Windsor Arts presents ArtWalk 2025 Fundraiser on May 31st. (PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) — West Windsor Arts invites the community to lace up their sneakers and get ready for ArtWalk 2025, a popular annual family event and fundraiser happening on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. This year features a new early evening start time, a festive carnival atmosphere, and more wellness-focused and hands-on activities than ever before.
Passage Theatre Company presents 2nd Annual WORD on FRONT: A Spoken Word Festival. (TRENTON, NJ) — Passage Theatre Company will present its second annual spoken word and music festival, WORD on FRONT: Return to Harlem Renaissance on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, 2025. This festival will open both days with a free staged reading of Muleheaded by David Robson, the true story of the relationship between Langston Huges and Zora Neale Hurston.
ART
Sunday, June 1 – Ocean County Library Lacey Branch to Feature Carol Nace Group Art Exhibit in June. (LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ) — Step into a world of color throughout the month of June at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch. See a captivating display of watercolors created by local artist Carol Nace and a select group of five artists studying under her direction.
EVENT LISTINGS
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Tuesday, May 27 @ 6:00pm – Tacos & Friendship Fiesta: Celebrate Our First Birthday Year! at Taqueria Los Güeros, 93 NJ-17, East Rutherford
Tuesday, May 27 @ 7:00pm – Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Wednesday, May 28 @ 7:00pm – Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Wednesday, May 28 @ 7:00pm – Meet the Artist: New Play Reading – “It’s You” by Laura Ekstrand at Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue, Summit
Thursday, May 29 @ 4:00pm – MAC Music Café at Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown
Thursday, May 29 @ 7:00pm – Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Thursday, May 29 @ 7:00pm – Candlelight Spring: Tribute to Adele at Monmouth University – Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch
Thursday, May 29 @ 7:00pm – Back to the Garden 1969 at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Thursday, May 29 @ 7:30pm – Vanessa Collier at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Friday, May 30 @ 6:00pm – The Jersey City Jazz Festival at PATH Plaza, 3 Exchange Place, Jersey City
Friday, May 30 @ 6:30pm – Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Fest at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta
Friday, May 30 @ 7:00pm – Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Friday, May 30 @ 7:00pm – Elisa in Wonderland – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM! at NJ Film Festival, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick
Friday, May 30 @ 7:30pm – MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: “Newsies” at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Friday, May 30 @ 7:30pm – Jenny Barnes Band at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Friday, May 30 @ 8:00pm – Andrew Dice Clay at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Friday, May 30 @ 8:00pm – Don McLean at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Saturday, May 31 @ 10:30am – Center for Dance Education’s Dance Collage Minis at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Saturday, May 31 @ 11:30am – Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Fest at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta
Saturday, May 31 @ 12:00pm – The Jersey City Jazz Festival at PATH Plaza, 3 Exchange Place, Jersey City
Saturday, May 31 @ 2:00pm – Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Saturday, May 31 @ 2:00pm – MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: “Newsies” at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Saturday, May 31 @ 5:00pm – WRESTLE-OFF & The Sandy Mack Experience – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5PM! at NJ Film Festival, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick
Saturday, May 31 @ 7:00pm – Chambers Street & Broken Pieces – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM! at NJ Film Festival, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick
Saturday, May 31 @ 7:30pm – MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: “Newsies” at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Saturday, May 31 @ 7:30pm – The Martin Sexton Abbey Road Show at Outpost In The Burbs, 40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Saturday, May 31 @ 7:30pm – California Guitar Trio at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton
Saturday, May 31 @ 8:00am – The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD – Il Barbiere di Siviglia at Monmouth University – Pollak Theatre, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch
Saturday, May 31 @ 8:00pm – Two Funny Ladies: Julia Scotti, Dena Blizzard at The Concert Hall at Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Saturday, May 31 @ 8:00pm – Eddie B. at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Saturday, May 31 @ 8:00pm – The Fab Faux at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, June 1 @ 11:30am – Michael Arnone’s 32nd Annual Crawfish Fest at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta
Sunday, June 1 @ 12:00pm – MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: “Newsies” at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Sunday, June 1 @ 12:00pm – Harmony Dance presents When I Grow Up! at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Sunday, June 1 @ 2:00pm – Harmony Dance presents When I Grow Up! at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) – Main Stage, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway
Sunday, June 1 @ 2:30pm – Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre presents A Taste of Spain with the 12th Annual Feria de Sevilla at Parker Press Park, 400 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge
Sunday, June 1 @ 3:00pm – Crossroads Theatre Company presents VANGUARDS: Collected Excerpts from Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, June 1 @ 3:00pm – Behn Gillece & Brian Betz at Grunin Center – Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre, 1 College Drive, Toms River
Sunday, June 1 @ 5:00pm – Harlem to Harvard, Marine Field Station, Birdfeeder, Kanenon:we – Original Seeds & Our Borderlands – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 5PM! at NJ Film Festival, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick
Sunday, June 1 @ 5:30pm – MPAC’s 11th Annual Spring Production: “Newsies” at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown
Sunday, June 1 @ 7:00pm – Freeing Juanita – Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM! at NJ Film Festival, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick
Sunday, June 1 @ 7:00pm – Jersey Talent at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, June 1 @ 7:30pm – Stanley Clarke at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Monday, June 2 @ 7:00pm – bergenPAC’s High School Musical Awards at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
