New Jersey Stage

Monday, November 11, 2013

AWARD-WINNING POET ANNA JOURNEY COMES TO MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- The 2013-2014 Visiting Writers Series continues with a reading by award-winning author Anna Journey on Thursday, November 14 at 4:30 p.m. in Wilson Hall Auditorium on Monmouth University's campus. Anna Journey is the author of the poetry collections Vulgar Remedies (Louisiana State University Press, 2013) and If Birds Gather Your Hair for Nesting (University of Georgia Press, 2009), which was selected by Thomas Lux for the National Poetry Series.

Journey holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Houston, as well as a B.F.A. in Art Education and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, both from Virginia Commonwealth University. Having spent the first seven years of her life in South Asiafive in Dhaka, Bangladesh and two in New Delhi, Indiashe came to the United States, in the late 1980s, and settled in Fairfax, Virginia. At eighteen, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she resided for eight years, studying ceramics as an undergraduate student and poetry as a graduate student, at VCU. Before moving to California, she studied for three and a half years in Houston, Texas, while completing her doctoral studies.

Laurel Maury of The Los Angeles Times describes Journey's first book of poems, If Birds Gather Your Hair for Nesting, as "a deeply American debut that deals with the author's Southern childhood and adolescence as a pretty, redheaded girl from the bayouit's lush with Romanticism." However, Maury goes on to say Journey doesn't fall into the trap of quaintness." In a voice uniquely her own Publishers Weekly notes, "Journey's special topicsextended family, animals, insomnia, folklore, rendered in animated contemporary dictionmake her verse no dead ringer for anyone else's."

Her poems have appeared in American Poetry Review, The Best American Poetry, FIELD, The Kenyon Review, The Southern Review, and elsewhere. Her creative nonfiction appears or is forthcoming in At Length, Better, The Southern Review, and elsewhere. She's received fellowships in poetry from Yaddo and the National Endowment for the Arts. She currently lives in Venice, California, with her husband, poet David St. John, and teaches creative writing in Pacific University's low residency M.F.A. program.

Monmouth University's Center for the Arts Visiting Writers Series brings the most celebrated poets and authors from around the world (Andrei Codrescu, Colm Tibn, Adam Zagajewski,) and our own back yard (Long Branch's own US Poet Laureate, Robert Pinsky) to the beautiful auditorium of the University's centerpiece, historic Wilson Hall. With our Visiting Writers Series, we hope the audience will experience a renewed sense of their relationship to poetry and fiction, to language, and to be moved emotionally by that writer's representation of what it means to be a human being, whether that experience is one of joy, celebration, longing, or sorrow.

ROWAN PREMIERES "SWAN"

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- In a season featuring several re-imagined classics, the Department of Theatre & Dance at Rowan University next presents the World Premiere of choreographer Paule Turner's original piece, The Swan. Performances are November 21, 22 & 23 at 8 pm and November 24 at 2 pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall on the university's Glassboro campus.
Conceived, directed and choreographed by Turner, this production explores the iconic dance image of the swan. The performers are members of Dance Extensions, Rowan's contemporary dance company, and the piece is set to an innovative score rooted in the classical realm, yet honoring the contemporary. Turner, taking inspiration from the infamous ballet Swan Lake, aims to reveals the audacious nature of the beast that has to protect such delicate beauty.

"Our swan is a little truer to the nature of a real swan," Turner says. "She is elegant but fierce."

While it features full-on dancing with visually, musically and rhythmically diverse elements, the work encompasses a number of deeper ideas and references. These range from examining varied representations of the swan in ballet and other stories to age-old questions about living in or between opposing worlds.

"There is no message, but we raise questions because I don't have the answers," Turner notes, "Such as How do we deal with differences in our societies?' and 'Can two different worlds exist?'"

Turner has been a visible and active member of the Philadelphia dance community and was named one of the "Top 25 to Watch" by Dance Magazine in 2000. He has made a career creating "dance dramas" that are at once entertaining, meaningful, compelling and humorous while confronting social and political issues. He has received grants and fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and The Pew Charitable Trusts and has toured internationally with his own ensemble, c o u r t. He is an Assistant Professor at Rowan where he serves as Advisor and Artistic Director of Dance Extensions.


Pfleeger Concert Hall is located in Wilson Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $15, general admission; and $10 for seniors/non-Rowan students/alumni. Rowan students and staff are admitted free with valid ID. For tickets and information, visit rowan.tix.com or call the box office at (856) 256-4545.

EAST LYNNE THEATER COMPANY RECEIVES $14,580 GRANT FROM TRAVEL AND TOURISM

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is receiving $14,580.00 from the Cooperative Marketing Grant sponsored by the New Jersey Department of State: Division of Travel and Tourism. The award was given based on the scores of an independent evaluation and funding review committee that studied ELTC's application and marketing plan. This is the seventh year in a row that ELTC has received this prestigious grant, and it will be used solely for advertising.


 Aside from placing ads and articles in magazines and newspapers outside of South Jersey, ELTC actively pursues performance possibilities beyond state boarders. Funding for these productions comes from the organizations sponsoring ELTC's touring shows and specific grants received by ELTC for touring only, yet the town of Cape May benefits because ELTC clearly states that its home is Cape May. Sometimes, complete ELTC playbills, including advertising pages, are distributed to these audiences. 

In 2013, so far, almost 4,000 people attended 39 ELTC performances in Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, and seven counties in New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Somerset. Shows included a staged reading of "Why Marry?" at The Players Club in NYC, "Emma Goldman: My Life" at Metropolitan Playhouse in NYC and Ohio State University, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" at Ocean Professional Theatre Company in Barnegat, NJ, and "Paul Robeson Through His Words and Music" at the Newark PAC.

ELTC also attracts visitors to Cape May off-season with its Playwriting Get-Away and Murder Mystery Weekends in February and March held at The Henry Sawyer Inn. On March 14 and 15, "Holmes and Carter Mysteries," ELTCs popular vintage-radio style production, with live sound effects and commercials, returns to Cape May before it goes on the road.


East Lynne Theater Company has been performing throughout the United States since 1980, but for those who wish to see the company in its beautiful performance venue, The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, Cape May, "Christmas with Harte and O. Henry" can be seen on Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 8, 12, 13 and 14 at 8:00p.m., with Saturday matinees on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14 at 2:00p.m. For reservations and information about ELTC's mainstage season, touring shows, and educational outreach, call 609-884-5898 or go to www.eastlynnetheater.org .

AN EVENING WITH THE PIMPS OF JOYTIME AT THE SAINT

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) The Saint and ElmThree Productions is pleased to present The Pimps of Joytime at The Saint in Asbury Park on Sunday, November 24th at 8:00 pm (7:00pm doors). Tickets are available through Ticketweb via TheSaintnj.com , ElmThree.com and at the door the day of the show. Tickets are $15. 


In 2005, Brian J. began to assemble a group of righteously soulful vocalists and musicians to assist in bringing to life the musical concept that would become The Pimps of Joytime. The band's diverse sound and spirited attitude is strongly influenced by the Brooklyn DJ culture and live music scene from which they emerge. Recent collaborations with legendary artists Cyril and Art Neville of the Neville Brothers and Roy Ayers have helped vitalize the band's connection to its roots.

Over the course of the past five years, The Pimps have evolved into a road tested and audience approved groove machine. They have excited crowds at over 100 club dates and festivals in 2012 alone, and are on target to exceed that volume in 2013. The exponential growth of the band's fan base can be partially attributed to an artful blend of musical styles, including elements of afro-beat, salsa, rock & roll and electronica. Brian J's classic songwriting and the band's undeniable swagger on stage consistently energize dance parties wherever they appear.

The Pimps of Joytime are poised to bring their audacious sound to savvy audiences around the planet. Their forthcoming third studio album coming this fall will be a new chapter in the book of the Funk and a testament to the fact that real music is alive and kicking!

The Saint is a nightclub located at 601 Main St., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

STATE THEATRE ADDS MOE. AND ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA SHOWS

(New Brunswick, NJ) -- State Theatre has added two performances to the 2014 line-up. The added performances are moe. on Friday, January 24, 2014 at 7:30pm and Zappa Plays Zappa on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 8pm.

moe.
Friday, January 24, 2014 at 7:30pm

One of the most recognized and respected names in the jam band scene today, moe.'s songs include "Haze," "New York City," "Spine of a Dog," and "Plane Crash." With 20 years of touring and just as many albums under its belt, the quintet of Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey on guitars and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes, and Vinnie Amico on Drums, continues to push the standard for performance art.
Tickets: $30-35


Zappa Plays Zappa
Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 8pm

Come hear Frank Zappa's music played by someone who knew him best: his own son. Frank Zappa's music lives on with every set Zappa Plays Zappa performs. Zappa Plays Zappa, led by the legend's son Dweezil, will perform his iconic album Roxy And Elsewhere in its entirety plus other fan favorites.
Tickets: $35-55


For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org . The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday, 1pm to 5pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates, unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people's lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. Magic 98.3 is the official radio station of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. United is the official airline of the State Theatre.

ALL-STAR BICKFORD JAZZ BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE MORRIS MUSEUM

(Morristown, NJ) The Morris Museum is pleased to announce that the third annual All-Star Bickford Jazz Benefit Concert will be held on Wednesday, November 13 at 8:00pm.
This engaging evening of jazz features world renown performers including Dan Levinson and Joe Midiri on Reeds, trumpeter Bria Skonberg , trombonist Jim Fryer, pianist Mark Shane, bassist Brian Nalepka, vibraphonist Paul Midiri, and vocalist Molly Ryan.

Proceeds from the benefit provide support for future programming at the Morris Museum's Bickford Theatre. One of New Jersey's premier professional theatres, The Bickford produces and presents year-round entertainment including a Main Stage Series, Children's Theatre, a Jazz series, Comedy, Classical Music and many other special concerts and performances.

Tickets
Tickets are $20 per person in advance; and $25 per person at the door. To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 973.971.3706.


About The Bickford Theatre
Artistic Director Eric Hafen celebrates his thirteenth anniversary this season. The theatre is a Senior Member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization of 30 professional theatres throughout the state, and works in conjunction with Actors' Equity Association (AEA) and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC). From its beginnings in 1994 to the present, tens of thousands of theater-goers from across the tri-state area have enjoyed the Bickford Theatre's many entertaining and diversified offerings in theatre, music and dance. 


The Bickford Theatre is conveniently located within the Morris Museum and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box Office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About the Morris Museum
Celebrating 100 years, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution which serves the public through high caliber exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum also offers educational programs, family events, and is home to the Bickford Theatre and its wide range of performing arts offerings. Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited, the Morris Museum was re-accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums.

The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members and is free to the public every second and third Thursday of the month between 4:00 and 8:00pm. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org .

DREAMCATCHER PRESENTS HOW TO BE OLD: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, professional Theatre in Residence at the Oakes Center in Summit, is presenting a new adaptation of Jan Slepian's book How To Be Old: A Beginner's Guide on November 22 through 24. 


Adapted for the stage by Dreamcatcher Artistic Director Laura Ekstrand, this is the second of the author's works on aging with humor and grace. Her first, Astonishment, was presented in 2011 as a collaboration between Dreamcatcher and The Theatre Project. Slepian has had a long and celebrated career as the author of books for children and young adults. Most recently her work includes these essays, which were written for her retirement community's newsletter. It is these columns, previously collected into a book, that are receiving their debut as a theatrical presentation.

This play takes us through a step-by-step lesson on how to navigate the sometimes tricky journey through an enlightened old age. How To Be Old: A Beginner's Guide includes lighthearted ruminations on the difficulty of such ordinary routines as getting in and out of cars, mastering technology, and finding matching socks. Also explored are the heartbreak of losing a spouse and the pleasure of remembering street games and penny candy, among many other topics.

The cast features Dreamcatcher Resident Acting Company member Noreen Farley (Clinton), Daaimah Talley (Plainfield), and Terri Sturtevant (Hillsborough), accomplished actors who have appeared on many stages throughout the state. The play has been adapted and directed by Laura Ekstrand (Livingston).

Jan Slepian is the author of 28 children's books and novels for young-adult readers. Her picture book THE HUNGRY THING is now a classic; her young-adult novel THE ALFRED SUMMER was honored by a National Book Award nomination and inclusion on the School Library Journal's list of 100 books that shaped the century. She married noted mathematician David Slepian, has lived in Paris, Hawaii and New Jersey, and has three children and four grandchildren.

How To Be Old will run at Dreamcatcher on Friday, November 22 at 7 pm and on Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24 at 2 pm. Performances are at The Oakes Center, located at 120 Morris Avenue in Summit. Parking is available in the lot behind the theatre on Ashwood Avenue and at the Summit Recreation Center on Morris Avenue. The facility is wheelchair accessible. Assistive Listening devices for the hearing impaired and advance large print scripts are available by prior arrangement. To purchase tickets or for information on any of Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre's programs, please visit www.dreamcatcherrep.org or contact Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre at The Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901, 908-514-9654.

About Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre:
Dreamcatcher was founded in 1994, and is a non-profit professional ensemble of actors who build community with the audience by sharing life-affirming stories in an intimate environment. We seek to expose theatregoers to ideas and lives like and unlike their own, to awaken their imaginations and create empathy for others. The company focuses on deepening the experience of our patrons by supplementing the performances with personal contact through receptions, talkbacks, and interactive programs.


Dreamcatcher's core company of professional local actors performs contemporary work that entertains and challenges, and has at its heart a belief in the essential goodness of people. The company's activities include mainstage productions, improvisational comedy and cabarets, new play readings and a variety of educational and senior outreach programs.
Dreamcatcher's programs are funded by the New Jersey State council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Dramatist Guild Fund, The Summit Area Public Foundation, the Manley-Winser Foundation, and many other corporations, foundations and individuals. Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre is a senior member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

KATHY MATTEA "CALLING ME HOME" AT THE NEWTON THEATRE

(Newton, NJ) -- Grammy award-winner Kathy Mattea will perform at the Newton Theatre on Sunday, March 30th, 2014. 


APPALACHIAN: of a wild and beautiful mountain land, a genre of distinctly American music, and for many, the deep roots of family. For Kathy Mattea, it also represents an essential piece of her musical education and heritage.

Calling Me Home is Kathy's new release on Sugar Hill Records, co-produced with multi-Grammy-winner Gary Paczosa. It's a collection of songs that celebrates the Appalachian culture of her native West Virginia, and expands the vocabulary of acoustic roots music that has always served as her artistic center.

Kathy has gathered songs and stories of bravery, pride and grief that further define and describe the life and times of her home place. 2008's Grammy nominated COAL was her first step to discovering this vast and rich genre of music that producer Marty Stuart allowed was "in her blood," taking her back to the lore of family stories and to her place and her people.

Kathy's concerts present her new and most recent material alongside her Top 20 radio hits, from the signature ballad Where've You Been? to the bluesy 455 Rocket to the iconic Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses. Long known as an impeccable songcatcher, her 17 albums are woven through with bluegrass, gospel, and Celtic influences, and have garnered multiple CMA, ACM, and Grammy Awards.

Increasingly in demand as a public speaker, Kathy regularly presents keynotes and educational programs at colleges and civic venues across the country, both as a stand-alone and in conjunction with concert appearances. Her long history of activism has led Kathy to bring public attention to several current environmental issues, including climate change and some mining practices in her native Appalachia.

Tickets for Kathy Mattea are $44.00 for Premium seating, $39.00 for the Orchestra and $34.00 for the Balcony. Tickets for this performance will go on sale on Friday, November 8th at 11:00 am. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700. 


The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, NJ, was founded in 1924. Revitalized and fully renovated, Sussex County's premier entertainment venue reopened in 2011 as a 605 seat capacity live performing arts center. With it's rich history and diverse programming The Newton Theatre is essential to the buoyancy of New Jersey's Skylands region. More information about The Newton Theatre may be found by calling 973-383-3700 or by visiting its website at www.TheNewtonTheatre.com .

CAPE MAY STAGE PRESENTS "JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL" BY TOM MULA

(Cape May, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents one of the greatest Christmas classics of all time -- with a twist! 


After a life of greed and selfishness, Jacob Marley is condemned for all of eternity. But there's a catch! If Marley can redeem the soul of his old partner, the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, he can save himself as well. Accompanied by a spirit guide of sorts, Marley embarks on his quest in a Christmas adventure that is equal parts funny and terrifying. An irreverent and deeply moving retelling of Charles Dickens' classic story with warmth and infectious zest, Tom Mula's Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol is a tale sure to delight for generations to come!

This enchanting production stars Jonathan Brody, who was seen last summer at Cape May Stage in Time Stands Still. He has appeared on Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot and in the original companies of Titanic, Me and My Girl, and Sally Marr and her escorts. He has also been seen on National Tours, in regional theatres and on television shows like Boardwalk Empire and Guiding Light.

A talented production team joins Brody in bringing this heart-warming tale to life, including Directing Resident Ben Ferber as Director; Lisa Shames as Stage Manager; Managing Director Jon Wojciechowski as Scenic Designer; and Cyrus Newitt as Lighting Designer.

Performance Information
Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol will run from Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 29 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse located in downtown Cape May on the corner of Lafayette and Bank Streets. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 seniors (62+) and $15 students. There is no half-price preview performance for this production; the official opening night will be Friday, November 29. A special half-price senior matinee will take place on Sunday, December 8 and there will be a special "pay-what-you-can" matinee at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. For more information and reservations, please call the box office at (609) 770-8311 or visit the theatre's website at www.capemaystage.org .


Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol is presented through the gracious support of The Ebbitt Room and The Blue Pig Tavern. This season's sponsors include 410 Bank Street, Frescos, Cape May Winery, CapeSCape, Corner Cottage Apartments, Exit Zero, Harry's Ocean Bar and Grille at The Montreal Inn, The Washington Inn and Lucky Bones.

MORRIS MUSEUM ANNOUNCES COCKTAIL HOUR BALLETS WITH A TWIST

(Morristown, NJ) New York City's hot next-generation dance company, Ballets with a Twist, presents a dance experience that will have you asking for a second round. The Morris Museum is pleased to announce that Cocktail Hour Ballets with a Twist will be held in the Bickford Theatre on Saturday, November 23 at 8:00pm and Sunday, November 24 at 3:00pm.


Cocktail Hour is a sassy suite of dances conceived and choreographed by celebrated dance-maker Marilyn Klaus. The show serves up classical ballet with an irreverent pop sensibility, launching the Martini, Gimlet, Manhattan, and more off the menu and onto the stage. Original scores by Grammy-nominated composer Stephen Gaboury and exquisite costume design by Catherine Zehr complete the picture.

Selected by the Star Ledger as one of the "seven best things to do in New Jersey over the weekend," critics and audience members agree: Cocktail Hour is an artistically seductive must-see! The Huffington Post raves that Klaus is "blasting the boundaries between high art and entertainment," and that her style is a distinctive mix of "Hollywood glitz and New York polish," while The New York Times praises her as "witty and fantastic." You've never seen cocktails like these!

Ticket Information
Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for the general public. To purchase tickets, please call 973.971.3706.


About Ballets with a Twist
Choreographer Marilyn Klaus formed Ballets with a Twist in 1996. In its inaugural year, the company appeared at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' Clark Studio Theater, the Church of the Holy Trinity, and other venues. Premieres included Seven-Minute Musical, in which an aging beauty reports from the frontlines of memory, and a short musical film, Temple of Swing, in which a glamorous "she" and her charismatic mentor meet in a world of fast cars, packed nightclubs, and mysterious fortune tellers. November, 2009 saw the premiere of Cocktail Hour, Klaus' signature evening-length collection of ballet vignettes, at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. For more information, visit http://www.balletswithatwist.com/.


About the Morris Museum
Celebrating 100 years, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution which serves the public through high caliber exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum also offers educational programs, family events, and is home to the Bickford Theatre and its wide range of performing arts offerings. 


Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited, the Morris Museum was re-accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums.

The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.


The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members and is free to the public every second and third Thursday of the month between 4:00 and 8:00pm. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org .

PUSHCART PLAYERS PRESENTS PETER AND THE WOLF

(TENAFLY, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, New Jersey's renowned touring theatres for young audiences presents "Peter and the Wolf" on Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 pm at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ.


"Peter and the Wolf" is an enchanting production of a classic tale, set to the resplendent music of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Each character in the story is represented musically in this story of a spirited young boy who confronts the dangers of the forest with courage, creativity and leadership. With a professional cast (Actors' Equity Association) who employs various forms of puppetry, singing and choreography, "Peter and the Wolf" is a universal theatrical celebration that has toured nationally and internationally.

Pushcart Players is in its 40th anniversary season of presenting productions filled with fun, facts, magic and wonder. The company has traveled over 2 million miles to serve more than 8 million children and their families nationally and abroad. All performances come with innovative scenery, complete lighting and state of the art sound systems, making it adaptable to any location.

"The themes of 'Peter and the Wolf' are what make it a timeless, beloved classic," said Ruth Fost, co-founder of Pushcart and the writer / director of the production. "Friendship and caring. Arrogance and prejudice. Youth and maturity. Conflict resolution and beauty in the natural order of life. All worthy of celebration!"


Kaplen JCC on the Palisades is located at 411 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670. Advance tickets are only $12 with $17 admission at the door if available. For reservations visit the JCC website at www.jccotp.org or call 201.408.1493. For further information on this or any of Pushcart's programs and services, contact Pushcart Players at 973.857.1115 or visit the website at www.pushcartplayers.org . LIKE us on Facebook to get up to date information on activities and events and follow us Twitter @PushcartPlayers.

STATE THEATRE PRESENTS ZZ TOP

(New Brunswick, NJ) -- State Theatre presents ZZ Top on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 8pm. ZZ Top will be performing their hits like "Gimme All Your Lovin," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Legs," and "La Grange" as well as songs from their newest album La Futura. Tickets range from $45-125.


Texas natives and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees ZZ TopBilly F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beardhave been together as a band for over 40 years. With strong roots in blues, ZZ Top released ZZ Top's First Album and Rio Grande Mud. Their third album, 1973's Tres Hombres, catapulted them to national attention with the hit "La Grange," still one of the band's signature pieces today. By their next album, Eliminator, and its worldwide smash follow-up, Afterburner, they had harnessed the potential of synthesizers to their patented grungy blues groove, giving their material a more contemporary edge while retaining their patented Texas style. 

For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org . The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday, 1pm to 5pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates, unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.


State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people's lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. Magic 98.3 is the official radio station of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. United is the official airline of the State Theatre.

THE SAINT AND ELMTHREE PRESENTS AN ERIC LINDELL WITH CRIS JACOBS AT THE SAINT IN ASBURY PARK

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) The Saint and ElmThree Productions is pleased to present Eric Lindell at The Saint in Asbury Park on Thursday, November 21st at 8:00 pm (7:00pm doors). Tickets are available through Ticketweb via TheSaintnj.com , ElmThree.com and at the door the day of the show. Tickets are $20. Supporting Lindell will be Cris Jacobs formally of the band, The Bridge.


Eric Lindell first hit the national music scene with his 2006 Alligator Records debut Change In The Weather, critics and fans alike celebrated the arrival of a roots rocker with dozens of unforgettable original songs. With his musical roots planted in Northern California, Lindell's music blossomed in New Orleans. His combination of sweet, blue-eyed soul with foot-stomping R&B, swamp pop, funk and blues won him critical and popular acclaim across the country, with reviews and features in Relix, OffBeat, The Chicago Sun-Times, Harp, Guitar Player, Down Beat, The New Yorker, The New York Press and many other national and regional publications. Singer and Musician magazine put Eric on the cover and many newspaper entertainment sections did the same. The New Orleans Times-Picayune said, "Eric Lindell has arrived. He channels Van Morrison with his irresistible soul...not a moment is wasted." The Chicago Sun-Times followed, saying "Soulful original songs fuse R&B, swamp pop and funk into a potent, party-time mix." 

Eric Lindell's latest 2013 release, "Sunday Morning" is making waves on radio stations all over the US and features the legend blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh.

Joining Eric Lindell on his "Bringing Heat to the East Coast Tour" is Cris Jacobs. After 10 years fronting the Baltimore band The Bridge, Cris Jacobs is continuing to show his depth and range as a gifted songwriter and performer. With his deeply expressive vocals, passionate and gritty guitar playing, and poignant songwriting, Cris creates an instantly engaging sound that ranges from intensely rockin' to sublimely sweet to hauntingly psychedelic. Cris' prolific songbook provides the fertile ground for his improvisational fearlessness, creating a truly dynamic live experience.


The Saint is a nightclub located at 601 Main St., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

MORRIS MUSEUM PRESENTS: WHEN SANDY HIT: THE STORM THAT FOREVER CHANGED NEW JERSEY

(Morristown, NJ) The Morris Museum is pleased to announce that the opening reception for the exhibition When Sandy Hit: The Storm that Forever Changed New Jersey will be held on Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00pm.


A screening of From Splinters & Sand: Rebuilding Our Memories, Rebuilding the Jersey Shore will be shown in the Bickford Theatre during the evening. This documentary, by longtime reporter Brian Donohue, explores the emotional attachment residents have to the Jersey Shore. In conversations with boardwalk business owners and homeowners, the filmmaker looks for clues as to how the shore might be rebuilt after the storm. Splinters & Sand is an extended mini-documentary length episode of the Ledger Live video webcast.

The program is being organized by Inside New Jersey, a Star Ledger publication, in celebration of the magazine's fifth anniversary. The exhibition is sponsored by Bank of America. 

"This exhibit showcases the strength and resilience of our communities," said Bob Doherty, New Jersey president, Bank of America. "As the state rebuilds and recovers, When Sandy Hit provides inspiration and hope to those affected."

Also during the evening, a media presentation of the winning photographs of the Star Ledger's amateur Super Storm Sandy photography contest will be on view at the Museum. Copies of the exhibition catalogue, When Sandy Hit, will be available for sale in the Museum Shop. In addition, food and refreshments will be provided.

About the Exhibition
When Sandy Hit: The Storm That Forever Changed New Jersey presents the work of Star-Ledger photographers who fought through floods, power outages, and their own personal losses to portray New Jersey during and after Super Storm Sandy. Including more than twenty-five incredible photographs, this exhibition document the survival, resilience and rebuilding of New Jersey. When Sandy Hit: The Storm That Forever Changed New Jersey is on view at the Morris Museum through January 20, 2014. The exhibition is sponsored by Bank of America.


About the Exhibition Catalogue
In conjunction with the exhibition, a 208 page catalogue entitled When Sandy Hit: The Storm That Forever Changed New Jersey is being published by Pediment Publishing. The book is available for sale in the Morris Museum's shop for $42.75.


About the Morris Museum
Celebrating 100 years, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution which serves the public through high caliber exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum also offers educational programs, family events, and is home to the Bickford Theatre and its wide range of performing arts offerings. 


Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited, the Morris Museum was re-accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members and is free to the public every second and third Thursday of the month between 4:00 and 8:00pm. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org .


Photo: Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger. The sun rises behind the Jet Star roller coaster as it sits in the ocean at the end of the badly damaged Casino Pier. Seaside Heights 5/13/13.

STATE THEATRE PRESENTS THE MUSICAL GODSPELL

(New Brunswick, NJ) -- State Theatre presents the national tour of an all new musical production inspired by the 2011 Tony-nominated Best Musical Revival, Godspell, for two performances Sunday, November 10, 2013 at 2pm and 7pm. A free Pre-Performance Insights lecture is available for each performance, one hour prior to show time at the United Methodist Church, located at 323 George Street. Tickets range from $35-75.


Originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak, this production is directed by David Hogan. The cast includes Jake Stern as Jesus, Graham Parkhurst as John the Baptist/Judas. The Godspell ensemble includes Lisa Michelle Cornelius, Michael Hogeveen, Stacey Kay, Ivan Lo, Alessia Lupiano, Rebecca McCauley, Janelle Murray, Michael De Rose, and David Cotton as the understudy.

Enjoy all the good gifts of one of the most enduring shows of all time in a brand new and up-to-date, intimate, one-of-a-kind production from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Wicked and Pippin. With the Tony-nominated score filled with the popular hits "Day By Day," "Light of the World," and "Turn Back, O Man," it is sure to raise spirits high. A timeless tale of friendship, loyalty, and love, Godspell has touched the hearts of countless theatergoers all over the worldjoin in the celebration as a spectacular ensemble of bright young stars stirs souls and lifts the audience right out of their seats.

For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org . The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday, 1pm to5pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates, unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.


State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people's lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. Magic 98.3 is the official radio station of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. United is the official airline of the State Theatre.

NEWTON PRESENTS: A JOHN DENVER CHRISTMAS!

(Newton, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents A John Denver Christmas! on Sunday, December 8th at 3:00 pm. Ted Vigil returns to the Newton Theatre to charm us once again with his passionate tribute to John Denver. 


A John Denver Christmas! will celebrate the holidays with the beloved songs of the Rocky Mountain troubadour. Cherished songs such as Rocky Mountain High, Annie's Song, Sunshine on My Shoulder and all of Denver's hits will be featured during the show, as well as some of the holiday season's best loved songs. Ted's uncanny physical and vocal resemblance to Denver will leave the audience inspired once again by the musical legacy of John Denver!

Ted Vigil has always had a love of music and the stage. The Seattle native began singing for audiences at an early age. He started in the church folk band at age eight, and continued singing in musical productions in high school. In 2006 Ted won the national title for "Talent Quest" in Laughlin Nevada. After his win he created his John Denver Tribute show. A highlight of his career, in 2010 Ted performed with John Denver's Lead guitarist "Steve Weisberg".

In a very short time Ted developed this tribute into a national act. He performs all over the country including the John Denver Festival and The CMA Fan Fair Festival in Nashville, among many other venues. His gift for the music and his polished and energetic performing style have earned him many dedicated fans. The most heard comments after his shows are, "I can't believe how much he looks and sounds like John Denver!"

Like Denver, Ted shares his passion for bringing people together with his music, drawing in audiences of all ages. His love for people, family, and communities working together for great causes, continue to be his main inspiration. 

Tickets for A John Denver Christmas! are $37.00 for Premium seating, $32.00 for the Orchestra and $27.00 for the Balcony. Tickets for this performance will go on sale on Friday, July 19th at 11:00 am. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700. 


The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, NJ, was founded in 1924. Revitalized and fully renovated, Sussex County's premier entertainment venue reopened in 2011 as a 605 seat capacity live performing arts center. With it's rich history and diverse programming The Newton Theatre is essential to the buoyancy of New Jersey's Skylands region. More information about The Newton Theatre may be found by calling 973-383-3700 or by visiting its website at www.TheNewtonTheatre.com .

SOLDIERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE FOUNDER INTRODUCES CHILDREN'S BOOK ENDORSED BY MICHAEL REAGAN

(New Jersey) -- Rose Morrisroe, Educator in New Jersey and the founder of Soldiers Against Child Abuse, a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising child abuse awareness nationwide, is pleased to announce the sale of "No Secrets Between Us." This 336-word book teaches children in Kindergarten to fourth grade about recognizing and protecting themselves against sexual abuse. Currently, "Erin's Law" requires educators and the like to teach grades K-7th on awareness. 


Soldiers Against Child Abuse supports Erin's Law with the sale of "No Secrets Between Us."http://www.amazon.com/No-Secrets-Between-Rose-Morrisroe-ebook/dp/B00FUOF268/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382048824&sr=8-1&keywords=no+secrets+between+us

This book is written for children to be purchased parents, educators, counselors, social workers, health practitioners, administrators, and child advocates. It takes a gentle approach at raising child sexual abuse awareness, which is supported by several educational theories. The book is illustrated with beautiful pictures that children will identify with.

Michael Reagan (President Reagan's son) has endorsed Morrisroe as just the right author for a children's book on this subject. The endorsement is as follows: "Rose Morrisroe: one of the top educational instructors for the state of New Jersey and founder for one of the leading non profits on child abuse prevention - Soldiers Against Child Abuse. She encompasses vision, awareness, passion and accomplishment to the world she touches.... She saves the world around her and embraces the hurt with healing, guidance and compassion." ~Michael Reagan

"This book is very personal to me, as I have experienced child sexual abuse starting at the age of 4," says Morrisroe. Our mission at Soldiers Against Child Abuse is to protect America's children by speaking for those who are in danger, helping the abused find their voice, educating the public about the importance of intervening in child abuse situations and how to get involved in a proactive manner," says Morrisroe. "Our greatest weapon in the battle against child abuse is knowledge."

Michael Reagan was the first person to purchase the book online at: http://www.amazon.com/No-Secrets-Between-Rose-Morrisroe-ebook/dp/B00FUOF268/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382048824&sr=8-1&keywords=no+secrets+between+us .




About Soldiers Against Child Abuse (SACA)
Soldiers Against Child Abuse currently chair seminars at school districts and town hall meetings, which encourage parents and students of all grades to freely speak out about abuse. Founder Rosey Morrisroe, a first grade teacher, is the first to create an age/grade appropriate curriculum for child physical and sexual abuse education, reaching grades K-5.

SACA website, http://www.soldiersagainstchildabuse.org/ has tens of thousands of followers. SACA provides the public with continuous news and media coverage of child abuse cases, informative resources, links and tips to intervention and prevention, guidance to government agencies, and information on shelters and safe havens.

SACA holds a rally in New York every April (Child Abuse Awareness Month) featuring educational resources, personal testimonies from survivors, and entertainment to attract audiences.

CAST OF CLEVER LITTLE LIES ANNOUNCED

(New Brunswick, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse and Artistic Director David Saint have announced final casting for the world premiere production of Clever Little Lies by Tony Award-winning playwright Joe DiPietro. Joining the award-winning stage and screen actress Marlo Thomas are: Greg Mullavey (TV's "I-Carly" and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman); Jim Stanek (Freud's Last Session off-Broadway, The Story of My Life, Lestat on Broadway) and Kate Wetherhead (Broadway's Legally Blonde, web series Submissions Only). George Street Playhouse Artistic Director David Saint will helm the production, which begins performances Tuesday, November 19 and continues through Sunday, December 22. Opening night is set for Friday, November 22.


A mother always knows when something's up. Bill Jr. is distracted, under pressure and off his game. Will a surprising evening with his parents send him further off-kilter? Secrets are exposed and clever little lies are crafted when a confidence shared between father and son escalates into an unexpected revelation that could change everything.

Individual tickets for Clever Little Lies, beginning at $38, are on sale, as are subscription and flexible admission packages. Contact the George Street Playhouse Box Office at 732-246-7717 or visit the Playhouse website, www.GSPonline.org , to purchase tickets, or receive show information and parking and dining recommendations. George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue in the heart of New Brunswick's vibrant downtown scene, steps away from public transportation, parking and dining of every cuisine and budget.

Marlo Thomas has appeared on Broadway in The Shadow Box, Social Security, Thieves and last season's, Relatively Speaking, written by Woody Allen, Ethan Coen and Elaine May. Off-Broadway: The Vagina Monologues, The Guys and The Exonerated (which she also performed in Chicago and Boston). National Tour: Six Degrees of Separation. Regional theatre: Paper Doll, Pittsburgh Public Theater; Woman in Mind, Berkshire Theatre Festival; Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Hartford Stage; The Effect Of Gamma Rays, Cleveland Playhouse. London West End: Barefoot in the Park. Ms. Thomas has appeared in more than a dozen distinguished television movies, including Nobody's Child, for which she won the Emmy for Best Dramatic Actress. Numerous TV guest appearances including Ugly Betty, Friends and Law & Order. Films include: Playing Mona Lisa, The Real Blonde, Dust and Stardust, In the Spirit, Thieves, Jenny and LOL., co-starring Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore. Ms. Thomas created the Free to BeYou and Me TV specials, books and records, as well as the bestselling books, The Right Words at the Right Time, Volumes 1 and 2, and Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny. She starred in and produced the groundbreaking That Girl, television's first comedy series about a single, independent woman. She has been honored with four Emmys, nine Emmy nominations, the Peabody, the Golden Globe and the Grammy, and has been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Ms. Thomas has performed at George Street Playhouse in Elaine May's Roger Is Dead and Arthur Laurents' New Year's Eve.

Greg Mullavey is well-known to TV viewers for his roles on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, in which he played Louise Lasser's husband, and on the Nickelodian series iCarly. Other television credits include The Secret Life of the American Teenager, The Bold and the Beautiful, ER, JAG and many others. He was also seen on Broadway in Rumors and Romantic Comedy.

Jim Stanek Broadway: Story of My Life, Lestat, Little Women, The Rivals, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Indiscretions. Off-Broadway: I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Slut, Saturday Night and others. Regional credits include appearances at the Guthrie, Signature Theatre, North Shore Music Theater, The Kennedy Center, McCarter, Williamstown Theatre Festival and many others.

Kate Wetherhead is the co-creator, writer, director and star of Submissions Only, an online sitcom currently gearing up for its third season ( www.submissionsonly.com ). Broadway credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Legally Blonde. Off-Broadway credits include The Other Josh Cohen (2013 Drama Desk Nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical), Ordinary Days, Sarah, Plain and Tall and Tatjana in Color. Regionally, Kate has performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, Dallas Theater Center, John W. Engeman Theater, Skylight Opera Theater and Saint Michael's Playhouse. Coming up: The Other Josh Cohen at Paper Mill Playhouse (February 2014).

Kate is currently writing a children's book series for The Penguin Group with collaborator Andrew Keenan-Bolger. She is thrilled to be making her George Street Playhouse debut.
Joe DiPietro won the 2012 Drama Desk Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book for the recent Broadway hit Nice Work If You Can Get It. He won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score for Memphis, which was also awarded the 2010 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. His other shows include All Shook Up; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (the longest-running musical revue in off-Broadway history); The Toxic Avenger and The Thing About Men (both winners of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical). His plays include the much-produced Over the River and Through the Woods, The Art of Murder (Edgar Award winner for Best Mystery Play), Creating Claire and The Last Romance. His work has been produced thousands of times across the country and around the world. Two previous works have had their premeires at George Street Playhouse: The Toxic Avenger and Creating Claire.

This is David Saint's sixteenth season as Artistic Director of George Street Playhouse. In that time he has directed thirty-one mainstage productions, most recently, Good People, Twelve Angry Men , The Nutcracker and I , God of Carnage, Fox on the Fairway, Creating Claire, and Sylvia. His time here has been marked by collaborations with such artists as Keith Carradine, Tyne Daly, Rachel Dratch, Sandy Duncan, Boyd Gaines, A.R. Gurney, Uta Hagen, Jack Klugman, Dan Lauria, Kathleen Marshall, Anne Meara, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, Paul Rudd, Stephen Sondheim, Marlo Thomas, Eli Wallach and many others including a remarkable partnership with Arthur Laurents. In addition many new award- winning works have begun their life here during his tenure, such as The Toxic Avenger, Proof, The Spitfire Grill and It Shoulda Been You. He most recently directed the National Tour of West Side Story and has also directed on Broadway, off-Broadway and regionally at Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Theatre Club, Primary Stages, McCarter, Williamstown, Seattle Rep, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public, Long Wharf and many others on premieres by writers such as Aaron Sorkin, Wendy Wasserstein, Peter Parnell, Jonathan Marc Sherman, Joe Di Pietro and Jonathan Larson. He is the recipient of the Alan Schneider Award, Helen Hayes Award, L.A. Drama Critics Award, several Drama Logue Awards and is the President of The Laurents/Hatcher Foundation.


Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint since 1998, George Street Playhouse is a nationally recognized theatre, presenting an acclaimed mainstage season while providing an artistic home for established and emerging theatre artists. Founded in 1974, the Playhouse has been represented by numerous productions both on and off-Broadway. Recent productions include The Toxic Avenger (Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical), Anne Meara's Down the Garden Paths, the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Drama League nominated production of The Spitfire Grill and the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof by David Auburn, which was developed at GSP during the 1999 Next Stage Series of new plays. In addition to its mainstage season, GSP's Touring Theatre features four issue-oriented productions and tours to more than 250 schools in the tri-state area, and are seen by more than 60,000 students annually. George Street Playhouse programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

BOBBY COLLINS RETURNS TO THE NEWTON THEATRE

(Newton, NJ) -- Bobby Collins is returning to the Newton Theatre on Saturday, February 22, 2014. With more than 200 stand-up performances around the country each year, Collins is a show-business institution who has made millions laugh and is always the funniest guy in the room.


A native of New York, he was literally born into comedy when his father named him for his favorite comedian, Bob Hope. In the 1980s, Bobby left a lucrative position as vice president of Calvin Klein to pursue his dream and ended up working alongside such comedy legends as Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno. While other comics have left stand-up behind, Bobby has kept going, preferring the intimacy and energy he finds in live clubs, theaters and casinos.
The audience at a Bobby Collins show is half the fun. Many of Bobby's enthusiastic fans have been following him for years and know by heart some of his classic bits ("...on the inside!"). But Bobby keeps it fresh with new observations based on everyday life and his travels around the country.

Over the years, he has hosted VH-1's "Stand Up Spotlight"; toured with Cher, Julio Iglesias, Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett, among others; and released six comedy CDs, "On the Inside," "Out of Bounds," "You're Not Coming With Us," "Mr. New York," "I Wanna Go Home" and most recently "I'm on the Boat."

Tickets for Bobby Collins are $49.00 for Premium seating, $39.00 for the Orchestra and $29.00 for the Balcony. Tickets for this performance will go on sale on Friday, October 18th at 11:00 am. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700. 

The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, NJ, was founded in 1924. Revitalized and fully renovated, Sussex County's premier entertainment venue reopened in 2011 as a 605 seat capacity live performing arts center. With it's rich history and diverse programming The Newton Theatre is essential to the buoyancy of New Jersey's Skylands region. More information about The Newton Theatre may be found by calling 973-383-3700 or by visiting its website at www.TheNewtonTheatre.com .

CAPE MAY STAGE PRESENTS DANGER: STAY AWAY! A SERIES OF STAGED READINGS

(Cape May, NJ) -- Caution: This is not for the faint of heart. Cape May Stage continues with Danger: Stay Away!, a series of staged readings meant for only the most intrepid of theatregoers. A number of brave souls have already attended the first few readings are you brave enough to join their ranks?


What happens when a man with two lovers must choose only one? What's it like to battle addiction in its many forms? How do you handle it when your greatest secret threatens to be exposed? Where do you draw the line between emotional intimacy and pure carnal desire?
If these provocative issues intrigue you, then Danger: Stay Away! is meant for you. These staged readings are designed to stimulate, provoke, challenge, and most of all, make you walk away from the theater with a broader understanding of the human condition and the contemporary world in which we live. We dare you to come. 

The schedule for Danger: Stay Away! is as follows:

November 4
Cock by Mike Bartlett

A man must choose between his longtime boyfriend and his new girlfriend he ends up torn between the two who are more than willing to fight to keep him theirs.


November 18
The Motherf**ker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis

A former drug dealer finds the inadvertently misplaced hat of his girlfriend's lover, threatening his relationship, his parole and his sobriety in an intoxicatingly vulgar look at recovery from addiction.


November 19
The Bus by James Lanz

The secret meeting place of two young boys is threatened in an explosive conflict with the potential to tear a town apart in this touching, suspenseful tale.


November 20
The Eros Trilogy by Nicky Silver

Three short stories connecting four characters: a comically elegant lady deals with real-life grit; her volatile, drug-addicted son creates some real-life grit; and a vitriolic epistolary.


Performance Information

All performances take play at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse located at the corner of Lafayette and Bank Streets in downtown Cape May. All performances begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-can you decide how much theatre is worth to you. For more information, please call the box office at (609) 770-8311 or visit www.capemaystage.org .


Some plays contain mature content and are not appropriate for all audiences.

GENE & SHELLEY ENLOW RECITAL HALL PRESENTS ANOUSHKA SHANKAR

(Union, NJ) -- Gene & Shelley Enlow Recital Hall (Enlow Hall) at Kean University 2013-2014 season features a one-night-only concert by Anoushka Shankar on Sunday, November 17 at 3pm.


Three-time Grammy nominated sitar player-composer Anoushka Shankar is one of the leading figures in World Music today. Anoushka was the first Indian musician to perform at the Grammys in 2006, soon after becoming the youngest-ever and the first woman nominated in the World Music category, for her album "Live at Carnegie Hall" in 2002.

Anoushka studied exclusively with her father, the legendary Ravi Shankar since the age of 9 and has made guest appearances on recordings by diverse artists, among them Herbie Hancock, Joshua Bell and Lenny Kravitz.

Now, in 2013, Anoushka releases "Traces of You", having enlisted the help of multi-award-winning musician Nitin Sawhney to produce her music. The music exists in an undefinable space between genres, always with the Indian music Anoushka loves so dearly at its roots. "Traces of You" features Anoushka's half-sister Norah Jones as the sole vocalist on several songs and showcases Anoushka's ever increasing versatility and lyricism on the sitar.

Tickets to Anoushka Shankar in Enlow Hall are $35 - $45 and can be purchased by calling Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469), online at http://EnlowHall.kean.edu or in person at Kean University's Wilkins Theater Box Office (1000 Morris Avenue in Union, NJ).

Situated on Kean University's East Campus (215 North Avenue in Hillside, NJ), Enlow Hall is renowned for its superb acoustics and elegant design. With just 300 spectacular seats, Enlow Hall has been praised by noted performers and patrons for its intimate ambiance and close proximity between musicians and audience members. Free onsite parking is available at every concert.


For complete Enlow Hall 2013-14 Season information, please visit enlowhall.kean.edu .

'WHITE CHRISTMAS' COMES TO LIFE ON THE COUNT BASIE STAGE

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions, the award-winning community theatre organization, will present the hit Broadway musical, White Christmas, for two weekends at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank beginning November 15.


Based on the classic Bing Crosby movie, White Christmas boasts a score chock full of the best melodies of Irving Berlin, American's most beloved composer including "Blue Skies," "I Love a Piano," "How Deep is the Ocean" and of course -- "Happy Holidays", "Snow", "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" and "White Christmas".

The well-known story involves World War II veterans Bob and Phil, a successful song-and-dance team, who follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters enroute to their Christmas show in Vermont, where they encounter their former commanding officer who is now doing a bad job of running an inn. Or course, the boys save the inn and win the girls.
The Phoenix revival features a cast of 40 area performers lead by Jennifer Grasso of Highlands and Mike Morch of Wall. Also featured in the cast of Laura Gelford and Ian Brown-Gorrell of Manhattan, Paul Caliendo of Point Pleasant, Sarah Coleman of Holmdel and Nico;e Picinic of Manahawkin.

"This is perfect show to put the whole family into a holiday mood," notes director Anthony Greco. "The sets and costumes are lavish, and the production numbers featuring some very accomplished dancers just keep coming one after another. It would take a true Scrooge not to leave the theatre full of Christmas spirit."

Performances are scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank from November 15th through the 24th. Tickets, priced at $20 to $32 can be purchased at the Count Basie box office, ordered by phone at 732-842-9000 or ordered online at www.countbasietheatre.org .


Phoenix, a Red Bank-based non-profit community theatre organization, has produced more than 100 revivals of hit Broadway musicals over the past two decades. More information is available at phoenixredbank.com .

RECHNITZ BIDS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TWO RIVER, STEPHEN CRANE

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- In the cold and unforgiving winter of 1995, a faculty member at what was then Monmouth College greeted a roomful of adventurous attendees, and invited them to share in the first baby-step moments of an ambitious experiment; an endeavor that would deliver quality professional theater, to a Jersey Shore community that was accustomed to a diet of earnestly rendered but amateur stagings of tried-and-true chestnuts.


A little more than ten years from that evening, Robert M. Rechnitz stood before a capacity opening night crowd, inside a state of the art auditorium named for his wife Joan and himself, and welcomed one and all to the realization of a dream a gleaming new performing arts center in Red Bank, NJ called Two River Theater. 

Now entering its third decade of "developing and producing great American theater," Two River Theater Company has presented exciting re-imaginings of classic plays, debuted world premiere musicals and dramas, collaborated with top-shelf artists (Alec Baldwin, Sam Buntrock, Michael Cumpsty, Joel Grey, Maureen McGovern, Suzan Lori Parks, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Teller) and emerged as an important player on the regional stage landscape, in a place that has served as everything from a venue for high-profile concerts and fundraisers, to an oasis of light and community in the darkest days and nights following Superstorm Sandy.

Before he was the founding father of TRTC; before he and Joan became noted among New Jersey's leading philanthropists and tireless advocates for environmental, arts, health and educational causes even before he was a professor of English, with a specialty in American literature Bob Rechnitz was a natural storyteller; an engaging speaker who's captivated classrooms and playhouses with his avuncular style and illuminating observations on the power of words, the fascinating people he's known, and a life in the theater. On the evening of Tuesday, November 19, The Stephen Crane House in Asbury Park welcomes Dr. Rechnitz for a conversation that touches upon two significant anniversaries the 20th season of Two River Theater Company, and the 142nd birthday of Stephen Crane.

Presented in the house's intimate 30-seat Lecture Room space, the 7:30 p.m. presentation "An Evening with Robert Rechnitz" is the latest in a new series of "Sketches From Life" events, designed to spotlight a range of voices and perspectives in poetry, prose and performance. The series is programmed by Tom Chesek, director at the Crane House and arts correspondent for the Asbury Park Press/ Gannett Newspapers. 

For the event on November 19, the retired academic who wrote and taught extensively on the topic of Crane's masterpiece "The Red Badge of Courage" will share some of his thoughts and writings on the seminal author who was born November 1, 1871 and who resided in the house at 508 Fourth Avenue between 1883 and 1892. He'll also engage in a Q&A session with the audience, and share the sort of anecdotes, recollections and perspectives that make this a conversation not to be missed. 

Admission to "An Evening with Robert Rechnitz" is by a suggested donation of $10 and/or non-perishable food items, with all collections going to a locally based community food drive. Seating is extremely limited, with attendees encouraged to reserve in advance via The Stephen Crane House Facebook page, through cranehousereservations@gmail.com , or by calling (732)361-0189. Doors open at 7 p.m., and complimentary refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.

The young aspiring writer Stephen Crane regarded his first attempts at fiction as "sketches from life"and it's in the spirit of his journalist's eye, his poet's passion, and his rebellious sense of social justice that we offer this series of theater and spoken word events, inside the actual 19th century cottage where the author of "The Red Badge of Courage" and other American classics first set his storyteller's pen to paper. Contact The Stephen Crane House on Facebook, or at (732)361-0189 for directions or additional information, and check the Facebook page or the official website (thestephencranehouse.org) for updates on additional events.

Originally constructed in 1878 under the name of Arbutus Cottage, The Stephen Crane House has been rechristened here in the 21st century in honor of the American novelist, journalist and short story author Stephen Crane (1871-1900), who resided in the Fourth Avenue home at the beginning of his career as a writer. Having been rescued from the brink of demolition, the historic house is in the process of being renovated as a museum dedicated to the life and times of the man who wrote "The Red Badge of Courage" and other literary classics. Frequently in use as a host venue for theater, film, music and spoken word events, as well as a meeting place for arts groups and other nonprofit organizations, The Stephen Crane House is committed to serving the greater Asbury Park community as a resource for the support and celebration of our city's rich cultural life and heritage.

THE BRICK ART OF NATHAN SAWAYA AT THE MORRIS MUSEUM

(Morristown, NJ) This November, incredible LEGO sculptures created by Nathan Sawaya are returning to the Morris Museum for a new exhibition. The Morris Museum is pleased to announce the opening of The Brick Art of Nathan Sawaya, which will be on view from November 14, 2013 through March 9, 2014. While Sawaya's art is on display, a special area will be set up where visitors can create their own sculptures out of the iconic toy. Several special programs are planned, including a series of building workshops featuring LEGO building blocks.


Featuring more than thirty sculptures never before seen at the Morris Museum, The Brick Art of Nathan Sawaya is one of the most popular art exhibits currently touring the globe. Sawaya has taken the small-scale toy and transformed it into an art medium all its own, resulting in awe-inspiring and thought provoking sculptures. The collection on display at The Morris Museum includes Sawaya's early work in mixed media with X-Ray, a human figured created from recycled bricks featuring a transparent heart. Also on display will be an exquisite example of a 3D sculpture that integrates 2D imagery in a sculpture titled Puddle. Sawaya's most iconic work of a man ripping his chest open, Yellow, will be making an encore appearance and continues to be a fan favorite.


About Nathan Sawaya
Nathan Sawaya is a New York-based artist who creates whimsical and awe inspiring works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world, LEGO bricks. Sawaya's ability to transform this common building block into something meaningful, his devotion to spatial perfection and the way he conceptualizes action, enables him to elevate what almost every child has played with into the status of contemporary art.


"The museum exhibition is accessible because it engages the child in all of us while simultaneously illuminating sophisticated and complex concepts. Everyone can relate to the medium since it is a toy that many children have at home. My goal with every exhibition is to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before."

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Sawaya moved to New York City to attend college at New York University. Following his undergraduate work, he went to NYU law school and became an attorney. It was then that he rediscovered his childhood passion for LEGO, not as a toy, but rather as a medium.

Today, Sawaya has more than 4 million colored bricks in his New York and Los Angeles art studios. His work takes shape primarily as three-dimensional sculptures and oversized portraits. For more information on Nathan Sawaya and The Brick Art of Nathan Sawaya, visit www.brickartist.com .


Special Programs
From November 14, 2013 to March 9, 2014, the Morris Museum is offering special programs for visitors. For more information, please email programs@morrismuseum.org or call 973.371.3706.



Building Workshop: Balloon Powered Brick Car
Saturday, November 23, 10:00am and 11:30am
Members $6, Non-members $8

Explore the Model Railroad to learn more about power sources, and then make your own balloon powered brick car with LEGO building blocks. Registration is required and space is limited. A materials list will be provided with registration. Appropriate for ages 6 and up.



Building Workshop: Brick Bridge
Saturday, December 7, 10:00am and 11:30am
Members $6, Non-members $8

Learn to build a brick bridge with LEGO building blocks. Will it be stable enough to support weight? Registration is required and space is limited. Materials provided by the Morris Museum. Appropriate for ages 6 and up.


About the Morris Museum
Celebrating 100 years, the Morris Museum is an award-winning, community-based arts and cultural institution which serves the public through high caliber exhibitions in the arts, sciences and humanities. The Museum also offers educational programs, family events, and is home to the Bickford Theatre and its wide range of performing arts offerings. 


Continuously serving the public since 1913, the Morris Museum has been designated a Major Arts Institution and has received the New Jersey State Council on the Arts' Citation of Excellence, among other awards. The first museum in New Jersey to be accredited, the Morris Museum was re-accredited in 2013 by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Morris Museum is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.


The Museum is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown, NJ, and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, the Museum is open evenings from 5:00 to 8:00pm on the second and third Thursday of the month. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is always free for Museum members and is free to the public every second and third Thursday of the month between 4:00 and 8:00pm. For more information, call (973) 971-3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org .