New Jersey Stage

Martin Sexton: A Winter Night

2011-12-02T16:31:00.002-05:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– Like many of the greatest singer-songwriters, Martin Sexton always had that knack for convincing the listener that he was "singing just to me" — even with a big and soulful voice that seemed born more to testifying from a mountaintop than cooing in a corner cafe.

The downside to that? The devoted listener must learn to share the gifted artist with many thousands of other devotees — a list that includes Dave Matthews (who called Sexton "one of my favorite singers and songwriters"), John Mayer (who branded him "the best live performer I've ever seen"), and a large subset of music press people.

Since emerging from the local Boston scene in the mid-1990s, Martin Sexton has performed for ever-larger crowds, at venues that have ranged from literal streetcorners and the smallest rock clubs, to major theaters and huge festivals like Mile High and Bonnaroo. Together with a rocking new band, the singer also spent much of 2011 touring behind his most recent release, Sugarcoating — including a run of opening dates for Matthews that placed him in front of some of his biggest audiences to date.

When he takes the stage of the Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University on Friday, December 9, Martin Sexton will be dialing it back a notch, to the extent that he'll be leaving the band at home, packing his guitar and his exquisite sense of songcraft, and doing what he perhaps does better than anybody else — delivering "An Intimate Solo Acoustic Performance."

Subtitled A Winter Night, Sexton's 8 p.m. show will find the acclaimed performer purely in his element; making new friends, displaying his awe-inspiring command of the concert dynamic, and turning any hall of any size into a place as intimate as the streetcorners on which he busked for tips at the start of his career.

The intricate skills of the seasoned street performer remain on display in Sexton's solo sets, from the improvised scatting and beatboxing, to the fingerstyle guitar technique and the versatile vocalizing that ranges from a soulful croon and a folkie's conversational storytelling, to a bluesy moan, a heavy metal wail and beyond.

Then of course there are the songs — featured numbers from network TV shows ("Diner"), fan favorites ("Can't Stop Thinking Bout You," "Young and Beautiful"), stripped-down cuts from Sugarcoating — and, maybe best of all, the trademark surprise covers of signature tunes from Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Prince and many others. Like Ray Charles, Sinatra and the very best of the best, Martin Sexton makes the all and everything of music something all his own. Martin Sexton is that good.

While Winter won't officially start for a couple of weeks, Sexton's December 9 appearance will find a warm and comfortable home inside Monmouth University's flagship auditorium, a performance venue that has been justifiably hailed as one of New Jersey's premier theaters for acoustic music. The concert follows recent shows by Nils Lofgren and the Indigo Girls, as well as 2011 dates by folk-rock legend Roger McGuinn, international hitmaker Colin Hay and musically minded movie star Jeff Daniels.

To purchase tickets, or for additional information on the 2011-12 Performing Arts season, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Holiday event Something Merry This Way Comes

2011-12-02T16:29:00.000-05:00

(Madison, NJ) -- Halls are being decked in Madison, NJ for Something Merry This Way Comes , the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's newest addition to an exciting season of productions and special one-night events. This winter holiday event will take place on Monday, December 12, at 7:30pm at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue in Madison. Tickets are $32 and can be purchased online at www.ShakespeareNJ.org or by phone by calling the Shakespeare Theatre box office at 973-408-5600.

Hearkening back to a time when families read to each other, Something Merry This Way Comes is a cornucopia of sparkling and inspiring holiday tales, songs, and poems read by members of our esteemed company of actors. "Selling out two years in a row, our Halloween event, Something Wicked This Way Comes, met with such an enthusiastic response that we decided to create a holiday series, adding something merry to ring in the winter," said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte. "Something Merry This Way Comes is appropriate for theatre lovers of all ages, and is an antidote for the media blitz and commercial glitz that inundates our lives as we near the holidays."

Directed by Associate Artistic Director Joe Discher (fresh from his critically acclaimed production of To Kill a Mockingbird), this enchanting evening will feature winter songs and beloved stories by such literary stars as O. Henry, Truman Capote, Shel Silverstein, Hans Christian Anderson, and Dr. Seuss, read and performed by a cast of superb actors and musicians.

Tickets for Something Merry This Way Comes are $32 and are now on sale. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Something Merry This Way Comes will be performed at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

Cape May Stage: Helping to Build a Better Community By Fighting Hunger

2011-12-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The spirit of giving continues throughout the holiday season at Cape May Stage's Robert Shackleton Playhouse. In November, Cape May Stage offered patrons holiday discounts on theatre tickets to their recent production of John Logan's RED in exchange for donated food items for the Community Food Closet of Cape May, which serves families in need in Cape May. "Patron generosity has been overwhelming," said Alicia Grasso, Cape May Stage's marketing director. "The Community Food Closet does an outstanding job providing food and support to Cape May families and we're honored to participate in their efforts."

Cape May Stage employees delivered all donated items and contributed funds to the Food Closet just before Thanksgiving. With terrific results, the Equity theatre company will extend the food drive during "This Wonderful Life," their final production of the 2011 season. From November 26 through December 31, patrons can bring two non-perishable items to the box office and get a ticket for $15, or bring three items and get a ticket for $10 to see the show. The Food Closet is specifically requesting laundry detergent, small jars of jelly, small cans of soup, peanut butter, coffee, and boxed pasta.

"Our patrons have generous hearts. So, it's no surprise to me that they rallied behind the food drive," said Grasso. "We're thrilled to keep it going throughout the holiday season." For further details, please visit capemaystage.org or call (609) 884-1341.

ROWAN DANCERS STAGE 'PROPOSAL' TO PINA BAUSCH

2011-12-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -– Honoring the impact and inspiration of one of the leading figures in modern dance, director/choreographer and professor Paule Turner stages his original dance theatre work Will You Marry Me, Pina Bausch? at Rowan University as part of the Department of Theatre & Dance season. Performances are December 8 – 11, 2011 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm) in Tohill Theatre on the Glassboro campus.

A "cult-like homage depicting the torrid love affair between a poor southern boy and a prolific German woman," Turner's piece mixes movement, music and text as it explores his life-long affinity for Pina Bausch (who he never met) and the work which inspired him as a dancer and choreographer. The production features excerpts of Turner's work that has been inspired by Bausch, while addressing issues of love (and the inability to find it) and forgiveness. Turner describes it as an abstract but visceral piece that includes a "marriage proposal" set to R&B music.

Bausch (1940-2009) was a German choreographer, performer, teacher and director who earned an international reputation as one of modern dance's greatest innovators. She created work that featured theatricality, absurdist elements and elaborate, unusual sets. The ideas behind these works were often harsh, but reflected the realities of life and frequently were infused with humor. Turner discovered her work while in college and it has been a significant influence on his career ever since.

"It was inspiring to see that she was given permission to be a true artist," Turner notes, adding that Bausch was not concerned with the standard rules and limitations of dance. "She was interested in what moved people."

The all-student cast features Steven Clair of Franklinville, Emily Cortez of Mays Landing, Sam Debonis of Toms River, Sam DeWitt of Woodbury, Dane Eissler of Franklinville, Tyler Garamella of Lindenwold, Joe Grasso of Swedesboro, Brittany Griffiths of Gloucester Township, Jolene Hernandez of Hightstown, Jenna Ings of Rockaway, Claire Kane of Wildwood, Jaried Kimberley of Westville, Andrea Krapevka of North Edison, Allyn Merida of North Bergen, Alexandra Reggi of Hamilton, Andy Spinosi of Haddonfield and Kassi Wilson of Somerville..

Tohill Theatre is located in Bunce Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $10, general admission; and $5 for seniors, non-Rowan students and Rowan alumni. Tickets for Rowan students and staff are free with valid ID. For reservations and information, visit rowan.tix.com or call the box office at (856) 256-4545.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS FOR THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE OF NEW JERSEY

2011-12-02T16:25:00.002-05:00

(Madison, NJ) -– Despite a snowstorm that forced the cancellation of two performances, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's acclaimed production of To Kill A Mockingbird, which played its final performance on November 20, broke all-time box-office records, the Theatre announced today. More than 12,500 subscribers, single ticket buyers and students filled the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre to see the stage adaptation of Harper Lee's beloved novel, surpassing the Theatre's 2004 production of Macbeth to become the new record-holder.

"We knew this production would resonate with our audiences and teachers, but it certainly surpassed our expectations," said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte. "We are thrilled that so many students were able to attend To Kill A Mockingbird and experience the extraordinary power of the story." Nearly 2,700 students from 46 schools as far away as Lacey Township in Lanoka Harbor, NJ and South Orangetown Middle School in Blauvelt, NY attended the nine special school-time matinees held during the run of the production.

To Kill A Mockingbird also became the new record-holder for most individual tickets sold – a record previously held by the 2007 production of Neil Bartlett's A Christmas Carol.   More than one-third of all public performances of the critically acclaimed production were at standing room only capacity.

Directed by Associate Artistic Director Joseph Discher, the production featured a cast of 20 including Brent Harris as Atticus Finch, and Westfield's Emmanuelle Nadeau as Scout Finch. During the run, Mary Badham, the actress who played Scout Finch in the award-winning film starring Gregory Peck, appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre for two special talks about her experiences.   "We set out to create an event with this production," said Ms. Monte, "and the response from the audience, our subscribers, and the students was extraordinary. We welcomed many new people into our theatre and we look forward to seeing them again!"

The Shakespeare Theatre's 2011 Season concludes with Neil Bartlett's A Christmas Carol which begins performances on December 1 and continues through January 1. This unique and ingenious production features a cast of eleven actors playing more than 50 roles, including some of literature's most beloved characters. Bartlett's A Christmas Carol contains only Dickens' own words. "I wanted to do it using Dickens' words, and nothing but," wrote Bartlett. "Dickens himself prompted this decision; after all, he wrote the story not just to be read, but to be read out loud for an audience.   His words don't describe; they enact."    In addition, Bartlett has included spoken and sung Victorian carols delivered a cappella throughout the play.

"I hope everyone gets their tickets soon, before we sell out!," suggests Ms. Monte.

George Street Playhouse Invites Patrons To Sample and Shop for Holiday Wines and Spirits AND Take an Exclusive Backstage Tour

2011-12-02T16:04:00.000-05:00

(New Brunswick, NJ) – Looking for that special something for that special someone, friend or colleague? Mark your calendars for George Street Playhouse's Benefit Wine Tasting on Thursday, December 8. The event, which begins at 7pm, is presented in collaboration with Marketplace Wine and Spirits of East Brunswick. Sumptuous food and myriad wines and spirits are expected to be on the menu. Patrons may sample what intrigues them, and place orders for their purchases (due to liquor law restrictions, actual bottles may not be purchased at the event). In addition, members of the Playhouse staff will be on hand to give those attending a special backstage peek at the set for their holiday mainstage production The Nutcracker and I, a hilarious spoof of the holiday classic written by Emmy winner Peter Brash and Forbidden Broadway's Gerard Alessandrini.

Tickets are priced at $75 for this very special holiday event, are on sale now and available through the George Street Playhouse Box Office 732-246-7717, or online at www.GSPonline.org. George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue in the heart of New Brunswick's Dining and Entertainment District, and is easily accessible by public transportation.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint, George Street Playhouse has become a nationally recognized theatre, presenting an acclaimed mainstage season while providing an artistic home for established and emerging theatre artists. In August 2011, the Playhouse appointed noted arts administrator Norma Kaplan Managing Director. Founded in 1974, the Playhouse has been well represented by numerous productions both on and off-Broadway – recent productions include the Outer Critics' Circle Best Musical Award-winner The Toxic Avenger, the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Drama League nominated production of The Spitfire Grill and the Broadway hit and Tony® 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 Educational Touring Theatre features issue-oriented productions that are seen by more than 40,000 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 its lead season sponsor Johnson & Johnson.

Meenan teams with Monmouth to 'Deck the Halls' with Wows 'n Follies

2011-12-02T16:02:00.003-05:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– He was an accomplished theatrical pro when he was barely out of his teens — not just a legend in his native Monmouth County, but a Broadway veteran of such smash hits as "A Chorus Line" and "42nd Street."

Still, David J.V. Meenan didn't stop at being an actor, a singer and a dancer — he was also a writer, a director, a producer and an impresario who operated his own playhouse in Red Bank. As an executive at the Count Basie Theatre, he presented the world premiere of his original musical Transatlantic — and in 1996, he hoofed his way into the Guinness Book of World Records as the global champion of long-distance tap dancing.

If David Meenan seemed to vanish from show business at the dawn of the new millennium, it was merely due to the re-channeling of his energies into a new and fruitful endeavor —with The Pampered Chef, for whom the singing "Broadway Chef" became the top salesperson on the planet.

When that showbiz bug bites, however, it's not so easily swatted away — and in December of 2009, the legend emerged from self-imposed retirement to produce and direct his own large-scale adaptation of the Dickens chestnut A Christmas Carol — with his venue of choice the Pollak Theatre on the West Long Branch campus of Monmouth University.

The partnership with the Center for the Arts at Monmouth was such a happy one that Meenan himself tapped onto the stage once more in February 2011, for the benefit revue Sing Sing Sing — and on the afternoon of December 11, David J.V. Meenan returns to the Pollak with a company of 40 singers, dancers and musicians, in the debut of the never-before-seen holiday extravaganza Deck the Halls!

The first of two Meenan musical productions to be staged at Monmouth University in the 2011-2012 season, Deck the Halls! presents the dynamic star and a formidable troupe of friends in a revue that offers a fresh look at many of the most beloved holiday standards — with colorful costumes and the live Royale Orchestra adding to the festive atmosphere.

Presiding over the show like Santa at his workshop will be Meenan the master entertainer — singing, emceeing, and (of course) tapping in a way that suggests the word "retirement" might soon be retired from his vocabulary. With a presentation that recalls the classic holiday stage shows and specials of yesteryear, Deck the Halls! is as timeless as the spirit of the season — the kind of family entertainment that never goes out of style.

David J.V. Meenan returns to Monmouth University in March 2012 with the all-new variety revue On Broadway. To purchase tickets for Deck the Halls!, or for additional information on the 2011-12 Performing Arts season, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts.

December at the State Theatre

2011-12-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

(New Brunswick, NJ) -— State Theatre's December schedule is packed with something for everyone. Early December events include New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, Christ Church Choir, and Coro Lirico in a performance of G.F. Handel's MESSIAH(12/2/11); The Beach Boys Christmas (12/3/11); Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and The Pied Pipers (12/4/11); Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2011 (12/7/11); a screening of the opera Don Giovanni captured live in HD from La Scala in Milan (12/8/11); and Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell in Home for the Holidays with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (12/9/11).

Other December performances include comedian Brian Regan (12/10/11); Steve Solomon in My Mother is Italian, My Father is Jewish & I'm Home for the Holidays (12/11/11); American Repertory Ballet's The Nutcracker (12/17-12/18/11); Grammy® Award-winner Kenny Rogers in an evening of classic Christmas songs and his most famous hits (12/19/11); and a reunion of the three original Irish Tenors accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra (12/21/11). Rounding out the month is the New Year's Eve extravaganza Salute to Vienna, featuring dancers, soloists, and the Strauss Symphony of America (12/31/11).

DECEMBER SHOWS

G.F. Handel's
MESSIAH
(Christmas Portion)
Presented by State Theatre and New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra
Fri, December 2, 2011 at 8pm
Featuring: Christ Church Choir, Coro Lirico, New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra with Conductor John Sheridan, soprano Marvis Martin (Metropolitan Opera, Porgy and Bess), alto Leah Summers (Opera Colorado, Dallas Opera), tenor Jorge Garza (Center City Opera Theater, Connecticut Grand Opera), and baritone Keith Spencer (Carnegie Hall)
Tickets are $32.

The Beach Boys Christmas
Presented by State Theatre and AM Productions
Sat, December 3, 2011 at 8pm
For more than three decades, The Beach Boys have been one of America's most beloved groups, and this Christmas the Boys are back with an evening of their most famous hits and some Christmas favorites. Line-up includes Mike Love (lead vocals), Bruce Johnston (keys, vocals), John Cowsill (drums, vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keys), Randell Kirsch (bass, vocals), Scott Totten (guitars, vocals), and Christian Love (guitars, vocals).Tickets range from $35-75.

Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra & the Pied Pipers in A Christmas Gift
Sun, December 4, 2011 at 3pm
A Christmas Gift features the Pied Pipers backed by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in a big band program of holiday songs both old and new. Performed in the style and tradition of the big band era, the show will take the audience back to an era of great music, rich in sound and beautiful harmonies. Tickets range from $32-52.

Dave Koz & Friends Christmas 2011
Wed, December 7, 2011 at 8pm
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas brings together a magical combination of musicians. Joining multi-Grammy® nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Koz, will be trumpeter/composer/producer Rick Braun, South African singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, and Dutch saxophone star Candy Dulfer. The foursome will perform hits from their respective catalogues and jam on fresh, lively arrangements of seasonal favorites. Tickets range from $25-72.

Don Giovanni in HD, La Scala
W.A. Mozart
Thu, December 8, 2011 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy
Conducted by Daniel Barenboim
Starring Anna Netrebko and Bryn Terfel
La Scala presents Mozart's classic tale of Don Giovanni, a womanizing nobleman who is dragged down to hell after refusing to change his ways. Popular for its nimble blend of broad comedy, melodrama, and supernatural, anyone can now experience this beloved opera on the big screen. Tickets are $22.

Home for the Holidays with Brian Stokes Mitchell
With New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocalist - Constantine Kitsopoulous, conductor
Masterwork Chorus - Andrew Megill, director
New Jersey Youth Chorus - Patricia Joyce, director
Presented by State Theatre and NJSO
Fri, December 9, 2011 at 8pm
NJSO will perform symphonic holiday classics accompanied by the smooth baritone sounds of film, television, and Tony® Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell. Tickets range from $20-85.

Brian Regan-Live in Concert
Presented by State Theatre and Live Nation
Sat, December 10, 2011 at 7pm and 9:30pm
Standup comic Brian Regan is living proof that comedians can be family-friendly and funny. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations. Tickets range from $37.50-49.50.

My Mother is Italian, My Father is Jewish & I'm Home for the Holidays
Starring Steve Solomon
Sun, December 11, 2011 at 3pm
Steve Solomon returns to the State Theatre with his latest comedy show. Solomon's hilarious tale of family shenanigans is brought to life with his uncanny ability for impersonations, perfectly timed sound effects, and the crazy characters that drive the story. Tickets range from $34-59.

American Repertory Ballet's
The Nutcracker
Sat, December 17, 2011 at 1pm and 4:30pm
Sun, December 18, 2011 at 1pm and 4:30pm
American Repertory Ballet presents its 49th annual Nutcracker this holiday season. The lush Victorian-era production features Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, performed with a live orchestra, and a cast of over 100 performers directed by Douglas Martin. Tickets range from $32-57.

Kenny Rogers Christmas and Hits
With Special Guest Billy Dean
Mon, December 19, 2011 at 8pm
Grammy® Award-winner Kenny Rogers has delivered hit after hit for more than five decades, covering everything from country and soul to rock and pop. Kenny will entertain audiences with an evening of classic Christmas songs and his most famous hits. Tickets range from $38-150.

The Irish Tenors Christmas Reunion 2011
Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan
Wed, December 21, 2011 at 8pm
One of the most successful touring acts in America ever, The Irish Tenors lineup of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan, has been reunited for exclusive dates this December. The group will perform traditional Irish music and classic holiday songs backed by a 30-piece orchestra. Tickets range from $32-97.

Salute to Vienna
New Year's Concert
Sat, December 31, 2011 at 6pm
Featuring The Strauss Symphony of America, Conductor Alexander Steinitz (Vienna), soprano Rebecca Nelsen (Vienna), tenor Thomas Sigwald (Budapest), and dancers from Vienna Imperial Ballet
Salute to Vienna, patterned after Vienna's world famous "Neujahrskonzert," is returning to the State Theatre for a glorious 5th season. Always a festive event, it is performed live by a brilliant cast of over 75 musicians, stellar European singers, and dancers in beautiful costumes. Including Strauss waltzes, polkas and famous Operetta pieces, the group continues a tradition the whole family can enjoy. Tickets range from $47-107.

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 one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. 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.

ARCO HOLIDAY CONCERT AT KEAN UNIVERSITY'S ENLOW HALL

2011-12-02T15:58:00.002-05:00

(Hillside, NJ) -- The Gene and Shelley Enlow Recital Hall at Kean University presents An Arco Ensemble Holiday performance on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm. Conductor Bruce Hangen conducts New Jersey's virtuoso string chamber orchestra, featuring beloved music of the season.

Mr. Hangen is Artistic Director & Conductor of the Orchestra of Indian Hill, the Greater Boston area's premier professional orchestra. He began his Indian Hill affiliation in the fall 1997 season. He is also Director of Orchestral Activities at The Boston Conservatory and Conductor of The Boston Conservatory Orchestra. A frequent guest conductor of the country's leading orchestras, Mr. Hangen led the Boston Pops in almost 300 performances in the last 30 years, and most recently served as Principal Pops Guest Conductor. He has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Houston Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony, as well as orchestras in New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Taiwan.

Arco Ensemble was formally incorporated on January 27, 2006, the day that the world celebrated the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth. Such delightful serendipity marked the beginning of a string orchestra dedicated to bringing classical music performances of the highest quality to audiences in northern New Jersey. Arco presents concerts that appeal to seasoned concert lovers as well as to those who have yet to experience the joy of hearing great music performed live.

Arco Ensemble was founded by violinist Victoria Stewart. Her concert experience includes solo, chamber music, symphonic, and opera performances across the globe. While maintaining her position on the Kean University Concert Artist faculty and her busy freelance schedule, Stewart has eagerly embraced the challenge of managing the operations of Arco.

The Arco Ensemble consistently thrills audiences with its dynamic, polished and exciting performances led by world renowned guest conductors. A.E.'s broad and interesting programming appeals to seasoned concert lovers as well as to those who have yet to experience the joy of hearing great music performed live. The 2011-12 season marks the sixth season and its third year presenting concert's in Kean University's shining jewel, Enlow Recital Hall.

All tickets to An Arco Ensemble Holiday are $25 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 located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union.. Enlow Recital Hall is located on Kean University's East Campus at 215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205.

MIKE MONTREY BAND TO RELEASE UNIQUE DOCUMENTARY "INSIDE THE BASKET" RELEASE PARTY DECEMBER 17

2011-12-02T15:56:00.002-05:00

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ)-— On the heels of a successful double album release this spring, Mike Montrey Band (The MMB) have teamed with In Focus Productions to produce the illuminating 20-minute documentary, Inside the Basket. The film takes a rare and penetrating look at the world of recording, amidst the evolving landscape of the current music industry. With older structures crumbling and new methods for creation and distribution emerging everyday, Inside the Basket is an intimate look at one band's determination to stay fresh, vital and authentic in a sanitized world that praises swift mediocrity over process and substance.

To record Weaving the Basket, released on April 30 -- The MMB's first studio album since 2008's A Perfect Reality -- the band decided to innovate by getting back to the source: art for art's sake and the visceral experience of music performed in front of an audience. On January 29, The MMB offered the public an opportunity to hear Weaving the Basket recorded live, in two two-hour sessions at intimate Retromedia Studios in Red Bank, N.J. With the live show presented in a recording studio rather than a club, in front a silent audience who influenced the players' spontaneity and showmanship through their presence, a special musical ambience was created, one trumping the isolated production atmosphere of typical recording and overlays.

It was The MMB's gift to their fans. Both showings played to a packed house, and the event was a critical and media darling throughout New Jersey. The In Focus Productions crew was on hand to capture the energy of the experience. Inside the Basket features a selection of live takes from the two sessions, as well as band interviews and raw footage. The documentary will be released online via The MMB's YouTube channel, with an accompanying release party at The Old Bay in New Brunswick on Saturday, December 17. Inside the Basket's celebration will double as a holiday bash, in the very seat of the band's loyal and diverse fanbase.

The MMB are long known as masters of innovation, both musically and in business savvy. With this, their first documentary, they've gathered the potential of several inventive avenues by which hardworking, independent bands might thrive outside of an outmoded, labeldominated system.

Hailing from central New Jersey, enigmatic frontman and lead guitarist Mike Montrey formed the nexus of what would become The MMB in 2008, and it's been a nonstop ride ever since. Members Rob Smith (drums), Anthony "Duke" Duca (bass), Karl Dietel (keyboards), Hayden Wright (tenor sax) and Adam Garnys (alto sax) spin a jazzy, zoukinspired mix of tender, emotive numbers and raucous improvisational tunes, simultaneously appealing to jazz aficionados, the contemplative singer-songwriter milieu and the jamband elite. Montrey's lyrics and vocal stylings are at once playful and reflective, offering, against the collective mastery of his players, a spine-tingling and distinct listening experience. The band's first studio effort, A Perfect Reality, enjoyed a nomination for Top Release of 2008 by the prestigious Asbury Music Awards (AMAs) and debuted at #29 on the Jambands.com radio charts. The single Tin Can was a Relix Magazine Jam Off! selection.

The MMB have been nominated at the AMAs for four years consecutively, where they were also asked to perform in 2010.

The band continues to garner accolades. Saxophonist Hayden Wright has been nominated, for the third consecutive year, for Best Multi-Instrumentalist in the 2012 AMAs. With a stream of successes at their side, The MMB have re-entered the studio to work on new material, and will release a highly anticipated EP and music video in the spring of 2012. It promises to be an exciting 2012 for The MMB!

Inside the Basket was shot and edited by Mike Pinchiaroli at In Focus Productions. Find more information about the December 17 release show and holiday party at www.oldbayrest.com. The MMB's YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/mikemontrey.

Academy Award-Winner Ellen Burstyn to visit Kean University

2011-12-02T15:55:00.002-05:00

(UNION, NJ) -– Kean University continues the Premiere Artists series with a visit by Academy Award-winning actress and best-selling author Ellen Burstyn on Monday, December 5. Premiere Artists is a project of Premiere Stages, the professional Actors' Equity Association theatre in residence at Kean University, produced in partnership with the Kean Department of Theatre. Premiere Artists features high-profile artists as they visit the Kean University campus to conduct master classes with Kean University students and engage in question and answer sessions with the campus community and local patrons.

The evening begins at 5:15 PM and includes: Open Master Class: Kean BFA Acting Students prepare scenes that they will be performing in their upcoming January Showcase in NYC. Ellen will critique and discuss the scenes (5:15 pm to 6:15 pm ); Question and Answer Session: Ellen will discuss her career and take questions from the students and patrons in the audience. Producing Artistic Director John Wooten will moderate. (6:15 to 7:00); Reception (7:00 to 7:30).

Ellen Burstyn's illustrious acting career encompasses film, stage and television. She became a "triple crown winner" when she won an Emmy for her guest appearance in "Law & Order: SVU" (2009) to add to her Oscar win for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974) and her Tony Award for "Same Time, Next Year" (1974) on Broadway. Ellen has been nominated for an Academy Award five other times for "The Last Picture Show" (1972), "The Exorcist" (1973), "Same Time, Next Year," (1979), "Resurrection" (1981), and "Requiem for a Dream" (2000).

Ms. Burstyn's many theater credits include the Broadway productions of "84 Charing Cross Road", "Shirley Valentine" and "Sacrilege". She received glowing reviews in Stephen Adley Guirgis' play "The Little Flower of East Orange" (2008), directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman at The Public Theater in New York. Earlier this year, she appeared in London's West End in Lillian Hellman's "The Children's Hour" to rave reviews.

Ellen was the first woman elected president of Actors Equity Association (1982-85), and served as the Artistic Director of the famed Actors Studio, where she studied with the late Lee Strasberg. She continues to be active there as co-president with Al Pacino and Harvey Keitel. Academically, Ellen holds four honorary doctorates, including a doctorate from Pace University where she teaches in The Actors Studio M.F.A. program. Ellen became a national best-selling author with the publication in 2006 of her memoir, "Lessons in Becoming Myself," published by Riverhead Press. In addition to a continuing and thriving acting career, Ellen is writing a screenplay, as well as planning a book of her photography accompanied by her favorite poetry.

Tickets for the event are free The event will be held in the University Center Little Theatre, located at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J. Space is limited. To reserve tickets, please call 908-737-4092. Premiere Stages offers air-conditioned facilities and free parking. All facilities are fully accessible spaces. Patrons should call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Large print programs are available at all times. Publications in alternate formats and other assistive services are available with advanced notice. For further information call 908-737-4092, email premiere@kean.edu or visit www.kean.edu/premierestages.

Premiere Stages is made possible in part through funding from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Northfield Bank Foundation, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and through the generous support of individual patrons.

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities and East Lynne Theater Company present "Ghosts of Christmas Past" Trolley Rides

2011-12-02T15:54:00.002-05:00

"In two days it will be Christmas!" said Old Applejoy to himself. "Can it be that my close-fisted grandson John does not intend to celebrate Christmas! It has been years since he has done so, but now that his niece, Bertha, is in the house, will he dare to pass over it as though it were a common day? I've seen no preparations, heard nothing, smelt nothing. I will go this moment and investigate."

And Old Applejoy, a ghost living in the attic of the old mansion, descended to the lower part of the house in Frank R. Stockton's delightful Christmas ghost tale, "Old Applejoy's Ghost."

This tale is one of two stories that are part of the repertoire of the "Ghosts of Christmas Past" Trolley Rides, co-sponsored by The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) and the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company. The other ghostly story is based on Mary Wilkins Freeman's "The Twelfth Guest," about a stranger who suddenly appears in time for Christmas dinner. Both have been adapted for storytelling by Gayle Stahlhuth.

Listen to these classic American ghostly tales, told in a dark trolley, while the twinkling lights of the beautifully decorated homes and streets are seen through the windows of the heated vehicle.

The "spirited" thirty-minute rides begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Tickets are only $10 for adults and $7 for children, ages 3-12, and run several nights a week through January 1.

Once again, the main costumed storyteller is Frank Smith, who was the first person to portray Dr. Physick for MAC's tour of the Physick Estate, and has performed for ELTC in William Gillette's "Sherlock Holmes" and for "Tales of the Victorians," ELTC's popular storytelling event on the porches of B&Bs during the summer and fall.

Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling MAC at 884-5404. If tickets are available the day of the tour, they will be sold at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Meanwhile, on the mainstage of ELTC is "Christmas Presents from the Past" based on stories by Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Mary Wilkins Freeman, and O. Henry, adapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth on November 25, 26, December 4, 9, and 10 at 8:30pm. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Tickets are $25 for general admission; $15 for students; and ages 12 and under are always free. For information or reservations: 884-5898 or on the web at www.eastlynnetheater.org.

PRIME TIME TV GOES LATIN WITH JUAN CALDERON AT KEAN UNIVERSITY

2011-12-02T15:40:00.005-05:00

(Union, NJ) Kean Stage presents Juan Calderon's Cultural Explosion in a performance of Prime Time TV Goes Latin on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm in Kean University's Wilkins Theatre. In a tribute to some of America's most beloved television shows, the dance performance features re-inventions of TV's most iconic theme songs by adding a Latin twist. This one-night extravaganza will highlight popular Latin dances including salsa, mambo, cha-cha-cha, Latin jazz and Rueda De Casino.

Cultural Explosion Dance Company has been providing dance instruction and performances for theatres, schools, corporations and private events for over 10 years. The company dancers have gained worldwide recognition for their uniqueness and creativity in performance, for their patient and entertaining style of instructing, and for their elegant and exciting style of dancing. Through the success of world-class performances, and dance instruction with a syllabus that serves as a model to dance studios everywhere, the renowned Cultural Explosion Dance Company has become a leader in Latin dance entertainment. The troupe has produced numerous instructional DVDs which are sold internationally.

Juan Calderon, artistic director, is a renowned instructor of salsa and Latin dance based in New Jersey. His students have traveled from Italy, China and Portugal to take private lessons with him and he tours the US as well as Italy, England, France, Spain, Canada and Latin America to provide training. He has choreographed specific salsa routines for the New York Knicks Dancers' halftime show and served as salsa instructor to Dance Theatre of Harlem's ballerinas.

'The Cultural Explosion Dancers are not only instructors and performers," said Calderon, 'but also ambassadors of Latin music, dance and culture. Our company members understand the cultural and historical importance of the dances and their origins and through extensive research, we're able to educate others on the background of the dances we teach and perform. We have made it our mission to bring the joy of music, dance and culture to others."

All tickets to Prime Time TV Goes Latin by Juan Calderon's Cultural Explosion are $30 and can be purchased by calling Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469), online at www.keanstage.com , or in person at Kean University's Wilkins Theater Box Office, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

The Fresh Beat Band Comes to The State Theatre

2011-12-02T15:40:00.002-05:00

(New Brunswick, NJ) — AEG Live and State Theatre present The Fresh Beat Band-Live in Concert for two performances on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 3pm and 6pm. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 10am. Special $119 VIP Fresh Beat Band party packages are available for both shows. VIP party packages include one ticket in the first 10 rows and a pre-show meet and greet with all of the members of The Fresh Beat Band. Regular tickets range from $19-39.

The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon's popular preschool music group and stars of the hit TV series of the same name, will hit the road in February 2012 for the first time ever on a 15-week nationwide concert tour. Kiki (Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer), Shout (Thomas Hobson), Marina (Tara Perry), and Twist (Jon Beavers) will perform The Fresh Beat Band hits from seasons one, two, and three of the live-action music series that teaches preschoolers about music appreciation and how to express their feelings through movement, song, and instrumental music.

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 one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. 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.

Cape May Stage presents My Shadow and Me

2011-12-02T15:38:00.005-05:00

(Cape May, NJ) -- Cape May Stage, as part of its commitment to producing quality original theatre, is proud to announce another world premiere event. My Shadow and Me, a family-oriented musical written by Bryan Seastrom and Mary Lauren, is a simple story about two friends and Fletcher the Dog, all helping each other achieve their artistic ambitions. Part of Cape May Stage's Second Stage Series, My Shadow and Me will be performed on Monday, December 5 at 8 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse in downtown Cape May.

The story unfolds when Mary finds herself lost backstage in an old Broadway theatre after another harrowing audition. She finds herself lost both literally and artistically as she tries to find inspiration in the 'crazy life" of show business. She encounters a charming sheepdog named Fletcher and a troubled former vaudevillian performer both struggling with the changing times and they soon discover that they might be stronger as a team.

My Shadow and Me is a 90-minute world premiere musical review incorporating music, dance, comedy, and puppetry in a fun-filled evening to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Kids will love Fletcher, a warm and fun-loving puppet character that makes his stage debut in this production. After several years of development, Lauren and Seastrom have created a 2-person show that aims to celebrate show business and inspire and touch the hearts and funny bones of everyone. It's a magical show for the whole family.

Part of Cape May Stage's Second Stage Series, My Shadow and Me will appear Monday, December 5th at 8 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse located at 405 Lafayette Street in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 kids. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org.

Cape May Stage's Second Stage Series is presented through the gracious support of Chris and Dave Clemans.

Skyline Offers New Take On "Carol"

2011-12-02T15:38:00.002-05:00

(Bergen County, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company STC's season of classics continues with a new version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol performed in a one man tour de force Saturday December 17th at 2pm at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation, 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn. This single performance is a part of Skyline's fund raising efforts for this season.

Dustin Charles stars as Dickens and all of his unforgettable characters from the 1843 novella. This new adaptation, by Greg Oliver Bodine, finds Dickens on his 1867 American Reading Tour, which is off to a rough start. Due to an inexplicable loss of his luggage, Dickens regretfully announces that he will be unable to read from his beloved classic, A Christmas Carol. All is not lost, however; Dickens delivers with warmth and humor what he promised: he performs from memory the magical story of Ebenezer Scrooge's journey from miserliness to redemption. This one-man play is based on the condensed version Dickens himself used on his historic reading tours of the United States.

New York actor Dustin Charles returns to Skyline having starred as Paul in last season's Barefoot in the Park and as Hal in Proof. Most recently he played Richard in Shakespeare's Richard III for Identity Theatre in New York. He has also appeared in Dracula and The 39 Steps (New Stage Theatre), Dial M for Murder (John W. Engeman Theater), Bedroom Farce, and Unnecessary Farce, for which he received a Syracuse Area Live Theatre Award nomination. His film career includes 'Forged" starring Manny Perez, 'Gentleman Jack," and the award–winning indie '...the Making of..."

Enjoy the season with this new version of the wonderful family classic, A Christmas Carol on December 17th at 2:00 pm at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation, 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn. Tickets are $28 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $18 for students. For ticket reservations or for more information about Skyline please call 1-800-474-1299.

State Theatre Announces Students Meet The Arts

2011-12-02T15:37:00.002-05:00

(New Brunswick, NJ)—State Theatre announces the launch of the Students Meet The Arts program. With Students Meet The Arts, students can attend many State Theatre classical music and dance programs, including both live performances and HD broadcasts, for only $8 per ticket.* The Students Meet The Arts program has been made possible by the generous support of the Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation.

"As a nonprofit organization, an integral part of the State Theatre's mission is to develop future audiences for the classical arts as well as entertainment. By reducing ticket prices, we are ensuring that our classical arts events are accessible to children and young adults and that we build a strong cultural environment in our community," recently said Mark W. Jones, State Theatre President & CEO.

STUDENTS MEET THE ARTS EVENTS FOR:

LIVE ORCHESTRA

Hamburg Symphony
Jeffrey Tate, chief conductor
Guy Braunstein, violin soloist
Wed, January 18, 2012 at 8pm
Works of Vaughn Williams, Johannes Brahms, and Ludwig Van Beethoven.

"Tschaikowski"
St. Petersburg State Orchestra
Roman Leontiev, music director & chief conductor
Alexandre Pirojenko, piano soloist
Sun, February 12, 2012 at 3pm
Works of Maurice Ravel, Fryderyk Chopin, and Sergei Prokofiev.

Dresden Philharmonic
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, principal conductor
Gautier Capuçon, cello soloist
Fri, March 9, 2012 at 8pm
Works of Carl Maria Von Weber, Antonin Dvorák, and Ludwig Van Beethoven.

LIVE DANCE

Cinderella
Moscow Festival Ballet
Fri, April 6, 2012 at 8pm

OPERA IN CINEMA
Aida, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Giuseppe Verdi
Wed, November 16, 2011 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Florence, Italy
Conducted by Zubin Mehta
Starring Roberto Tagliavini, Luciana D'Intino, Hui He, and Marco Berti
Pre-Performance Insight with Opera New Jersey's General Manager Richard Russell: 6:30pm

Don Giovanni, La Scala
W.A. Mozart
Thu, December 8, 2011 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy
Conducted by Daniel Barenboim
Starring Anna Netrebko and Bryn Terfel
Pre-Performance Insight with Opera New Jersey's General Manager Richard Russell: 6:30pm at the State Theatre.

Cendrillon, The Royal Opera
Jules Massenet
Sun, January 8, 2012 at 2pm
Captured Live at the Royal Opera House in London, England
Starring Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote and Eglise Guttiérez
Pre-Performance Insight with Opera New Jersey's General Manager Richard Russell: 1:30pm at the State Theatre.

Il Trittico, The Royal Opera
Giacomo Puccini
Thu, February 2, 2012 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Royal Opera House in London, England
Starring Lucio Gallo, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Anja Harteros, Anna Larsson, and Elena Zilio
Pre-Performance Insight with Opera New Jersey's General Manager Richard Russell: 6:30pm at the State Theatre.

La Bohème, Liceu
Giacomo Puccini
Wed, March 14, 2012 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain
Starring Ramón Vargas and Fiorenza Cedolins
Pre-Performance Insight with Opera New Jersey's General Manager Richard Russell: 6:30pm at the State Theatre.

Rigoletto, The Royal Opera
Giuseppe Verdi
Sun, April 22, 2012 at 2pm
Captured Live at the Royal Opera House in London, England
Directed by David McVicar
Starring Dimitri Plantanias, Ekaterina Siurina, Vittorio Grigolo, and Christine Rice
Pre-Performance Insight with Opera New Jersey's General Manager Richard Russell: 1:30pm at the State Theatre.

BALLET IN CINEMA
The Sleeping Beauty, Bolshoi Ballet
Wed, November 30, 2011 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia
Choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich (1973) after Marius Petipa
Pre-Performance Insight with Princeton Ballet School's School Director Mary Pat Robertson: 6:30pm at the State Theatre.

Swan Lake, Bolshoi Ballet
Sun, January 15, 2012 at 2pm
Captured Live at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia
Starring Mariya Aleksandrova and Nicolai Tsiskaridze
Pre-Performance Insight with American Repertory Ballet's Company Director Douglas Martin: 1:30pm at the State Theatre.

Coppélia, Bolshoi Ballet
Wed, February 22, 2012 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia
Original Choreography by Marius Petipa, recreated by Sergei Vikharev
Composed by Leo Delibes
Starring Viacheslav Lopatin and Natalia Osipova
Pre-Performance Insight with Princeton Ballet School's School Director Mary Pat Robertson: 6:30pm at the State Theatre.

Romeo and Juliet, The Royal Ballet
Wed, May 16, 2012 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Royal Opera House in London, England
Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan

La Fille Mal Gardée, The Royal Ballet
Wed, June 13, 2012 at 7pm
Captured Live at the Royal Opera House in London, England
Choreographed by Frederick Ashton
Pre-Performance Insight with American Repertory Ballet's Company Director Douglas Martin: 1:30pm at the State Theatre.

*Students Meet The Arts Discount Terms: $8 Students Meet The Arts tickets are valid for students only. Offer valid for listed shows, in all sections for phone and window sales (not available online). Discount is not retroactive and cannot be combined. A $3 per ticket facility fee will apply. Valid student ID required for college students for walk up sales. Additional fees may apply to phone orders.

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 one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517.

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.

Colie Brice and the New Age Blues Experience Debuts on New Google Music Service

2011-11-28T15:15:00.002-05:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- In conjunction with cyber monday, AERIA Records is offering a FREE download of "Slaying the Dragon" a new live recording by Colie Brice and the New Age Blues Experience is resonating well in Google's new music Android Market. The track appears along side the Dave Matthews Band, Warren Haynes, Ben Harper, and the Grateful Dead among other bands as a mover and shaker in the Jam Rock category.

The band was recently nominated as the Top Avant-Garde Act in the 2011 Asbury Park Music Awards and will appear at their annual Holidaze extravaganza 12/28/11 at the Saint in Asbury Park - a legendary local venue for original live music also based in Asbury Park, NJ.

The band features Colie Brice on lead vocals, keyboards and guitar, Alan Gowa on lead guitar and guitar synth, Jay Walker on bass, and Joe Savio on drums.

For more information and a free download go to: https://market.android.com/details?cat=JAM_ROCK&id=music_movers_shakers

For more information on Colie Brice, visit http://coliebrice.com

$30,000 AWARDED TO THE HISTORIC STRAND THEATER, STRAND VENTURES, INC.

2011-11-23T12:22:00.002-05:00

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) – Strand Ventures, Inc., a qualified non-profit arts and cultural organization that manages the daily operations of the historic Strand Theater, also known as the Strand Center for the Arts has been awarded $30,000 by the OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River that will support operations of the Strand; a premier arts, cultural and historical destination delivering high quality entertainment, arts education and cultural programs throughout the Central New Jersey Region, especially serving populations in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Founded in 1996, OceanFirst Foundation is the first foundation in the nation to be established by a bank as a part of an initial public offering. OceanFirst Foundation has contributed nearly $22 million to over 600 local charities in Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties since its inception. Its four priorities include Housing, Health and Wellness, Improving the Quality of Life, and Youth Development and Education. For more information about OceanFirst Foundation and the Arts & Cultural Grant Program, visit www.oceanfirstfdn.org or call 732-341-4676.

The historic Strand Theater, located at 400 Clifton Ave. in Lakewood, was designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb in 1922 and is listed on the N.J. and National Register of Historic Places. The Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC) purchased the Strand in 1999. A program of capital improvements by the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) provided the funding, at no cost to the taxpayers, for the construction, renovation and restoration of the theater, inside and outside.

Today the Strand Theater is considered an anchor in the downtown for creating economic growth, providing incentives for job creation, and attracting pedestrian traffic. The Strand offers year-round entertainment in plush, air-conditioned surroundings. It is a perfect venue to showcase comedians, musicals, dinner theater, stars from television and movies, and legendary musical entertainers. The reception gallery includes a catering facility for 250 people, a dance floor, and restrooms. It is ideal for theater-in-the-round, smaller events and receptions.

The Strand relies on the support of Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Township of Lakewood, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority; and the LDC and the UEZ programs along with many businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Kevin Smith: Live From Behind to Be Broadcast From the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto to Participating Movie Theatres Across North America

2011-11-22T10:41:00.002-05:00

(TORONTO, ONTARIO)-- AK27 Productions and Cineplex Entertainment, via their Front Row Centre Events, present Kevin Smith: Live From Behind featuring Jay & Silent Bob Grow Old, an interactive event hosted by Kevin Smith on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 9.30 p.m. EST. Live from the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, the event will be broadcast via satellite to more than 70 movie theatres in Canada and 500 movie theatres in the United States.

The event will be split into two seamless segments, starting with Kevin introducing fellow actor and long-time friend Jason "Jay" Mewes. The two will host their highly rated podcast Jay & Silent Bob Get Old. The second half of the event will be a Q&A session with Kevin as he answers questions from the live theatre audience and from fans via Twitter. This will be the first Kevin Smith Q&A broadcast in North America where Kevin interacts with the live theatre audience and his fans on social media simultaneously.

Tickets for Kevin Smith: Live From Behind go on sale Wednesday, November 23rd for SCENE members and to the general public on Friday, December 2, 2011. The SCENE program is free to join, to enroll visit www.scene.ca . Tickets can be purchased at participating theatre box offices and online at www.cineplex.com/events or their mobile site m.cineplex.com.

Kevin Smith is a screenwriter, actor, film producer and director as well as a popular comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and Internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as Silent Bob. He is most famous for his cult film catalogue including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl, Clerks II, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and his newest film Red State, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

Smith also sports three DVD releases of his various college Q&A's (An Evening With Kevin Smith, An Evening With Kevin Smith 2: Evening Harder, A Threevening with Kevin Smith, as well as an EPIX Original Q&A special Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40. Kevin has also published two books full of essays and blog postings (Silent Bob Speaks and the New York Times Best Selling My Boring Ass Life), as well as Shootin' the Sh-t with Kevin Smith - a collection of the best material from SModcast, Smith and producer Scott Mosier's weekly podcast. www.smodcast.com .

OLD TIME HOLIDAYS MEETS NEW TIME REALTIES IN NOTHING FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-11-17T20:03:00.002-05:00

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The holidays are more and more these days about did you get the latest gadget or the most expensive gift. But for some with the current economy they are stressed out and doing with less and less. Highway 50 Films new film Nothing For Christmas takes hard look at how people such times survive their financial struggles and how the communities rally around their neighbors. Nothing For Christmas will be featured at Clearview Arts Cinema, 36 White Street in Red Bank on December 1st, 2011 at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

"What I love about this film is it about old time community, where people rally around their family and friends when times get tough," said Stewart Schneck, who plays the beloved rabbi who mentors Betsy Perry, a troubled teen that hates the holidays and vandalizes Christmas decorations.

Betsy Perry is played by Mackenzie English, formerly of Monmouth Beach, currently of Los Angeles. She started her career as a child actress on the set of Saturday Night Live working along the likes of the Adam Sandler, the late Chris Farley and Will Farell. More recently she gained critical acclaim in the Los Angeles Times for her role as Zoe in the play To The New Girl.

"It saddens me that Christmas and Hanukah are no longer about giving anymore, but it has become about what can you do for me or what's in it for me," Said English. "It needs to be more about faith, family, friendship."

She added that the strength of this film is the deep friendship between the rabbi and his catholic friend Betsy.

Schneck agreed.

"This film goes against stereotypes and shows that both faiths have so much more in common," He added.

"Rabbi Yamowitz is a man that's goal in life is to heal the World; he deeply senses other needs and desires to heal those suffering and make them whole," Scheck said. "He loves the Perry's, they are his friends and neighbors that, he has shared many years with through good times and bad."

The struggles the Perry face are embodied in Jerry Perry, Betsy's father, play by Brian M. Wixson, Who appeared in What Happens In Vegas as featured Trumpet Player and also in the Garden State Film Festival feature film The Yard.

"Jerry is everyman, he is your father, your friend, who has lost his job in the ever shrinking hardware business," Wixson said.

He added that his value as a man is challenged. And when he can't pay his mortgage and loses everything, he fears his family and community will give up on him.

"People out there right now can relate to this story, they are losing their jobs, their life savings and just want that happy Wonderful Life ending to save them for all their hardship," Wixson said.

One of the members of the community that has a simpatico with the rabbi is Has Orton a decorated war veteran that has turrets syndrome, and has deep empathy for the family.

Orton, played by Bob Cleary of Wanamassa, who started his career 35 years ago at Brookdale Community College and has is featured in commercial for B&H Photo, feels his character like the rabbi, feels the Perry's pain during the holidays.

"Hans has enormous empathy for this formerly employee that now is being evicted from his home and can't even afford simple needs such as food for his family," Cleary said.

This also Cleary 5th film working with director Sean Guess of Guess Films and his first with David Pirrocco of Highway 50 Films and Jacked Cat Productions. Pirrocco who has worked with Keith Richards, Cyndi Lauper and Jon Bon Jovi, hopes to continue to raise the productions of the films. And both he and Guess will work again on the 6th film Asbury Park U.S.A.; that has added Producer Paul Sacco, who works with the likes of James Cameron and Martin Scorsese.

They will even roll a new trailer for Asbury Park, U.S.A. on the night of the Nothing For Christmas showing.

Tickets can be mail ordered by calling 732 216-1977 or e-mailing smguess@aol.com . Tickets can also be purchased at the theater. First come first served and no refunds.

A VERY SPECIAL (Holiday) SPECIAL 2011 AT DREAMCATCHER

2011-11-17T19:58:00.002-05:00

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Kick off the holiday season with the Dreamcatcher Company with their annual irreverent spoof of the holiday specials of yesteryear. If you enjoyed the corny fun of those old-fashioned holiday variety shows starring Donny and Marie, Perry Como and The Mandrell Sisters, you'll love A VERY SPECIAL (Holiday) SPECIAL at Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre on Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at 8:00 p.m. Located in the intimate third-floor theatre at The Baird Center at 5 Mead Street in South Orange, Dreamcatcher takes a break from their mainstage schedule to perform their affectionate send-up of traditional holiday entertainment.

The Dreamcatcher Resident Acting Company will entertain with holiday songs, comic sketches and improv, and lots of good old-fashioned fun. Each year's show is original; past years' performances included a Rockettes-style production number, take-offs on current reality shows and a post-holiday scene at the returns counter of a department store. This year's show will include musical spoofs, topical sketches, and unique silliness. Performing in the show are Dreamcatcher Company members Nicole Callender, Harry Patrick Christian, Laura Ekstrand, Noreen Farley, Dave Maulbeck, Scott McGowan, and Jessica O'Hara-Baker.

A VERY SPECIAL (Holiday) SPECIAL, a unique and hilarious way to celebrate the holiday season, will take place at Dreamcatcher on Friday and Saturday, December 2 & 3 at 8:00 p.m. All tickets are $20.00, and can be purchased in advance at www.dreamcatcherrep.org, or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. The performance is at The Baird, located at 5 Mead Street in Meadowland Park, a few blocks from the center of downtown South Orange. For information and tickets for any of Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre's programs, please contact Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre at The Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079, 973-378-7754, ext. 2228, www.DreamcatcherRep.org.

Songwriters by the Sea – Holiday Edition

2011-11-17T19:50:00.002-05:00

(Lakewood, NJ) – The historic STRAND Center for the Arts presents Songwriters by the Sea – Holiday Edition, sponsored by 90.5 The Night on Saturday, December 17 at 8pm. Musical legends Marshall Crenshaw, Willie Nile and Rhett Miller, join our hosts Joe D'Urso and Joe Rapolla to headline our first Songwriters by the Sea - Holiday Edition! Expect an evening of holiday cheer as the artists share their favorite holiday songs and stories, as well as their greatest hits. 

Opening the show will be local favorite Emily Grove, North Jersey's Denny Tilton and up and coming songwriter Chris Gruen.

Please bring a toy or food donation as 90.5 The Night and the Strand will be collecting for local food banks and children's charities.

Tickets are $29. Make your ticket reservations online at www.strand.org or call 732-730-5925. The STRAND box office, 732 – 367 - 7789, is open on Thursday and Friday, between 12 pm and 5 pm and 3 hours before each show. The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood, NJ.

East Lynne Theater presents "Christmas Presents from the Past"

2011-11-17T19:45:00.002-05:00

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- "One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty-seven cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time. Three times Della counted it. And the next day would be Christmas."

    Thus begins one of the most famous Christmas stories of all time, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry (1862-1910). Della wants to purchase the perfect present for her husband, but can she do it with only one dollar and eighty-seven cents?

     Presents come in all shapes and sizes, and this holiday season, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is offering its own "Christmas Presents from the Past," on November 25 and 26, and December 4, 9 and 10 at 8:30p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St. in Cape May, where the company is in residence.

     The theme about presents continues with Mark Twain's (1835-1910) "Susie's Letter from Santa Claus." Writing to his own daughter as if he were St. Nick himself, Twain strives to be sure that he clearly understands what Susie wants for Christmas, and best to deliver it.

     "The Christmas Masquerade," by Mary Wilkins Freeman (1852-1930) is about a Christmas Eve ball, where every child, rich and poor, are allowed to dress up in any costume they choose. One year, no matter how hard the parents tried to undress their children, the costumes would not be removed. Will the Mayor’s daughter be forever a shepherdess and the cobbler’s son a prince? The resolution involves Christmas presents.

     According to "What the Bells Saw and Said" by Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888), the spirits of the bells meet at midnight every Christmas Eve to discuss the state of affairs where they ring. Their presents to those listening below, are their own melodic voices – voices which ring for all to have peace, love, and good will for all.

     These classic tales were adapted by ELTC's artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth who also performs the thirty-some characters in storytelling fashion. Her past solo Christmas performances of stories by L. Frank Baum, Louisa May Alcott, O. Henry, Edward Everett Hale, and Bret Harte have been praised by reviewers and audience alike. With the flick of a wrist, the bend of the waist, the turn of the head, and a change in the tone of voice, she brings a character to life in a heartbeat.

     Gayle is in her thirteenth year as ELTC's artistic director, and as such, has directed over half of the 61 different shows she's produced (not including repeats), including "Why Marry?," the first play to win the Pulitzer Prize, and the time-travel adventure "Berkeley Square." She's appeared in Off-Broadway, regional, touring productions, and on the Chautauqua circuit, and she and her husband, Lee O'Connor reside in West Cape May, NJ and Manhattan.

     Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for full-time students, and, as always, anyone age 12 and under is free. For information and reservations, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

     Meanwhile, learn about a variety of cheeses and support ELTC at "Cheese School," sponsored by Seaside Cheese and Cape May Winery on Monday, December 5 from 7:00-9:00p.m. at the winery, 711 Townbank Rd., North Cape May. Contact ELTC for details.

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker Comes To The Strand

2011-11-17T19:39:00.002-05:00

(Lakewood, NJ) -– The historic STRAND Center for the Arts presents Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:30pm. Moscow Ballet performs the Great Russian Nutcracker with top Russian dancers in this beloved, family Christmas story. 2011 marks the 19th tour to 60+ North American cities by these impeccably trained Russian dancers. Performing the Great Russian Nutcracker, the dancers leap, spin, and lunge in their telling of the traditional, family-friendly Christmas story with a Russian flavor. Tickets are $27.50-$102.  Moscow Ballet features top graduates of Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools and is praised by NY Times Chief Dance Critic Alastair Macaulay as, "Expansive…the Russian style is elegantly generous, and so the experience is never meager."

The company evolved out of the "Glasnost Festival Tour" created by award-winning Juilliard alumnus, composer/conductor and theatrical producer, Akiva Talmi. Moscow Ballet made its debut in 1993 with an all-star Russian cast in the Great Russian Nutcracker, directed and choreographed by Stanislav Vlasov, a soloist with Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre. Since then Moscow Ballet has added Cinderella, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet to its repertory.

"Knock-out dancer, thrilling, and elegant" says NY Times of Moscow Ballet; "Aristocratic finesse" comments Cleveland Plain Dealer; Charleston Today raves, "Breathtaking and awe-inspiring;" "Spellbinding and completely fabulous," states San Francisco's Stark Insider; and DC's ionarts.com agrees, "Particularly astounding."

Make your ticket reservations online at www.strand.org or call 732-730-5925. The STRAND box office, 732 – 367 - 7789, is open on Thursday and Friday, between 12 pm and 5 pm and 3 hours before each show. The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood, NJ.

Cape May Stage Presents Steve Murray's "This Wonderful Life"

2011-11-17T19:35:00.000-05:00

(Cape May) –- Cape May Stage officially begins its holiday celebrations at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at Bank and Lafayette Streets on November 25th with award-winning playwright Steve Murray's "This Wonderful Life"- the visually stunning stage adaptation of the perennially popular holiday film, It's a Wonderful Life. This one-man tour-de-force production offers a new theatrical twist on this beloved holiday tale.

Directed by Artistic Director Roy Steinberg, the virtuosic Larry Daggett (Broadway's Ragtime, Candide, Damn Yankees, Follies, National Tour of Red Hot and Cole) returns to Cape May Stage after appearing as Cosme McMoon in 2009's Souvenir to portray George Bailey, Clarence the Angel, Mary, Old Man Potter, and twenty more of Bedford Falls' finest citizens. "The characters in It's a Wonderful Life run the gamut from the best (George) to the worst (Potter) in each of us," says Daggett. In this 90-minute performance, Daggett recreates more than two-dozen characters from the film while he also serves as a narrator, offering amusing commentary on the action.

"When working on a piece where you play multiple characters (often having scenes with each other) the actor's mind becomes focused on a myriad of details: what character am I at this moment? What do I sound like? How do I carry myself? Where is my focus? It's easy to become so inundated by the technical demands of such a role(s) that the actor stops focusing on the story." Daggett notes. "For me, Steinberg is the perfect director. He sees the whole picture. He reminds me of large themes and at the same time suggests tiny bits of business, all of which help to clarify the story."

The story unfolds on Christmas Eve when George Bailey fears he's failed his family, his friends and his community, until an angel-in-waiting named Clarence shows him how bleak life would have been if he'd never existed. Those who have enjoyed Capra's film can't forget the image of a man standing alone on a bridge on Christmas Eve...the story of how he got there, and how he found his way back home.

Audience members don't need to be die-hard fans of the film to enjoy this twist on the heartfelt holiday classic. Daggett notes, "It's a story at the heart of American mythology: any individual with a pure heart can overcome corporate greed. It also reveals the secret to finding happiness: focus on what you have, not on what you lack."

Brimming with hope and humor, This Wonderful Life reminds us of the power of perspective, friendship and family, just in time for the holiday season.

This Wonderful Life opens Friday, November 25th at 8 p.m. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. through December 31st at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse located at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets (405 Lafayette) in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors, and $15 students. During the current run Cape May Stage is participating with several Cape May gourmet restaurants in money-saving "Dinner & A Show" package promotions. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org. Make this heartwarming family experience a part of your holiday tradition this season.

This Wonderful Life is presented through the gracious support of The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia and The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall. This season's sponsors include 410 Bank Street/Frescos, Exit Zero, CapeSCape, The Corner Cottage Apartments, Harry's Bar & Grille at the Montreal Inn, La Mer Beachfront Inn, Lucky Bones, Cape May Winery, and The Washington Inn.

Pictured: Larry Daggett | photo credit: Aleksey Photography

BROADWAY STAR JIM STANEK HEADLINES 4TH WALL THEATRE FUNDRAISER

2011-11-17T19:30:00.000-05:00

(Bloomfield, NJ) –- 4th Wall Theatre, Inc., a non-union professional theatre in residence at the Westminster Arts Center at Bloomfield College, is presenting a fundraiser, "Flop of Ages: GREAT Songs from Bad Shows." The show is an hour and a half of entertainment, featuring show-stopping numbers from Broadway shows that not only stopped, but flopped. The one-night-only performance is the centerpiece of 4th Wall's 15th anniversary season fundraising efforts. The show will feature members of the 4th Wall family of performers, along with a few special guests from the Broadway stage. The singers will be performing wonderful songs by writers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, to name just a few. The event will be held at 7:30pm on Monday, December 5, at the Westminster Arts Center on the campus of Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The evening will include a live auction and a post-performance reception.

The fundraiser is the concept of Paul Puccio, the group's Dramaturge, and a member of the Board. Puccio observes "Musicals are so collaborative, and success in the theatre is so much a matter of timing, that many flops either have glorious songs that never found the right home or are actually quite good plays that came along at the wrong moment. It's rare that a theatre company will take the risk and produce a musical that received reviews that bottomed out – but a concert like this one gives us an opportunity to sample some terrific material from plays that may not see the light of day soon or ever again."

Kate Swan, 4th Wall's Artistic Director, will stage the production. She is joined by musical director, Markus Hauck. Both Swan and Hauck bring a great deal of experience to the project. Swan is a Broadway dancer turned director/choreographer, and Hauck is a graduate of Boston Conservatory with numerous regional musical theatre credits. Of the project, Swan says, "4th Wall, like so many other arts organizations, is finding new ways to raise funds in these challenging economic times. We think that these one-night-only concert events are a fun way to thank our audiences for their support of our mission, which is to bring under-produced, edgy, and new works to the stage."

4th Wall has assembled an array of talent for "Flop of Ages: GREAT Songs from Bad Shows," including some favorite actors who have appeared on the 4th Wall stage over the group's 15-year history. In addition, the company has invited a few special guests from the New York stage to join them including Jim Stanek, a well-known performer who has appeared in The Story of My Life, Lestat, Little Women, The Rivals, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, and Indiscretions on Broadway in addition to numerous regional productions. Broadway performer Mary Stout, whose credits include On the Twentieth Century, Jane Eyre, Beauty and the Beast, My Favorite Year, and Me and My Girl, along with numerous Off-Broadway and regional productions, will also appear. Stanek and Stout will be joined by Teri Furr, who appeared in Beauty and Beast, Gypsy, and Les Miserables; and Rusty Reynolds from Miss Saigon as well as the Funny Girl Actor's Fund Benefit.

All tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Box office at 973-748-9008 ext. 279. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted. Tickets may also be purchased online and additional information is available at www.4thwalltheatre.org.

4th Wall's 2011-2012 season continues with The Story of My Life in February of 2012, to be followed by the Broadway hit play Speech & Debate in March. The group closes the season with the Tony Award-winning musical Parade in June of 2012.

The Theater Project Presents Its Holiday Gift to Local Audiences with "It's A Wonderful Life – The Radio Play" Saturday, December 3 at Maplewood's Burgdorff Center

2011-11-17T19:26:00.002-05:00

(Maplewood, NJ) -- The Theater Project will present its holiday production of New Jersey's own Liz Zazzi's "It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" for one performance only on Saturday, December 3, 2010 at 3pm. A pre-show singalong begins at 2:45pm. The performance will take place at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Durand Road in Maplewood. For reservations call The Theater Project at 908-809-8865 or website www.TheTheaterProject.org.

Children attend free of charge, while tickets for adults are available for $15 (suggested donation). If inclement winter weather forces a cancellation, the ‘snow date' will be Sunday, December 4 at 3pm. The Theater Project's company of local professional actors will recreate the Lux Radio Theater circa 1947 as twelve actors, a musician and one extremely overworked sound technician prepare for the broadcast of the story made famous in the Frank Capra film of the same name. Information is available at www.thetheaterproject.org.

Adapted by New Jersey actress, director and playwright Liz Zazzi, "It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" serves as The Theater Project's annual holiday gift to its loyal audiences. "Every year, some of our favorite actors come together and donate their time to create this event as our holiday gift to our supportive community," says Mark Spina, Artistic Director of The Theater Project.

Asbury Lanes Hosts Benefit For The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties

2011-11-14T20:11:00.002-05:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Alex Biese has organized a benefit for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to be held on Thursday, December 8 at Asbury Lanes (209 Fourth Avenue, Asbury Park). The show's lineup includes Alex Biese, Big Wilson River,and Jamie & The Magic Torch. Doors are at 8pm. Admission is $10 or $7 with a non-perishable food item. All artist proceeds will go to the Food Bank.

Alex Biese is a singer-songwriter in the Americana/Folk genre. In addition to performing, Alex covers music for the Asbury Park Press and was recently nominated for a 2011 Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist. For more information on Alex visit http://www.facebook.com/alexbiesemusic

Big Wilson River is a Bergen County-based roots rock collective that just released a great new album entitled "Octopus" on October 14. You can hear tracks from the album online at http://bigwilsonriver.bandcamp.com

Jamie & The Magic Torch is the new acoustic project from Jamie Theurich (The O>Matics, Calamity Menagerie). He calls his style of music "mainstream vegan rock." you can find out more about Jamie at http://www.facebook.com/JamieAndTheMagicTorch

The FoodBank began in 1984 when three people saw hunger at the Jersey shore and decided to make a difference. They purchased a small, dilapidated warehouse in Spring Lake. Carpenters, masons and other members of the community donated work, office furniture and supplies. Food streamed in from hundreds of donors. After one year, the FoodBank was serving 25 charities with 100,000 pounds of food.

Ten years later, nearly two million pounds of food was being distributed annually from the same small warehouse. Bursting at the seams, the FoodBank undertook a capital campaign in 1998 to construct a new facility in Neptune. Three years later, the current 40,000 sq. ft facility became a reality.

Today, the FoodBank serves over 260 pantries, soup kitchens and other feeding programs with almost 7 million pounds of food distributed annually. The FoodBank also operates a Culinary Training Program for people in need of better-paid jobs, a Kids Café and Backpack program for children, a Mobile Pantry, and Food Stamp Outreach Program. With the help of roughly 1,000 volunteers each year, the FoodBank's programs are truly a community effort, working to eliminate hunger by providing emergency food, skills training, outreach programs and advocacy for families in need.

For more information on the FoodBank visit http://www.foodbankmoc.org

Outside The Box Offers Pair Of Tickets For Performance of "The Last Waltz" As Part Of Community Turkey Drive

2011-11-14T12:35:00.003-05:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -– Outside the Box, the Jersey Shore based rock band, will perform The Band's 'The Last Waltz' on its 35th anniversary at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on Friday, November 25. Tickets are available in advance for $10 at the Stone Pony box office or online at ticketmaster.com and will be $15 day-of-show.

'The Last Waltz', The Band's farewell performance from November 25, 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, was made into one of the most highly regarded rock films of all-time, directed by Martin Scorsese. The Band, who consisted of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson were joined by an all-star group of musicians that night including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, Ron Wood, Ronnie Hawkins,The Staples and many more throughout 'The Last Waltz' performance.

Leading up to Thanksgiving, Outside the Box has teamed-up with WindMill Gourmet Fast Food and Sixpoint Craft Ale for a turkey drive supporting the non-profit organization, Move For Hunger. Each person who brings in a frozen turkey to a participating WindMill restaurant will receive a pair of complimentary tickets to the Outside the Box performance on November 25 as well as a WindMill hot dog. The turkeys that are collected will be donated to Move For Hunger for families of Monmouth County, NJ.

“'The Last Waltz' was the first concert film I ever saw”, said Outside the Box lead singer Jeff Cafone. “Mark (Masefield) and I bonded over the movie before we started OTB in 2004. We used to act out the performances, interviews, and personality quirks of the guests even before we could perform the music. It is an honor to be performing 'The Last Waltz' on its 35th Anniversary and pay homage to the band that is largely responsible for the existence of OTB – The Band.”

Outside the Box will open the show with songs off of their debut album, 'Bridge', released in July 2011.

'Bridge' has already received rave reviews:

The Aquarian's John Pfeifer wrote: “While retaining that dirty Jersey vibe, ('Bridge') rocks with the rebellious spirit of Graham Parsons and Elvis Costello.”

The Star Ledger's Jay Lustig wrote: "Bridge," highlighted by "Love Is the Villain," a song whose driving energy and hint of a snarl reminds me, more than anything else, of early Graham Parker (though you can hear traces of Petty and Costello and Dylan in there as well).”

Chris Rotolo from the Asbury Park Press said: “(Bridge) has monstrous melodies and choruses that will be engrained in the minds and on the tips of tongues of Jersey Shore beach combers for years to come.”

The JerseyBeat.com called 'Bridge': “a winning surplus of raw energy, sturdy musicianship, and positively infectious go-for enthusiasm…a totally kick-ass album”.

Rich Robinson from 90.5 FM “The Night” said: “Some of the most amazing musicians that the Jersey Shore has come out with in a long, long time.”

The album is available on itunes, www.outsidetheboxband.com or at Jack's Music Shoppe in Red Bank, NJ.

Outside the Box (outsidetheboxband.com) has quickly developed into one of New Jersey's most dynamic new original rock bands. Formed in 2004, band members consist of Jeff Cafone (Guitar, vocals), Mark Masefield (Hammond B3 organ, keyboards), Francis Valentino (Drums), and Ryan Wheeler (Bass).

The band released their debut album 'Bridge', which includes eleven tracks, on July 12, 2011 and was produced by Asbury Juke member Jeff Kazee (Schaeffer Records).

OTB have shared the stage with artists such as Buddy Guy, Blues Traveler, G.E. Smith, Govt Mule, Steven Van Zandt, Jesse Malin, Ryan Cabrera, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Joe Grushecky, The Smithereens, The Fab Faux, Jeffrey Gaines, and many more.

2011 Asbury Music Awards winners

2011-11-14T09:46:00.002-05:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The 2011 Asbury Music Awards show was held on Sunday, November 13 at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Here is the list of the winners.

Top Male/Band Acoustic Act: Thomas Wesley Stern
Top Female/Band Acoustic Act: Emily Grove
Top Male Vocalist: CM Smith (The Amboys)
Top Female Vocalist: Eryn Shewell
Top Guitarist: Tommy Strazza
Top Bassist: Justin Bornemann (No Wine For Kittens)
Top Drummer: Wills Weller (Toothgrinder)
Top Keyboard Player: Matt Wade
Song Of The Year: The Amboys "One Of Those Nights"
Top Local Release: River City Extension – "The Unmistakeable Man"
Top Radio Personality: Maria Mar (95.9 The Rat)
Top Radio/Internet Station: 90.5 The Night
Top Music Journalist: John Pfeiffer (The Aquarian)
Best Thing To Happen In 2010-2011: All Tomorrow’s Parties Comes To Asbury Park
Top Pop Band: Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why
Top Indie Rock Band: No Wine For Kittens
Top Rock Band: The Amboys
Top Heavy Rock Act: Toothgrinder
Top Young Band (Under 21): Fish Tank Mafia
Top Live Performance: River City Extension
Top Jam/Groove Band: Wakah Chan
Top Avant Garde Act: Chemtrail
Top Americana: River City Extension
Top Blues Band: The Eryn Shewell Band
Top Punk/Ska Band: Lost In Society
Poet Laureate: Dan Weeks
Top Club DJ: DJ Jack The Ripper
Top Music Website: TheAquarian.com
Top Multi-Instrumentalist: Nick Cucci (River City Extension)
Top Live Original Music Venue: The Saint
Beyond Asbury Top Record: Glen Burtnik "Where Music Lives"
Living Legend Award: Lance Larson
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jason Dermer

George Street Playhouse Presents World Premiere of The Nutcracker And I

2011-11-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -– Fans of George Street Playhouse's holiday hit INSPECTING CAROL had best be getting their laughing muscles ready for another laugh-out-loud comedy from the same theatre and director. George Street Playhouse and its Artistic Director David Saint will bring THE NUTCRACKER AND I to New Brunswick beginning November 29, perpetrating yet another holiday spoof upon the patrons of the Playhouse. Master of parody, Gerard Alessandrini of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY fame, and Emmy award-winning writer Peter Brash have set the beloved holiday classic on its ear, with a hilarious take on the ballet, utilizing the music from the original Tchaikovsky score with a new story and original lyrics. The show closes On December 31.

At a chaotic dress rehearsal for the local dance company's annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet, the lead dancer has an unfortunate accident with a prop Christmas tree – bringing new meaning to the old adage "break-a leg!" When the pain killers kick in and vision of sugar plums dance in her head, we're off for a wild adventure in Snow Globe City with a life-sized Nutcracker (of course) and the Sugar Rush Fairy in hot pursuit.

George Street Playhouse audience favorite (from GSP productions of INSPECTING CAROL and Ken Ludwig's THE FOX ON THE FAIRWAY; TV's NEWHART, BOSOM BUDDIES) and farceur extraordinaire, Peter Scolari returns to New Brunswick, and gets to flex his comedic muscles in a variety of roles. Annie Golden, noted songstress and actress (from the band The Shirts, the movie version of HAIR, and Broadway's LEADER OF THE PACK) joins in the fun playing the Sugar Rush Fairy. They are joined by a cast of notables including Haley Carlucci, Maria in the recent Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY; Nick Dalton from the national tour of LEGALLY BLONDE; AJ Shively the son from the recent Broadway revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES; Ed Staudenmayer from the Broadway cast of Frank Wildhorn's WONDERLAND and 13-year-old newcomer Aidan Benavides, a veteran of local stages who hails from Morganville, NJ.

The creative team for THE NUTCRACKER AND I consists of director David Saint, choreographer Joseph Simeone, and music director and arranger David Caldwell. They are joined by Scenic Designer James Youmans, costume designer David Murin, lighting designer Joe Saint, sound designer Dan Moses Schreier and projection designer Steve Channon.

"I have known Gerard since we were both growing up in Massachusetts and he was writing parodies to Christmas carols," said Mr. Saint. "I am so pleased to be bringing this hilarious holiday farce to life in New Brunswick. We have assembled an amazingly talented cast, and a slate of extraordinary designers as well, and I am thrilled to be bringing them all to George Street for the enjoyment of our patrons and their families."

Flexible admission and subscription packages, as well as a individual tickets, are now available through the George Street Playhouse Box Office, 732-246-7717 and online at www.GSPonline.org. THE NUTCRACKER AND I is recommended for audience members aged 10 and older. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more may be purchased by calling 732-846-2895, ext 134. George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue, in the heart of New Brunswick's dining and entertainment district, and easily accessible by car or public transportation.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director David Saint, George Street Playhouse has become a nationally recognized theatre, presenting an acclaimed mainstage season while providing an artistic home for established and emerging theatre artists. Noted Arts Administrator Norma Kaplan was appointed Managing Director in September 2011. Founded in 1974, the Playhouse has been well represented by numerous productions both on and off-Broadway – recent productions include the Outer Critics' Circle Best Musical Award-winner The Toxic Avenger, the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Drama League nominated production of The Spitfire Grill and the recent Broadway hit and Tony® 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 that are seen by more than 70,000 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 its lead season sponsor, Johnson & Johnson.

New Smiths Tribute drops December 13th from American Laundromat Records

2011-11-11T11:40:00.002-05:00

(MYSTIC, CT) -- American Laundromat Records has enlisted a herd of indie-rock luminaries — including The Wedding Present, Built to Spill's Doug Martsch, Throwing Muses co-founder Tanya Donelly, Telekinesis and Stars — to contribute covers of more than 20 classic songs by The Smiths for a new tribute album to be released December 13, 2011.

The double-CD set is available for pre-order in three configurations: a $13 bundle, which includes the CD and a one-inch promo pin; a $20 bundle, which includes the CD, a limited-edition 7-inch with three more covers, a download of those tracks, and the pin; or a $35 bundle, which includes the CD, the 7-inch, the downloads, the pin, a T-shirt and a "private preview of the album."

In a fitting touch, American Laundromat Records secured a photo of '60s U.K. pop star Sandie Shaw for the cover art; Shaw was a favorite of both Morrissey and Johnny Marr who, in 1984, covered The Smiths' "Hand in Glove."

Please, Please, Please: a tribute to The Smiths | Tracklist

Disc 1

1. "Panic" — Kitten
2. "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" — The Rest
3. "What Difference Does It Make?" — Joy Zipper
4. "Shoplifters of the World Unite" — Tanya Donelly w/Dylan in the Movies
5. "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" — William Fitzsimmons
6. "I Won't Share You" — Sixpence None the Richer
7. "Well I Wonder" — Sara Lov
8. "Half a Person" — Greg Laswell
9. "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me" — Dala
10. "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" — Chikita Violenta

Disc 2

1. "Sheila Take A Bow" — Telekinesis
2. "Is It Really So Strange?" — Solvents
3. "Hand In Glove" — The Wedding Present
4. "How Soon Is Now?" — Mike Viola and The Section Quartet
5. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" — Trespassers William
6. "Rubber Ring" — Girl in a Coma
7. "I Know It's Over" — Elk City
8. "What She Said" — Katy Goodman (La Sera, Vivian Girls)
9. "London" — Cinerama
10. "Reel Around the Fountain" — Doug Martsch (Built To Spill)

Exclusive Limited Edition Bonus 7-inch (pre-order "B" & "C" customers only)

1. "Asleep" — Stars
2. "Girl Afraid" — C'est la Mort
3. "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" — The Caulfield Sisters

Strand Presents American Boychoir Performance With Pre-Show Dining By Branches

2011-11-11T11:38:00.002-05:00

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -– Branches-Perfect Catered Affairs of West Long Branch will provide pre-show dining at the historic Strand Theater prior to the American Boychoir performance on Friday, December 16th. Purchasers of VIP level tickets will be able to enjoy buffet-style selections in the elegant Strand Gallery prior to the show. A full bar will be available.

"We are thrilled to be working with Branches-Perfect Catered Affairs for this special evening. The option of pre-show dining on-site offers our patrons the convenience of enjoying a full evening of entertainment in one location. We hope theater-goers will take advantage of this unique opportunity to experience the American Boychoir plus the award-winning food of Branches this holiday season", said Camille Biamonte, Executive Director of the Strand Theater. Branches is renowned for its exceptional event planning and catering at its banquet facility in West Long Branch and at off-site locations.

The American Boychoir is regarded as the United States' premier concert boys' choir. Under the leadership of Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Litton-Lodal Music Director, The American Boychoir continues to dazzle audiences with its unique blend of musical sophistication, effervescent spirit, and ensemble virtuosity. Boys in grades 4 through 8, reflecting the ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of the United States, come from across the country and around the world to pursue a rigorous musical and academic curriculum at the Boychoir school located in Princeton, NJ. The Boychoir performs with world-class ensembles including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. They have performed with internationally renowned soprano Jessye Norman, prominent jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, pop diva Beyonce, and at Carnegie Hall with Sir Paul McCartney.

The Strand Gallery, a beautifully-appointed banquet room located directly off the Theater lobby, is available for private events, including holiday parties, birthdays, and weddings.

VIP level tickets, which include dining and the show, are available for a $15 premium over the cost of show tickets. Show tickets are $25 or $31 plus a $4 service charge. Pre-purchase is required for VIP tickets. To purchase tickets, view the full calendar of events, and for Strand Gallery rental information please visit The Strand's website at: www.strand.org, or call the theater at 732-367-7789. The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ.

GENE & SHELLEY ENLOW RECITAL HALL PRESENTS BRANFORD MARSALIS & JOEY CALDERAZZO, THE BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET

2011-11-11T11:36:00.005-05:00

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Gene & Shelley Enlow Recital Hall at Kean University presents Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo with the Branford Marsalis Quartet on Friday, December 9 at 7:30 pm. Performing selections from his recently released album, Songs of Mirth and Melancholy, this unique presentation of duo and quartet features Marsalis' spectacular collaboration with longtime Quartet pianist, Joey Calderazzo as well as pieces by the entire quartet.

NEA Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award winning saxophonist and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of our time. He is the leader of one of today's finest jazz quartets and a frequent soloist with classical ensembles. While still a Berklee College of Music student, Marsalis toured Europe playing alto and baritone saxophone in a large ensemble led by drummer Art Blakey. Other big band experience with Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry followed over the next year, and by the end of 1981 Marsalis, on alto saxophone, had joined his brother Wynton in Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Other performances with his brother, including a Japanese tour with Herbie Hancock, led to the formation of his brother Wynton's first quintet, where Marsalis shifted his emphasis to soprano and tenor saxophones. He continued to work with Wynton until 1985, a period that also saw the release of his own first recording, Scenes in the City, as well as guest appearances with other artists including Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.

That year he joined Sting, singer and bassist of pop band The Police, on his first solo project, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, alongside other notable jazz and session musicians. He became a regular in Sting's line-up both in the studio and onstage. In 1994, Marsalis appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in African American society was named "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.

In 1988, Marsalis co-starred in Spike Lee's movie, "School Daze," also rendering several horn-blowing interludes for the music in the film. His witty comments have pegged him to many memorable one-liners in the film. From 1992 to 1995 Branford was the leader of the Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The Branford Marsalis Quartet has toured and recorded extensively, receiving a Grammy in 2001 for its album Contemporary Jazz.

Marsalis placed greater emphasis on classical music since the 2001 release of his album Creation. Performances with symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles worldwide have become a significant part of his itinerary, with his most intense period of classical playing in 2008, when Marsalis toured the United States with Philarmonia Brasileira.

Marsalis became involved in education at the university level, with appointments at Michigan State, San Francisco State and North Carolina Central universities (2005–present). After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. created the concept of a Musicians' Village in the city's Upper Ninth Ward, with the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music as the Village's centerpiece. This project, undertaken by New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity with Marsalis' and Connick's active participation, has proven to be one of the most successful recovery efforts in the region, and has already provided dozens of musicians of modest means with the opportunity to own decent, affordable housing.

Marsalis won a 2010 Drama Desk Award in the category "Outstanding Music in a Play" and was also nominated for a 2010 Tony Award in the category of "Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre" for his participation in the Broadway revival of August Wilson's "Fences."

In June 2011, after working together for over 10 years in a band setting, Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo released their first duo album titled Songs of Mirth and Melancholy, on Branford's Marsalis Music label. Their world premiere performance was on June 29, 2011 in Koerner Hall at the 2011 TD Toronto Jazz Festival.

Tickets to Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo with the Branford Marsalis Quartet at Enlow Hall are $55 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. Enlow Recital Hall is located at 215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205.

WQXR is a media sponsor of Gene & Shelley Enlow Recital Hall. For complete Enlow Hall 2011-12 Season information, please visit the website or contact Ms. Cory Ransom, Director, Operations (908) 737-5932, ransomco@kean.edu.

NNPN World Premiere of Bakersfield Mist by Stephen Sachs at NJ Rep

2011-11-11T11:36:00.002-05:00

(LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– "Bakersfield Mist" is a new comedy by Stephen Sachs that premieres at the New Jersey Repertory Company December 1, 2011 - January 22, 2012 as part of a National New Play Network rolling premiere. The play began its triumphant run in Los Angeles where it has been held over month after month for the past six months and is now coming toLong Branch. The Los Angeles Times awarded its Critic's Choice award to "Bakersfield Mist" stating that it "strikes it rich on every conceivable level" and handles "highbrow artistic issues while zinging in plenty of uproarious one-liners."Back Stage called the play "a deftly crafted …absorbing, hilarious…triumph," and critics have consistently reached into their treasure-trove of adjectives to retrieve superlatives such as: "spectacular... incomparable" (The San Diego Jewish World,) "exquisite" (BroadwayWorld.com,) "brilliant" (OnStageLos Angeles. com,) "outstanding" (LA Weekly,) and "captivating" (StageSceneLA.com.)

The unlikely heroine of "Bakersfield Mist" is Maude Gutman, an unemployed, foul-mouthed, Jack Daniels swigging bartender, who lives in a trailer park in the seamy part of town. Events are set off when on a whim she purchases what she considers to be the ugliest painting in a thrift shop for three bucks, but then becomes convinced that it is a Jackson Pollock worth millions. Maude prevails in convincing the foundation that authenticates Pollock's work to send their straight-laced, no-nonsense, and elegantly attired expert, Lionel Percy, to pass judgment on the work. There is obviously a lot at stake and Lionel has great misgivings since undocumented, and unknown Pollocks rarely surface and the market is flooded with fakes. He knows that there are forgers and charlatans constantly nipping at his heels who are anxious to take him down, and to besmirch and destroy his carefully crafted, hard-earned reputation. Lionel's no light-weight and his opinion is the final word on such matters for he is an instructor in Abstract Impressionism at Princeton University and the former director at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His negative bias is confirmed when the first encounter he has at the trailer-park is with the killer dogs of Maude's neighbor, who literally nip at his heels, as he sprints desperately for his life. Nor is he reassured when he encounters Maude's decorating skills that give the term "shabby-chic" new meaning. Maude knows that this is her only chance to turn her pathetic life of defeat and grinding poverty around, and that two simple words from Lionel can achieve this. She reaches desperately into her meager and threadbare bag-of-tricks to convince him of the painting's authenticity, as the play becomes a thought-provoking game of cat-and-mouse.

Inspired in part by true events, "Bakersfield Mist" is a provocative and delightful comedy about class distinctions, truth, life, and the meaning of art. Hailed by both audiences and critics alike, "Bakersfield Mist" is a "must-see."

"Bakersfield Mist" is directed by NJ Rep's Artistic Director, SuzAnne Barabas and stars John FitzGibbon and Linda S. Nelson.

Strand Presents "Scrooge – A Christmas Carol"

2011-11-11T11:33:00.002-05:00

(LAKEWOOD, NJ – The historic STRAND Center for the Arts presents Scrooge – A Christmas Carol on Saturday, December 3 (2pm and 7pm) and Sunday, December 4 at 2pm. The Strand Center for the Arts invites you to experience all the tradition and wonder of Charles Dickens's Christmas classic with state-of-the-art staging magic created by the Riddlesbrood Traveling Theater Company. Tickets are $15-20 (plus service charges)

Start a tradition and treat yourself and your family to the perfect holiday gift! We've decked the halls with your favorite holiday music, sparkling sets, and special effects tied together by a high-spirited cast dressed in lavish costumes to bring this tale of 19th century London to life. And to add to the merriment, we've added a dollop of humor sure to tickle a smile from the crotchety old Scrooge himself.

This year's cast showcases talented local performers, including students from our own Strand School of the Arts. Scrooge – A Christmas Carol is holiday fun for the whole family! So make your reservations now for Scrooge - A Christmas Carol.

Make your ticket reservations online at www.strand.org or call 732-730-5925. The STRAND box office, 732 – 367 - 7789, is open on Thursday and Friday, between 12 pm and 5 pm and 3 hours before each show.

The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood, NJ. For more information, visit http://www.strand.org

State Theatre presents Dark Star Orchestra

2011-11-11T11:30:00.000-05:00

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ)-— State Theatre presents Dark Star Orchestra—Fly Through the Night Fall Tour for one night only on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 8pm. Tickets range from $27-36.

Giving homage in a continually evolving artistic outlet, the Dark Star Orchestra (DSO) recreates historic Grateful Dead concerts with compelling accuracy. The group has their craft so well refined that even members of the Dead themselves, rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and keyboardist Vince Welnick, have appeared on stage and performed with these live music interpreters. DSO concerts have been hailed as "the next best thing to being there," due in part to the band's impeccable musicianship and attention to detail.

Offering a continually evolving artistic outlet within the Grateful Dead's musical canon, members of Dark Star Orchestra seek out the unique style of each performance era and offer their own interpretations and improvisations at each show. Using entire set lists from the Grateful Dead's decades of touring as a launching pad, Dark Star Orchestra recreates song for song performances straight from the set list of these historic shows.

While faithful improvisation is pinnacle, precision is of equal importance with DSO, which position the stage plot based on the year of Grateful Dead show to be performed, adapting phrasing, voice arrangements, and even arranges specific musical equipment for the various eras of Dead music performed. At the end of each performance, the band announces the date and venue where the original show just covered took place. Dark Star Orchestra dips into every incarnation of the Dead, so most fans can "see" shows that happened long before they were born.

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 one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. 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.

ROWAN'S GOT OPERA!

2011-11-11T11:28:00.002-05:00

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -– Showcasing the vocal talents of its students from around the region, the Rowan Opera Company presents a diverse evening of pieces from classic and more contemporary works in Rowan's Got Opera on November 18 and 19, 2011 at 8 pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall on the Glassboro campus.

Under the direction of Marian Stieber and Jon Garrison, the Company performs scenes and selections from a variety of works, including Candide by Bernstein, Der Rosenkavelier by Strauss, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute by Mozart, H.M.S. Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan, Madama Butterfly and Tosca by Puccini, The Old Maid and the Thief by Menotti, Rigoletto by Verdi and Susannah by Floyd.

The performers include Rajeer Alford from Cherry Hill, Andrea Berges from Egg Harbor Township, Matthew Bratsch from Matawan, Sean Clancy from Bellmawr, Rebecca Clement from Mullica Hill, Jessica Rose Cohn from Philadelphia, Paula DiGianivittorio from Philadelphia, Brian Graziani from Winslow, Brittany Griffith from Egg Harbor Township, Janay' Hair from Millville, Kathleen Hickey from Point Pleasant, Stephanie Krizek from Keyport, Navise Lockett from Cherry Hill, Michael McEntee from Budd Lake, Cassandra Moore from Woodstown, Paul Proulx from Audubon, Alicen Ragonese from Elk Township, Jelisa Ransom from Vineland, Corrie-Rose Recchia from Ocean Township, Kaitlyn Shaginaw from Atco, Marissa Truglio from Matawan, D. Travis Washington from Pine Hill and Michael A. Wolf from Marlton.

Stieber is professor of Voice and head of the Vocal Division at Rowan in addition to leading the Opera Company. She has earned acclaim as both an opera singer and concert artist, performing roles such as Mimi in La Boheme, Violetta in La Traviata, Marguerite in Faust, The Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro and the title role in The Merry Widow. Stieber has performed with the Philadelphia Singers, Basically Bach Festival, Germantown Oratorio Society, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra and Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and has appeared at The Kimmel Center and Carnegie Hall. At Rowan, she has directed Opera Company productions of Carmen, The Magic Flute, Dido and Aeneas, The Pirates of Penzance and more. She has served as vocal director for numerous musical theater productions at The Ritz Theatre.

Garrison has enjoyed a long international career singing throughout the world. His operatic debut was as Rinuccio in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi with New York's Metropolitan Opera and he has sung more than 20 roles with The Met. He has appeared with more than 50 opera companies and 90 symphonies. A renowned interpreter of 20th and 21st century music, he played the leading tenor role in world premieres of The Gardens of Adonis by Hugo Weisgall; Holy Blood, Crescent Moon by Stuart Copeland; and Rasputin by Jay Riese; the American premiere of Mary, Queen of Scots by Thea Musgrave; and the premiere of The Song of Majnun by Bright Sheng. The recording of Bertwhistle's The Mask of Orpheus, with Garrison in the title role, won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Recording in 1997.

Pfleeger Concert Hall is located in Wilson Hall on the campus of Rowan University, Route 322 in Glassboro, NJ. Tickets are $10, general admission; and $5 for seniors, non-Rowan students and Rowan alumni. Tickets for Rowan students and staff are free with valid ID. For tickets and information, visit www.rowan.edu/fpa or call the box office at (856) 256-4545.

SIMPLE GIFTS TO PERFORM AT MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY

2011-11-11T11:26:00.000-05:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– In live performance, the musicians of Simple Gifts are all over the map — in a good way.

A concert by the Pennsylvania-based trio of instrumentalists can be a whirlwind tour that carries you from a Gypsy campfire to an Appalachian cabin; from a breath of the Scottish Highlands to a blast from the Russian steppes. You'll hear Irish jigs and Klezmer frailachs; dances from a Mediterranean celebration and twin fiddling from a Scandinavian seaport.

You'll even hear original compositions that are as steeped in tradition — and the joy of storytelling — as songs that were crafted more than 500 years ago. All of it put forth through the brilliantly simple formula of "three women plus twelve instruments equals one good time."

Those three women are stringed instrument specialists Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon, with concertina innovator and mathematics professor Rachel Hall — and together they've accrued loyal new converts with every appearance, even while continuing to delightfully confound all attempts to summarize their sound.

Littleton and Hirshon, who often perform in a duo format, boast proficiency on some dozen or so instruments, including fiddles, guitar, banjos, mandolin, recorders, "banjolin" and various percussive devices — to say nothing of hammered dulcimer and bowed psaltery; instruments that are rarely encountered in performance, let alone played with such virtuosic passion.

On the evening of Monday, November 21, the women of Simple Gifts visit Monmouth University for an intimate performance that takes place inside the historic Lauren K. Woods Theatre, at the eastern end of the school's campus in West Long Branch.

Presented by the Center for the Arts at Monmouth University as part of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series, the 7:30 p.m. concert is expected to draw from the traditionalist trio's five full length, independently released recordings — all of which are readily available through such 21st century outlets as iTunes and CD Baby.

Home to Monmouth University's Department of Music and Theatre Arts — and scene of a celebrated Shadow Lawn Stage summer series — the Woods Theatre is a uniquely configured space, with wraparound tiered seating that affords a birds-eye view of the onstage performance. The beautifully renovated former carriage house of the fabled Guggenheim family summer estate offers an "up close and personal" ambience — the perfect way to experience the warmth and generosity of a concert by Simple Gifts.

To purchase tickets, or for additional information on the 2011-2012 Performing Arts season, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts.

The Theater Project's 10th Annual Young Playwrights Competition

2011-11-11T11:25:00.002-05:00

(UNION, NJ) -- The Theater Project, is accepting submissions for its 10th annual Young Playwrights ' Competition. The competition seeks original works only, no adaptations. All submissions must be at least 10 but no more than 30 pages typed in play format, and all entrants must be New Jersey residents in secondary schools (ages 13 to 18). Entries must be postmarked by January 23, 2011.

The winning scripts will be performed in March 2012 by The Theater Project during the state-wide Family Week at the Theater celebration of theater and New Jersey's youth. Monetary prizes and certificates will be awarded at that time to all winning authors. First place will receive a $600 savings bond, second place will receive a $400 savings bond and third place will receive a $200 savings bond.

The goal of the Young Playwrights' Competition is to encourage the next generation of theater practitioners and audience by honoring their work and bringing it to life. The competition was inspired by a generous donation from Linden resident Bill Mesce, Jr., an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, whose recent novel The Advocate was published by Bantam Books.

How to Enter: By January 23, 2012, please submit a 10-30 page script to The Theater Project, Box 101, Union, NJ 07083 or e-mail to TheaterProject@aol.com. All entries must include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope), a 50 word biography of the author including contact information, and the $5 entrance fee (check or money order, payable to THE THEATER PROJECT) which can be sent via snail mail for emailed scripts. Only one entry per author. Please remember that you must be a resident of New Jersey and a secondary school student in the 2011- 2012 academic year to be eligible.

All questions can be directed to The Theater Project at (908) 809-8865 or by email at THEATERPROJECT@aol.com.

Exciting Adaptation of A Christmas Carol on Stage at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

2011-11-11T11:24:00.002-05:00

(MADISON, NJ) -– The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey concludes its 49th season with Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Neil Bartlett. This unique and ingenious production features a cast of nine actors playing more than 50 roles, including some of literature's most beloved characters. Shakespeare Theatre's Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte directs. "When I came across this wonderful new adaption, it made my director's pulse quicken. It's a director's dream with its infinite opportunities for inventiveness," said Ms. Monte. Performances begin on December 1 and continue through January 1.   Performances are Tuesday through Sundays at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison. For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Bartlett's unusual adaptation finds the mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge (Shakespeare Theatre veteran Philip Goodwin) alone and unloved in his cold house on Christmas Eve. Mired in his irascible and rigid ways, his very name synonymous with greed and misanthropy, Scrooge's last chance for redemption lies in the spectral hands of his dead business partner and three holiday spirits. Originally created for the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith in England, Bartlett's A Christmas Carol contains only Dickens' own words. "I wanted to do it using Dickens' words, and nothing but," wrote Bartlett. "Dickens himself prompted this decision; after all, he wrote the story not just to be read, but to be read out loud for an audience.   His words don't describe; they enact."    In addition, Bartlett has included spoken and sung Victorian carols delivered a cappella throughout the play.

Adaptor Neil Bartlett is a famed British playwright, award-winning novelist, Olivier Award-nominated director and the former artistic director of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith in London. He is the author of the novel The House on Brooke Street and has published adaptations of The Misanthrope, The School for Wives, and Oliver Twist, which received rave reviews in its American premiere in Boston, New York and San Francisco.   About his production of A Christmas Carol at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, The Guardian wrote, "This is one of those rare and festive offerings for which no adult will need the excuse of a child in tow to book a ticket."

Philip Goodwin returns to the Shakespeare Theatre stage for his second season to play Ebenezer Scrooge. Mr. Goodwin appeared earlier this season as Inspector Bertozzo in Accidental Death of an Anarchist, and previously performed in The Little Foxes. He has appeared on Broadway in Tartuffe, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The School for Scandal, and Off-Broadway in King Lear, Pericles, Macbeth, and Hamlet (The Public); Grace (MCC); The Room/Celebration (Atlantic Theatre Company); Drowning (Signature Theatre); The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek (New York Theatre Workshop) and numerous productions at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.

John Ahlin (Mr. Fezziwig) is in his fourth season with The Shakespeare Theatre, having previously appeared in All's Well That Ends Well, The Comedy of Errors, and King John. Ahlin has appeared on Broadway in Waiting for Godot, Journey's End, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Voices in the Dark, One Mo' Time, Whoopee!, and Macbeth. Mr. Ahlin has also performed at TheatreWorks, Pittsburgh Public, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Old Globe Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Center Stage, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival.

In his thirteenth season with The Shakespeare Theatre, Greg Jackson (Bob Cratchit) has performed in Timon of Athens, The School for Wives, The Winter's Tale, Amadeus, The Comedy of Errors, The Bald Soprano, The Play's the Thing, Triumph of Love, Love's Labour's Lost, Othello, and many more. He most recently performed the role of Alan in Opus at Portland Center Stage, and the roles of Richard Hannay, Man 1, and Man 2 as the sole male understudy in the Broadway transfer of The 39 Steps.

In his ninth season with the company, Ames Adamson adds The Ghost of Christmas Past to his Shakespeare Theatre credits, which include Timon of Athens, Hamlet, King Lear, A Christmas Carol, Henry V, Merry Wives of Windsor, Illyria, Love's Labours Lost, King John, and Arms and the Man.

Erin Partin (Belinda) is in her tenth season with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, having previously played in The School for Wives, The Cherry Orchard, Les Liasons Dangereuses, A Midwinter Night's Dream, The Crucible, Love's Labours Lost, A Child's Christmas in Wales, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, The Grouch, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, and Midsummer Night's Dream.

A veteran of four seasons with The Shakespeare Theatre, Tina Stafford (Mrs. Cratchit) has previously appeared in A Christmas Carol, Carnival!, and A Child's Christmas in Wales. Ms. Stafford has also appeared in York Theatre's Musicals in MUFTI series, The Paper Mill Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, TOTS (Houston) and TUTS (Atlanta), La Jolla Playhouse, Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Denver Center, and many others.

Clark Carmichael, now in his ninth season with the Theatre, plays Ebenezer Scrooge's cheerful nephew Fred and as the younger Scrooge. His previous shows at The Shakespeare Theatre include All's Well That Ends Well, Henry VI, As You Like It, That Scoundrel Scapin, The Tempest, Carnival!, Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Musical), and many others. Clark has appeared on Broadway in Tom Stoppard's Jumpers, and has appeared at the Red Bull Theatre, The Culture Club, Two River Theatre Company, Missouri Repertory Theatre, NY Fringe Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and many others.

Blake Pfeil makes his Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey debut as Tiny Tim. His most recent credits include a year as a company member/resident composer of the Gyeonggi English Village in South Korea, and Huntington Theatre Company, Theatreworks Colorado, Company One, New Repertory Theatre, and Rehearsing a Dream (HBO). Mr. Pfeil is the host of Standing Room Only (WERS, 88.9 FM, Boston).

Susan Maris (Fred's Wife) is in her third season with the company. Previous work with the Shakespeare Theatre includes The Grapes of Wrath, The Servant of Two Masters, Othello, and Shakespeare LIVE! Ms. Maris has worked with Manhattan Theatre Source, Toy Box Theatre Company, and Prospect Theatre Company, along with appearing on screen in She Gave Me Water and Limitless.

About the Director

2011 marks director Bonnie J. Monte's twenty-first season as artistic director of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Since 1990, she has directed 47 productions for the company, including this season's productions of The Misanthrope and Othello, No Man's Land, The Taming of the Shrew, The Misanthrope, and Hamlet. Her many adaptations of classic works, including Enrico IV, The Cherry Orchard and Pride and Prejudice have earned her critical acclaim. Her adaptation of Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters was recently published by Playscripts, Inc.

Special Performances

Preview performances for A Christmas Carol are December 1 & 2 at 8:00pm, and December 3 at 2 pm. These Preview performances offer opportunities for reduced-priced tickets while enjoying the excitement of the very first performances in front of an audience. As always, the first Preview performance is Pay What You Can night.   Visit The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office between noon and curtain on December 1st and purchase a ticket for what you are able to pay for that evening's 8:00pm preview performance (offer subject to availability). Pay What You Can is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Stone & Magnanini LLP/Smart Family Foundation, an independent family foundation.

For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, three Symposium Series performances are offered for each show and include a post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff.   Symposium performances for A Christmas Carol will be December 6th at 7:30 PM and December 10th& 17th at 2:00 PM

For each production, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on the production. Know the Show will be held on December 8th at 7:00 p.m. General admission is $5 for the general public, $4 for ticket package holders. Tickets to that evening's 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately.

American Reggae at an All-Time High

2011-11-11T11:22:00.003-05:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Echo Movement emerged onto the American reggae scene a few years ago with a cult hit "I Think God Smokes Weed." Now, the outspoken humanists from the Jersey Shore (the "real" Jersey Shore, as they say) have landed their new album, Music Played On, at #4 on the iTunes Reggae Chart its opening week.

"We were surprised to see the numbers coming in, to see all the love around us," said lead singer Stephen Fowler.

Recently home from two national tours, New Jersey-based reggae/rock outfit Echo Movement will be performing at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30.

In addition to love, Music Played On is drenched in philosophy, social issues and metaphysics. If those sound like boring subjects, try hearing them discussed over reggae.

"Marshall Mcluhan famously said 'the medium is the message,' and our medium is reggae-inspired music. Our messages might be complex, but they'll always assume the simple manners of reggae," said David Fowler, Stephen's brother, keyboardist and Echo's main songwriter.

Echo Movement has toured the US extensively since signing onto their first run with the Vans Warped Tour in 2009. They maintain an unusual closeness with fans. The band also takes touring as an opportunity to disprove many misconceptions about their Jersey Shore roots.

"Most people think of the Jersey Shore as a bunch of fist-pumping guidos and trashy girls. Nothing could be further from the truth. The local community is full of very normal, warm, intelligent people," said Fowler.

Music Played On is available on iTunes, Amazon MP3 and other digital retailers.

Monmouth U welcomes Paul Byrom, a tenor for all seasons

2011-11-11T11:22:00.000-05:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– He's been called "The Swanky Tenor" — a vocal artist who emerged from a seemingly crowded field of Irish Tenors with a flair for the romantic that's caused hopelessly smitten fans to swoon, and a smooth style that owes as much in its way to Michael Buble as to the iconic John McCormack.

He could just as easily be branded "The Sporting Tenor;" an avid fan who's been seen and heard everywhere from the football field at Barcelona to a Six Nations rugby match in Dublin — and TD Garden in Boston, where he's become a fixture at Celtics basketball games.

When Paul Byrom takes the stage of the Pollak Theatre on the evening of Sunday, November 20, he'll be bringing the stuff that's allowed him to connect with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, in cities all over the planet, and in front of appreciative listeners that have included the President of Ireland, the Emperor of Japan, and the President of the United States.

Presented by the Center for the Arts at Monmouth University as part of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series, the 7 p.m. concert will mark the Dublin-based singer's sole New Jersey date in support of This is the Moment, the new album that keynotes Byrom's first U.S. tour as a solo headline performer.

Arranged by master bass player and "trusty right hand man" Joe Csibi, This is the Moment finds the tenor (who's put his stamp on songs by everyone from Charles Aznavour to the Moody Blues and U2) introducing new originals by some sought-after songwriters. The star characterizes the live show as "a mixed bag of music…(ranging) from the musical hits of Broadway, to well known favorites from Ireland," as well as "one or two classical crossover pieces" from the singer who made the Classical Billboard charts with his 2008 Christmas album.

Also promised are "one or two of my favorites from my time with Celtic Thunder" — the superstar vocal group of which Byrom was a breakout star from 2007 to November of 2010. The five solo singers, who had the honor of officially kicking off New York's Saint Patrick's Day Parade in 2009, found their greatest success here in the United States — a fact that led to Byrom's decision to revisit his own solo performing career with a coast-to-coast stateside tour.

"Tickets are limited and hopefully will sell out quickly," asserts the singer in one of the frequently updated blog entries that he offers to fans with the lilting signature "Keep well My Loves, My Doves, My Eggs."

"Much like my Grannie's pies, once they are gone, they are gone!!"

To purchase tickets, or for additional information on the new Performing Arts season, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts.

The Caring Canvas Hosted Josignacio's Art Unveiling Ceremony and Dedication in Asbury Park, NJ

2011-11-11T11:18:00.002-05:00

(Asbury Park, NJ)-- The Caring Canvas, a premier traveling art gallery that combines fine art with philanthropy founded by Laura Brunetti, hosted an art unveiling and dedication on Saturday afternoon on November 5, 2011 at the Asbury Park Transportation Center located on Main Street in Asbury Park, NJ. The gathering was free and was open to the public.

Contemporary Cuban Artist Josignacio of Miami created the 8 foot X 9 foot masterpiece 'Tree of Life'. The Caring Canvas and the artist presented this gift and dedicated it to the Children of Asbury Park. Josignacio's original triptych art, 'Tree of Life', consists of three consecutive paintings that represent a powerful convergence of the past, present and future to create one extraordinary image of humanity. The painting is valued at $180,000.

Josignacio was born in Havana, Cuba. He is a contemporary Cuban Artist (painter), neo-figurative, mostly abstract, who has resided in the USA since 1989 and he is notably known for the creation of the plastic paint medium in 1984. The Plastic Paint Medium is a painting technique consisting in the use of epoxy resins as an "agglutinating medium" and "pigments" as colorants, obtaining a real plastic finish with a new visual effect. Some of his artwork is currently available on display at the Laura Brunetti Art Gallery located in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida as well as online at artnet. Josignacio currently resides in Miami Beach, Florida.

The celebration included the honorable Mayor Ed Johnson who conducted the unveiling and speeches were presented by Doug Ferrari of SICA (Shore Institute for the Contemporary Arts), Freeholder Amy Mallet and Mental Health Association's Director of Development Laura Oncea. Singer and songwriter Dave Miller performed live acoustic music throughout the
afternoon and special guest vocalist 'Quint Essence' of Asbury Park sang The National Anthem. Light fare and refreshments were served while Monmouth County families as well as guests from NYC enjoyed this exciting event.

One of the most creative humanitarians in New Jersey, Laura Brunetti, founded The Caring Canvas and has had unstoppable success with her art exhibits and community projects. Right where Josignacio's painting is installed in the transportation center; Laura hosted a free Caring Canvas summer camp for the children of the city this past August every Tuesday and Thursday. It was a very meaningful location to place Josignacio's art where children's art was created at Laura's camp.

Susan Belfer, President of Belfer Communications cheered, "Josignacio's art is a celebration of the growing arts & culture scene that Asbury Park has cultivated throughout history. This is a true gift to the community. As we unveiled his art, it was clear to all of us that the TREE OF LIFE was always meant to be right there. Josignacio's art will be admired by thousands of visitors each year in the legendary city of Asbury Park, NJ."

Stay tuned for the next Caring Canvas project. Organizations that wish to work with The Caring Canvas can contact us at 732.239.1559 or on our Facebook fan page THE CARING CANVAS.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey closes 2011 Play Reading Series with Terence Rattigan's The Winslow Boy

2011-11-11T11:13:00.002-05:00

(MADISON, NJ) -— The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey concludes its 2011 Lend Us Your Ears play reading series with The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan. The reading will be held on Monday, November 14th at 7:00 pm at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage, the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Road) in Madison.   Tickets are $15 each for adults and $10 for students. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Lend Us Your Ears provides patrons the opportunity to join the Shakespeare Theatre's directors, actors and artistic staff in exploring diverse and exciting plays. This script-in-hand reading will feature members of The Shakespeare Theatre's esteemed company of actors as well as prestigious guest artists, and will begin with background information about the play.   Following the reading will be a talk-back session with the director, cast and audience which provides valuable feedback on the play and its potential for future production.

The Winslow Boy, which premiered on Broadway in 1947 and was made into a film in 1948, is inspired by an actual event involving a young English cadet accused of theft. In Rattigan's intriguing and compelling play, in which he quotes from actual court transcripts, Ronnie Winslow's parents and sister are convinced of his innocence, and with the help of one most famous barristers in England, they fight for their family honor against the strict codes of conduct of the Osborne Navel College and the government.

Rattigan is the author and screenwriter of the plays and the film versions of The Browning Version, The Deep Blue Sea, and the Academy Award-winning Separate Tables. He also co-wrote or wrote several original screenplays as well as screenplays based on other author's material including The Yellow Rolls-Royce and Goodbye, Mr. Chips.

Sir Terence Rattigan was knighted in 1971 and would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2011.

The Winslow Boy reading will be Monday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. A question and answer session with the audience and the cast will follow the reading.

Tickets
Tickets for the reading series are $15 each for adults; student tickets are $10 each. For tickets, call the box office at 973-408-5600, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org or email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free.

The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the Theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors.   Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available. Braille and large print programs are available.   Infrared listening devices are available free of charge. Some performances are audio described. Contact the theatre for more information.   For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

Kean University Presents Spring Awakening

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

(UNION, NJ) -- The Department of Theatre at Kean University presents the rock musical Spring Awakening November 11 through 19 in the Wilkins Theatre. The musical is inspired by the play of the same title written in 1891 by Frank Wedekind. One of literature's most controversial masterpieces, so daring in its depiction of teen-age self-discovery it was banned from the stage and not performed in its complete form in English for nearly 100 years, it frankly portrays issues of abortion, homosexuality, rape, child abuse and suicide. Alternate rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score, juxtaposing a modern sensibility with the mores of the past.

Set in late nineteenth century Germany -- a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards -- the adolescent children yearn for answers, for the freedom to explore and understand themselves as sexual beings, to boldly and blindly claw their way through the inner and outer tumult of their own sexual "awakenings." The Broadway musical ran for more than 900 performances and received eleven 2007 Tony Award nominations, winning eight, including Tonys for best musical, direction, book, score and featured actor. The show also won four Drama Desk Awards, while its London production won four Olivier Awards.

"Spring Awakening reveals the teenage exploration of sexuality and the frustration due to the oppression from adults in their lives," said Holly Logue, acting dean of Kean's College of Visual and Performing Arts, and director of the production. Parents of young children who saw the musical when it premiered in New York raved about the opportunities it started for conversation between parent and child. "I myself experienced this," continued Logue, "when my then 14 year old daughter chose to bury her head in my shoulder to avoid seeing the explicit love scene. Perhaps she didn't want to see it with me or perhaps she didn't want to see it at all – but afterward, as we walked, our conversation was open, meaningful, and heartfelt."

The Kean production of Spring Awakening features Lauren Sodono, a junior at Kean University with a double BA major in Theatre Education and English Education as the central character, Wendla. Melchior is played by Brandon Elia, a senior BA Theatre major and Greg Scalera, Kean theatre student and singer/pianist for local rock band The Agony Family, portrays Moritz. The cast includes Samantha Mellina (Martha), Danielle Morris (Thea), Samantha Furst (Anna), Cara Ganski (Ilse), Emily Conklin (Petra), Jasmine Taylor (Perta), Jason Gillis (Hanschen), Kyle Bergslien (Ernst), Justin Ferretti (Georg), Brandon Arias (Otto), Anthony Crouchelli (Rupert), Aaron McMillan (Deiter), Lucas Pinner (Reinhold/Ulbrecht), Katelyn Morgan (multiple adult women) and Anthony Mowatt (multiple adult men).

Performance times for Spring Awakening are Nov 11, 12, 16, 18, 19 at 8:00 pm; Nov 12, 13, 19 at 2:00 pm; Nov 17 at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $15 standard, $10 seniors & students, and can be purchased by calling Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469), online at www.keanstage.com , or in person at Kean University's Wilkins Theater Box Office, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

Foundation Provides Grant Funding to Strand Ventures, Inc.

2011-11-11T11:09:00.002-05:00

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -— The Investors Charitable Foundation, which provides charitable funding to not-for-profits that enrich the communities served by Investors Bank, has awarded a $5,000 to Strand Ventures, Inc. The grant will help the organization offer scholarships to at-risk youths.

Strand Ventures operates a comprehensive performing arts center in the historic Strand Theater, a 1,042-seat venue that has hosted some of world's most renowned performing artists. The theater is also home to the Strand School of the Arts, which offers art education courses throughout the region. The charitable grant will provide $500 scholarships to 10 at-risk, financially disadvantaged youths. The scholarships will enable them to attend an eight-week semester of art education classes during the autumn season.

"In behalf of our students and the community we serve, I would like to thank our friends at the Investors Charitable Foundation for their continuing generosity," said Camille Biamonte, executive director of Strand Ventures, Inc.

"For more than a decade, Strand Ventures has enriched its community with top-quality performances and educational programs," said Kevin Cummings, president and CEO of Investors Savings Bank and a member of the Foundation's board of trustees. "We are confident that the young people enrolled in this program will benefit greatly from a wide-ranging arts curriculum."

About the Investors Charitable Foundation
Investors Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, is a full-service community bank that has been serving customers since 1926. With $10 billion in assets and a network of more than 80 retail branches, Investors delivers personalized services and products tailored to the needs of its customers. Investors' banking services include complete deposit, loan and cash management products for consumers and businesses.

The Investors Charitable Foundation supports non-profit organizations that enrich the quality of life in the communities the Bank serves. To date, the Foundation has dispensed more than $6 million to support initiatives ranging from community and civic improvements to the fight against diseases.

For more information contact Investors at 1.800.252.8119 or visit www.myinvestorsbank.com.

East Lynne Theater Company receives grant from Target for Educational Outreach

2011-11-11T11:07:00.002-05:00

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company has received its third grant in three years from Target Department Stores, funding from which goes exclusively to help to fund an artist-in residence program. Plans are in the works for ELTC's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, to return to Glenwood Avenue Elementary School in Wildwood for an in-school residency in March. Possibilities for this upcoming residency include researching, writing, and performing scenes that have to do with Wildwood – a town celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012.

     Last year, Gayle worked with three fifth-grade classes at this school, helping them to research, write, and rehearse scenes about famous people, based on those featured in President Obama's book, "Of Thee I Sing." Three years ago, Gayle, with actor/writer Patti Chambers, worked with students at the Homework Institute, the after-school program at the Martin Luther King Center in Whitesboro, where students wrote and performed scenes about the history of Whitesboro. Both of these residencies involved students performing an admission-free event open to the public, and a good time was had by actors and audience.

    Gayle, who has taught in-school and after-school theater-related residencies for over 30 years in locations as varied as Ute reservations in Utah to middle schools in Brooklyn, is once more spearheading the residency, assisted by Grace Wright, who performed in ELTC's recent production of "He and She." Aside from performing, Grace has stage managed and worked as a musical director for Sojourn Productions.

    Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its income to the communities it serves, and individual Target stores carry on this tradition by making local grants and supporting volunteer initiatives. ELTC's Board of Trustees and Gayle Stahlhuth are pleased to be able to use this funding to help to support another in-school residency.

     Meanwhile, ELTC continues its mainstage season with "Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Norwood Builder" and "Christmas Presents from the Past." ELTC's annual fundraising gala is on November 10 at Aleathea's at The Inn of Cape May.

     For information about ELTC's educational outreach, touring shows, or mainstage season, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

GENE & SHELLEY ENLOW RECITAL HALL PRESENTS THE 5 BROWNS

2011-11-11T11:06:00.002-05:00

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Gene & Shelley Enlow Recital Hall at Kean University presents the classical music phenomenon, The 5 Browns on Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 pm. Dubbed by People Magazine as the "Fab Five," Ryan, Melody, Gregory, Deondra and Desirae Brown became the first family of five siblings ever accepted simultaneously to The Julliard School in New York.

The 5 Browns are delivering on their dream to wake up classical music by introducing it to the widest, largest and most excited audience they can find. Whether performing individually or together in various combinations from duo to complex five-piano arrangements, The 5 Browns reveal a deep connection to the intent of their material while bringing a fresh energy and dynamic character to the color and tonal spectrum of their sound.

The quintet enjoyed a first wave of critical attention when they were featured in 2002 on Oprah and 60 Minutes. The 5 Browns have released 3 CDs that each went to #1 on Billboard Magazine's Classical Album Chart. The New York Post has proclaimed: "One family, five pianos and 50 fingers add up to the biggest classical music sensation in years."

The quintet has garnered extensive coverage from media outlets ranging from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, Today, and The View to The Martha Stewart Show, Public Radio's Performance Today, as well as The New York Times, Parade, People, the Los Angeles Times, the Sunday London Telegraph and Entertainment Weekly, who called them "…five young Mormons who all play scorching piano. Thundering down on five Steinways together, they're button-down cute and somewhat otherworldly."

The 5 Browns tour extensively and have performed in numerous venues including the Grand National Theater in China, Suntory Hall in Japan and, in the United States, The Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Symphony Hall in Chicago and Alice Tully Hall in New York City.

In addition to touring, The 5 Browns are published writers. Their book, Life Between the Keys was published by Phoenix Books in March 2009. In the spring of 2010, their new CD "The 5 Browns… In Hollywood", was released on the E1 Music label. They are also featured in a new PBS TV special, "The 5 Browns In Concert" that is airing on PBS stations throughout the country.

Tickets to The 5 Browns at Enlow Hall are $55 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. Enlow Recital Hall is located at 215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205.

WQXR is a media sponsor of Gene & Shelley Enlow Recital Hall. For complete Enlow Hall 2011-12 Season information, please visit the website or contact Ms. Cory Ransom, Director, Operations (908) 737-5932, ransomco@kean.edu.

GENE & SHELLEY ENLOW RECITAL HALL PRESENTS THE 5 BROWNS

2011-11-11T11:05:00.005-05:00

Cape May Stage Offers, 'Role of the Artist': an Art Panel of Professionals

2011-11-11T11:05:00.002-05:00

(Cape May, NJ) -- In conjunction with the current production of John Logan's Tony award-winning play Red, Cape May Stage, South Jersey's premier professional Equity theatre will present 'Role of the Artist', a post-show discussion featuring a panel of Art professionals after the Sunday matinee on November 13. Hosted by Artistic Director Roy Steinberg (currently starring as Mark Rothko in Red), the panel includes Michael Cagno, Executive Director Noyes Museum of Art, Sandra Bloodworth, director of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts for Transit and Urban Design in New York City, and Victor Grasso. Fine Artist. 'Role of the Artist' is free to patrons attending the performance and will take place immediately following the 3 p.m. matinee presentation at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at Bank and Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May.

In Red master American expressionist Mark Rothko has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art; a series of murals for New York's famed Four Seasons Restaurant. In the two fascinating years that follow, Rothko works feverishly with his assistant, Ken. But when Ken gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his demise.

The 'Role of the Artist' panel will address several of the myraid questions that the play asks of its audience. Rothko talks of "overmantles" - those paintings doomed to become decoration. Should a painting decorate a home or have some other reason to exist? Is art meant to disturb? Are there parallels in theater and the visual arts? Where in the continuum of art does your work fit in? Audiences are encouraged to participate the post-show Q&A where all comments and questions will be addressed.

'Role of the Artist' will be presented November 13 immediately following the 3 p.m. matinee. Performances for Red run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm through November 19th. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors, and $15 students. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's Web site, www.capemaystage.org. Red is generously co-sponsored by Saltwood House Bed & Breakfast and Hemingway's at the Grand Hotel.

ABOUT THE PANEL

Michael Cagno
From 1999- 2006, Michael Cagno served as the Executive Director for the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Art in Millville, New Jersey. During his tenure in Millville, Michael worked with government and community organizations to revitalize its downtown by using the arts as a catalyst for economic development and social transformation. Since August 2006, Michael has served as Executive Director of The Noyes Museum of Art of Richard Stockton College. In four short years, Michael has doubled the museum's membership, increased programming by 40%, and established a satellite gallery in Hammonton, New Jersey and most recently, a formal partnership with The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. This partnership has allowed the museum to increase its capacity to make the arts more accessible and inclusive for residents of southern New Jersey. A few examples of his new programs include: artist memberships, Healing Arts, ArtPort (gallery space at AC International Airport), Arts on the Avenue in Hammonton and a new art gallery at the Seaview Resort. Michael served on the Board of Trustees for the South Jersey Cultural Alliance as Vice President and currently a Board of Trustees for New Jersey Art Pride and as a board member for the New Jersey Association of Museums. Having a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art from Rowan University, Masters Degree in Museum in Management and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Seton Hall University has allowed Michael to follow his passion for the arts. He also shares this passion as an adjunct arts professor at Cumberland County College and Stockton College.

Sandra Bloodworth
Sandra Bloodworth is the director of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts for Transit and Urban Design. As director, she is responsible for the Arts for Transit programs, whose mission it is to commission public art that enhances the transportation environment. In addition to the Arts for Transit award-winning permanent art program, she is responsible for Music Under New York, the Transit Poster program and the Light Box Project. She represents the MTA on station aesthetics and urban design issues, with a focus on promoting design excellence. She joined Arts for Transit in 1988 as a manager and became deputy director in 1992 and director in 1996. She is the co-author of Along the Way: MTA Arts for Transit. Her previous experience includes working as a development associate for the Studio in a School Association. Sandra has taught Visual Art and Urban Design in the Department of Art and Arts Professions graduate program at New York University and studio classes in the fine arts departments at Florida State University and the University of Mississippi. Bloodworth is an artist and holds a B.S. from Mississippi College, an M.A. from the University of Mississippi and an M.F.A. from Florida State University. Bloodworth received the Fund for the City of New York's 2005 Sloan Public Service Award in recognition of her work in the field of public art.

Victor Grasso
Earlier in his fine art career, Victor Grasso distinguished himself by painting hyper-photorealistic depictions of the human form, often intertwined with animalistic imagery. Over the past few years he has begun weaving numerous images into one canvas, creating a visual overload of complex graphic compositions. Through variety and virtuosity, Grasso is able to elude being pigeonholed. Grasso still displays the graphic weight of the pop artist, but manages a triumphant marriage with the style of the contemporary Baroque Spanish Masters. This is accomplished through the precise study of elaborate composition, diagrammatic tempos, and vibrant veneers of sixteenth century European paintings, as well as a thorough knowledge of twentieth century American art. Grasso enjoyed his first show at the age of 21 and since then has had numerous exhibitions along the eastern seaboard.

This season's sponsors include 410 Bank Street/Frescos, Exit Zero, CapeSCape, The Corner Cottage Apartments, Harry's Bar & Grille at the Montreal Inn, La Mer Beachfront Inn, Lucky Bones, Cape May Winery, and The Washington Inn.

TWO RIVER THEATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES SECOND EXTENSION FOR SEVEN HOMELESS MAMMOTHS WANDER NEW ENGLAND

2011-11-11T11:03:00.005-05:00

(RED BANK, NJ) -— Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces a second extension for the theater's world premiere of Madeleine George's Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll.

The extended calendar includes new performances on Wednesday, November 16 at 7 pm; Thursday, November 17 at 8 pm; Friday, November 18 at 8 pm; Saturday, November 19 at 3 pm and 8 pm; and Sunday, November 20 at 3 pm.

Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or www.trtc.org. Single ticket prices start at $45. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, students, and patrons aged 30 and under. This play contains adult language and content and is recommended for mature audiences.

The cast for Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England includes Lauren Culpepper (Early Man 2), Mercedes Herrero (Dean Wreen), Jon Hoche (Early Man 1), Deirdre Madigan (Greer), Flor De Liz Perez (Andromeda), and Joel Van Liew (The Caretaker).

For more information, visit www.trtc.org.

Two River Theater Company is supported 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, The Hickory Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, The Shubert Foundation, and many other foundations, corporations and sponsors.

Meridian Health to Host "Life is Not a Stress Rehearsal" featuring Author and Humorist Loretta LaRoche at Two River Theater

2011-11-11T11:03:00.002-05:00

(RED BANK, NJ) -- It happens to all of us this time of year, the stresses of work, school, sports practices, and the holidays begin to set in. On November 15, Meridian Health will host an event offering a dose of laughter and inspiration from renowned author and stress management expert, Loretta LaRoche. As a columnist, speaker, and Emmy Award nominee featured on CNN, FOX, and ABC, Loretta uses humor to reframe a stressful situation and captures a fresh perspective on the difficult parts of life in her program, Life is not a Stress Rehearsal.

"In a non-stop world where we are going full steam ahead, it can seem difficult to keep our heads above water, never mind keep an upbeat attitude," says Lori Colineri, Vice President of Nursing at Riverview Medical Center. "We hope this program brings some perspective to the women of our communities on how to strive for a less stressful, and healthier, life balance."

The event will be held in the newly renovated Two River Theater in Red Bank, with the chance to attend a pre-show cocktail reception in the main lobby of the theater, where attendees will have the chance to meet Loretta LaRoche. Proceeds from the events will benefit Meridian Cardiovascular Network and the Women's Center at Riverview Medical Center. Partnering with Meridian Health is The Asbury Park Press, InJersey Magazine, and Branches Catering as event sponsors.

As a busy woman herself, Lori hopes this event is beneficial to other do-it-all ladies of Monmouth and Ocean County. "Too often do women dismiss their own health needs to care for the people around them," she says. "We hope that for one evening, they can take the weight of the world off their shoulders for a fun and motivating evening that benefits Women's Health services at Meridian. Laughter is in fact the best medicine!"

For more information about the event, Loretta LaRoche, and the Two River Theater, visit www.MeridianHealth.com/Heart or call 1-800-DOCTORS to register. Tickets are $50, or $75 including the pre-show reception. Danny's Grill and Wine Bar located in Red Bank will be offering a 10% discount on the food bill of anyone attending the Loretta LaRoche event that evening.

About Meridian Health
Meridian Health (www.meridianhealth.com) is a leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey, comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, ambulatory care, ambulance services, and outpatient centers. Meridian Health has consistently been rated among the top performing health systems in New Jersey for clinical quality, is one of the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For", and is the recipient of numerous state and national recognitions for patient care and nursing excellence, including the distinction of being the first health system in the country to receive Magnet designation for nursing.

Loretta LaRoche
This acclaimed speaker, author and international stress management and humor consultant has evoked wit and irreverent humor on her audience for over 30 years. Using humor to reframe a stressful situation, Loretta captures a new perspective on the difficult parts of life. Her teaching style, credibility and incontestable humor are integral parts to her compelling presence.

She is on the Mass General advisory council for anxiety and depression and is founder and president of The Humor Potential, Inc, a company offering programs and products for life style management. Loretta's special brand of optimistic psychology has an undeniable positive effect on the health of all that are exposed to her.

Loretta writes a weekly newspaper column titled, 'Get a Life' and is featured as a stress management expert on www.LLuminari.com, a community wellness website.

LOCAL ACTORS SHARE COMIC ADVENTURES OF 'FOREIGNER' AT FOOTLIGHTERS

2011-11-11T11:00:00.003-05:00

(CINNAMINSON, NJ) – Burlington County Footlighters takes a comic turn with the second show of its 74th year, presenting Larry Shue's The Foreigner from November 4-19, 2011. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; and Sundays at 2 pm at The Playhouse, 808 Pomona Road in Cinnaminson, NJ.

From the award-winning writer of The Nerd, this comic romp is set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia where a British demolition expert is vacationing with his friend, a pathologically shy man. To hopefully shield him from having to interact with people, he is introduced as a stranger from a foreign country who speaks no English. Hilarity ensues as scheming guests assume he doesn't understand them and talk freely in front of him, leading to a climax in which things go uproariously awry for the "bad guys" and the "good guys" emerge triumphant.

Valerie Mazzagatti of Maple Shade directs the production, which features Bob Beaucheane of Philadelphia as Owen Musser, Daniel Brothers of Maple Shade as Sgt. "Froggy" LaSeuer, Emily Huddell of Moorestown as Catherine Simms, Phyllis Josephson of Westampton as Betty Meeks, Alan Krier of Maple Shade as Charlie Baker, Dave Marquart of Collingswood as Ellard Simms and Tim Petrillo of Moorestown as Rev. David Marshall Lee.

Tickets are $15. For reservations or additional information, call 856-829-7144 or visit www.bcfootlighters.com.

Sweeney Todd to play at Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank

2011-11-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions, an award-winning community theatre organization, will present Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, for two weekends at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank from November 11th to November 20th.

Sweeney Todd, the musical thriller that may be Sondheim's crowning achievement, is a suspenseful masterpiece based on a true story of an unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge for the death of his wife, Lucy, and the kidnapping of his daughter, Johanna. Sophisticated and uncompromising, Sweeney Todd is full of black humor, mixing intense drama with hysterical moments.

The Phoenix Productions revival features a cast of 40 performers led by David Weitzer as Sweeney Todd, a man driven mad by his desire for revenge, and Alison Gleason as Mrs. Lovett, the quirky owner of a meat pie shop just below Todd's old barbershop. The supporting cast includes, John Sechrist as Anthony, Jessica Lopez as Johanna, Kathleen Marhold as Lucy, Michael Chartier as Turpin, Andrew Michelson as Beadle, Chris Cortes as Toby, Kent Sweeney as Fogg, and Mario Castro as Pirelli. The cast, production staff, and orchestra will recreate a stark London and demonstrates what "cutting edge" theatre is really about.

At the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Sweeney Todd will be performed November 11th, 12th, and 13th, and the following weekend, November 18th, 19th, and 20th. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8pm and Sunday matinees are at 3pm. Tickets, priced at $20 to $29, can be ordered by calling 732-747-0014.

Phoenix Productions, founded in 1987, is a non-profit community theatre organization based in Red Bank that has produced more than 100 revivals of hit Broadway musicals. More information is available at www.phoenixredbank.com.

Strand Theatre Prepares Commemorative Ad Journal For 90th Anniversary Celebration In 2012

2011-11-11T10:57:00.002-05:00

(Lakewood, NJ) -- As part of its 90th anniversary celebration in 2012, the historic Strand Theater is compiling a commemorative ad journal. The journal will be distributed at all shows and special events during the year, and at other locations throughout Ocean and Monmouth County. Up to 50,000 patrons visit the Strand each year.

Advertising options range from $75 for a quarter page to $1,000 for a Curtain Call ad, which includes a prominently featured full-page plus two tickets to the 90th Anniversary Autumn Gala and four tickets to the performance of your choice. Full and half pages also are available.

"We invite local businesses, patrons of the arts, and the community at large to join us in celebrating the long and fabled history of the Strand Theater, its place in the heart of Lakewood, and its significance as a New Jersey performing arts venue. Many exciting events will be happening next year, and we anticipate a renewed interest the theater. Support of this important fundraising effort will help sustain the Theater's operations, community productions, special events and community arts education programs", said Camille Biamonte, Executive Director.

Designed by famous theater architect Thomas Lamb, the Strand opened in 1922, at a time when Lakewood was a popular playground for the rich and famous, including Grover Cleveland and John D. Rockefeller. Silent films, live vaudeville acts, pre-Broadway runs, and, with the advent of "talkies", life as a movie house were all parts of the theater's past. Today, The Strand is known as one of the best acoustical theaters in the nation and is a top live entertainment venue. Offerings include musicals, plays, concerts, dinner theater, and Back Stage Pass, where the audience sits on-stage with the performer for an intimate show. Additionally, professional training opportunities for youth are offered through the Strand School of the Arts.

The Strand Gallery, a beautifully-appointed banquet room located directly off the Theater lobby, is available for private events, including holiday parties, birthdays, weddings, and meetings.

In 1992, the theater received a $2.5 million grant to complete the interior restoration, and the theater was gloriously restored. The Strand has been undergoing several years of renovations with the support of Ocean County, the Township of Lakewood, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and many businesses, organizations, and individuals. The Strand is listed on both the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places.

For ad journal details please call the theater at 732-367-7789x217. To purchase tickets, view the calendar of events and class schedule, and for Strand Gallery rental information please visit The Strand's website at: www.strand.org, or contact the theater at 732-367-7789. The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ.

19th Annual Asbury Music Awards To Take Place On November 13

2011-11-04T16:43:00.005-04:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- On Sunday, November 13, 2011, The 19th ANNUAL ASBURY MUSIC AWARDS, Presented by THE SAINT in Asbury Park & The Asbury Music Company, will be held at The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey. A gala night of celebration and music, and a long held tradition for our local music community, hosted this year by 90.5 The Night's Music Wizard, DJ JEFF RASPE, afternoon host on WBJB-FM Brookdale Public Radio. Featuring over 25 Awards, 9 Musical Acts & more! Doors 4pm, Advance Tickets $15/20 Day of Show. An All Ages Event, Tickets on sale now at The Saint and The Stone Pony Box Offices and at www.ticketweb.com and www.ticketmaster.com. All 2011 AMA Nominees admitted free of charge.

The night includes performances by Matt O'Ree Band, No Wine For Kittens, Only Living Boy, Scarlet Carson, Toothgrinder, The New Royalty, Chris Rockwell, Accidental Seabirds, Thomas Wesley Stern, Emily Grove, Joe Miller, and Little Jimmy.

The Asbury Music Awards, originally known as The Golden T-Bird Awards, premiered in Asbury Park in 1993. An annual music scene staple, the first Asbury Music Awards was held at the former T-Birds Cafe on Main Street in Asbury Park, NJ. Scott Stamper, owner of The Saint in Asbury Park & the Wave Gathering Music Festival founder, along with Peter Mantas, Langosta Lounge's entertainment director, founded, and originally designed the Asbury Music Awards in 1993 as a response to the area's hardworking musicians, singers and songwriters, and the longstanding, ever-evolving Live Original Music scene in and around Asbury Park, NJ.

Inspired by a strong desire to give something back to the musicians and music community who make up the Jersey Shore's incredibly diverse music culture, Scott Stamper began presenting the awards to the many talented musicians, singers and songwriters who had presented live original music and paid their dues in the various music rooms in the area. Some of the Asbury Park music venues present day include The Saint, The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar, Asbury Lanes, Rosie's Cafe, and more. Outside of Asbury Park, The Brighton Bar in Long Branch, Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, and The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, to name a few.

The 1993-1994, the Asbury Music Awards took place at T-Birds Cafe. Scott Stamper opened the legendary music venue, The Saint, in 1994, and moved the show due to rapid growth. At this time, the show was renamed the Asbury Music Awards (in 1995). For two years, The Saint hosted the gala celebration for local artists, singers and songwriters, but the show quickly outgrew the venue. To accommodate the burgeoning crowds, the Asbury Music Awards moved to The Fastlane in 1997, The Stone Pony in 1998, and The Tradewinds in Sea Bright in 1999. This Tradewinds was a banner show, drawing over 800 attendees. The Stone Pony hosted the Asbury Music Awards in 2000 and 2001, The Tradewinds in 2002, and since 2003, The Stone Pony has been the host of the Asbury Music Awards.

In addition to the recognition the Asbury Music Awards provides to local musicians, singers and songwriters, the shows have also proven a great opportunity for music fans, promoters, artists, media, local venues and the music community on a whole to experience the incredibly diverse talent in a wide variety of musical genres in one special and intimate evening of music and celebration.

Over the years, the Asbury Music Awards stage has been graced by New Jersey luminaries Nicole Atkins, Rick Barry, Status Green, Kid With Man Head, Outcry, Samhill, Evelyn Forever, Barry and The Penetrators, What About Frank, April Smith, The Soul Project, Woodfish, A Love Like Pi, Stringbean & The Stalkers, Brown, Last Days of Empire, Green Tag Sale, Chris Batten and The Woods, Amanda Duncan, Joe Harvard Band, George Wirth, Turtle Soup, Last Perfect Thing, Outside The Box, Karmic Juggernaut, Low Flying Jets, Lance Larson, Twine, Keith Kenny, Phil Benson, Matt O'Ree Band, Parlor Mob, Eryn Shewell, Allie Moss, Ready Make Breakup, Maybe Pete, Bob Burger, Christine Martucci, Tony Tedesco, Days Awake, Sekond Skyn, Chemtrail, River City Extension, Alex Brumel and Janel Elizabeth, Cara Salimando, Jo Wymer & The Itty Bitty Band, Quincy Mumford, Domino Effect, The Black Clouds and Laura Warshauer, to name just a few.

So much goes on behind the scenes in planning and preparation for the Asbury Music Awards. The nominees and performers are selected by a panel of industry veterans which include promoters, sound technicians, radio personalities, music writers and club owners. Artists that have graduated to a major label or those who have won or been nominated for a particular category for five consecutive years at the Asbury Music Awards are eligible for “Record of The Year” and “Best Thing To Happen in Asbury Park”, and may appear onstage presenting or performing during the ceremonies, however, they have graduated from being nominated from most if not all other categories, making room for up and coming artists, musicians, singers and songwriters.

After the carefully chosen Asbury Music Awards panel convenes and chooses all performers and nominees, the names of the nominees for each category are compiled in ballot format and distributed to a select group of music industry insiders, devoted music fans and local music scenesters. The voting process is not open to the general public, but much effort is put into selecting voters. This method has proven most equitable, as it precludes "ballot stuffing" than can skew results in certain categories. Area clubs, music-related businesses, record stores, radio stations, newspapers and time tested music enthusiasts are ALL represented in the final voting. Ballots are painstakingly counted, votes are tallied, and the winners are revealed for the first time at the Asbury Music Awards ceremony. A variety of local music alumni, past award recipients, sponsors, and industry professionals are invited by the panel to present awards each year. The Asbury Music Awards have been going strong and growing rapidly for more than 18 years, celebrating local musicians, singers / songwriters and the music community in support of live original music and artists.

The Asbury Music Awards believe that live music is what makes Asbury Park so special. Presented by THE SAINT and ASBURY MUSIC COMPANY, The Asbury Music Awards works diligently to recognize and support local musicians and the music community in Asbury Park, "Where Music Lives" and the Live Music Capital of New Jersey, and beyond. The 19th Annual Asbury Music Awards will be held Sunday, November 13th, 2011 at The Stony Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

2011 Asbury Music Award Ballot

2011-11-04T01:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the official list of nominees for the 2011 Asbury Music Awards as presented by The Saint in Asbury Park.

Ballots must be received by November 10, 2011. Please drop ballots off to Scott Stamper at The Saint, 601 Main Street, Asbury Park, NJ, email your responses to saintnj601@aol.com or mail to ASBURY MUSIC COMPANY, PO Box 427, BELMAR, NJ 07719. If you’re unfamiliar with a category, please leave blank.

TOP YOUNG BAND (UNDER 21)
Fish Tank Mafia
These Sightless Eyes
The New Royalty
Aurora
Closetalker
As You Wish
Transit Radio
Government
Political Party Crashers
The MicroMachines
Around The Circuit

TOP MALE/BAND ACOUSTIC ACT
Gerald Edward
Mike Chick
Joe Miller
George Wirth
Taylor Allen
Lightning Jar
Michael Brett
Thomas Wesley Stern
Christopher McKeon
Michael Dante Summonte
Carl Chesna
Colton Kayser

TOP JAM/GROOVE BAND
Lemon Juice
Wakah Chan
Loose Fit
Moto Pipe
Echo Movement
Sonni Shine & The Underwater Sounds
Bert L'z
Little Jimmy & The Midnight Son
Garden State of Mind
Mystery Train
Saska

TOP MALE VOCALIST
Anthony Walker -- Anthony Walker & The Medicine Chest
Scott Liss -- Scott Liss & The 66
Joe Michelini -- River City Extension
Bryan Wood -- The Riverwinds
Brandon Asraf-- Brick + Mortar
Santino -- Scarlet Carson
Cm Smith -- The Amboys
Jesse Lee -- Accidental Seabirds
Joe Cirotti -- Only Living Boy
Bradley York -- Sikamor Rooney

TOP BLUES BAND
Jo Wymer & The Itty Bitty Band
Eryn Shewell Band
Sandy Mack Band
Slim Chance & The Gamblers
Poppa John Bug
Nine Below Zero
Gary Cavico
Weathered Soul
Plainfield Slim & The Groundhawgs

TOP FEMALE/BAND ACOUSTIC ACT
Emily Grove
Anjelia Pelay
Cat Cosentino
Laura Monzo
Kate Baker
we are
Beannacht
Jenny Woods
The Juneberries
Mash McLain

TOP RADIO/INTERNET STATION TO SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC
AsburyMusic.com
BlowUpRadio.com
WRAT 95.9 The RAT
90.5 The NIGHT
WBJB-FM BROOKDALE PUBLIC RADIO
THE X 88.9-FM Modern Rock w/An Edge/MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY
88.7 WRSU RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
105.7 "THE HAWK"
HomeGrownRadioNJ.com

TOP AVANT GARDE ACT
Chemtrail
Calamity Menagerie
Mothguts
The Sex Zombies
Colie Brice & the New Age Blues Experience
Milky Chicken Split
Wreaths
Accidental Seabirds
Verity in Stereo
Gimme Drugs

TOP INDIE ROCK BAND
No Wine For Kittens
Scott Liss & The Sixty Six
Brick + Mortar
Birthwalker
Black Wine
Plastic Dakota
Give Me Static
The Vinyls
Mad Feather Group
Atlantic, Atlantic

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
Eryn Shewell -- ERYN SHEWELL BAND
Jo Wymer -- JO WYMER & THE ITTY BITTY BAND
Angie Sugrim -- THE OBVIOUS
Tara Elliott -- TARA ELLIOTT & THE RED VELVETS
Kim Pulsive -- THE F BOMBERS
Bree Iafelice -- THE NEW ROYALTY
Deseree Spinks
Jillian Taylor -- RUBY THE HATCHET
Kiirstin Kaui -- VERITY IN STEREO
Sonni Shine -- SONNI SHINE & THE UNDERWATER SOUNDS

TOP HEAVY ROCK ACT
Toothgrinder
The Ghost in Black And White
Set It Free
Bind
The Day Will Come
Stone The Martyr
East of The Wall
Filter Effect
Tomorrows Past
Last Red Ember
Mass Punishment
Dethroning The Tyrant

TOP PUNK / SKA BAND
Lost In Society
The Sex Zombies
The Waffle Stompers
TV Tramps
Tara Elliott & The Red Velvets
The Great Explainer
The F Bombers
Blacktop Kids
The Obvious
Park Ape
Honah Lee
These Branches

POET LAUREATE
Nicole Greenwood
Dan Weeks
Mark Baird
Chad Anderson
Donald Arrington
Nicole Homer
Andrew "Ink" Feindt
John "Lunar" Richey
Katharine Polenberg
John Joseph Petrolino III
Joshua J. Ballard

TOP MULTI INSTRUMENTALIST/OTHER INSTRUMENTS
Ken Sorensen (Stringbean & The Stalkers)
Tanya Peterson (Eryn Shewell Band)
Matt Lott (Colie Brice & The New Age Blues Experience)
Nick Cucci (River City Extension)
Keith McCarthy (The Sunday Blues)
Adrian Brown (The Waffle Stompers)
Taylor Hope (Emily Grove/Michael Patrick)
Gary Mayer (Thomas Wesley Stern)
Hayden Wright (Mike Montrey Band)
James Herdman (Accidental Seabirds)
Mike Noordzy (Mothguts)

TOP LIVE PERFORMANCE
River City Extension
The Obvious
Brick + Mortar
Only Living Boy
Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why
The Waffle Stompers
Sikamor Rooney
Thomas Wesley Stern
Scarlet Carson
James Arlowe & The Ruffian Circus

TOP AMERICANA
Michael Patrick & The Suburban Hillbillies
The Sunday Blues
Anthony Walker & The Medicine Chest
Thomas Wesley Stern
River City Extension
Bird Bath
The Riverwinds

TOP ROCK BAND
Chemtrail
50 Year Storm
Only Living Boy
The Black Jesuses
Cascadence
Scarlet Carson
The Amboys
Sinsanity
Devil's Holiday
Sikamor Rooney
Almost There

TOP POP BAND
Like Trains & Taxis
Matt Wade
Kings Highway
Clash of Influence
Small Town Scoundrels
The New Royalty
Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why
Earthman
Elevator Art
Breathing Blue

TOP LOCAL RELEASE
Thomas Wesley Stern -- "Hope Folk"
Emily Grove -- "Way Across The Sea"
The Amboys -- "Led Into The Woods"
Michael Brett -- "Some Kind of Solitude"
Jo Wymer -- "Living With Scars"
Quincy Mumford -- "Speak"
River City Extension -- "Unmistakeable Man"
Set It Free -- "Set It Free"
Scarlet Carson -- "Foreverless"
Sandy Mack -- "Still Going Strong"

TOP KEYBOARD PLAYER
Chris Harris (LIKE TRAINS & TAXIS)
Karlee Bloomfield (QUINCY MUMFORD & THE REASON WHY)
Pat O'Brien (RIVER CITY EXTENSION)
Mikal Kuhi (VERITY IN STEREO)
Jared Beckerman (EARTHMAN)
Matt Wade (MATT WADE BAND)
Paul Kates (DUB PROOF)
Ed Fritz (ANTHONY WALKER
& THE MEDICINE CHEST)
Mike Burke (CHEMTRAIL)
Dave Fowler (ECHO MOVEMENT)

TOP BASSIST
Brian Gearty (QUINCY MUMFORD & THE REASON WHY)
J.Maggio (CHEMTRAIL)
Justin Bornemann (NO WINE FOR KITTENS)
Owen Susman (LIKE TRAINS & TAXIS)
Brett Bamberger (EAST OF THE WALL)
Brandon Asraf (BRICK & MORTAR)
Eric Curley (ONLY LIVING BOY)
Pat Dwyer (SET IT FREE)
Nick" Turtle" Paolise (DUB PROOF)

TOP DRUMMER
Chris Lukens (CHEMTRAIL)
Mike Del Priore (LIKE TRAINS & TAXIS)
Connor Effenberger (THE AMBOYS)
Wills Weller (TOOTHGRINDER)
John Tacon (BRICK & MORTAR)
Dar Franks (CASCADENCE)
Trevor Newcomb (ONLY LIVING BOY)
Victor Pascale (SET IT FREE)
Mike Costaney (RIVER CITY EXTENSION)
Kyle Weaver (FILTER EFFECT)

TOP GUITARIST
Dan Ridenour (CHEMTRAIL)
Tommy Strazza (ANTHONY WALKER & THE MEDICINE CHEST)
Keith Kenny (KEITH KENNY)
Pat Rue (ERYN SHEWELL BAND)
James McCaffrey (KARMIC JUGGERNAUT)
Little Jimmy (LITTLE JIMMY & THE MIDNIGHT SON)
Mike Gurnari (SET IT FREE)
Travis Lyon (QUINCY MUMFORD & THE REASON WHY)
Keith McCarthy (THE SUNDAY BLUES)

TOP RADIO PERSONALITY
Steve Hook (95.9 The Rat)
Lazlo (BlowUpRadio.com/AsburyMusic.com)
Robyn Lane (95.9 The Rat)
Keith Roth (95.9 The Rat)
Jared Midgen (88.7 WRSU-FM)
Gary Wien (ThePenguinRocks.com)
Jim Testa (ThePenguinRocks.com/AsburyMusic.com/BlowUpRadio)
Mike Merrell (The Hawk 2.0 105.7)
Pete Lepore (The Punkyard 105.7)
Maria Mar (Jersey Rock 95.9 The Rat)
Stu Coogan (WBJB 90.5 The Night)
Danny Coleman (Rock On Radio 1460/AsburyMusic.com)

SONG OF THE YEAR
Emily Grove -- "Flea"
Lightning Jar -- "Gypsy Band"
Jo Wymer -- "This Ain't Love"
Joe Miller -- "Wooden Nickels"
The Amboys -- "One Of Those Nights"
Thomas Wesley Stern -- "Hello, Hello"
Earthman -- "Faithful Sun"
Anjelia -- "A Long Way"
Set It Free -- "Forget The Past"
Scarlet Carson -- "Foreverless"

TOP JOURNALIST IN SUPPORT OF LIVE MUSIC
Stephen Bove (Metromix)
Chris Jordan (Home News Tribune)
Tris McCall (Star Ledger)
Alex Biese (Metromix)
Jim Testa (Jersey Beat)
Richard Skelly (U.S.1/Asbury Park Press)
John Pfeiffer (Aquarian Weekly/ECR)
Gary Wien (NewJerseyStage.com)
Jason Thompson (Tri-City News)
Mike Black (The Aquarian Weekly/Freelance Photographer)
Dave Christopher (The Coaster/Photographer)
Danny Wreck (Danny Says!)
Tom Chesek (Freelance)

TOP NEWS PUBLICATION IN SUPPORT OF LIVE MUSIC
Aquarian Weekly/East Coast Rocker
Asbury Park Press
Jersey Beat
triCityNews
The Coaster
The Islander
The Home News

TOP MUSIC WEBSITE/FACEBOOK PAGE IN SUPPORT OF LIVE ORIGINAL MUSIC
Chorusandverse.com
Metromix.com/jerseyshore
Blowupradio.com
Jerseybeat.com
Theaquarianweekly.com
Speak Into My Good Eye (Facebook)
Support Live Music In Asbury Park (Facebook)
TheJerseyShorePodcast.com
Bandsonabudget.com
NewJerseyStage.com
eatsleepbreathmusic.com

BEST THING TO HAPPEN IN 2010/2011
* All Tomorrow's Parties comes to Asbury Park, NJ.
* The Smithsonian Institutes traveling New Harmonies Exhibit, A celebration of American Roots Music, comes to Asbury Park, NJ.
* Asbury Park City Government proclaims, Asbury Park, NJ "Where Music Lives"
* "The Touring Musician's Guide to Asbury Park" published by Bands On A Budget
* "Are You Listening" The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists, Published by music journalist, Gary Wien
* Lord Gunner REUNION (Legendary Band of the 70's & 80's) at The Wonder Bar, (8.6 2011)
* Musicians On A Mission - Presenting Musical Events in many Jersey Shore venues, raising funds & awareness for local charities.
* M.A.D Wednesdays at The Downtown, Showcasing Original Artists in Red Bank, NJ.

TOP LOCAL CLUB DJ
DJ Prestige
DJ Jack The Ripper
DJ Atom Worth
DJ Rob None
DJ Jim Curran
DJ Mike Merrell Negril Sound System
DJ Jack Reina
DJ Pete Green
DJ Shaw Francis
DJ Rif Raff
DJ Re-Kon


BEYOND ASBURY TOP RECORD/SINGLE/RELEASE
Glen Burtnik -- "Where Music Lives" (Single)
Outside The Box -- "Bridge" (Release)
Woodfish -- "Starlight Remedy" (Release)
Christine Martucci -- "Ocean Ave." (Single)
Joanna Burns -- "Us" (Single)
Allie Moss -- "Late Bloomer" (Release)
Val Emmich -- "Aide Memoire" (Release)
Nicole Akins -- "Mondo Amore" (Release)
Charlotte Sometimes -- "The Wait" (EP)
The Parlor Mob -- "Dogs" (Release)
Burlap To Cashmere -- "Burlap To Cashmere" (Release)
Readymade Breakup -- "Readymake Breakup" (Release)
Random Test -- "Barriers" (Release)

TOP LIVE ORIGINAL MUSIC VENUE
The Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ)
Starland Ballroom (Sayreville, NJ)
The Brighton Bar (Long Branch, NJ)
The Saint (Asbury Park, NJ)
Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park, NJ)
The Court Tavern (New Brunswick, NJ)
Rosie's Cafe (Asbury Park, NJ)
The Wonder Bar (Asbury Park, NJ)

Interview With Anjelia Pelay

2011-10-29T12:43:00.000-04:00

by Gary Wien

Anjelia Pelay has a CD release party on November 11 at the Stone Pony (11/11/11). Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. The show is open to all ages. Michael Dante Summonte and Town Hall will open the show. NewJerseyStage.com had the opportunity to talk with Anjelia about the new CD and the release party...

How does it feel to have your first full-length CD coming out?

It feels amazing. I can't believe I have a CD coming out this year. I can't believe this is my first CD. I am truly happy about this all. And can't wait for you all the hear the album!

You've performed at many big venues in the area as part of Glen Burtnik shows, what's it like to see your name headlining a show at the Stone Pony?

It's pretty cool because it's what I've always dreamed of. Growing up I did a lot of acting, theater, and dance so if I was "headlining" a show it was playing an actual character. This is the best because it's all my own work. I wrote everything from scratch - the songs, the choreography, the script. It's a pretty cool feeling to get to share that with everyone on this night.

The record sounds incredible with several songs that should get serious airplay. What are your goals for the album? What would make it a success in your eyes?

Thank you so much! Seriously. That is such a great feeling to hear someone say. My goals are to go on tour and share my music with the world.

Over the past few years, I can't even begin to tell you how many local musicians told me I had to go see you perform live. You definitely have a considerable fanbase that includes many fellow artists. What are your thoughts on the local music community and its support of you?

I LOVE you guys! Thank you so much. That is an honor if someone really loves watching you perform live you know? When I first started playing out, I couldn't believe there were other weirdos out there like me that love to write and play music everyday as well. Haha : ) And the support system of it all is amazing in Asbury.

How important is it to have the support of artists like Glen Burtnik?

Glen is such a good guy. He's both: super talented and super down to earth. I absolutely love working with him musically and also hanging out eating ice cream with him is pretty much just as fun. It's always a good time with Glen. And the fact that he is such a great support means the world to me.

I'm calling 2011 the year of the Jersey Girl because I've heard more solid releases this year from local female artists than ever before. The list includes names like Emily Grove, Christine Martucci, Jo Wymer, Nicole Atkins, Laura Warshauer, Kelly Carvin, Linda Chorney, and Sheli Aarden. As a female artist, do you notice something special going on? Is it getting easier to be a female artist around here? Years ago, many female artists indicated it was a bit harder for them than for male artists to get noticed.

Hm. That is a hard question! Because sometimes I still feel it is harder for a female. But I am super happy for all my talented friends and their releases this year.

Speaking of getting noticed, one of the first things I noticed about you was your admiration for Marilyn Monroe. Tell me about that.

As long as I can remember, I was being compared to Monroe a lot in the sense that we are both very misunderstood. When people first meet or see me they usually judge me as a "dumb blonde". Then when they see me perform or get to actually know me they realize I'm actually a lot smarter than they thought and have much more depth than just a "dumb blonde". I've read so many Marilyn biographies, autobiographies, her diaries,watched documentaries, etc, and I can't stress enough how much I feel for her and can relate to her.

Another aspect that's hard to ignore is the relationship you had with your father. I know his passing really affected you. Did his struggles work into any of your songs? Or are their some topics or feelings that are simply too personal for you to share in your music?

I wrote "Forever Gone" [which is on the album] about my fathers death. Sometimes when I perform it live I am crying literally in the middle of the song. Also while recording the ending vocal I cried a bit as well. But I always feel better after being able to do that. Being able to let my emotions about it out through art. I grew up playing music with my father, [he was a blues guitar player] - he is the reason I play, write, perform today. So I feel him most still with me..through music.

Finally, tell me about “Sunshine” – is that a nickname you've had or one given to you by Todd?

I've always thought I am more like the darkness than the sun, except for my hair maybe haha Todd is one of my biggest fans and he definitely likes to disagree with that one!

Light of Day Tickets Go On Sale October 29

2011-10-27T16:45:00.002-04:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Roots music legend David Bromberg will be among the performers at at Paramount Theatre show on Jan. 14, 2011, that serves as the centerpiece for the 12th annual Light of Day concert series, now expanded to four-day weekend of activities in Asbury Park, N.J.

More than 100 artists will play at at least 16 different events to be held at nine different venues in the city on Jan. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 2012, which promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 for the series of shows, sponsored by the Light of Day Foundation, Inc. (www.lightofday.org), the Asbury Park Press (www.app.com), Aerosoles (www.aerosoles.com), Ansell, Grimm & Aaron (www.ansellgrimm.com), ShopRite (www.ShopRite.com) and CBGB (www.cbgb.com).

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets (including selected Walmart stores), the Stone Pony box office, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park.

A wide variety of combination ticket packages – as well as single tickets to each show – will be available.

The Light of Day series of concerts, which also includes performances in Canada and several countries in Europe, raises money for the ongoing fight against Parkinson's disease by supporting research into more effective treatments and a cure for people who suffer from Parkinson's and other degenerative neuromuscular disorders.

Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson and the City Council have proclaimed Jan. 12 to 16th as "Light of Day Week" in Asbury Park, in honor of the concert series which annually brings several thousand music fans to the city.

Multi-instrumentalist Bromberg is known for his eclectic style, and his ability to mix blues, folk, country, rock n'roll and jazz into a unique musical stew. In addition to releasing several solo albums, including 2011's "Use Me," Bromberg has performed with a renowned roster of artists, including Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and Jerry Jeff Walker. He co-wrote the song "The Hold-Up" with former Beatle George Harrison. Harrison made an appearance on Bromberg's self-titled 1971 album.

Joining Bromberg on the Paramount Theatre bill, which will be hosted once again by Vincent Pastore, who played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the HBO show "The Sopranos," will be long-time Light of Day supporters Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers, Willie Nile, Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan, Garland Jeffreys and John Eddie. Up and coming group the RockNRoll Chorus will also perform.

Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

On January 15, 2011, Bruce Springsteen joined his old friend Grushecky and the Houserockers on stage at the Paramount for a sizzling set that was the highlight of the 11th annual Light of Day concert series. The show closed with an emotional rendition of "Thunder Road," that had the whole audience singing along. Springsteen also shared the stage with Jesse Malin, Willie Nile and Alejandro Escovedo during their sets at the Paramount that night and performed a solo acoustic set before Grushecky and the Houserockers came onstage. Springsteen has played at eight of the 11 Light of Day events.

Light of Day's New Jersey weekend will kick off on Thursday, Jan. 12 at Asbury Lanes on Fourth Avenue, with a Rock N Bowl-a-Thon that will pair participants with celebrity bowlers for a night of fun that will also include lots of music.

Also on Thursday night, The Saint, a legendary original music venue located at Main Street and Monroe Avenue in Asbury, will host its first Light of Day event.

On Friday, Jan. 13, Asbury Park's legendary Stone Pony, the oceanfront club where Light of Day got its start 11 years ago, will feature a tribute to the "Asbury Angels," the musicians and other members of the Asbury Park music scene who have passed on in recent years. Those being honored include Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Kevin Kavanaugh, Donnie Bertleson and John Luraschi.

The concert will be headlined by the Sensational Soul Cruisers, featuring J.T. Bowen, and will also feature the Nick Clemons Band, Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls, featuring Jason Federici, Boccigaluple & The Bad Boys and Jo Bonnano and the Godsons of Soul, along with many other artists.

Light of Day board member Rob Dye will also host an open mic event on Friday night at the Wonder Bar, located right down the street from the Pony at the corner of Ocean and Fifth Avenues in Asbury Park, and Asbury Lanes will have its second Light of Day event.

On Saturday, the 14th, the Light of Day shows start at noon at the Stone Pony and the Wonder Bar. Performers at the Wonder Bar will include Stormin' Norman Seldin with Pam McCoy. There will be music at both venues from noon to 5 p.m.

A children's show, featuring family-friendly music, will be held at McLoone's Supper Club in the afternoon Saturday.

In addition to the main event at the Paramount Theatre Saturday night, the Stone Pony will host a country night, The Saint will also host another night of original music, and Asbury Lanes will hold its third Light of Day event.

Throughout the weekend, the documentary "Just Around the Corner" will be shown at the Showroom, an independent movie house on at 708 Cookman Ave. in Asbury Park. The documentary, produced by Flat Broke Productions, focuses on Light of Day Foundation founder Bob Benjamin, and how he has used music in the fight against Parkinson's disease.

Light of Day 11 will wrap up on Sunday, Jan. 15 with three "Songwriters by the Sea" acoustic singer-songwriter shows at three boardwalk venues: The Watermark at noon; Langosta Lounge at 3 p.m., and McLoone's Supper Club at 6 p.m. McLoone's Supper Club will feature performers on both levels of the venue. Half-way through the show, in the Light of Day version of musical chairs, the performers will switch places, so audience members will see all performers no matter where they are sitting.

Performers at the Sunday acoustic shows will include Pat Guadagno, Jess Klein, Emily Grove, Christine Martucci, Willie Nile, John Eddie, Joe D'Urso and Lisa Bianco.

On Monday, Jan. 16, an official Light of Day breakfast will be held. Stay tuned for further details.

Concert-goers can purchase a Light of Day ticket package to gain admission to all Light of Day events at one low price. Single tickets will also be available for individual shows.

Ticket packages include (all seat descriptions are approximate):

Platinum combo package: $250, include pit or "very best" orchestra seats in the first seven rows at the Paramount. The ticket package includes a commemorative Light of Day New Jersey 2012 VIP laminate; a Light of Day New Jersey 2012 t-shirt, and a gift bag worth more than $200, plus admission to all Light of Day New Jersey 2012 events.

Gold combo package: $175, includes great front orchestra seats in rows 8 to 13 and the loge at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes a commemorative Light of Day New Jersey 2012 VIP laminate, plus admission to all Light of Day New Jersey 2012 events.

Silver combo package: $145, includes great mid-orchestra and lower side orchestra seats at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes admission to all Light of Day New Jersey 2012 events.

Bronze combo package: $109, includes rear orchestra and lower balcony seats at the Paramount, plus admission to all other Light of Day New Jersey 2012 events. The best seats for the dollar!

Individual event ticket prices are:

Paramount Theatre, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, Saturday, Jan. 14: $175 (first seven rows, including the pit), $125 (rows 8 to 13 and the loge), $89 (mid-orchestra and lower side orchestra), $69 (rear orchestra and lower balcony), and Super Saver seats, $39 and $29, in the rear balcony.

Asbury Lanes, 209 Fourth Ave., Thursday, Jan. 12, $15.

The Saint, 601 Main St., Thursday, Jan. 12, $12, 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Friday, Jan. 13: $25 in advance, $30 day of show; all ages, 21 to drink.

Wonder Bar, 1213 Ocean Ave., Rob Dye's open mic, Friday, Jan. 13, $10, 21 and over.

Wonder Bar, Saturday, Jan. 14: $15, all ages, 21 to drink.

Stone Pony, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 14: $15, all ages, 21 to drink.

McLoone's Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave., children's show, Sat., Jan. 14, noon to 3 p.m., $10, all ages.

Stone Pony, Saturday night, Jan. 14 (country show): $20 day of show, all ages, 21 to drink.

The Saint, Saturday, Jan. 14, $12 day of show, 18 to enter, 21 to drink.

The Showroom, 708 Cookman Ave., "Just Around the Corner…" documentary, produced by Flat Broke Productions: $10.

Songwriters by the Sea shows, Sunday, Jan. 15. These tickets will be sold as part of the ticket combo packages, by advance reservations directly with the venue, or at the door on the day of the show:

Watermark, 800 Ocean Ave., noon to 3 p.m.: $15.

Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Ave., 3 to 6 p.m., $15.

McLoone's Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave., 6 to 10 p.m.: $15.

Combo tickets save more than $100 on admission to Light of Day New Jersey 2012, and guarantee your seat at Saturday evening's Paramount Theatre show. Admission to all other events is on a capacity-dependent, first-come, first-serve basis.

MUSICIANS UNITE TO CELEBRATE "THE SOUL OF ASBURY PARK"

2011-10-25T13:48:00.000-04:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- This November, Asbury Park will celebrate many of the artists who helped foster its rich musical heritage at the highly anticipated "The Soul of Asbury Park" concert. The once in a lifetime music event will be hosted at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday, November 12 and will feature noteworthy Asbury Park musicians in addition to an array of acclaimed doo-wop and soul artists.

A follow-up to the success of the sold-out, April-2 concert at the Wonder Bar that featured surprise performances by Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny Lyon, "The Soul of Asbury Park" will again pay tribute to many of the doo-wop and soul musicians who emerged from Asbury Park and achieved great success as artists.

Sponsored by the Asbury Park Historical Society and the Asbury Park Musical Heritage Foundation, the November-12 concert will include performances by Ray, Goodman and Brown, and Bobby Thomas with a special tribute to the Orioles. A reunion of Asbury Park originals The Broadways is slated, along with a special appearance by Nicky Addeo and The Nite Owl Band.

Lenny Welch, one of the most successful soul musicians to emerge from the city, will also grace concert-goers with his musical talent. Welch is best known for his hits "Since I Fell for You," which reached number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, "Ebb Tide" and "A Taste of Honey."

"This will be a very special event," commented Don Stine, president of The Asbury Park Historical Society. "If you missed our sold-out concert this April at the Wonder Bar, this might be your last chance to see all of these truly great Asbury Park performers in one venue."

The Soul of Asbury Park will kick-off at 8:00 p.m. on November 12 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets to the concert are $20.00, $35.00, and $50.00. A limited number of VIP tickets are available and can be purchased for $100; a meet and greet with the performers and cocktail hour beginning at 6:30 p.m. will be included in the VIP package. Valet parking will also be available for purchase.

Tickets to "The Soul of Asbury Park" can be purchased at www.Ticketmaster.com; at the Stone Pony, at First and Ocean Avenues; and at Experience Asbury, on the boardwalk at the Fourth Ave. Pavilion, Thursday through Monday. For more information, please call 732-897-6500.

The Asbury Park Historical Society, The Madonna House, and Asbury Park's West Side Community Center will be represented at the concert.

ALEC BALDWIN. MICHAEL CUMPSTY. UNPLUGGED. at Two River Theater

2011-10-25T11:42:00.002-04:00

(RED BANK, NJ) -— Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces that tickets are now on sale for an intimate evening with actors Alec Baldwin and Michael Cumpsty on Monday, November 21 at 8 pm. This special event will feature the actors in conversation, and will include scenes from great classics and comedies, as well as stories about their careers on stage and screen.

Tickets for this one-night event range from $50 to $350 and are on sale now from 732.345.1400 or trtc.org. Patrons who purchase $350 tickets will enjoy an exclusive pre-show reception with the artists beginning at 6 pm. The reception will include hors d'oeuvres provided by et al fine food, cocktails, and a photo opportunity with Alec Baldwin. This intimate party will be limited to 60 people, who will also receive premium seating in the first few rows of the Rechnitz Theater.

Alec Baldwin made his Broadway debut in 1986 in Joe Orton's Loot. His many stage credits include an acclaimed revival of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, for which he received a 1992 Tony Award nomination, and the title role of Shakespeare's Macbeth at The Public Theater (where he worked with John Dias, now Two River's Artistic Director) in 1998.

Since 2006 he has starred as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock, a performance that has garnered him two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. His screen credits include films as diverse as It's Complicated, The Departed, The Cooler (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), Ghosts of Mississippi, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Hunt for Red October, and Working Girl. He is the announcer for the New York Philharmonic and currently holds the record for most times hosting Saturday Night Live.

Michael Cumpsty was most recently seen as Benedick in Two River's production of Much Ado About Nothing. He has appeared in 14 Broadway productions including Sunday in the Park with George, Enchanted April, 42nd Street, and Copenhagen. His Shakespeare credits include his Obie-winning performance as Hamlet, Richard II, and Richard III, all for Classic Stage; many productions for The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival including the title role of Timon of Athens and Malvolio in Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park; and Leontes in The Winter's Tale for the Royal Shakespeare Company at their home in Stratford-upon-Avon. His film and television credits include Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie, Eat Pray Love, and The Ice Storm.

Two River Theater Company is supported 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, The Hickory Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, Molly Pitcher Inn/Oyster Point Hotel, The Shubert Foundation, Flowerful Events, et al fine food & events, and many other foundations, corporations, and sponsors.

Comedian Joel McHale Comes to Monmouth University

2011-10-24T13:34:00.002-04:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– Maybe you first noticed Joel McHale in his top-billed role on Community, the ensemble comedy series now in its third season on NBC. Portraying Jeff Winger — the disbarred attorney scrambling to get back in the game from the bottom-rung level of fictional Greendale Community College — the actor has hit just the right note as the smarmy, sarcastic (yet strangely sympathetic) ringleader of a motley study group of misfits.

Then again, you might have known Joel McHale from his long-running stint as host of the E! Channel's weekly clip show The Soup — a wild, often wickedly wisecracking vichysoisse collecting the "best" of the worst of TV in a YouTube world, in a manner that combines the sly snarkiness of Tosh.0 with the production values of the old Uncle Floyd Show.

While his leading-man looks and his six-foot-four-inch height might have fast-tracked him on a career as a local news anchor, McHale instead honed his satirical stuff in front of "tough room" audiences as an improv trouper — and his increased visibility on TV has led him to revisit his live comedy skills, as a stand-up comic who literally stands head and shoulders above the pack. On the evening of Saturday, November 5, the Seattle native who's packed theaters from coast to coast returns to New Jersey, in his debut appearance at Monmouth University.

For the 8:30 p.m. event, produced by Concerts East and AEG Live and presented by the Center for the Arts at Monmouth, the comedian takes the stage of the only venue on our West Long Branch campus that's big enough to contain him — the all-new MAC at Monmouth University. Since opening its gates two years ago, the multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena has been home court to Monmouth Hawks NCAA Basketball — and has hosted a series of sold-out concerts by top alternative rock and hip-hop acts, as well as Hall of Fame music legends Bob Dylan and Jackson Browne. In short, it's a far cry from the paintball-pelted auditorium of Greendale CC.

Mixing comedic bits that draw from his personal life (as a family-guy father of two) with anecdotes and observations that strafe the current darlings of popular culture (E! colleague Ryan Seacrest remains a perennial butt of the jokes), McHale performs a crowd-pleasing, energetic set for modern audiences; one that's simultaneously reference-savvy and candidly universal.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the MAC venue's box office opening for day-of-show ticket sales at 5:00 p.m. on November 5. To purchase tickets in advance, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts. Patrons will be able to purchase up to 8 tickets for this event, and the parking lot will open at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the show, with a $10 parking fee per vehicle.

'Civil War' speaks anew to the 21st century, at Monmouth University

2011-10-24T13:29:00.002-04:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– Its bloody battles decimated a generation, tore families asunder and exposed wounds that a nation still struggles to come to grips with.

At the heart of America's Civil War, however, were personal stories of courage, conscience and complicated emotions that played out on the most intimate of battlefields.

Here in the 150th anniversary year of the outbreak of the War Between the States, the people who lived this history — from plantation slaves to storied commanders — have returned to speak to us through Civil War Voices: Songs and Memoirs of Five Extraordinary Lives, a touring multimedia theatrical presentation that adds light and life to this darkest chapter in U.S. history.

On the afternoon of Sunday, October 30, the Center for the Arts at Monmouth University welcomes Civil War Voices to the stage of the Pollak Theatre, as part of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series on our West Long Branch, NJ campus.

Using stirring renditions of period songs, as well as the actual diaries and letters of the people who lived it, this musical drama by composer/arranger Mark Hayes and book author James R. Harris conjures the era of the Civil War through illuminating portraits of five real life Americans — the conflicted Southern planter and reluctant soldier Joe Harris, the former slave Elizabeth Keckley (who became Mary Todd Lincoln's closest confidante), the separated-by-war spouses Theo and Harriet Perry, and the college professor who would go down in history as the heroic General Joshua Chamberlain.

Investing familiar hymns, marches and folk spirituals like "Amazing Grace," "Dixie," "When Johnny Comes marching Home" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" with new relevance, the play traces the timeline of the Civil War through triumphs and tragedies that impact an entire nation, or just a single household — from the birth of a child whose father has gone off to war, to the joy and grief of a freed slave at the news of the Confederate surrender and the Lincoln assassination. An ensemble of professional actors brings this fully staged and costumed musical to life in a production that's been seen at colleges, museums and performing arts centers from the Manhattan theater district to the battlegrounds at Gettysburg.

"Civil War Voices" is not just for Civil War buffs. The show reflects the struggles, large and small, of both the North and the South – stories not found in history books. "The really beautiful thing is, by the end of the play, we see that even though it was North vs. the South, we all were so much the same, with such similar human hopes and fears," said Assistant Director Katy Brown.

The Center for the Arts at Monmouth University is proud to offer the New Jersey premiere of Civil War Voices, on a Performing Arts Series program that's been honored by the NJ State Council on the Arts and the Monmouth County Arts Council for an ongoing mission of education, enrichment and dedication to the community.

To purchase tickets, or for additional information on the 2011-2012 Performing Arts season, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts.

East Lynne Theater Company presents "Sherlock Holmes' Adventure of the Norwood Builder"

2011-10-24T10:53:00.000-04:00

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- "We're not getting all the evidence. I feel it in my bones. Unless some lucky chance comes our way, I fear that the Norwood Disappearance Case will not figure in that chronicle of our successes." Sherlock Holmes is speaking to his loyal friend Dr. Watson. They are trying desperately to prove that a young lawyer did not commit murder, while Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard is convinced of it.

     Step back in time, on Friday Nov. 4 and Saturday Nov. 5 at 8:00p.m., when the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes' Adventure of the Norwood Builder" in the style of a radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects and commercials, just like the Sherlock Holmes' radio series on NBC that premiered in 1930. Artistic Director Gayle Stahlhuth, who recently adapted the works of Dorothy Parker for ELTC, wrote the script.

     Lee O'Connor is once more portraying Holmes, and Fred Velde returns as Dr. Watson. Lee first portrayed Holmes in ELTC's William Gillette's "Sherlock Holmes" and has become one of the main storytellers for the company's "Tales of the Victorians." Fred, who was in ELTC's "Anna Christie," "Rain," and “Dulcy,” has appeared in over fifty shows in NYC, including the off-Broadway revival of Mae West's "Sex."

     Portraying several other roles are Thomas Raniszewski, James Rana and Gayle Stahlhuth. Thomas recently received critical acclaim as Warren in the Philadelphia premiere of "The Twentieth Century Way." ELTC shows include "Berkeley Square" and "Dulcy." Actor, writer, and variety artist, James Rana, has performed throughout North America and Europe, and is making his debut with ELTC. He is the featured performer at ELTC's upcoming fundraiser on Nov. 10, and the adaptor of "The Poe Mysteries," which will be ELTC's world premiere play in the summer of 2012. Gayle recently was in "Dulcy" and directs. Rob LeMaire, who appeared in several ELTC productions including "Helpful Hints" and "The Ransom of Red Chief," with his son Bobby, is also portraying several roles, and operating the live sound effects.

     The performances are at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for full-time students, and, as always, anyone age 12 and under is free. For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. "Adventure of the Norwood Builder" is part of Cape May's "Sherlock Holmes' Weekend." For other Sherlock Holmes' events, contact The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities at 884-5404 or online at www.capemaymac.org.

     East Lynne's production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea's Restaurant, and La Mer Beachfront Inn; The NJ Dept. of State, Division of Travel & Tourism; NJ State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity of many patrons. An opportunity to come out and support The East Lynne Theater Company is on Thursday Nov. 10 at ELTC's annual fundraiser at Aleathea's Restaurant. Contact the theater for details.

THE FLIP SIDE OF NILS LOFGREN

2011-10-24T10:09:00.000-04:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -– Nils Lofgren will perform at Monmouth University's Pollak Theatre on Friday, October 28 at 8 p.m. In addition to performing at Monmouth University, Lofgren will donate a signed photograph of himself and Bruce Springsteen performing on stage to the Bruce Springsteen Collection. The Collection will open at Monmouth University on November 1.

What was that they used to say about Ginger Rogers — that she could do everything Fred Astaire could do, only backwards and in heels? Well, Nils Lofgren can match any of the world's greatest guitar heroes lick for lick — even, on occasion, while upside down.

The veteran singer, songwriter and axeman first emerged from a crowded field of rock-star hopefuls in the early 1970s when he became known as the man with the moves — a player whose pyrotechnic prowess on the electrified strings was supercharged on stage by gravity-defying backflips, leaps and dance gymnastics.

Whether he was fronting the power trio known as Grin or creating FM solo staples like "Keith Don't Go" and "I Came to Dance," the Maryland-based musician was causing some fairly formidable fans to flip over his skills as sideman, collaborator and all-around lieutenant — from Neil Young (who drafted a then-teenage Nils into membership in Crazy Horse) and Lou Reed, to Bruce Springsteen, who famously rolled out the E Street welcome wagon for Lofgren when Steve Van Zandt announced his departure from full-time band duty.

More than 25 years after the landmark Born in the USA tour, Nils Lofgren continues to contribute eloquent, passionately played guitar leads — augmented, even despite double hip replacement surgery, by stadium-pleasing somersaults, trampoline flips and dance moves — to the Boss's albums and full-band concerts. In recent years, however, a new generation has discovered what thousands of longtime fans have already known: the fact that Nils Lofgren can make an audience ooh and aah simply by sitting on a stool with his guitar.

On the evening of Friday, October 28, Lofgren takes the stage of the Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University for a special concert presentation that offers a rare and intimate look at this ever-evolving, ever-surprising guitarist at work. Produced in conjunction with Concerts East, the 8 p.m. event is presented by the Center for the Arts at Monmouth as part of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series on the West Long Branch campus.

On solo projects like the 2006 Acoustic Live and a 2008 album of stripped-down Young covers, Lofgren put forward a quieter, if no less intense, "flip side" to his stadium-scale stage persona — with acclaimed shows at venues like the legendary Stone Pony, and a polyrhythmic fingerstyle method of guitar playing that has drawn comparisons to British master Richard Thompson — himself a frequent guest on the Pollak stage.

Lofgren's appearance at Monmouth University's flagship auditorium follows recent one man/ one guitar gigs by folk-rock legends Roger McGuinn and Richie Havens, as well as by international hitmaker Colin Hay and musically minded movie star Jeff Daniels. Promising a set of freshly reinterpreted classics and other surprises by Lofgren and his many friends, the guitarist's show is expected to feel right at home inside the Pollak, a performance venue that has been justifiably hailed as one of New Jersey's premier theaters for acoustic music.

To purchase tickets, or for additional information about the 2011-2012 Performing Arts season, please contact the Monmouth University Performing Arts Box Office at 732-263-6889, or online at www.monmouth.edu/arts.

The Theater Project Presents a Showcase of Original One-Act Plays

2011-10-23T16:48:00.000-04:00

(West Orange, NJ) -- The Theater Project, Union County College's Professional Theater Company, will perform a showcase of original one-act plays by local playwrights from The Theater Project's Writers' Workshop one weekend only on November 10-12 at the Arts Incubator in West Orange.

This year's Kabaret also includes the first prize-winner of The Theater Project's annual Young Playwrights Competition. Inclusion of "The Tangerine Dress" by Janine Puhak of Cranford forwards The Theater Project's mission to develop the next generation of theatergoers and practitioners. Janine Puhak attends Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung.

The seven adult authors come from all over the state: "Feet First" by Joe Vitale (Denville), "Coda" by Rachel Rubin Ladutke (Nutley), "Thought Police" by Ed Lataro (Toms River) "Til She Drops" by Shane Mullery (Princeton), "Love on Route 27" by Jewel Seehaus-Fisher (Highland Park), "Under the Elephant" by Ed Shakespeare (Lavalette), and "Recycling Day" by Pete Ernst (Palisades Park). All the authors are members of The Theater Project's Playwrights Workshop, which also presents script-in-hand performances of original full-length plays.

Performance times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with an additional Saturday matinee performance at 3pm. All performances will take place at the New Jersey Arts Incubator in the rear of the Essex Green Shopping Center on Prospect Avenue just off I-280 in West Orange, NJ. Tickets are $20 and student discounted tickets are $10.

Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, contact The Theater Project at (908) 809-8865 or by email at THEATERPROJECT@aol.com The New Jersey Arts Incubator is in the rear of the Essex Green Shopping Center next to the cinemas and behind Panera Bread, 495 Prospect Avenue in West Orange. Additional information is available at TheTheaterProject.org or NJAI.org.

Benefit Luncheon, Wearable Art Fashion Show and Sale In Leonardo

2011-10-23T16:43:00.002-04:00

(LEONARDO, NJ) -- The Atlantic Highlands Arts Council is presenting a fashion show and sale of unique artist-designed and created clothing and jewelry for women, men, and children on Sunday, November 13 at 12:30pm. Wearable art will be modeled during an elegant luncheon at the renovated Beacon Hill Country Club with its spectacular views of the New York City skyline and Sandy Hook Bay.

Each item, including clothing and jewelry for all ages, as well as shawls, scarves, hats and accessories, is an original work of art. More than twenty accomplished, talented artists have been selected by the Arts Council jury, and many will model their own creations.

Student artists have also been invited to exhibit and sell original and affordable artist-designed hand-crafted works of wearable art, with all proceeds of student sales to benefit the newly formed Atlantic Highlands Junior Arts Council. This is an opportunity to own or give an original, wearable. work of art this holiday season.

Tickets are only $50, $45 for Atlantic Highlands Arts Council members. They may be purchased online at http://www.atlantichighlandsartscouncil.org,or by phone to 732-737-7160 or email to barblipton@gmail.com

The Beacon Hill Country Club is located at 8 Beacon Hill Drive, Leonardo, NJ, 07716, close to the intersection of Leonardville Rd. and Rte. 36.

TWO RIVER THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND PERFORMER NILAJA SUN IN NO CHILD....

2011-10-23T16:35:00.002-04:00

(RED BANK, NJ) -— Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, continues its season with the critically acclaimed play No Child..., a multi-character, one-person show written and performed by Nilaja Sun and directed by Hal Brooks. Performances will begin in Two River's Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, November 1 and continue through Sunday, November 20. The opening night performance is Saturday, November 5 at 8pm.

Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or www.trtc.org. Single ticket prices start at $45. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, students, and patrons aged 30 and under.

Nilaja Sun makes her Two River debut with this tour-de-force solo performance, which she based on her own experiences working in the New York public schools. Since its 2006 world premiere, Sun has received 21 awards for No Child..., and she has performed the play to acclaim in theaters around the country and internationally.

No Child... tells the story of a dedicated teaching artist and her work with a group of 10th graders in a Bronx public school. Transforming herself into 16 different characters, Sun captures the voices of an entire classroom of students, their teachers and family members, the principal, a janitor, and a security guard. Her virtuosic performance, which has been lauded for its passion and rapid-fire humor, proves that one person can make a difference—and shows us the transformative power of art.

In conjunction with this production, Two River will offer discussions and events inspired by the themes of the play. The run will kick off on Monday, October 24 from 5 pm-7 pm with "A Love Letter to Teachers," an event celebrating local educators. Sun will discuss the play over cocktails and conversation at Two River, joined by Artistic Director John Dias and Alysia Souder, a member of the Steering Committee for the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership.

Two River Theater will also use the themes of No Child... as the basis for this season's PlayBack, an original performance devised and performed by local high school students. In this intensive, 12-week program, participating students work with professional teaching artists to create an original play or musical inspired by a production in the theater's season—but drawn from their own lives, experiences, and questions about the world. Students in this year's program will have opportunities to work with Nilaja Sun on the play they create, which will be performed at the theater in January, 2012. More information about Play Back will be announced at a later date.

Says Artistic Director John Dias, "I saw No Child... in its first Off-Broadway production, and was so moved by Nilaja's performance, and her writing, that I went back to see it two more times. This is theater at its purest and most powerful. I believe, as Nilaja does, that art really can change lives, and I am delighted to bring her glorious performance—artfully directed by Hal Brooks—to our stage."

Nilaja Sun (Playwright) has received 21 awards for her creation and performance of No Child..., including an Obie, Lucille Lortel Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards including the John Gassner Playwriting Award for New American Play, the Helen Hayes Award in Washington, D.C., an LA Ovation Award, and Best One-Person Show at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. She was a teaching artist in the New York public school system for eight years while performing in numerous off-Broadway shows.

Hal Brooks (Director) has worked with Nilaja Sun on No Child... since its original run in New York in 2006. His other credits include the world premiere of Will Eno's Thom Paine, the current revival of Ionesco's The Bald Soprano at the Pearl Theatre, and Two River's 2010 production of Steve Martin's Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He was recently appointed Artistic Director of the Cape Cod Theatre Project in Falmouth, Mass.

The creative team for No Child... includes scenic designer Neil Prince, costume designer Jessica Gaffney, lighting designer Mark Barton, and sound designer Ron Russell. The stage manager is Whitney McAnally.

For complete biographies of the company, visit www.trtc.org.

An Interview With The Monacchio's

2011-10-19T21:00:00.002-04:00

by Gary Wien

On Friday, October 21 from 7:00pm - 10:00pm, Keith & Sheli Monacchio will host a CD release party for Wedding Album at Espresso Joe's (50 West Front Street, Keyport, NJ). NewJerseyStage.com had the chance to speak with the two songwriters on writing together, how they avoided sounding cheesy, and what the future holds for them...

How did you and Sheli come up with the idea for the Wedding Album? Was it an idea from the start or did you just start writing songs together and liked how the songs went together?

Keith -- When we started talking about what kind of wedding favors to give people at our wedding, we really wanted to do something different. It was a logical choice that it would be something to do with music. Something that represented the both of us, but was a bit different (although I once got a fish as a wedding favor, which I thought was a little presumptuous of the bride & groom. Do people really want to leave your wedding with a pet?!!? Hey, why stop at a fish? Really, what's next!?!? How about a puppy or a kitten?   I mean, you go to someone's wedding and then you have to go to PetSmart on the way home to get supplies!?!)

Sorry about that my rant... Anyway, I had the idea of us maybe trying to write 3 or 4 songs and releasing an EP at the wedding, just for our guests. Well, 3 or 4 turned into 7 or 8 then we were like "we might as well make it a nice round number, so we wrote two more". Before we knew it we had the album. Me being me I said, we might as well have a proper release for everyone. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the wisest choice to put the pressure of recording an entire record, along with planning, and don't forget paying, for a wedding in a 5-month span of time. The two weeks before your wedding is really stressful for any couple. But, then to throw in finishing up the vocal tracks, mixing, mastering, artwork, changes, sending them off to print, etc. We really should have our heads examined. BTW, I would totally do it all over again, because I love the songs!!

It's rather appropriate I guess to have an album like follow your last solo release. Did you ever think of the irony of an album about a guy searching for love and then the follow-up Wedding Album?

Yes, it is really ironic. I guess when you put the feelers out without all the negative shit that goes along with it, people respond. I went through a period of writing songs that didn't have a proper balance to them lyrically. What I mean is the songs were leaning to much in one direction. Either a song was to "flowery" (although not a whole lot) or to much "woe is me" (these I had a ton of). The Long Evening was my way of freeing myself from that kind of negative thinking, without losing that glass half-empty edge, because that's who I am at this point in my life. Not everything is rosy, but everything doesn't suck either.

What was it like writing with Sheli? Did you two continue to write your normal way and bring ideas to each other or did you actually work as songwriting partners from the start?

We hadn't really collaborated on writing songs before this. A few times we would run different songs by each other and maybe make a suggestion about a lyric or a chord progression, but never start to finish or working with a blank canvas. I haven't collaborated with anyone, since Joe Baker (The Semibeings), in the 90's. This was not totally new territory for me, but it had been quite a while since I sat down to write a song with another person. I thought since we have been writing on our own for so long we should try to just ease into the process. I gave her the chords and the melody, and the first line of the chorus. Then I said "lets go to separate rooms and write a verse each and see what happens". After she got done looking at me like I was nuts, we came up with basic shell of "I Could Get Used To You". When we got that first song under our belts, we ditched the idea of writing in separate rooms and just sat together with guitars and started bouncing off ideas. I think the most important thing was just being open to whatever idea the other person had and exploring it to the fullest. It actually was quite nice to be the co-pilot and not to have all the ideas. It took a lot of the pressure off of both of us.

I like how the album contains a pair of your extended family -- Melissa Anthony and Sean (who seems like a brother to you). You've obviously worked with Sean for a long time, what was it like recording with Melissa? I know you've been a fan of hers for a long time.

Keith -- Melissa Anthony is hands down, the best female songwriter on the scene today, bar none. I don't say that because she's Sheli's daughter, I say it because she is a phenomenal talent. Those who see her perform once, come away thinking the same way. I actually played a show with her before before Sheli and I even got together. We were trading off songs and she said "here is a new song called "Salty Lungs & Loose Teeth". I was totally knocked out by what was coming out of this girls mouth I almost fell off my chair. What a fucking great song!! Just a brilliant, brilliant, songwriter. An undiscovered treasure that will leave a big fat scar on the NJ scene and beyond, if she chooses to. At only nineteen years old, the sky is the limit for Melissa. Everyone, should go see her band, we are. Go see them play live!! She did a fantastic job for us in the studio, a total pro.

Sheli -- The reason I started playing guitar in 2003-2004 is because both of my kids got guitars. I wanted to bond with them somehow through the music and I was not sure where that would take us all. My son would play guitar in his room, but was shy overall and wouldn't play in front of people. He has also written songs, that not many people have heard. Melissa started playing and would shake an egg along with me at my first open mics. Then in 2005, I started performing out at various open mics and shows, and Melissa would sing along with the most beautiful harmonies. She is an absolute natural. By the time I wrote the songs for my first album Digging For Daylight, Melissa had parts in all the songs and was a part of my music that I didn't want to do without. I was still new at playing out and the fact that she was a part of it, made it so much easier and so much more fun for me. She started writing her own songs and released her first album called Paint the Walls that many people haven't heard. At age 15 her songs were well beyond her years! We had a cd release on her sweet sixteen birthday and I cannot tell you how proud that Melissa made me. It brought me such joy performing with her and warmed my heart. It was always my favorite part of the music. Then she started performing in we are. and I performed more on a solo basis after that. Keith and I thought it would be appropriate to have Melissa sing on this record. One reason was to signify our new family through marriage. The other reason was because this project was so special to me. If anyone else was to join us, it would not have been the same. Working with Melissa again was one of my favorite parts of this project and something I will never forget. Her vocal additions on "Lost at Sea" and "Safe Harbor" actually brought tears to my eyes in the studio. I cannot put into words how proud I am of my beautiful and talented daughter. I am blessed to have her in my life.

Keith -- Sean Glonek has been a good friend for a long time now. We were also in a band together, the Commons, for almost ten years. He produced all the Commons records and has since produced my solo record and Sheli's last record, as well as countless others. The work he's doing at SRG Studios is some of the finest in New Jersey. I realize that people think that Trenton is a ways away from everything but it's smack dab in the middle of the State. I wish more bands would look past the confines of the 3 or 4 studios recording the same zillion bands year in and year out and come to SRG. Yes, he's my friend and I'm a big fan of his work, but I would be the same way if I was just a regular customer. The guy is the hardest, most meticulous, engineer I've ever worked with and his musical knowledge is right up there with the best of them. He won't rest until the song is right.

You two pull off a pretty rare trick in doing a project like this and not seeming "cheesy" in any way. The songs sound like something either one of you could or would have released on your own. Was there any worry that the idea might seem too forced or cheesy?

Sheli -- This was actually a huge concern for us in the beginning. We didn't want people to hear that we wrote an album called Wedding Album and judge the project before they even heard it. We wanted people to listen to the songs and react to the songwriting, just as most songwriters want when people hear their music. We want fans to look at Wedding Album as The Monacchio's debut album, and not the concept that we wrote an "album for our wedding". I suppose this is why we are going ahead with an actual record release. What started out as an idea for 3 songs for a wedding favor took an unexpected turn. Collaborating over a 5 month period and ten songs later, "Wedding Album" was born. Because of the direction the project took, we are very proud of where it ended up. The title is indeed appropriate because we were having a wedding, but I would like to think if we put any other title on this record, it would still be a respected album.

Keith -- Probably the reason we open the record with "The Great Flood" which is a murder ballad. So, even if people have reservations about the possible "cheese, sappiness" factor of something called "Wedding Album".   I'm more than positive that those feelings will diminish greatly after the father shoots his daughter's boyfriend in the closing verse of track # 1.

Do you plan on doing future releases together or just guesting on either other's work?

Sheli -- I think both are in the cards for the future. The process of writing together was very organic. I have tried to write with people in the past. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. Regarding our writing together, I was prepared for it to go either way. I thought we would either kill one another or this would turn out to be a very unique and special collaboration. I am happy to say we are both still here to talk about this album. I would absolutely write more albums with Keith, especially knowing that we will not have only 5 months to finish a project as we did with this one. I was lucky to have Keith record with me on my last project "Kansas" and he has been "guesting" with me ever since. I have been playing with some guitar and vocals to some of his songs as well and I do enjoy backing each other up as well. I look forward to doing both in the future.

Keith -- I think if we have a good batch of songs that we like as much as these, then there will definitely be another record. I liked playing on Sheli's stuff, so I would love to that again for her next solo release. I have one EP in the can, that got put on the backburner because of this project. I'll be releasing that quietly in the spring. As far as full length records, I think I have one more in me and then I'll be taking a much needed break from writing and recording. I'd like to focus on other things, besides music, for awhile. See what else is out there.

Regarding your wedding, it was a huge outpouring of support from the Jersey music scene. What was that day like for you?

Sheli -- I agree. In this last year and a half we have had mixed reactions to me and Keith becoming a couple. We've had many ups and downs during that time, however we always found a way to come together to get through everything. The roads we each have traveled separately throughout the past 20 something years have lead us to that wedding day. It was exactly what we wanted. To not just get married to each other, but also to be surrounded by our family and friends. We wish we could have had even more of our friends there but I know people understand budget issues.  Keith and I are very lucky to have such great people in our lives every day, not just on our wedding day.

How was the honeymoon?

Sheli -- Considering that the honeymoon started at 3:45 am the evening of our wedding (our flight was at 6:45 am), it was such a great way to start our lives together. We were actually given our honeymoon as a gift, and what a gift it was. We stayed in Palm Desert, CA and visited Palm Springs, Encinitas, San Diego and Joshua Tree. It was the perfect way to relax after planning a wedding and finishing a record! The day before we went home, we were lucky enough to attend The Joshua Tree Roots Music Festival and Keith and I compared it to PhanPhest as there were many similarities. What a great festival, and great way to end our honeymoon before heading back to New Jersey.

What are your plans for after the cd release party? Are you going to set up a little tour together?

Sheli -- We were just talking about this! We are actually going to look at the idea of doing some short house concert tours. We believe our music is very conducive to the House Concert circle. Maybe we will take a weekend..or 5-10 days at a time on the road throughout next year.  Keith and I think it would be a great opportunity for us to get our music heard if we get out there and tour a bit. Keith tells stories of touring with The Semibeings that are quite interesting and I am trusting that he's learned what to do and what NOT TO DO over the years by the time our tour comes around.

Keith -- We'll keep the focus here for this year doing some small mini-tour type things, as well as our regular gigs. Hopefully, we can make some plans to do a few weeks overseas in England & Ireland. That is something I've always wanted to do and Sheli is game for doing it, as well. Anybody have any booking contacts over there? Give us a shout!!

Premiere Stages at Kean University Seeks Submissions for the 2012 Play Festival

2011-10-19T20:39:00.002-04:00

(UNION, NJ) -- Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University seeks submissions to the 8th Annual Premiere Stages Play Festival. The yearly competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental opportunities to four playwrights born or currently residing in the greater metropolitan area (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut). The winner of the festival will be awarded $2,000 and a full Equity production in Premiere's 2012 season. The runner-up will receive $750 and an Equity workshop in June; two other writers will receive Staged Readings in March and a cash prize of $500.

Through the uniquely accelerated Play Festival process, Premiere Stages provides an encouraging and focused environment in which playwrights can see their work move quickly from page to stage. Premiere Stages also actively advocates for Festival writers, helps playwrights reach out to other theatres to secure subsequent productions, and partners with other organizations and theatres to extend the profile and life of the works developed.

"What makes Premiere unique is that we fast track plays from a sit-down reading to a fully staged production within a few short months, keeping highly topical plays relevant while affording playwrights the benefit of retaining the world premiere rights," stated John Wooten, Producing Artistic Director of Premiere Stages. "Second productions of new plays are extremely rare, and demanding the 'world premiere' brand often stops a play dead in its tracks."

In its seven seasons, Play Festival has developed over twenty-five plays. Most recent works include the 2011 hit Follow Me to Nellie's by Dominique Morisseau, starring Lynda Gravatt (stage and screen veteran, television's Law and Order), James Christy's Egyptian Song (2011 Runner-Up and a current National New Play Network nominee), and 2010 winner The Good Counselor by Kathryn Grant, which was named as the runner up for the prestigious 2011 American Theatre Critics Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award.

All entries are evaluated by a panel of theatre professionals in consultation with the Artistic Director and Resident Dramaturg. Agents may submit full scripts; playwrights may submit a synopsis and script sample directly. Postmark deadline is January 15, 2012. No entry fee. Complete submission guidelines available at www.kean.edu/premierestages.

Premiere Stages is a member, Actors' Equity Association, and is made possible in part through funding from The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Northfield Bank Foundation, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and through the generous support of individual patrons.

Premiere Stages offers affordable prices, air-conditioned facilities, free parking close to the theatre and discounted tickets to patrons with disabilities. All Premiere Stages facilities are fully accessible spaces. Please call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Assistive listening devices and large print programs are available at all times. Publications are available with advanced notice in alternate formats.

Cape May Stage Offers Two Special Afternoons of Theatre for John Logan's RED

2011-10-19T20:32:00.000-04:00

(Cape May, NJ) -- Cape May Stage, Cape May's premier professional Equity theatre, with the support of Sturdy Savings Bank, is offering big discounts this month at Cape May Stage by hosting two special matinees of theatre. The theatre's production of Red, John Logan's Tony award-winning play about abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, now playing at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, has scheduled a 'Pay What You Can' performance on November 5th followed by a half-price 'Senior Matinee' on November 12th.

On Saturday, November 5, theatre-goers are invited to attend a 'Pay What You Can' matinee performance at 3 p.m. The ticket amount paid is entirely at the discretion of the theatergoer (you decide the ticket price!) and is intended to draw those who are deterred by the traditionally higher prices. On Saturday, November 12, seniors, 62 and over, are invited to attend a 3 p.m. performance of Red at the discounted rate of $15 per ticket (that's 50% off regular box office prices). 'Senior Matinees' sell out very quickly, so reservations are a must!

Red chronicles tormented painter, Mark Rothko's (Roy Steinberg) two-year struggle to complete a lucrative set of murals for Manhattan's exclusive Four Seasons restaurant, and his fraught relationship with a seemingly naive young assistant (RJ Barnett), who must choose between appeasing his mentor—and changing the course of art history. Set amid the swiftly changing cultural tide of the early 1960s, Red is a startling snapshot of a brilliant artist at the height of his fame; a play hailed as “intense and exciting” by the New York Times.

Cape May Stage encourages audiences to take advantage of these two upcoming special promotions. Tickets for designated 'pay what you can' performances go on sale at the box office at 2:45 p.m. prior to a 3 p.m. curtain time on November 5. Patrons may elect to pay anywhere from $1 to the normal ticket price of $35 adults, $30 seniors, and $15 students. Whatever tickets have not been sold for that performance will be 'pay what you can' and will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Cash sales and exact change only. Seating for all 'pay what you can' performances is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.

Red runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse located at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets (405 Lafayette) in downtown Cape May. The final public performance of the current run is at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening, November 19th.

Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors (62+), and $15 students. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org. This production contains inappropriate language.

Red is presented through the gracious support of the Saltwood House Bed & Breakfast and Hemingway's at the Grand Hotel. This season's sponsors include 410 Bank Street/Frescos, Exit Zero, CapeSCape, The Corner Cottage Apartments, Harry's Bar & Grille at the Montreal Inn, La Mer Beachfront Inn, Lucky Bones, Cape May Winery, and The Washington Inn.

GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL ISSUES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR INDEPENDENT FILMS AND MOVIE MUSIC CATEGORIES FOR 2012 EVENT MARCH 22-March 25, 2012

2011-10-19T20:27:00.000-04:00

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- A worldwide "Call for Entries" has been issued to independent filmmakers by The Garden State Film Festival. The deadline for submissions is December 1, 2011. Filmmakers will find submission instructions on the festival's web site at www.gsff.org.

The Garden State Film Festival, celebrating its tenth anniversary, is New Jersey's largest and most respected film festival, having attracted records crowds of over 30,000 for the past four years. The 2012 Festival returns to the Paramount Theater On-the-Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey, March 22-March 25th, 2012 and will feature film competition for independent filmmakers, open talent casting call, panel discussions, free school field trip opportunity, and opening and closing ceremonies. A panel of professional judges will select winning entries in a number of categories, including best Feature Length, Short , Documentary (short and feature length), Animation (short and feature length), Music Video, PSA, Commercial and Trailers.

In addition The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) was the first festival to create a category to recognize the musical compositions and the role music plays in the cinematic arts.   To date, it remains the only independent film festival to recognize composers, artists and producers of scores, soundtracks and theme songs judged solely on their own merit. Producers may submit their works, regardless of whether the film has been submitted or accepted.

"We created the Movie Music category in recognition of the role movie music plays in the cinematic arts. NJ has a rich musical history and represents a crossroads of the film and music industries," making the largest and most respected film festival in NJ the most appropriate forum for the people behind the music." states Executive Director Diane Raver.

The GSFF invites all music makers who have written and produced tracks for independent films to be recognized for the part they play in the production of fine films. Filmmakers are invited to submit (on CD format) any movie music from an independent film in any category that will be judged by music industry professionals in the new category, dubbed the GSFF Movie Music Track Competition. Information about the Movie Music Track Competition is also on the web site at www.gsff.org.

The winners of all competitions will be recognized at The GSFF Black Tie Awards Dinner held on March 25th, 2012 at The Crystal Point in Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ.

About the 10th Annual Garden State Film Festival

The Garden State Film Festival was born in 2002 after a chance encounter in a Sea Girt, NJ Grocery store by 25-year film industry veteran Diane Raver and the well-known Hollywood actor Robert Pastorelli. Through his deep ties to Hollywood Mr. Pastorelli and Ms. Raver were able to bring the Garden State Film Festival to life at its successful premiere in 2003. Since that time, such industry notables such as Glenn Close, Frank Vincent, Batman producer Michael Uslan, Austin Pendleton, Kurtwood Smith, James Gandolfini, Budd Schulberg,Clarence Clemons, Bruce Stringsteen and others have lent their support. GSFF is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization held in the spring of each year at the Paramount Theater/Convention Hall complex as well as other venues in Asbury Park, New Jersey and surrounding area. For more information about the Garden State Film Festival please visit http://www.gsff.org   or call 1-877-908-7050.

About the Sponsors of the 10th Annual Garden State Film Festival

The 10h Annual Garden State Film Festival could not be possible with out the generous support of the following sponsors. Platinum sponsors, who present the festival, are The Asbury Park Press, In Jersey Magazine, Metromix Jersey Shore and the Islander. The gold sponsor is Madison Marquette. Silver Sponsors include NJ Transit, Video Corporation of America, visitnj.org, Monmouth County Arts Council. Bronze sponsors include, Saker Shop Rites, Inc., Currents Magazine, njscreenwriter.org and Media Services. Contributors include the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, , The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, , Tim McLoone's Supper Club, King Limousine and Car Service.

For more information about our sponsors please visit http://www.gsff.org/sponsors.php.

State Theatre presents 'S Wonderful - The New Gershwin Musical

2011-10-19T20:22:00.002-04:00

(New Brunswick, NJ) -— State Theatre presents 'S Wonderful – The New Gershwin Musical on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 3pm. 'S Wonderful is an all singing, all dancing, musical revue that celebrates the genius of George and Ira Gershwin. Tickets Range from $25-45.

Performed with a live orchestra, 'S Wonderful features over 40 timeless classics including: "Rhapsody in Blue," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Nice Work if You Can Get it," "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and more. Under the direction of Ray Roderick, musical direction of Richard Hip-Flores, and choreography of Vince Pesce, the talented cast of five triple-threat singer/dancer/actors will bring the music of the Gershwin brothers to life.

The cast includes New Jersey native and Edison resident, Kimberly Thomas; Jake Delaney; Katie Mitchell; Cassandra Nuss; and Matthew Rickard.

Incorporating five mini-musicals inspired by the real events occurring in and around the lives of the Gershwin brothers, this new musical illustrates their impact on the world then and now. First it's New York City in 1916 and Paris in the 1930s, followed by Hollywood in the 40s and New Orleans in the 50s. Like a Technicolor® movie musical, 'S Wonderful paints a picture of nostalgia and entertainment while paying tribute to the incomparable songbook of George and Ira Gershwin.

The tour is presented by Maximum Entertainment Productions and producers Todd Gershwin and Dan Chilewich of Premiere Media. The Gershwin families have authorized the use of the Gershwin songbook, making 'S Wonderful a brand new, all-inclusive Gershwin musical.

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 one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

The 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.

East Lynne Theater Company presents an evening of Vaudeville

2011-10-19T20:17:00.002-04:00

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is presenting "Vaudeville!" on Thursday, Nov. 10. The aggressive waiter, the down-and-out dance duo, the Irish landlady, and the spunky ingénue are just a few of the characters that will be comically brought to life by actors who have performed with ELTC. Along with original Vaudeville skits, there is music and singing, a lovely dinner, a raffle, and an introduction to the company’s exciting 2012 Season.

      ELTC's annual gala will once more take place at Aleathea's Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, and the restaurant, once again, is graciously supporting the event.

     The evening begins at 5:30p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. At 6:30, a sumptuous surf and turf dinner is served – along with entertainment that was created and arranged by ELTC board members Karen Case Cook, Mark Edward Lang, and Alison J. Murphy.

     Live music, provided once more by Chris Sooy and Lew London, will embrace the Vaudeville era (1900-1930). Performers include ELTC favorites Suzanne Dawson, Mark Edward Lang, Alison J. Murphy, Lee O'Connor, Thomas Raniszewski, Susan Tischler, and Grace Wright.

     New to ELTC is actor, writer, and variety artist James Rana, who has captivated audiences throughout North America and Europe. He will be performing slight-of-hand, juggling, and his own Vaudeville routines. Rana's varied accomplishments include performing for the Big Apple Circus, to roles in television's "Law and Order SVU." Recently, he wrote and narrated "Poe: A Celebration" for NPR/Satellite radio, and his adaptation of three Poe mysteries will make its world premiere at ELTC in 2012.

     As usual, the recipient of the Historic Jackson Street Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund in the Name of Bob and Toni Green will also be announced, and there will be a few exciting items for a live auction, including the popular "Day in Manhattan with Gayle and Lee."

      ELTC is selling 50/50 Raffle Tickets for $50 each, with the opportunity to win $3,000, $1,500, or $500, and purchasers don't have to be present to win. Only 200 tickets will be sold. Checks should be made out to East Lynne Theater Company and mailed to ELTC's office, 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204. This year, the winners will be among the first tickets drawn; not the last three.

     Entering its thirty-second year of entertaining audiences in Cape May and throughout the country, ELTC has much to celebrate. The reviewer for "The Wall Street Journal," Terry Teachout, came to Cape May in July just to see ELTC's "He and She," giving it a great review. New Methuen Drama Books just published "Working in American Theatre," where ELTC's biography is included among other prestigious theaters in the country.

     To attend "Vaudeville!" costs $60, and checks should be made out to East Lynne Theater Company and mailed to the office. Reservations should be made by November 5. For information and reservations, please call ELTC at 884-5898. All of the proceeds for the evening go to the Equity professional nonprofit East Lynne Theater Company to support the production season and educational outreach. Donations from those unable to attend will be gratefully received, and are tax-deductible.

      Meanwhile, East Lynne’s 2011 Cape May Season still continues with "The Phantom of the Opera" on Oct. 28; "Sherlock Holmes' Adventure of the Norwood Builder" on Nov. 4 and 5 and "Christmas Presents from the Past" on Nov. 25 and 26, and Dec. 4, 9, and 10. ELTC is once more partnering with The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts' "Ghosts of Christmas Trolley Rides" which runs during November and December.

A Dazzling Display of Russian Dance ON KEAN STAGE

2011-10-19T20:13:00.002-04:00

(Union, NJ) -- Kean Stage presents The Lezginka Dance Company in a performance of traditional folk songs and dances, awesome acrobatics, sumptuous costumes and riveting drum and saber work. Hailing from Daghestan, Russia, the troupe takes the stage on Sunday, October 30 at 3:00 pm in Kean University's Wilkins Theatre.

This exotic, exciting dance company was founded in 1958 in the mountainous, southernmost region of Russia. For more than 20 years its organizer and leader was People's Artist of Russia, Tankho Izrailov. The ensemble of 30 dancers and acrobats performs a variety of traditional dances to recorded accompaniment. More than rhythmic movement, their choreography conveys the noble endeavors of the Daghestan people, their heroic past, their abundant present and their promising future. Expressing boundless attachment to their native land, the dances reflect the power of human love, the people's heroic struggle for happiness and enormous pride in their country.

The Lezginka Ensemble offers an extensive program of fiery, temperamental dances of the numerous peoples inhabiting this region. Its entire choreographic and musical works convey the strength and noble endeavors of the Daghestan people, who are in the forefront of national development of the multinational Russian people.

Each concert is a festival of dance, elegance and beauty. The Lezginka Dance Company, with its artistic director and choreographer, Zulumkhan Khanghereiev, (People's Artist and winner of State Prize of the Republic of Daghestan), has created a program that brings forth the people's culture, traditions and high performance mastery in all its brilliance.

"For me, dance is life," said Khanghereiev. "Let your life be like a bright, interesting and unforgettable dance."

Lezginka has performed with consistent success throughout Russia and in many other European and Asian countries. They return to the United States with a presentation of artistic taste and cultural elegance, performed with savage vigor. The company's stage interpretation of traditional folklore leaves an indelible impression on audiences while the wild, athletic energy of their dances leaves audiences astonished.

Tickets to Lezginka Dance Company are $30 standard, $20 seniors & students, and can be purchased by calling Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469), online at www.keanstage.com , or in person at Kean University's Wilkins Theater Box Office, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

Jody, Janis and Stevie, Together Again: Three faces of Shore music legend Jody Joseph are onstage at Monmouth U

2011-10-19T20:08:00.002-04:00

(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) –- In this corner, the iconic Janis Joplin — the Texas tornado who so briefly and decisively tore across the musical landscape of the late 1960s, schooling that peace-and-love generation in the meaning of the blues.

On the opposite end of the stylistic spectrum, Stevie Nicks — the California curiosity-shop coquette whose elf-queen persona has been described as having "cast an arcane and eldritch spell — turning the wasteland of mainstream music into a lush forest (and scattering small woodland creatures before her formidable boots)."

Ask Monmouth County singer, songwriter and teacher Jody Joseph what these rock doyennes have in common, and she'll tell you "absolutely nothing. Nothing in common." On closer investigation, however, the long-gone Joplin and the still-touring Nicks share a very real bond — one that goes by the name of Jody Joseph.

A performer of impeccable musical pedigree (her family tree includes both cousin Jon Bon Jovi and the beloved American tenor Mario Lanza), the diminutive dynamo known as "The Hardest Working Woman in Shore Business" has long been a familiar figure at venues up and down the New Jersey coast, from a host of favorite neighborhood watering spots to the legendary stage of the Stone Pony.

On the evening of Saturday, October 22, Jody Joseph and her band (Bill Frank, Robert Kipp, Jon Rotman, Candice Theinert, Steve Brown, Jon "Huey" Tatlow and B. Jay Willis) take the stage of another high-profile Shore area venue — the Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University — for a special concert presentation entitled One Diva, One Legend, One Woman. Produced in conjunction with Concerts East, the 8 p.m. event is presented by the Center for the Arts at Monmouth as part of the 2011-2012 Performing Arts Series on the West Long Branch campus.

A newly revised edition of a show, conceptually created by Renee Ludwig, that was first seen at Asbury Park's Paramount Theatre in 2009, 1D1L1W is a three-part concert that presents the versatile vocalist (who regularly channels a jukebox-worth of female and male pop icons through her own considerable talents) in character as Joplin, followed in the second act by her interpretation of Nicks.

At the conclusion of the program — and at the heart of this labor of love — stands Jody Joseph herself; a writer of original compositions and a star-quality performer who's garnered widespread acclaim for such self-released recordings as Live at the Stone Pony and the 2010 inspirational ep On My Way Home.

"I've done Janis songs and Stevie songs for years, but I never thought of doing a whole show around either one," explains Joseph, adding that she "didn't want to spend a whole night being other people" without a chance to show how those artists have influenced her own work.

"My biggest fear is that when I'm wearing the Stevie boots, I'll spin right off the edge of the stage into the VIP seats!"

The one-night-only event is sponsored by Retro Fitness, Aerosoles, and The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center, with a portion of the proceeds being dedicated to the American Cancer Society. Reserved seating includes a $48 VIP option that offers a meet-and-greet with the artist.

Freedy Johnston Plus The Health And Happiness Show Headline Hoboken Benefit Show on October 21

2011-10-19T20:00:00.002-04:00

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- If you're a fan of Joe Jackson, Natalie Merchant, Ian Hunter, Marshall Crenshaw, Garland Jeffreys, Freedy Johnston, They Might Be Giants, or Joan Baez (to name just a few) then chances are you already know who bassist Graham Maby is and why his talent has been so sought after and highly regarded among his musical peers for three decades.

For the past couple of years, Graham's wife Mary Beth has been battling cancer (now stage 4) and medical bills. Her friends and Graham's have come together to stage several shows in the coming weeks. Any and all proceeds will go directly toward medical, insurance, and other costs related to MB's illness.

The show takes place Friday, October 21 at 7pm at Maxwell's in Hoboken. Freedy Johnston plus The Health and Happiness Show (featuring James Mastro and Vinnie Dinunzio) will headline.

To contribute, go to PayPal, and enter mbmaby.giftfund2011@yahoo.com.

AirPlay Direct Announces "The APD Win An Americana Record Deal Contest"

2011-10-13T19:57:00.002-04:00

AirPlay Direct, a global leader in digital distribution of content to radio and music programmers and supervisors around the globe, announces "The APD Win An Americana Record Deal Contest" this week at the 2011 Americana Music Conference. The opportunity, which is a "FREE TO ENTER" contest for all AirPlay Direct artist members, includes a package of services worth more than $75,000.

"Americana music is a very important element of the ever-evolving, global, independent music scene," examines Robert Weingartz, Chairman and CEO of AirPlay Direct. "It's also a genre that has allowed artists to grow beyond their core fan base. We've seen successful Americana projects from Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, John Mellencamp, Merle Haggard, John Fogerty, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, etc. Those are names I would never shy from being compared to. We hope to find tomorrow's budding talent with this contest."

The full prize package includes the following:

IMI Records recording contract.
12 song studio recording, musicians, mixing, artwork & retail distribution. Visit www.imimusic.com for additional information on the label.
AirPlay Direct & Direct Buzz global radio distribution and marketing package.
Hard Rock Nashville: 2 live performances or opening act slots.
Western Heart Promotions global radio promotion and reporting package.
PLA Media public relations consulting package.
L.A. Consulting image and performance consultations.
Radio Mavens global internet radio promotion package.

This opportunity is one that cannot be missed. For additional information, visit www.AirPlayDirect.com

AirPlay Direct is a global digital music delivery system servicing radio and the entertainment industry with downloadable content from some of the biggest names in music, alongside rising independent artists. AirPlay Direct's web-based artist marketing, promotion, education, and advocacy platform allows artists, record labels, and music publishers to securely deliver broadcast-quality music and digital press kits to industry professionals worldwide. Our system allows media programmers and film/TV music supervisors to connect to new music, create music calls, browse top downloaded artists, and immediately download music and related artist information. AirPlay Direct recently introduced our genre-based APD Global Radio Indicator Charts™ which track the download activity that our member's music receives from our world-wide radio panel. AirPlay Direct also publishes the digital/interactive publication, the Direct Buzz.

For more information about AirPlay Direct visit www.AirPlayDirect.com.

ROWAN THEATRE BRINGS MEE'S BIG LOVE TO THE STAGE

2011-10-13T19:47:00.000-04:00

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -– Classical drama collides with modern-day excess in Charles Mee's acclaimed play Big Love, a fiercely extravagant adaptation of Aeschylus presented by the Department of Theatre & Dance at Rowan University. Performances are October 28 – November 6 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm) in Tohill Theatre on the Glassboro campus.

The play has been described by The New York Times as "an MGM musical in Technicolor, a circus and, believe it, a Greek tragedy." Fifty brides flee their grooms and seek refuge at a villa on the coast of Italy in a modern reimagining of one of the world's oldest plays, Aeschylus' The Suppliant Maidens, also known as part of The Danaid Tetralogy. The grooms catch up with the brides (represented by just a few actors in this production) and mayhem ensues; with contemporary songs, romantic dances, a bit of violence and more.

Director Melanie Stewart calls it "a messy play." The production mixes pop culture references with surreal qualities and extreme physical action. It is "movement-driven theatre" that plays with time and motion. It created a very intense world. It raises issues of displacement, borders and refugees while also asking many questions, as well: Does love triumph over all? What rights do these women have? Where do these issues reside in the hearts and minds of Rowan students and audiences in 2011?

"It is a fable for our time," Stewart says, calling it "ancient and contemporary all at once."

The cast features Dexter Anderson of Salem, MA as Nikos, Chris Bratek of Mullica Hill as Giuliano, Brittany Cinaglia of Mullica Hill as Olympia, Felix Cori IV of Sewell as Constantine, Anthony Crosby of Cherry Hill as Oed, Kaitlin Kemp of Fredericksburg, VA as Thyona, Jenna Kuerzi of Mullica Hill as Bella, Emily McHale of Mount Laurel as Lydia, Dwight Merritt of Collingswood as Leo, Joseph Napolitano of Dover, DE as Piero and Megan Oates of Bridgewater as Eleanor.

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

Michael Askin Celebrates EP Release In Princeton

2011-10-13T14:56:00.000-04:00

by Gary Wien

Michael Askin, a New Brunswick area singer-songwriter, first made an impression in the Jersey Shore music scene when he joined the popular Asbury Park band known as Divine Sign sometime around 2006. At the time, he was known as the "guitarist with mystique" – part of the band's expanded lineup which led the acoustic duo towards more of a full-fledged rock and roll sound. He would move on to the indie band My State of Attraction, before deciding to head out on his own. With a stripped down, alt-country/acoustic guitar sound, Askin writes deeply personal lyrics that remind me of classic songs from the '70s.

Askin was born and raised in Skillman, NJ (Montgomery Township) and has lived in the New Brunswick area for the past few years. According to his bio, "Askin, like everyone else, has pondered his place in the world, cursed his day job, fallen in and out of love, and searched for happiness."   While pondering, he's been steadily fostering a nice following through shows at coffeehouses like Espresso Joe's in Keyport and performances in Princeton, where he's been part of Sarah Donner's Indie Music Night at the Solley Theater. He returns to the Arts Council of Princeton venue on Friday, October 14 to celebrate the release of his first solo EP. Jersey Shore artist Danny White will open the show.

The EP contains four songs: "Captain of a Sinking Ship", "Home Now", "Spoke Too Soon," and "One and the Same." You can hear the last two at Michael's Ourstage.com page: http://www.ourstage.com/profile/michaelaskin

"I've always been a huge fan of the classic rock heavyweights--Neil Young, the Stones, etc," said Askin. "I also like contemporary artists of that ilk -- Wilco, Ryan Adams, Drive-by Truckers, Spoon, etc. I'm a sucker for good ear candy, such as that 'Pumped up Kicks' song.

"I had great experiences in Divine Sign and My State of Attraction and am still friends with everyone in those two bands. I was also in a band called Loud Earth until about 2005. We had a British blues-rock sound. I still keep in touch with some of the guys from the band. The drummer and guitarist play in an excellent group called Infernal Overdrive which plays that kind of style. I guess I've mellowed out over the years!"

Preproduction of his EP began roughly a year ago. Askin says he was fortunate to work with Amanda Duncan and Joanna Burns, two talented performers and songwriters who also happen to be great producers.   The EP was recorded in two places. Acoustic guitars, vocals, and bass were done at Joanna Burn's place in Hazlet, while drums and strings were recorded in a local studio.

"The songs are mostly about someone trying to persevere despite long odds," said Askin. "Except for 'Spoke Too Soon'. That song's just kind of a downer. I could not be happier with the way things sound."

While Askin hopes the new EP will help him branch out a bit into new venues throughout the region, he's already had the opportunity to play one of the best places in the area for a singer-songwriter – The Tin Angel in Philadelphia. On one occasion, Askin was part of a lineup entirely comprised of artists from New Jersey, which also included Tony Tedesco, Michael Brett, and Keith Monacchio. A van trip from the Shore to Philly organized by Tony Tedesco brought artists and local fans and helped pack the club.

"The Tin Angel is a great room, and that was a great show," recalled Askin. "I think we independent musicians know how humbling it can be to play to empty seats, or a disinterested audience. To see a house packed with friends who had travelled so far to see NJ musicians was amazing. It just shows how strong the Jersey music community is."

One of the artists who helped perform with Askin that night is his significant other, Jerzy Jung. Together, they form yet another tremendously talented couple in the New Jersey music scene. In addition to sharing stages, Askin has even appeared in several of Jerzy's popular "Friday Face" posts on Facebook – something which has developed a cult following of its own.

"Friday Face has really taken on a life of its own," continued Askin. "I know its creator sees the world with a child-like sense of wonder and is a very positive person. It's great to see people responding to that."

Askin's EP release takes place Friday, October 14 from 7pm-10pm at the Arts Council of Princeton (102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton). Admission is $10. Jersey Shore songwriter Danny White will open with an acoustic set.

BlowUpRadio.com Continues Annual Banding Together Benefit Concert For Spondylitis

2011-10-13T13:05:00.000-04:00

Photo of Val Emmich. Photo credit: Ian Witlen

(SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- For the fifth consecutive year, BlowUpRadio.com is bringing together some of New Jersey's best musicians for Banding Together: A Benefit For The Spondylitis Association of America. After three years as an online benefit airing on BlowUpRadio.com & ThePenguinRocks.com, this year Banding Together is going back to being a live concert event.

"The first benefit we did was a live concert at Buddie's Tavern," says Lazlo, the founder of BlowUpRadio.com and the organizer of Banding Together. "Then we brought the benefit to the world with the online webathons. This year, we wanted to make it a live event again where people could both see and hear these amazing musicians."

The benefit will take place Saturday, November 12th, starting at 7 p.m. 100% of the $10 cover charge will go directly to the Spondylitis Association of America to help find a cure for this debilitating disease.

Artists scheduled to perform during Banding Together include:

Black Wine
Eugene DeRobertis (Dr. Void & The Death Machines)
J Orellana (The Tea & Whiskey)
Jay Mazeffect (The Break Evens)
Jim Testa
Jon Caspi
Jonathan Andrew
Joshua Van Ness
Pete Jager (The Extras, Inc.)
Scruff (The Tea & Whiskey)
Val Emmich

The Spondylitis Association Of America (SAA) is a non-profit organization that was the first and remains the largest resource for people affected by spondylitis. Through their efforts, they help advance education, research and treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related diseases. More than 50,000 people per month visit SAA's interactive website to access over 1600 pages of up-to-date content for information and support. For more than 25 years' SAA has dedicated all of its resources to help improve the lives of people coping with spondylitis.

"This is a very personal benefit for me as my wife, Naomi, suffers from ankylosing spondylitis (AS).", says Lazlo, "I have seen the debilitating effects of this disease and the chronic pain and discomfort it causes. This benefit is the least I can do to help my wife, and over a million others who suffer from AS."

Buddie's Tavern is located at 277 Johnsons Lane, Parlin (Sayreville), NJ

For more information, go to http://www.BlowupRadio.com

East Lynne Theater Company presents an "The Phantom of the Opera"

2011-10-13T13:00:00.002-04:00

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- In 1908, Gaston Leroux wrote about a disfigured man who terrorizes the Paris Opera House and falls in love with the young leading lady. This Parisian native was already known for his cutting-edge horror stories, but if he were alive today, he would probably be amazed at all of the various adaptations of his "Phantom of the Opera." The story has been made into six films, and two musicals: one by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the other by Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston. Leroux was impressed by the first film version, produced by Carl Laemmle, the head of Universal Pictures, in 1925, but didn't live long enough to see any other incarnations.

     For one night only, Friday, October 28 at 8:00p.m., East Lynne Theater Company, in partnership with The Cape May Film Festival, presents this original "Phantom of the Opera," with live organ accompaniment provided by Wayne Zimmerman. The location is The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where ELTC is in residence. Tickets are only $15, and for reservations and information, contact ELTC at 609-884-5898 or online at www.eastlynnetheater.org.

     The 1925 film stars Lon Chaney in the title role, with Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry, Arthur Edmund Carewe, and Gibson Gowland. Well-known reviewer Roger Ebert states that "Phantom" has "two elements of genius: It creates beneath the opera one of the most grotesque places in the cinema, and Chaney's performance transforms an absurd character into a haunting one."

     This "Phantom of the Opera," a silent film, opened two years before "The Jazz Singer," in which Al Jolson spoke and sang on screen. But this doesn't mean that there was absolute silence when "silent" films were shown. They were accompanied by an organ, piano, and sometimes a full orchestra: the beginnings of film scoring as we know it. From Charlie Chaplin, who scored his own films, to John Williams and Randy Newman of today, the power of music accompanying a silent or a talking film cannot be undervalued. Experienced composers know that music enhances the action and emotion, but never overshadows it.

     Providing the musical accompaniment for "Phantom" is Wayne Zimmerman, who has played in a variety of venues from coast-to-coast and in Hawaii, regaling audiences with his silent-film accompaniment and concerts. At varying times he's served as organist at the Lansdowne Theatre in Lansdowne, PA, the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, PA, the Brookline Theatre in Havertown, PA, and the Merlin Theatre in suburban Philadelphia. Currently he is president of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, and accompanist for silent films at the Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City.

     Meanwhile, there is only week left to see the Kaufman and Connelly screwball comedy, "Dulcy." On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the playwright's daughter, Anne Kaufman, will be seeing "Dulcy" for the first time and will be part of an after-show Q&A with the audience. On Friday, there is a special American Sign Language Interpretation.

     Part of the fun of "Dulcy," is a section in the second act where a scriptwriter describes a film as a musician accompanies him on the piano. The described film is a direct spoof of what many consider to be the finest silent film ever made: D. W. Griffith's "Intolerance" (1916). When "Dulcy" was written and first produced (1921), the only films were silent, with some of the dialogue written out on storyboards.

Kean Stage Presents COMPANIA FLAMENCa JOSE PORCEL

2011-10-13T12:56:00.002-04:00

(Union, NJ) -- Kean Stage presents a stunning dance performance by Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 pm in Kean University's Wilkins Theatre. A former star dancer with the National Ballet of Spain, José Porcel has assembled a troupe of his country's most acclaimed flamenca artists, renowned for performances that radiate emotion, vitality, and intensity. The ensemble performs Gypsy Fire, a celebration of the most famous styles of this passionate dance form. An explosive program of evocative choreography performed by Porcel and his 20-member company features colorful costumes and brilliant live music by an onstage ensemble.

The flamenca performance will offer the audience an overwhelming sensation of happiness, a joyful and sensual mood unlike that evoked by other dance forms. Flamenca's irresistible erotic appeal and irrepressible energy remain the trademarks of the art form, which had its origins in Andalucia toward the end of the fifteenth century. Occurring during the Gypsies' encounter with the inhabitants of southern Spain, it is difficult to trace the origin of these wandering populations whose culture blends Arabic-Egyptian, Jewish, and Indian influences.

As a "theatrical performance," flamenca only developed in the past century through a constant effort of stylistic experimentation, refinement of expression, and technical codification that gave this form of dancing a true artistic dignity of its own. Flamenca retains its strong identity as folk dancing that is indissolubly bound to the Gypsy spirit.

The Compañia Flamenca Jose Porcel was founded in Madrid, Spain and is among the premier dance troupes that exhibit this exciting art form. The company brings the flamenca tradition to life under the guidance of Sevilla native José Porcel, who rose to prominence with the Ballet Nacional. As a renowned soloist, Porcel performed internationally prior to establishing the ensemble. He danced as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, and as the first dancer in the Compañía Española de Antonio Márquez. Performances around the world and at the Ópera de París were followed by a critically acclaimed tour of the United States. The Company was a sensation with its coast to coast tour of North America in the 2008-2009 season and returns to the United States and Canada in the 2011-2012 season with their thrilling new program, Gypsy Fire.

Tickets to Gypsy Fire by Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel are $30 standard, $20 seniors & students, and can be purchased by calling Kean Stage Box Office at 908.737.SHOW (7469), online at www.keanstage.com , or in person at Kean University's Wilkins Theater Box Office, located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

Photo by Jesus Vallinus

DREAMCATCHER PRESENTS NEW JERSEY PREMIERE OF "NEXT FALL"

2011-10-13T12:54:00.002-04:00

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- DREAMCATCHER REPERTORY THEATRE, professional Theatre in Residence at the Baird Center in South Orange, will present the New Jersey premiere of NEXT FALL by Geoffrey Nauffts from October 28 through November 13. The "funniest heartbreaker in town," (NY Times), this Tony nominee for Best Play in 2010 explores the difficulties of reconciling faith with the realities of love and family. Witty and complex, the play manages to address serious topics in a surprisingly funny way.

When it played in New York, the Associated Press called NEXT FALL "compassionate, laugh-filled and enormously entertaining." The play tells the story of Adam and Luke, who have a long-term relationship in spite of the fact that Luke is Christian and Adam is a non-believer. When Luke is involved in a serious car accident, his conservative parents arrive in New York and meet Adam for the first time. Through a series of flashbacks and scenes in the present day, we see the characters struggle with themselves and each other as their convictions and love for one another collide. Time Out New York wrote of the 2010 production, "The best new American play of the Broadway season, NEXT FALL leaves you thinking about rapture and rupture. If you go, which you should, be prepared to laugh some, perhaps to cry some, and then to rise in appreciation."

Dreamcatcher's production of NEXT FALL features Resident Acting Company members Scott McGowan (Maplewood), Jessica O'Hara-Baker (New York), and Harriett Trangucci (Summit). Completing the cast are guests Rick Delaney (Maplewood), Kevin Sebastian (Jersey City) and Jason Szamreta (Rahway). The Stage Manager is Harry Patrick Christian (Montclair) and the Assistant Stage Manager is Taylor Hamilton (South Orange). The show is directed by Laura Ekstrand (Livingston), Dreamcatcher's Artistic Director.

NEXT FALL will run at The Baird from Friday, October 28 through Sunday, November 13. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors and students, with special rates for subscribers and groups. Purchase tickets online at www.dreamcatcherrep.org or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006. Students pay only $15 on Student Saturday, October 29, and seniors pay only $15 on Senior Sunday, the October 30 matinee.

Performances are at The Baird, located at 5 Mead Street in Meadowland Park, a few blocks from the center of downtown South Orange. The facility is wheelchair accessible. As always, 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 Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, NJ 07079, 973-378-7754, ext. 2228.

Cape May Stage Presents RED By John Logan

2011-10-13T12:52:00.002-04:00

(Cape May, NJ) -- Red, South Jersey's premier production of American playwright John Logan's drama about 20th-century abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko, will open on October 26 for a limited 4-week engagement at Cape May Stage. Directed by Chris Dolman and starring Artistic Director Roy Steinberg in his Cape May Stage debut performance, along with co-star RJ Barnett, the Tony Award-winning Red takes you into the mind of Mark Rothko, for whom paintings are "pulsating" life forces and art is intended to stop the heart. Performances begin on Wednesday, October 26 (with an official opening on Thursday, October 27) and will run Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. through November 19 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May.

Hailed as "intense and exciting" by The New York Times, Red is set in 1958 as New York artist Mark Rothko (Roy Steinberg) has received the art world's largest commission to create a series of murals for The Four Seasons restaurant in the new Seagram building on Park Avenue. Under the watchful gaze of his young assistant, Ken (RJ Barnett) and the threatening presence of a new generation of artists, Rothko faces his greatest challenge yet: to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting. Red is a moving and compelling account of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, whose struggle to accept his growing riches and praise became his ultimate undoing.
Logan's previous plays include Never the Sinner, Hauptmann, Speaking in Tongues, Scorched Earth and Riverview. His new adaptation of Ibsen's The Master Builder was seen in the West End in 2003. As a screenwriter, his work includes "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (Golden Globe Award), "The Aviator," "Gladiator," "The Last Samurai," "Any Given Sunday" and "RKO 281" (WGA Award).

Steinberg's credits include the title roles in Macbeth, Richard III, and King Lear as well as playing opposite Christopher Walken in Measure For Measure at Yale Repertory Theatre and William Hurt in The Rhimers of Eldritch at the International Drama Festival in Dundalk, Ireland. He appeared on Broadway in Wings with Constance Cummings and off-Broadway at the Astor Place Theater and Soho Rep. He was a member of the famed Circle Repertory Theatre and Theatre Matrix. Favorite roles include Oronte in The Misanthrope at Hartford Stage and Wilson in Terra Nova at Santa Fe Festival Theatre. He was Dr. Longo for two years on NBC's Another World and Judge Danforth on Days of Our Lives. He appeared in Yvonne Rainer's The Man Who Envied Women, which screened at the Museum of Modern Art. Roy Steinberg has performed at the New York Public Theater, Kennedy Center and Wilbur Theater in Boston. He is also a producer and director and has four Emmy nominations for that work. His MFA is from Yale School of Drama.

Barnett is a recent graduate and Company member of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Other New York credits include The New York International Fringe Festival, and the Playwright's Thesis Series at Columbia University.

Directed by Chris Dolman, the artistic team includes Shawn Fisher (sets and lighting), Leon Dobkowski (costumes), Dennis Zaitsev (sound), and Benjamin Loverin (stage manager).

Performance Information

Red officially opens Thursday, October 27 and will run to Saturday, November 19 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors (62+), and $15 students. Saturday, November 12, will be a half-price matinee performance for senior citizens. Following the October 27th opening, all ticket holders are invited to join the opening night after-party at Hemingway's at the Grand Hotel, with the chance to mingle with the cast and crew. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org.

Red is co-sponsored by Saltwood House Bed and Breakfast and Hemingway's at the Grand Hotel. This season's sponsors include 410 Bank Street/Frescos, Exit Zero, CapeSCape, The Corner Cottage Apartments, Harry's Bar & Grille at the Montreal Inn, La Mer Beachfront Inn, Lucky Bones, Cape May Winery, and The Washington Inn.

pictured: Roy Steinberg as Mark Rothko
credit: Aleksey Photography

State Theatre presents The Rat Pack is Back (10/22-10/23/11)

2011-10-13T12:50:00.002-04:00

(New Brunswick, NJ) -— State Theatre presents The Rat Pack is Back! on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 8pm and Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 3pm. The Rat Pack is Back! recreates the free-wheeling, no-holds-barred nightclub act, starring Vegas' four favorite sons: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, and Joey Bishop. Tickets Range from $25-57.

The Rat Pack is Back! stars Mickey Joseph as Joey Bishop, Drew Anthony as Dean Martin, Kenny Jones as Sammy Davis, Jr., and Brian Duprey as Frank Sinatra. This spirited show features uncanny vocal recreations, unbridled humor, and a live 12-piece orchestra. The program will include hits such as "That's Amore," "My Way," "Mr. Bojangles," and many more.

About the Cast

Mickey Joseph's (appearing as Joey Bishop) career as a comedian has flourished in the San Francisco Bay Area for 25 years. He has worked the hottest comedy clubs on the West Coast and Las Vegas having performed with Ellen DeGeneres, Drew Carey, Craig Ferguson, George Lopez, Bill Engvall, and Robin Williams. His well tailored, hysterically funny comedy act is what attracted The Rat Pack is Back! Producer, Dick Feeney. Joseph has been appearing as Joey Bishop in this show since 2005 at the Plaza in Las Vegas and on tour.

Since he received his B.F.A. from the Mannes College of Music Jazz Division in New York City, Drew Anthony (appearing as Dean Martin) has established himself as one of the finest jazz singers in the area. He has performed on many stages ranging from the Shubert Theater to the Intermezzo Night Club in the Foxwoods Resort & Casino.

Kenny Jones's (appearing as Sammy Davis, Jr.) love of music began with his first stage appearance at the age of 12 with a local group called Jive Five. He later learned how to play the piano, bass guitar, and drums and was a member of The Jesus Children and then the Genetta Bradley Singers. In Denver, CO, he continued his gospel career at The House of Joy where he cut his first gospel album and released his first single. Jones also served as the front man for bands such as Soul Review, Groove City as well as Denver's hottest R&B band, 1UP.

Brian Duprey (appearing as Frank Sinatra) is best known for his appearance on FOX© TV's, Performing As. Duprey won the first-place prize of $20,000 portraying his idol, Frank Sinatra. Talent judge Damon Elliott (music producer of Mya, Beyonce, and Jessica Simpson) was blown away the first time he saw Duprey perform; it was like he was watching Young Blue Eyes. Television viewers agreed and thousands flocked to FOX©'s website to compliment his uncanny likeness to Sinatra's own singing voice.

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 one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

The 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.

Yale University Conducts Study to Determine The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Economic Impact

2011-10-13T12:47:00.002-04:00

(MADISON, NJ) -- A consulting group from the Yale School of Management has completed a study on the economic impact of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on the greater Madison area. The group worked pro bono and was commissioned by the Theatre in September, 2010. The results quantify the spending of the Theatre, as well as its audiences, artists, students and staff in conjunction with attending or working for the Theatre, and calculates the effect of that spending on the economy of the greater Madison area, defined as a 20 minute driving radius from Madison. This includes towns in Morris, Essex, Somerset and Union counties including Chatham, Morristown, Summit, Florham Park, Livingston, Maplewood, Short Hills and Irvington.

The rigorous study conservatively approximates a $5.7 million annual impact on the Madison area alone – a 138% increase from a previous study conducted in 2003. "This study shows the importance of our institution to the Madison area economic health," said Managing Director Jeanne Barrett. "While the work on our stage speaks for itself, a study quantifying our economic impact strengthens our case for support when talking to potential donors, government leaders and local business owners about the role The Shakespeare Theatre plays in the community."

"The robust growth of the Theatre's economic impact reflects the ongoing importance of the institution's role in both the community and the economy of Madison and the surrounding area as well as the durability of that impact during a national economic downturn," said John Barr, Vice President of the Theatre's Board of Trustees.

Applying additional tools – including the Arts and Economic Prosperity Calculator, designed by American for the Arts – to data collected for the study, the Theatre estimates an overall economic impact, including the Madison area and beyond, to be at least $9.5 million.

"As a not-for-profit arts institution that brings hundreds of students from all over the country to New Jersey each year for the sole purpose of working with our Theatre, employs up to 200 actors, designers, and staff members, and welcomes 50,000 audience members through our doors each season, our state-wide impact is even more significant. Students, staff and patrons are spending theatre-related dollars far beyond the immediate Madison area," explained Bonnie J. Monte, Artistic Director of the Theatre.

The study also showed that audience members contributed $1.5 million in ancillary spending to the Madison area as a result of attending the Theatre and that 62% of the Theatre's institutional spending goes to vendors located in the state of New Jersey.

"The study is particularly important because of the clear impact the Theatre has on its surrounding communities," said Fauzia Dawood from the Yale School of Management. "Nothing beats numbers, and the study proves that."

The study was distributed to more than 100 local funders, vendors and community leaders and is available upon request by calling 973-408-3685 or email westrin@shakespearenj.org. For more information about the Theatre and its programs, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.