There are many great reasons to visit the seaside resort town of Cape May--named one of America's best small towns for Christmas by Town and Leisure Magazine--at this time of year, including taking in a show at Cape May Stage. Marlena Lustik talks to producer Susan Wallner about her new play "A Cape May Christmas," which brings together both the season and the history of the town in a production suited for all ages. It's on stage through January 2, 2016. Additionally, Producing Artistic Director...
Dec 15, 2015•12 min
Made to Capture is the title of a new photography exhibit at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton – it features forward-thinking photography from the last few decades, created in many different and surprising ways. Christopher Benincasa recently spoke about the history and the future of photography with Kristen Accola, who curated the show, which is on view through January 3rd, 2016. For a private tour of Made to Capture, join us on Saturday, December 5th for our after-hours Jersey Arts museum me...
Nov 18, 2015•13 min
In 1896, Albert Jarry shocked Paris with “Ubu Roi,” his absurdist play about a greedy, power-hungry king and his unpleasant wife. More than a hundred years later, “Ubu Roi” continues to startle and entertain. Director Carter Gill calls Rider University’s new production an “assault on the senses” - see for yourself this weekend (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) at the Bart Luedeke Center Theater on Rider’s campus in Lawrenceville. The actors are advanced theater students at Rider’s Westminster College of the Arts...
Oct 29, 2015•11 min
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center presents its first Music & Wine Festival on Saturday, October 3. The focus is regional, with a variety of music, wine, and artisans from South Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware. Fifteen of the area's preeminent wineries will be there, and for those choosing the overnight option, a special dessert wine tasting will be held around the campfire! Music acts include the Philadelphia trio No Good Sister; South Jersey's swing cabaret band Swing the Cat; Delaware s...
Sep 29, 2015•12 min
This weekend, Pine Barons – the band, not the ecosystem in southern New Jersey – are playing the XPoNential Music Festival on the Camden Waterfront. It’s a three-day, three-stage event featuring 31 performers, including The Indigo Girls, My Morning Jacket and St. Vincent. Christopher Benincasa recently spoke with Pine Barons singer and guitarist Keith Abrams about making music, touring with the band and what artists he’s excited to see at the festival this weekend. Thanks for listening! Subscrib...
Jul 22, 2015•14 min
The month of June means The Princeton Festival, with an eclectic range of performances ranging from a cappella jazz ensembles (West Side 5 and The Tribunes) to opera ("The Marriage of Figaro") to musical theater ("The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"). Producer Susan Wallner talks to artistic director Richard Tang Yuk about the growth of The Princeton Festival, now in its 11th season. The Festival opens June 6 with a weekend of performances as well as free workshops and lectures. Thanks f...
May 03, 2015•12 min
The 2015 Montclair Film Festival starts tomorrow! It runs from May 1st to May 10th. Contributing producer Christopher Benincasa recently spoke with the festival’s executive director Tom Hall about this year’s line-up. And there was a lot to cover: the last Robin Williams film (Boulevard), big summer movies (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl), independent films (Hello, My Name is Doris), a unique conversation series featuring lots of great actors and filmmakers, and something called a “live document...
Apr 29, 2015•18 min
The creative process itself is the focus of a sprawling contemporary art exhibition opening May 1 at Wheaton Arts. Mark Dion, Judy Pfaff, Donald Lipski and Paula Hayes are among the 11 art world stars who have been working for months with Wheaton and the Creative Glass Center of America to create new works inspired by South Jersey, the glass industry, and the history of Wheaton Arts itself. “Emanation: Art +Process” is part of an ambitious year of programming that includes Glass Weekend, a bienn...
Apr 01, 2015•12 min
The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, will present the world premiere of "And Then Came Tango" on Friday, March 6th. Inspired by a true story, the play revolves around the case of two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who established a bond to hatch an orphaned egg. Written by Emily Freeman, and featuring choreography by Jillian Petrie and original music by Paul Marbach, "And Then Came Tango" is a celebration of tolerance and the eternal instinct that guides one generation...
Mar 04, 2015•12 min
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s annual Winter Festival kicks off on January 9th and runs through the 25th. This year, the festival is celebrating the genius of Shakespeare by presenting music inspired by his greatest plays. Christopher Benincasa recently spoke with NJSO Music Director Jacques Lacombe about creating the “Sounds of Shakespeare” program, which will feature Sarah Chang, one of the world’s leading violinists. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Jersey Arts Podcast in your favo...
Dec 30, 2014•12 min
Princeton University’s third French Theater Festival is well underway, and runs through October 11 at venues across the campus. All performances are in French – with English subtitles – and are free and open to the public. Christopher Benincasa recently spoke with Festival Director Florent Masse about bringing some of France’s most celebrated theater artists to New Jersey. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Jersey Arts Podcast in your favorite podcast player. The Jersey Arts Podcast is one m...
Sep 29, 2014•10 min
Dante Soriano is a fourth year student at the American Boychoir School. He once wanted to be an accountant, but now thinks maybe he'll switch to acting. Dante was cast as the lead character's best friend in the new film by Francois Girard, "Boychoir." It premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend. Producer Susan Wallner spoke to Dante and the American Boychoir School's Litton-Lodal Music Director, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, who also appears in the film. It was the second day of...
Sep 04, 2014•13 min
Ginger Coyle and her band will be performing Sunday, July 27 on the JerseyArts.com Marina Stage at the XPoNential Music Festival on the Camden Waterfront. A professional musician since the age of 13, she knew she wanted to be a performer since the age of three. After many twists and turns through the music industry, in 2011 she decided to go totally independent and fan-fund her album "Homeward Bound." She’s currently at work on a new full-length record – the first single “The Big Picture” is out...
Jul 23, 2014•22 min
This week marked the 350th birthday of the state of New Jersey. The website officialnj350.com is filled with fun things to do throughout the state to celebrate, as well as fascinating articles about New Jersey’s history and culture. One of those articles was written by critic and founder of the popular online magazine "TV Worth Watching" David Bianculli. He’s been a TV critic since 1975, and is a regular contributor to NPR’s "Fresh Air with Terry Gross." A resident of New Jersey, he’s also an as...
Jun 26, 2014•11 min
The new President and CEO of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra chats with producer Eric Schultz about upcoming concerts and some of the innovative ways the orchestra is reinventing itself for the 21st century. Highlights include the orchestra's appearance with Cirque de la Symphony on June 7 & 8, and a whole series of free summer concerts throughout the state. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Jersey Arts Podcast in your favorite podcast player. The Jersey Arts Podcast is one medium of ...
Jun 03, 2014•15 min
Guitar duo Michael Newman and Laura Oltman founded Raritan River Music Festival 25 years ago. Since then, every May brings an eclectic mix of classical music to Hunterdon County. This year, to mark the Festival's anniversary and the 300th anniversary of Hunterdon County, the Festival is presenting a series of concerts featuring music from 1714, 1814, 1914, and 2014. The Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo will perform new 21st century compositions for the last concert on May 24. Chatham Baroque playe...
May 14, 2014•13 min
Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town" is 100 years old. As with any classic, every generation interprets it anew. The George Street Playhouse has involved the entire city of New Brunswick in its new production, running through May 25. Director of Education Jim Jack has spearheaded the effort, dubbed "Hub City Our Town: A Celebration of the Arts & Community in New Brunswick." Dance, murals, a photo project, a film series, and a new interview-based play written by Jack, "Our Town Now," bring Wilde...
Apr 23, 2014•12 min
Tonight, the Garden State Film Festival celebrates its 12th year by moving the party from Asbury Park to Atlantic City. For four days, film lovers can take in as many fresh, independent films as they can handle – and maybe balance it all out with panel discussions, Q and A sessions with filmmakers, an awards ceremony, and, of course, parties. Christopher Benincasa recently spoke with Diane Raver, Executive Director and Founder of the Garden State Film Festival, about what to expect this weekend....
Apr 02, 2014•12 min
The exhibit American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, created by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, has arrived at the Newark Museum. Rockwell was one of the most famous and beloved American artists of the 20th Century. His illustrations of American life – from idyllic small town scenes to heartbreaking depictions of racism and violence – are nothing short of iconic. Christopher Benincasa recently sat down with Ulysses Dietz, Chief Curator at the Newark Museum, to t...
Mar 10, 2014•9 min
Everyone knows, or has at least heard, this famous line: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” It’s from Shakespeare’s romantic comedy "As You Like It," which is running through February 16th at Two River Theater in Red Bank. Christopher Benincasa recently sat down with director Michael Sexton to talk about his fresh, modern take on the play, and what it has to say to us in 2014 – more than four centuries after it was written. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The...
Feb 03, 2014•20 min
On January 15, the Cake Boss will unveil a new creation in honor of the 100th birthday of the Montclair Art Museum. The Wednesday evening event--free and open to the public--will also include music, dancing, and the unveiling--or “lighting”--of a new installation changing the exterior look of the museum. Director Lora Urbanelli talks with producer Susan Wallner about the year-long celebration, the museum’s evolution, and its importance in the community and beyond. Thanks for listening! Subscribe...
Jan 06, 2014•10 min
This weekend, December 14-15, DanceVision brings its adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Snow Queen" to the Kendall Main Stage Theater at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. The full-length ballet tells the tale of two children – Kai and Gerda – who are caught up in a magical tug of war between good and evil. We met up with DanceVision’s founder and artistic director Risa Kaplowitz at the Princeton Dance and Theater Studio to talk about what goes into transforming a classic story into a...
Dec 11, 2013•11 min
Superstorm Sandy struck last year, and “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” at Surflight Theatre was postponed. This year, the show goes on. It opens November 30 for a four week run, making it the ideal holiday event at the shore. Director/choreographer Norb Joerder describes what makes the production so appealing, from the innocence of the familiar songs to the classic tap dancing numbers. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Jersey Arts Podcast in your favorite podcast player. The Jersey Arts P...
Nov 20, 2013•9 min
This Saturday, November 2, the Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack, a special hospital for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities, opens its doors to the public for Full Circle 2013: Reflections – a multi-media fine arts showcase featuring original work by the Arts Access artists. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Arts Access program was designed to enable clients who, in many cases, are unable to walk, speak, or move without assistance,...
Oct 30, 2013•21 min
"Something Wicked This Way Comes" is one night only at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on October 28. The evening of chilling and spooky tales by a company of actors is accompanied by theremin music, sound effects, and staging, making it a Halloween season favorite with audiences. This year, actor Ames Adamson gives the Jersey Arts Podcast a special preview with a full performance of Edgar Allan Poe’s very brief, very creepy classic, “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Producer Susan Wallner starts by ...
Oct 09, 2013•22 min
This week, we take you to the press preview of Paper Mill Playhouse’s world-premiere production of “Honeymoon in Vegas” – a new musical based on the movie of the same title, which starred Nicolas Cage, Sarah Jessica Parker, and James Caan. The cast of the musical – featuring Tony Danza, Rob McClure, and Brynn O’Malley – performed a few numbers for members of the press. It was the first public unveiling of any material from this production. “Honeymoon in Vegas” will play the Paper Mill Playhouse ...
Sep 18, 2013•9 min
"Proof" is a father/daughter drama, a love story, and a mystery. Who wrote the groundbreaking mathematical proof discovered after an eccentric professor's death? Winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, "Proof" opens the 2013/14 season at the McCarter Theatre in a new production directed by Emily Mann. Mann describes her fascination with the play, and reveals some hidden connections - for instance, she herself is the daughter of a professor at the University ...
Aug 31, 2013•15 min
Producer Eric Schultz talks with "Boardwalk Empire" author, historian and attorney Nelson Johnson. The Hammonton, NJ native published his history of Atlantic City and crime boss "Nucky" Johnson in 2002. It became a New York Times Best Seller when HBO launched the hit television series based on Johnson's book. Thanks for listening! Subscribe to The Jersey Arts Podcast in your favorite podcast player. The Jersey Arts Podcast is one medium of Feature Stories on Discover Jersey Arts (jerseyarts.com)...
Aug 07, 2013•18 min
Aaron & The Spell are the opening act at this year’s XPoNential Music Festival – kicking things off at Wiggins Park along the Camden Waterfront next Friday, July 26. There are lots of big bands playing this three-day summer festival – Bob Dylan, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, The Lumineers, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, and many, many more. But it all starts with Aaron Brown and his band. Christopher Benincasa met up with him in his hometown, Philadelphia, to talk about his music, and t...
Jul 17, 2013•16 min
The New York Times calls Frank Ferrante “the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx’s material.” From 1986-87, Ferrante starred in the off-Broadway hit, "Groucho: A Life in Revue," written by Groucho's son, Arthur Marx. Ferrante’s own one-man show, “An Evening with Groucho” includes improvisation and audience interaction as he brings Groucho’s subversive, outrageous humor to life. Susan Wallner talks to Frank Ferrante about his early and on-going fascination with the legendary comedian. In ...
Jun 26, 2013•13 min
