‘Diversion’ is a medical thrill that is sure to captivate

‘Diversion’ is a medical thrill that is sure to captivate

UNION, NJ — Premiere Stages, the professional theater company in residence at Kean University, is now presenting, “Diversion,” the final play of its season. This is the story of four ICU nurses, three women and one man, in a hospital’s intensive care unit; their supervisor and a data specialist. Drugs have gone missing or been […]

‘Still’ is wonderfully written, beautifully acted and designed

‘Still’ is wonderfully written, beautifully acted and designed

UNION — “Still,” Premiere Stage’s current production at Kean University, is the story of two black men. One is a freed slave on an odyssey to find his family. The other is educated, born free and rooted to a desk at an antebellum Underground Railway clearinghouse, in Philadelphia. They discover they have a startling connection. […]

‘Selling Kabul’ reveals a price for everything, even hope

‘Selling Kabul’ reveals a price for everything, even hope

UNION — Premiere Stages, at Kean University, is currently staging “Selling Kabul,” a play about the tenacious strength of family and culture to survive a collapsing social order. It is a 100-minute play staged in real time without intermission having its New Jersey premier. The span of time witnessed by the audience is the same […]

Newark native Philip Roth to be celebrated at three-day event

NEWARK, NJ — The life and work of Newark native and titan of late-20th century American literature, Philip Roth, will be discussed, performed, read, and his influences examined, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center next weekend. Commemorating the March 19 anniversary of his 90th birthday with “Philip Roth Unbound,” NJPAC will present, March 17-19, […]

Ukrainian ballet dancers pour out their hearts in NJPAC performance before returning to war-torn country

Ukrainian ballet dancers pour out their hearts in NJPAC performance before returning to war-torn country

UNION COUNTY, NJ — In “The Nutcracker,” she was a snowflake. In “Sleeping Beauty,” she was a fairy. Both roles, among others portrayed by English-speaking ballerina Olena Pedan, were performed in a recently concluded North American tour by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine. The 55-member troupe’s final show, a performance of “Sleeping Beauty,” was […]

Subtle tensions work their way through Premiere Stages’ production of ‘Scab’

Subtle tensions work their way through Premiere Stages’ production of ‘Scab’

UNION, NJ — The second play of Premiere Stages’ 2022 season, “Scab,” opened at Kean University on Thursday, Sept. 8. Written by Gino DiIorio and directed by Glen Ridge resident John J. Wooten, producing artistic director of Premiere Stages, “Scab” is a play of subtle tensions apart from the strife connecting its two characters: Gilda, […]

Local nonprofit awards book scholarships to area students

Local nonprofit awards book scholarships to area students

UNION, NJ — David’s Shoes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing gun violence within black communities and redirecting young lives, held its 13th annual book scholarship luncheon on Saturday, July 23, at the Galloping Hill Caterers in Union. Nine local young men, either already in college or college bound, received $750 each, which the nonprofit […]