Where-To-Go Wednesday - The Cardboard Show

What: The Cardboard Show 

Where: Monmouth Museum Dunellen

             266 North Ave.

             Dunellen, NJ

Who: All ages

When: Through July 5, 2026

An exhibit of objects made entirely from ordinary corrugated cardboard is now on display at the Monmouth Museum in Dunellen, an offshoot of the original Monmouth Museum located in Lincroft, New Jersey. It was created by the artists Porkchop and Brad Hoffer. It consists mostly of objects in the form of flowers and plants, but there are a few other objects as well including robots and airplanes. Although the exhibit is small, it is fascinating and free to visit.

And that's our view. For more about The Cardboard Show and the Monmouth Museum Dunellen, go to www.monmouthmuseum.org/dunellen

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own.  Any concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.

Tips for Tuesday - Books: The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones; Beach Thriller, & You Won't Forget Me; Movie: Cheer Dad; & Misc. Mini Digital Camera

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones; Beach Thriller, & You Won't Forget Me

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher, Ellise Chappell, et al is a unique and intriguing fantasy featuring magic school, dark academia, and a childhood friends to strangers/enemies to lovers romance. 

For years, Briar dreamed of attending the Temple School of Thaumaturgy, an elite boarding school which is rumored to teach its students magic. While their childhood best friend, Sebastian, was accepted at age 11, Briar was not, leaving the pair's friendship destroyed and Briar crushed. Seven years later, when Briar comes across a job sorting through the school’s junk-filled attic, they decide to take it. Suddenly they find themself face-to-face with their now-cruel and callous former best friend as well as dark secrets about what is really going on between Temple’s walls. 

I struggled a bit at first to get into this book. I enjoyed reading from Briar’s perspective and was fascinated by the story's concept. However, the pacing at the beginning felt too slow to completely keep my attention. I was interested enough to push through, hoping that things would pick up once I got through the set-up but was too bored by the lack of action to be truly immersed. To my relief, around the 30% mark, the plot did in fact pick up, and from the 40% mark to the end, I was completely sucked into the story.

One of my favorite aspects was the complex characters. From Briar to the love interest to the other side characters, each one felt like a fully fleshed-out person, and none were totally black or white. Instead, they all had darkness and light within them, and I appreciated the message that we are not defined by our worst moments or our capacity for evil, but rather by our continuous choice to do good despite them.

The relationships were also compelling. The friendship between Briar and Hadley, Westby, and Tate– a few Temple scholars– was deeply imperfect. These characters hurt and even betrayed each other in more ways than one, but at the end of the day, they had each other’s backs, and I liked watching their group dynamic as Briar became more cemented into their friend group over time. 

By far, my favorite part of this book was the romance. The tension between Briar and Bastian was incredible! From their very first on-page interaction, it was impossible not to feel the years of unresolved feelings and intense yearning between them. If you love angst and mutual pining, then this couple is for you! I also loved the way Bastian was so entirely besotted by Briar. The whole school saw him as a terrifying, untouchable monster, but whenever Briar was around, he was putty in their hands. They were simultaneously rough with each other– in a slamming each other against the wall, holding a knife to each other’s throats kind of way– and also remarkably soft. The progression of their relationship from being furious with each other to balancing equal measures of distrust and attraction to slowly learning to let each other back in felt so natural, and I just couldn’t get enough of them together. I can’t stress enough how well-written this romance was! It’s difficult for me to even properly describe exactly what was so perfect about it, but I want to read a dozen more books with exactly this dynamic immediately.

The plot, once it picked up, was also a lot of fun. I enjoyed learning about the magic system, the hierarchy at Temple, and what life was like for its scholars. With all the horrors the scholars went through daily, including Briar themself once they became entwined, the stakes felt really high. Throughout the second half of the book, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out how everything would turn out. The closer I got to the end, the more I feared there wouldn’t be enough time for a proper conclusion, but, to my relief, the author made it work. Aside from one or two tiny loose ends, the ending wrapped up everything in a way that made sense and felt satisfying.

I will say there was a fair amount of violence and gore described throughout this book in varying amounts of detail, so if that’s something you’re sensitive to, you might want to look up more detailed trigger warnings. That said, as a typically very squeamish person, I found that despite my discomfort while reading various scenes, I had no problem handling the contents of this book overall.

Mom - Today, I am talking about Beach Thriller by Jaime Day. After her mother's death, struggling author Holly Sinclair returns to her hometown, hoping to write a novel to turn her life and career around. There she immerses herself in solving the mystery of what actually happened to her older sister who was allegedly killed in a fire, and takes in a young runaway named Jade, whom she finds hiding out in her attic.

The pacing and intrigue of this novel are decent; it keeps you wanting to read. But much of it feels very generic, like something you've read a million times before. Some allegedly shocking twists and turns, you may even be able to guess at from previous reading experiences. Even the ones you won't necessarily be able to guess at don't feel all that fresh or new, but are too similar to numerous other books. Also, the ending is so convoluted that it is hard to process. All in all, this book is as generic as its title. 

Mom again - Today, I am talking about You Won't Forget Me by Mazey Eddings. When Cubby Clark's former boyfriend and bandmate releases a song dissing her that goes viral, the negative focus on her actually raises her current band's profile and helps them get a manager. Then, when an allegedly romantic photo of her with another bandmate, Harry, is released, things get ramped up even more, and Cubby is encouraged to enter into a fake relationship with him, which she does for the sake of the band. However, she is really in love with her childhood best friend, Darcy, who is also a member of their band. The pair hook up on the same night the photo of Cubby and Harry goes viral. Afterwards, Darcy begins to distance herself from Cubby, and their lifelong bond begins to fray, leaving Cubby confused and alone while dealing with an outpouring of online hatred, 

This novel is disturbing in many ways. Cubby's bandmates profess to care about her, but their actions or lack thereof make it hard to believe they actually do. If they really cared, they would not let her get heaped with abuse and negativity just for the sake of the band. Not one of her so-called friends steps up to say that it's not right to put her through that, and maybe they shouldn't do it. 

It may be true that if you're a celebrity, you have to accept that not everyone will love you and that you will have to put up with a certain degree of ill will aimed at you. However, Cubby and her band are not really famous enough for that. Also, the wave of negativity is being heaped only on her, not her fellow bandmates. Plus, she is basically being encouraged to lean into it without regard for how it is affecting her mental health. Any apologies or comeuppances that occur later while satisfying don't really make up for what's come before. This book is perhaps worthwhile as a cautionary tale, but even if you look at it that way, it's still hard to read.

Movie: Cheer Dad

Today, we are talking about Cheer Dad. This film, based on a true story is about a man who becomes the co-leader of his daughter's cheerleading team.  While the movie is somewhat sweet and full of warm family and found-family vibes, it isn't really all that interesting. There is very little conflict, and whatever conflict there is gets resolved very quickly, which does not make for a very exciting film. It is definitely family-friendly, however, and perhaps fathers and daughters can bond over watching it, especially with Father's Day coming up this weekend, at least daughters who have not gotten old enough to be cynical, have an attitude, and not necessarily want to hang out with one or both of their parents anymore. 

Misc: Mini Digital Camera

Today, we are talking about Mini Digital Camera.  This camera is as disappointing as its generic name. On the upside, it is small, lightweight, and easily portable. Plus, even though it feels like it would easily break apart if dropped, it is surprisingly sturdy. 

However, the negatives outweigh the positives. The pictures it takes lack clarity. You need a micro SD card to take videos and/or transfer pictures, although this information, rather than being placed prominently on the front of the box, is only found on the back of the box near the bottom, where it's easy to miss. The control buttons are tiny and white. Although it makes sense that they would be small since it's a small camera, it also means they don't stand out, making it unclear what each button is for, especially for anyone not camera savvy, and the white color doesn't help. 

It is unclear who this product is aimed at. Most people have cell phones as they are also portable, already come with a SIM card, and take better pictures. If it is aimed at people who aren't likely to have a cell phone, like older adults and young children, it seems it would be too difficult for them to use for the reasons mentioned above. 

And that's our view, The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones, Beach Thriller, and You Won't Forget Me were published last Tuesday, June 9. Cheer Dad is available digitally for purchase or rental starting today. 

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

All images other than film images used in this post are our own.  Film images have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms. Address any concerns regarding image usage here.

Giveaway: Win a copy of For Alison in the Dad-O-Mite Giveaway Hop!

 Welcome to the Dad-O-Mite Giveaway Hop

hosted by Mama the Fox and Mom Does Reviews

This Father's Day, we should take a moment to remember those fathers who have lost a child and reach out to them. After all, having lost a child doesn't make one less of a father. Andy Parker is a father who lost his daughter in a particularly horrifying and public way. Alison, a news reporter, was gunned down on live TV along with her cameraman, Adam Ward. However, instead of wallowing in his grief, Parker became active in the fight for gun safety in his daughter's name. For Alison is his story and his daughter's. For more about this book, see our previous post Tips for Tuesday -- Books: For Alison. Enter to win a copy below:

Giveaway Dates 6/16 - 6/30

Give Open to Ages 18 + US

Win a copy of For Alison Once you have entered our giveaway, hop around to the blogs listed below to see what other prizes you can enter to win.

Disclaimer: Hosts and participating bloggers are not responsible for sponsors and self-sponsoring bloggers who do not fulfill prize obligations. To win any giveaway, please remember that following all instructions for any entry claimed is mandatory for that entry to count. Entries will be checked, and those that do not follow all instructions will be disqualified. Please do not claim entry for following our blog, Twitter, or whatever if you do not do so. Repeatedly entering our giveaways and claiming to be a follower when you are not will result in disqualification from all current and future giveaways. If you do follow our blog and/ or social media, don't let your entry be disqualified; be sure to leave your follower name and/or a comment link.

More Theater Monday - David Copperfield

We received complimentary tickets to David Copperfield for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: David Copperfield

Where: 59E59 Theaters

             59 E. 59 St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up

When: Through June 28, 2026

David Copperfield is a fabulous whirlwind of a show. It takes a roughly 700-page novel and condenses it into an approximately 2-hour 15-minute live presentation (including one intermission). 

Three actors delightfully take on all the novel's numerous characters, rendering the proceedings a joyfully amusing delight. The trio floats in and out of various characters with only slight changes of costume. There is even some puppetry, as empty clothes or wooden figures sometimes stand in for certain characters. 

The show may be a bit confusing at times if you haven't read the book, although you don't have to have read the entire book to enjoy the show. You may want to at least familiarize yourself with the story before you go, however. Even if you have read the book and didn't like it, you can still appreciate this highly entertaining take on it. 

And that's our view. For more about David Copperfield or to purchase tickets, visit www.59e59.org/shows/show-detail/david-copperfield.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All David Copperfield production photos by Harry Elletson

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission.  Any Concerns regarding image usage can be addressed here.

Sunday Scoop Week of 6/14/26 What's Happening This Week and More

 A) Beginning Performances

In New Jersey

1) The Comedy of Errors

Kelsey Theatres 6/19 - 6/28

In New York

2) A Woman in Reverse

American Theatre of Actors, Beckmann Theatre 6/17, 6/18, 6/20

3) La Cage Aux Folles

New York City Center 6/17 - 6/28

4) Beyond Encounters 

Teatro Circulo 6/17 - 6/21

5) Othello

Abron Arts Center 6/17/6/28

6) Pea Dinneen: Raising Her Voice

Irish Repertory Theatre  6/16

7) School of Rock

A.R.T. /New York Theatres 6/20 & 6/21

8) The Taming of the Shrew

Central Park 6/20 - 7/19

In Pennsylvania

9) South Pacific

B) Cast Changes

In New York

10) Hadestown

Walter Kerr Theatre 

11) MJ

Neil Simon Theatre

C) Concerts 

In New York

12) Belle Noire

Kaye Playhouse 6/16

13) Women Who Rock You From Janis to Alanis and More

City Winery 6/22

D) Exhibit

In New York

14) The Black Mirror Experience

The Shed begins 6/20

E) Festival

In New Jersey

15) North to Shore Festival

In New York

16) Chelsea Music Festival

6/20 - 6/27

17) Origin Irish Theatre Festival

6/16 - 7/5

18) Pridefest

The Tank 6/19 - 6/30

F) Lottery and Rush

In New York

19) Heated Rivalry

The 6th Floor Theatre at The Culture Club Through 9/7

20) Label.less 

The Duke on 42nd St. 6/18 - 8/29

G) Post Show Talkbacks and Discussions

In New York

21) Heated Rivalry

The 6th Floor Theatre at The Culture Club Through 9/7

22) Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Barrymore Theatre Through 7/26

23) The People Versus Lenny Bruce 

Theatre Row Through 6/28

H) Run Extension

In New York

24) Ragtime

Vivan Beaumont Theatre 

25) Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Marquis Theatre 

I) What Else is Happening

In New Jersey

26) Centenary Stage Co. presents Moe-Tion Dance Theater

Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center 6/20

27) NJPAC Free Monthly Solidarity Program - Food Security

6/22

In New York

28) Architecture & Brooklyn Public Library Celebrate Design & Public Imagination

Brooklyn Public Library 6/16

29) Can I Be Frank? presents ASL Interpreted Performance

SoHo Playhouse 6/20

30) The Cathedral of St. John presents Pride Evensong

6/21

31) The Ethel Merman Disco Project with Carly Ozard and Friends

The Green Room 42 6/19

32) Gingold Group presents George Bernard Shaw's Getting Married

The Players 6/22

33) Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness

6/21

34) Twelve Hours With Tracy Letts

Circle in the Square Theatre 6/22

In Pennsylvania

35) Philadelphia Pride Month Events

36) Philadelphia World Cup Animals and World Cup Events

Other

37) Vangeline Launches Online Platform Exploring Butoh

A) Beginning Performances

In New Jersey

Courtesy of Kelsey Theatre

1) The Comedy of Errors

Twinning is winning in Shakespeare’s uproarious comedy of mistaken identity, mayhem, and misunderstandings, two twin brothers and their twin servants are separated from each other and embark on a riotous search to find their other halves.

Kelsey Theatre (1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor)

6/19 - 6/28

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.purplepass.com/events/319336-the-comedy-of-errors-jun-19th-2026

In New York

Courtesy of Alton PR

2) A Woman in Reverse

The world premiere follows a divorced daughter navigating a single day as caregiver to her formidable mother while confronting the legacy of the women who raised her, including a flamboyant, mythic grandmother. Award-winning playwright and director Suzanne Bachner directs the comedy.

American Theatre of Actors, Beckmann Theatre (314 W. 54th St., 2nd Fl)

6/17 - 6/20

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.mitf2026.com.

3) La Cage Aux Folles

New York City Center (131 W. 55th St.)

7/17 - 7/28

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit NYCityCenter.org

4) Beyond Encounters 

The evening of one-acts begins with Lanford Wilson’s rarely-staged A Betrothal, followed by two new works by up-and-coming female playwrights: Bound by Miriam Kulick, and The Call by Hannah Benitez. Together, the three plays create a compact, character-driven theatrical event that moves from a witty comic encounter between strangers, to heightened historical drama, to 1920s noir cosmic horror. It is designed as an intimate theatrical presentation with a minimal set and a focus on performance, language, and atmosphere.

Teatro Circulo (64 E. 4th St.)

6/17 - 6/21 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit EventBrite.com

Photo by Mercedes Wilby

5) Othello

Underground Theater at Abrons Art Center (466 Grand St.)

6/16 - 6/28

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.abronsartscenter.org/programs/atlas-othello. 

6) Pea Dinneen: Raising Her Voice

How do you raise a voice that's been drowned out? How do you get a whole country—Ireland—to hear it? You sing louder with '90s pop bangers and original songs adapted to fit a playful, subversive personal narrative about transgender liberation in the face of systemic oppression. OBVIOUSLY.

 

Join Dublin-born niche cabaret legend Pea Dinneen for a trans fantasia, where she'll sing her way through a powerful coming-of-age story about herself, her country, and her voice. Pea delivers a crash course in modern Irish pop culture. This is a show about a nation, wrapped up in a vast, ongoing vanity project by a disenfranchised millennial hag.

W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 W. 22nd St.)

6/16 - 6/28

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit IRISHREP.ORG

7) School of Rock

The musical is an adaptation of the 2003 film of the same title, originally scripted by Mike White. The narrative focuses on Dewey Finn, a financially strained rock vocalist and guitarist. Dewey secures a position as a substitute teacher at an elite preparatory school under a false identity. Upon recognizing the musical aptitude of his fifth-grade pupils, he proceeds to organize them into a musical ensemble with the objective of participating in the impending Battle of the Bands competition.

A.R.T./New York the Mezzanine (502 W. 53rd St.)

6/20 & 6/21

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: epicplayers.ticketspice.com/epic-junior-school-of-rock

8) The Taming of the Shrew

Central Park (69th St. and Central Park  W.)

6/20 - 7/19

Opening night 6/27

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.boomerangtheatre.org/shows-tickets/the-taming-of-the-shrew

In Pennsylvania

Courtesy of FHPR

9) South Pacific

Bucks County Playhouse (70 S. Main St, New Hope)

6/18 - 7/26

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bcptheater.org/shows/rodgers-and-hammersteins-south-pacific.

B) Cast Changes

In New York

10) Hadestown

John Michael Lyles joins the cast in the role of Orpheus 6/16.

Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, singers, and musicians Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.

Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.walterkerrbroadway.com/events/hadestown/calendar 

Photo by Andy Henderson

11) MJ

Jackson Robert Vann recently joined the cast in the role of Little Michael.

Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd St.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit MJTheMusical.com 

C) Concerts 

In New York

Courtesy of Off Off PR

12) Belle Noire

Belle Noire is a dazzling musical tribute to the iconic Black songstresses who defined American music from the dawn of early jazz to the height of the swing era. It traces a historical and cultural through‑line from early Black women entertainers to contemporary performers, weaving music, movement, narration, and archival imagery in an immersive theatrical concert celebrating the sound, style, and soul of jazz legends like Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Eartha Kitt, Dorothy Dandridge, and Ella Fitzgerald. Blending vintage visuals, cinematic projections, elegant costuming, tap dance, and live jazz, Belle Noire offers a cabaret-meets-theater experience that is both nostalgic and strikingly contemporary.

The Kaye Playhouse, Loewe Plaza (E. 68th St.)

Tuesday June 16, 7:00 PM

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit kayeplayhouse.showare.com/eventperformances.

13) Women Who Rock You From Janis to Alanis and More

Blending iconic music, emotional storytelling, and the raw spirit of rock and soul, Women Who Rock You™ celebrates the legendary female artists whose voices shaped generations — including Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, and more.

The June 22 performance will also feature a special tribute honoring legendary songwriter and producer Jerry Ragovoy, whose emotionally charged compositions helped define the sound of Janis Joplin and generations of rock and soul music. Ragovoy, who wrote classics including “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby,” “Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)” and “Get It While You Can,” will be posthumously celebrated in connection with his upcoming 2026 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

City Winery New York (25 11th Ave.)

Monday June 22, 7:00 PM

For more information or to purchase tickets Women Who Rock You Tickets 

D) Exhibit

In New York

14) The Black Mirror Experience

Drawing on the award-winning dark, satirical TV anthology created by Charlie Brooker, THE BLACK MIRROR EXPERIENCE™ blends physical space and free-roaming virtual reality to put visitors at the center of a completely new, standalone story set within the Black Mirror universe – no prior knowledge of the series required.

Visitors are invited to the exclusive opening of Phaethon's showroom – a tech giant about to unveil its most ambitious creation yet: LifeAgent, a robot designed to simplify your life, understand your desires, and help you become your best self. At first, everything feels seamless. Reassuring. Almost perfect. Until it doesn't…

THE BLACK MIRROR EXPERIENCE™ is a 60-minute hybrid experience, physical and digital, in which groups of up to six participants become the protagonists of an entirely original Black Mirror narrative, inviting audiences to examine the role technology and artificial intelligence play in our lives, in a format that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

The Shed (545 W. 30th St.)

6/20 - 9/6

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theblackmirrorexperience.com.

E) Festival

In New Jersey

Courtesy of Prana PR

15) North to Shore Festival

North to Shore returns this June with another extraordinary season of world-class performances, comedy acts, film screenings, community events, and artistic collaborations at venues across Newark and Asbury Park. 

North to Shore, a summer arts festival celebrating all of the Garden State’s creativity, diversity and  passion for innovation, is produced by the Newark-based New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).  The 2026 festival will run from June 13 – June 28, featuring a dynamic lineup of internationally  acclaimed musical performers, the biggest names in comedy, and rising local artists who help define  New Jersey’s vibrant creative landscape. 

Multiple cities across New Jersey

6/13 - 6/28

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://northtoshore.com.

In New York

Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

16) Chelsea Music Festival

This acclaimed summer festival presents a week of concerts, receptions, visual art, and family and community events exploring American stories through classical music, jazz, and the visual and culinary arts. The 2026 season features an exceptional 17 New York Premieres and 2 World Premieres. This season, the theme "Every Story Counts” draws inspiration from the phrase “Every Vote Counts,” where each person’s vote is dignified and counted in a democracy. ”

Multiple locations around New York City, primarily in the Chelsea neighborhood.

6/20 - 6/27

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.chelseamusicfestival.org/2026

Courtesy of Blitz PR

17) Origin Irish Theatre Festival

Origin, the theater company responsible for introducing the work of over 300 Irish and European playwrights to New York audiences since its founding in 2002, is honoring the Tony Award®-winning playwright Enda Walsh ("Once," “Disco Pigs,” "Lazarus"), spotlighting his groundbreaking body of work while celebrating the extraordinary legacy that began with his American debut at Origin over two decades ago.

Various locations

6/16 - 7/5

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.origintheatre.org

18) Pridefest

The Tank’s PrideFest is a festival of new and imaginative performances from queer artists that center the LGBTQ+ community. The shows of PrideFest 2026 address queer joy, laughter, struggle, resistance and beauty through a range of mediums including theater, comedy, puppetry, storytelling, and music. These performances will reflect where we've come from, where we are, and where we can go.

The Tank (312 W. 36th St.)

6/19 - 6/30

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thetanknyc.org/pridefest-2026. 

F) Lottery and Rush

In New York

19) Heated Rivalry

Digital rush tickets for Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody are available exclusively on the TodayTix app. Rush tickets are available beginning at 9:00 AM each morning for that day's performances on a first-come, first-served basis and will cost $49 each, inclusive of fees.

The 6th Floor Theater at the Culture Club (530 W. 27th St.)

Through 7/26

20) Label.less 

Label•less is partnering with TodayTix to offer same-day $33 Rush tickets exclusively on the TodayTix app. Digital Rush Tickets will be available the morning of each performance beginning at 9AM ET. Users can download the TodayTix app on an iOS or Android device and purchase up to two tickets for that afternoon or evening's performance. A limited number of rush tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Users can set an alert on the TodayTix app to be notified when rush tickets are available each day. Rush tickets are available until two hours before the performance, subject to inventory availability, and will be available for all performances.

Label•less is a groundbreaking new 90-minute musical experience that gets real about the challenges we all face in today’s world. Created by Drew Lachey (98 Degrees & “Dancing With the Stars”) and choreographer Lea Lachey, Label•less features a wildly talented cast of young adults sharing real-life experiences and taking audiences on an emotional journey packed with soaring vocals and electric dancing. With an original score spanning rock, pop, and R&B, plus hit songs like “Born This Way” and “Rise Up,” Label•less is on a mission to break down barriers, remind us of our shared humanity, and envision life beyond labels.

The Duke on 42nd St. at New 42 Studios (229 W. 42nd St.)

6/18 - 8/29

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.labellessmusical.com

G) Post Show Talkbacks and Discussions

In New York

21) Heated Rivalry

Producer Alan Kliffer recently that on Sunday, June 28, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody and TodayTix, theatre’s best ticket, are bringing the Boy Aquarium to the NYC streets for the 2026 Pride March. Catch the cast on a custom float featuring bops from the show, giveaways, and a few surprises along the way.

Additionally, the production has partnered with TodayTix and NYC Pride to host multiple official Pride Nights at the Off-Broadway theater, the 6th Floor Theater at The Culture Club at 530 West 27th St (formerly The McKittrick Hotel), during the month of June in the lead up to the annual parade. The following performances will be considered official Pride events and will include special activations for audience members including giveaways and post-show talkbacks, with 10% of all ticket sales donated to NYC Pride. Porchlight bar will host an afterparty following the June 21 talkback.

Friday, June 19 at 5pm

Friday, June 19 at 8:30pm

Saturday, June 20 at 5pm

Saturday, June 20 at 8:30pm

Sunday, June 21 at 3pm

For more information and specifics about the activations available on each date, please visit https://www.heatedrivalryparody.com/.

22) Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Producer Brian Anthony Moreland announced August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone will be partnering with the historic Apollo for a series of post-show talk backs that will take place in June and July. The talk backs will cover themes that are prevalent in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and feature members of the cast alongside leading voices in the African American community.

Thursday, June 18
Theme: Mental Health & Healing in the Black Community

Moderator: Ted Bunch, A Call to Men

 

Tuesday, June 23
Theme: Collective Memory & Trauma

Moderator: Cezar Williams, AD, The Fire This Time Festival

Wednesday, July 1
Theme: The Power of Black Joy
Moderator: Rev. Melissa Moorer-Nobles

Tickets are on sale now at www.telecharge.com, by calling 212 239 6200, or at the Barrymore Theatre box office. For more information, visit www.JoeTurnerBway.com.

23) The People Versus Lenny Bruce 

Cause Célèbre Productions has announced additional post performance discussions for the world premiere of The People Versus Lenny Bruce, a play by Susan Charlotte, based on the legal case of legendary lawyer Martin Garbus.

The story of Lenny Bruce and his New York trial is more relevant now than ever. A heart-breaking and thought provoking story filled with humor, this theatrical adaptation is the story of comic Lenny Bruce and his lawyer Martin Garbus who tried to save his client from the system – and from himself.

The additional guest speakers for the post performance discussions are:

Tuesday, June 16: Estelle Parsons (Academy Award winning actress)
Thursday, June 25: Martin Garbus, Michael J. Osgood (Former Deputy Chief of the NYPD/Special Victim’s Unit), and Randy Jurgensen (Retired NYC police officer who arrested Lenny Bruce).

Theatre Row – Theatre Four (410 West 42nd Street) 

Through 6/28

For more information, please visit www.causecelebreproductions.org

H) Run Extension

In New York

24) Ragtime

Vivan Beaumont Theatre (150 W. 65th St.)

Now closing 8/16

Upcoming cast changes:

Ben Levi Ross will play his final performance in his Tony-nominated role of ‘Mother’s Younger Brother’ on July 12. Jake Pedersen will play ‘Mother’s Younger Brother’ from July 14 through July 26, and will return to the ensemble from July 28 through August 16. Nicholas Barrón will play ‘Mother’s Younger Brother’ from July 28 - August 16.

 

Colin Donnell will play his last performance as ‘Father’ on June 14. Ben Davis (Once Upon a Mattress; New York, New York) will join the company as 'Father' from June 16 through July 19 and Matthew Scott playing 'Father' from July 21 through August 2. Davis will return to the role from August 4 through August 16.

 

Shaina Taub will play her last performance as ‘Emma Goldman,’ on August 2, with Julie Benko returning to play the role of ‘Emma Goldman’ from August 4 through August 16.

 

Anna Grace Barlow will play her final performance as ‘Evelyn Nesbit’ on June 14. Morgan Marcell will play ‘Eveyln Nesbit’ June 16 through July 16 and Marina Kondo will play ‘Evelyn Nesbit’ from July 17 through August 16.

 

Nick Barrington will play his final performance as ‘The Little Boy’ on June 14. On June 16, Jackson Parker Gill will assume the role of ‘The Little Boy’ and Greyson Chapman will join us as understudy for ‘The Little Boy.’

 

Ellie May Sennett will play her last performance as ‘The Little Girl’ on August 2, with original cast member Tabitha Lawing returning to split the role with current understudy Aerina DeBoer from August 4 through August 16.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lct.org

25) Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Marquis Theatre (210 W. 46th St.)

Closing 1/3/27

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit strangerthingsonstage.com

I) What Else is Happening

In New Jersey

26) MOE-TION DANCE THEATER EXPLORES AGING, MENOPAUSE, AND HUMAN CONNECTION IN A ONE-NIGHT PERFORMANCE 

AT CENTENARY STAGE COMPANY

Centenary Stage Company presents Moe-tion Dance Theater for a one-night only performance on Saturday, June 20 at 7:00 PM in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Maureen Glennon Clayton, the evening will feature a deeply personal and evocative program, including the premiere of a new work examining the lived experiences of aging and menopause. Through a collaborative process, with guest choreographers and dancers, Glennon Clayton has created a series of compelling vignettes that honor the changes, wisdom, and beauty that come with growing older. 

The concert will also feature young talent from the In Motion Dance Company, adding a lively intergenerational dimension and demonstrating how the love of dance unites generations while supporting the earliest stages of artistic expression.

Tickets for this performance are $20.00 - $25.00 and are available through the Centenary Stage Company box office. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at (908) 979-0900, or visit Centenary Stage Company online at centenarystageco.org.

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27) PARTICIPATE IN NJPAC’S FREE MONTHLY STANDING IN SOLIDARITY PROGRAMS FOR INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION 

Food Security
June 22 at 6PM
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
1 Center St.
Newark, NJ 
Learn about creative solutions to end the cycle of food insecurity. The program, part of the 2026 North to Shore Festival, will include resources from Growing Healthy Pantries, the Preferred Food Security Partner of the North to Shore Festival. The PSEG Foundation Social Impact film screening will be Wasted!: The Story of Food Waste, a documentary executive-produced by Anthony Bourdain. RSVP here. 

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In New York

28) Architecture League and Brooklyn Public Library celebrate design and the public imagination

Drawing Together, an evening to celebrate design and the public imagination will take place next Tuesday, June 16 on the plaza of Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library at 6:30pm.

Following the Architecture League’s annual meeting, the celebration includes opportunities for drawing, “Ask-an-Architect” Q&A sessions, and information sharing by NYC DOT officials regarding the proposed Grand Army Plaza redesign. Latin Grammy award winner Pedro Giraudo Tago Quartet will perform.

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29) Morgan Bassichis

CAN I BE FRANK?

TO PRESENT AN ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE

SATURDAY JUNE 20 AT 5PM

An ASL-interpreted performance of the Obie Award-winning play Can I Be Frank? will take place on Saturday June 20 at 5pm. 

Written by and starring comedian, artist, and writer Morgan Bassichis; directed by Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton (Oh, Mary!; Josh Sharp’s ta-da!); and based on and with original material by the late comedian and performance artist Frank Maya, Can I Be Frank? began performances May 21, 2026, at SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street, NY) and will run through June 27, 2026.

The performance of Can I Be Frank? on Saturday June 20 at 5pm will feature live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. During this performance, a professional interpreter will be positioned House Left to translate all spoken dialogue and key auditory information during the show so that Deaf and Hard of Hearing patrons can immerse themselves in the performance. For optimal sightlines to both the stage and interpreter, please choose a seat on the left side of the house titled “ASL Reserved Seat” in rows C through H. ASL reserved seats are $45 including fees.

In a desperate attempt to prove they can think about someone other than themself, Morgan Bassichis turns to the work of queer comedian, musician, and performance artist Frank Maya. Maya was among the first out gay comedians on network television and on the precipice of mainstream success before he died from AIDS-related complications in 1995. This new “solo” performance humbly attempts to ensure Maya’s legacy is no longer overlooked while finally resolving the bottomless queer search for fame, father figures, and laughter in times of crisis.   

For more information about Can I Be Frank? or to purchase tickets, visit  www.CanIBeFrank.nyc. 

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30) The Cathedral Church of Saint John 

(Sunday, June 21) – The Cathedral will host an Evensong service at 4 p.m. featuring LGBTQIA+ composers and performance by the Cathedral Community Choir. All are welcome to sing or just to listen. No tickets are necessary.

For more information and a calendar of events, visit www.stjohndivine.org 

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31) THE GREEN ROOM 42
TO PRESENT
“THE ETHEL MERMAN DISCO PROJECT”
WITH CARLY OZARD & FRIENDS!
DARNELL WHITE, MUSIC DIRECTOR

THE GREEN ROOM 42
570 10TH AVENUE (IN THE YOTEL-4th FL) – NYC

FRIDAY, JUNE 19 @ 7PM

The Green Room 42 will present “The Ethel Merman Disco Project with Carly Ozard & Friends!,” for one night only! – Friday, June 19 at 7pm. She will be joined by her Musical Director Darnell White on piano leading a five-piece band Her special guest “Mermaids” are Ava Nicole Frances, Hope Johansen and Debbi Sacleux.

The Ethel Merman Disco Project is an electrifying revival of the legendary Ethel Merman Disco Album, reimagined with a full live band and fresh EDM flair. This high-octane tribute blends classic Broadway belting with modern club energy for a night that’s as nostalgic as it is wildly unexpected. Carly and her powerhouse lineup of performers bring bold vocals, big personality, and pure joy to every track. Get ready for surprises that will make this disco spectacular unforgettable.

The Ethel Merman Disco Project with Carly Ozard & Friends! plays The Green Room 42 (570 10th Avenue – inside the YOTEL - 4th Fl.) on Friday, June 19 at 7:00pm. Tickets start at $19+ (no minimum required) and are available here or by calling 646-707-2990.

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

32) 

THE 21st SEASON OF

PROJECT SHAW

CONTINUES WITH

BERNARD SHAW’S

GETTING MARRIED

MONDAY, JUNE 22 AT 7 PM

AT THE PLAYERS

Gingold Theatrical Group continues its acclaimed Project Shaw series. George Bernard Shaw’s Getting Married. Written in 1906, Getting Married is one of George Bernard Shaw’s most provocative and surprisingly modern comedies, exploring the meaning—and mechanics—of marriage. On the day of a bishop’s daughter’s wedding, a gathering of independent minds begins to question the assumptions underpinning marriage—who defines it, who benefits from it, and who is excluded.The reading is set for June 22 at 7 PM at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003). 

Tickets are available here.

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33) YOGIS WILL RETURN TO TIMES SQUARE 

FOR THE 24^th ANNUAL
SOLSTICE IN TIMES SQUARE: MIND OVER MADNESS YOGA

Registration is Now Open for Seven Free Yoga Classes at the Crossroads of the World from sunrise to sunset 

on Sunday, June 21

For over 20 years, yogis have come to Times Square to participate in an annual all-day outdoor yoga event to celebrate the Summer Solstice.  On June 21, 2003, three people did yoga at sunrise in Times Square – two became the co-founders of Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga.  Over the past 20+ years this single event has grown to welcome thousands of yogis taking multiple classes throughout the day and filling one of the busiest intersections in the world with peace and calm. 

This year, Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga takes place on Sunday, June 21^st from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue between 45th & 48th Streets.  Media Check-In will be located on the northeast corner of the Broadway Plaza between 45^th and 46^th Streets.

Registrations can now be made for in-person classes here: TSQ.org/Solstice.    

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34) 

Twelve Hours with Tracy Letts, a marathon theatrical reading festival celebrating the works of Pulitzer Prize winner Letts, will now take place on Monday, June 22 from 11:00AM to 11:00PM at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street). Originally scheduled for February, the event was postponed due to the major snowstorm that impacted New York City. Presented by Animus Theatre Company in association with Circle in the Square Theatre School, all proceeds will benefit the school, the only conservatory located inside a Broadway theater.

The 12-Hour event is intended to give audiences an opportunity to view multiple play readings connected to one writer in a marathon setting, and this year’s festival follows on the heels of previous festivals featuring the works of Beth Henley, John Patrick Shanley, and Leslye Headland.

The plays included in this year’s festival will be: August: Osage County, Killer Joe, Linda Vista, The Minutes, and Man from Nebraska.

 

For tickets and information, please visit: www.AnimusTheatre.org. Full day passes are $90 in advance and $100 at the door and half day passes are $70 in advance, $75 at the door. Student and senior discounts are available.

 

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In Pennsylvania

35) Philadelphia Area Pride Events

2026 Lancaster Pride Festival
Saturday, June 20th, 2026
12:00pm to 6:00pm
By Lancaster Pride
At Penn Medicine Park, 650 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
No charge

Lancaster Pride is thrilled to return to Penn Medicine Park, home of the Lancaster Stormers, for their 18th annual Pride Festival!

Pride Block Party
Saturday, June 20, 2026
11:00am to 4:00pm
By Doylestown Pride Festival
At E. State Street Between Pine & Main Streets. 20 E State St, Doylestown, PA 18901
No charge

The centerpiece of Doylestown Pride Festival is the no charge outdoor Block Party on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 11:00am to 4:00pm. East State Street closes to traffic so attendees can stroll between 30+ LGBTQ+ vendors, local charities, small businesses and community organizations. Expect live music, DJs, drag performances, food, and lots of rainbows. This event has no charge and is open to the public. It is family-friendly - all ages welcome!

PrideFest Chester County
Saturday, June 20, 2026
12:00pm to 5:00pm
By LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County
At Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA
No charge

As Chester County’s largest LGBTQIA+ celebration, PrideFest brings together thousands of people from across the region for a joyful, affirming day rooted in visibility, connection and belonging. As the county’s largest LGBTQIA+ event, PrideFest celebrates diversity, inclusion, and community with family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and over 170 vendors.

This family-friendly festival features live entertainment throughout the day, with main stage performances from Ants on a Log and Love Bash. Look for community organizations and small businesses, local artists and makers, food vendors and interactive activities for all ages, including kid-friendly games and crafts and local queer artist showcases.

With more than 170 vendors, PrideFest is both a celebration and a resource hub, highlighting LGBTQIA+-affirming services, advocacy groups, and inclusive businesses that strengthen our community year-round. There is complimentary parking and a shuttle available at Phoenixville Hospital and Manavon Elementary. The Rainbow Shuttle runs from 11:30am to 5:15pm. Head to the Historic Colonial Theater for an after party celebration!

Doylestown Pride Festival Block Party
Saturday, June 20, 2026
11:00am to 4:00pm
By Doylestown Pride Festival
Starts at East State Street Between Pine and Main
No charge

Doylestown Pride Festival presents their annual Pride Block Party with a full-day, all-ages celebration with music, food, drink and over three dozen artists, makers, vendors and community groups. No charge to attend.

Pride at the Park
Saturday, June 20, 2026
11:00am to 4:00pm
By Pride at the Park
At 80 Windsor Ave, Narberth, PA 19072
No charge

Lower Merion and Narberth’s Annual Pride Festival are dedicated to creating a youth led, community focused Pride Festival each June. To support our work here at PATP, please consider donating or volunteering! Our mission is to create a youth led, welcoming and inclusive pride celebration for Narberth, Lower Merion Township, and surrounding areas by featuring LGBTQIA+ and allied artists, performers, organizations, and businesses. It’s a time when people from all around Narberth, Lower Merion, and Philadelphia can come together to celebrate diversity, learn from each other, connect with their community, and have a great time. You can expect food, live music, local artists and vendors, charities and student organizations. The team is dedicated to planning the only major pride event in Narberth and Lower Merion.

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Courtesy of Aversa PR

36) Philadelphia Zoo is Soccer and World Cup Ready: From Species to Swag to Celebrating Animals from Around the Globe to a 10 Story Pherris Wheel to New Exhibits and Living Art Zootopiaries 

Philadelphia Zoo is ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of guests from around the globe as locals and tourists from across the city and region begin to celebrate the arrival of the FIFA World Cup and America 250. At the Zoo, guests can meet 60 species that are native to the nations playing at Lincoln Financial Field throughout the tournament: Brazil, Croatia, Curacao, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Haiti and Ivory Coast. Plus, the Zoo has opened a brand-new gift shop, Destination Philadelphia, that has everything needed to cheer on Team USA for the World Cup and celebrate America 250. And, the Zoo is offering parking to visitors looking to visit FIFA Fan Festival. Philadelpiha Zoo also is proud to present their Philly Pherris Wheel specially open for America 250 and World Cup visitors this spring at 110 feet / 10 stories tall with epic views of Philadelphia. Carey Bear Country just opened in time for World Cup visitors - and penguins and Zootopiaries have returned to the Zoo for FIFA and America 250. 

For more information, visit philadelphiazoo dot org.

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Other

Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

37) Vangeline Launches New Online Platform Exploring Butoh

Vangeline Theater, home of New York Butoh Institute, has launched a new online platform, WRITINGS–From History to Theory, that brings together essays, lectures, reflections, and research by Vangeline exploring Butoh through the lenses of dance, embodiment, history, pedagogy, feminism, the nervous system, and contemporary culture. To read the inaugural essay by Vangeline, please visit here.

These writings emerge from more than three decades of artistic practice, choreography, teaching, and ongoing dialogue with Butoh communities around the world.



The first publication in this series, Butoh, Sensitivity, Sensuality, and the Nervous System, is accompanied by a lecture of the same title. Drawing from both artistic practice and contemporary understandings of the nervous system, Vangeline proposes a new framework for understanding Butoh through bodily sensitivity, perception, and regulation. The essay also reexamines the historical contributions of women to the development of the art form and explores receptivity as both a technical skill and an aesthetic principle within Butoh.

These writings are available in English, Spanish, and French.

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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for More Theater Monday. 

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