Jersey Arts Podcast

*There is currently no live performance in NJ attached to this episode.* In today's episode, Gina speaks with the talented blues artist, Jovin Webb. Perhaps you’ve seen him on American Idol, maybe you’ve been following him since his early days or perhaps this is your first introduction to his soulful music but no matter the journey, he is an artist to follow moving forward. His raw and emotiv...

Today, Gina is speaking with the Bacon Brothers. Yes, that is Hollywood A-lister Kevin Bacon and Emmy Award-winning composer, Michael Bacon. The siblings have spent the better part of three decades creating their own mix of folk, rock, soul, and country music. They call that diverse sound "forosoco," and it's taken them around the world, from headlining gigs in Japan to American per...

“West Side Story” is making its way to the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn this May and we could not be more excited. If you’re unfamiliar with the classic tale, we suggest you buckle up and get ready for an evening of music you’ll be singing all the way home, and likely for the foreseeable future. Chances are you’ve already heard the most famous songs whether you’ve seen the musical or not. “I F...

Today, we are speaking with the legendary violin virtuoso, Itzhak Perlman. Winner of four Emmy Awards, sixteen Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, a Kennedy Center Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Perlman is a superstar! A status, rarely afforded to classical musicians. He is beloved the world over for his talent, charm, and humanitarian efforts. He will be inspiring audie...

It is a big year for the Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point as they near their 10th Anniversary Season, but as they brace for that landmark next summer, they are offering a plethora of opportunities to their community and hopefully to you in the meanwhile. In years past, the Gateway has split its season among straight plays and comedies with musicals. This year marks the first time that Gateway Pla...

From the mind of Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey, Dog Man is half dog, half policeman, and the beloved subject of 14 graphic novels, a major motion picture, and a theatrical production— Dog Man: The Musical . Director/choreographer Jen Wineman, book writer/lyricist Kevin Del Aguila, and composer Brad Alexander discuss bringing this beloved character and his strange, silly world to the stage....

Laurie Berkner has been dubbed “The Queen of Kids’ Music” by People Magazine, and it’s not hard to see why. Berkner’s songs have been streamed 1.7 billion times. She’s sold 1.5 million albums and appeared at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Carnegie Hall, and the White House. She was even seen her in the recent HBO documentary, Happy and You Know It , which features some of the biggest names of...

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Eric Troyer and Dave Scott-Morgan of The Orchestra.  This may be one of my favorite chats because I felt like a fly on the wall watching two very talented friends catch up. A somewhat talkative fly, but a fly nonetheless. If you’re unfamiliar, “The Orchestra Starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members” is a successor band to Electric Light Orchestra, forme...

Theater aficionado’s will likely be familiar with the plays of Theresa Rebeck—the most Broadway-produced female playwright of our time and creator of the hit TV show, Smash. For the upcoming show, Samantha Inside Out at New Jersey Repertory Company, though, Rebeck is not the writer, but the director— a role she has increasingly enjoyed over the last several years.  Samantha Inside Out is a one-wom...

Today we’re speaking with comedian George Lopez about the ins and outs of fame, the current sociopolitical climate, and how these things inform his life and his comedy. You may know Lopez from his standup specials like 2025’s “Muy Catolico,” “We’ll Do it For Half,” and “The Wall: Live from DC.” Maybe from his 2002 sitcom “The George Lopez Show” or the more recent “Lopez vs. Lopez” in which he star...

If you’re an avid news viewer, you’ve probably heard discussions of the U.S. Constitution bandied about as of late. Is it being violated? Are we upholding it? Does anyone really know what’s in it? Well, if you’re not sure what’s in it but you’re intrigued and would like to learn through a fun and engaging night at the theater, Pioneer Productions Company invites you to their production of “What th...

Today, we are highlighting the five-time Grammy Award-nominated band, Roomful of Blues. First formed in 1967, the group touts an impressive tenure approaching almost sixty years in the industry. While some new faces have come and gone in that tenure, the eight-piece blues band is still going strong- most recently welcoming their first female singer, D.D. Bastos, to the octet. Together, the group h...

Today we are talking about a new musical concert experience celebrating the holiday spirit like never before! This holiday season, Koolist Entertainment is proud to launch a world premiere tour from the creators of Koolulam – The Mass Global Singing Sensation that swept the hearts of millions to sing together worldwide. Producers Kathi and Alan Glist of Glist Entertainment are on the podcast today...

“It’s just nice to meet another human who shares my affinity for elf culture.” While that may be a quote from the movie, "Elf", it’s also the truth. Gina is a huge fan of the movie and elf culture! While she's yet to see its musical counterpart, she was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Buddy himself, actor Dustin Ceithamer who is portraying the lead in the "Elf, the Mu...

Today's episode is all about Ben Schwartz, improv, and his first ever performance in New Jersey. You may know him as Jean Ralphio in “Parks and Rec,” Yasper in “The After Party,” Josh Bath in “The Earliest Show,” (which is coming back soon!) Clyde in “House of Lies” or maybe as the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog. That barely grazes the surface. His portfolio is long and varied. With roots in imp...

If you’re a fan of Hamilton , he needs no introduction. Okieriete Onaodowan – also known as Oak to friends and fans – originated the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the mega-hit musical. He also played Dean Miller on the TV show Station 19 and leads the new series Demascus –now streaming on Tubi–which the LA Times called a “must-watch”. Born and raised in New Jersey, Oak is back in...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show , Frankenweenie , Poor Things … the story of Frankenstein has been adapted many times over and continues to find new relevance with each interpretation. Playwright David Catlin’s version, called Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , does double duty by presenting a story within a story. The show depicts both the tale of Frankenstein as well as the famous spooky storytelling c...

John Pizzarelli is a guitarist and singer who has been hailed by the Boston Globe for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz.” He’s been established as one of the prime contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook and has even expanded that repertoire by including the music of Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Antônio Carlos Jobim and t...

Let’s talk movies.  Here's another episode where Gina geeks out about movies with people who do just that, for a living! This time with the folks behind Montclair Film. Joining me today are Tom Hall, Artistic Director of Montclair Film, and their new Executive Director, Tricia Haggerty Wenz. We’re talking about the Montclair Film Festival, running October 17-26th, and all things Montclair Fil...

Today we're speaking with trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval. He is a 10-time Grammy Award winner, an Emmy Award recipient, and a six-time Billboard Award winner. He also holds a Hispanic Heritage Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama, a Doctorate in Fine Arts from the prestigious Notre-Dame University, and was recently honored with a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 a...

Evan Sherman oozes the soothing essence of jazz, that quiet confidence that lulls you into a sense of calm. Today, we're talking to the Grammy-winning drummer about his career trajectory. Hailing from the great Garden State, Sherman has been a professional musician since his teenage years, having played alongside greats like Ron Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, and...

Join host Gina Marie Rodriguez as she speaks with Mr. Jon Crowley, the recently appointed Executive Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission, under the purview of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. Prior to joining the NJEDA, Crowley worked within the television industry for over two decades, producing and directing several well-known television series, inc...

Today’s episode takes us to London, England. Well, sort of. East Lynne Theater Company’s production of “Every Brilliant Thing” is currently rehearsing across the pond and I was able to steal a few moments with actor Rohan Tickell and director Deirdre McLaughlin. Joining us from East Lynne’s headquarters in Cape May is Executive Director Mark David Boberick. But what is “Every Brilliant Thing” abou...

Today we are highlighting Premiere Stages' twentieth season as they introduce their most recent production, “The Mallard,” written by Vincent Delaney and directed by John Wooten. --Freya and Gillian are teachers who have offended their school board and lost their jobs. Davis and Reagan are yard sale fanatics in search of a priceless antique duck decoy, the Horace Crandall Mallard. What follow...

Today, we’re talking all things "Rent." Pioneer Productions Company of Morristown will be bringing the larger-than-life rock opera to a more intimate setting. With music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is quickly approaching its 30-year anniversary. The show first premiered on Broadway 29 years ago in 1996. Set in New York City’s East Vil...