Jersey Arts Podcast

“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 Musical" at Surflight Theatre in ...

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 improv, he is an alumnus of t...

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 Garden State at Two River Theater...

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 competition that inspired it–giving audi...

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 the Beatles.

In addition to being a b...

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 Film.

Whethe...

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 and most recently, in 2024 he was on...

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 Branford and Wynton Marsa...

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, including "Impractical J...

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” about? Its synopsis reads - “A...

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 follows is a fierce, funny and escalating ...

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 Village amid the AIDS cri...

Rolling Stone has called him "the leading singer-songwriter of the New Folk Movement." New Jersey’s own John Gorka is a world-renowned singer-songwriter who is most comfortable with a guitar in hand. 

You may hear him strum the guitar occasionally throughout the piece and not just during his live performances! That's right, this episode includes three live serenades, including "I'm From New Jersey" and ...

"Jaws." It was an iconic moment in cinema history. The three-time Academy Award-winning film is credited as the first true “summer blockbuster,” having toppled box office records to become the top-grossing film of 1975. And as we approach its 50th anniversary, George Street Playhouse is bringing the behind-the-scenes story of the film’s making to the stage.

FADE IN: The open ocean, 1974. Filming is delayed…again. The lead ...

Grammy Award-winning Melissa Etheridge has been a household name for the last thirty years, but most recently she has released a new album entitled “I’m Not Broken” and executive produced a docuseries of the same name. The album and the series were recorded live at the Topeka Correctional Facility in Kansas as an ode to the strength and perseverance of women.

Etheridge isn’t the first singer-songwriter to perform at a prison but thi...

Jazz fans, rejoice! Grammy winning trumpeter, Chris Botti, will be gracing the stage of the Mayo Performing Arts Center this April. 

For nearly three decades now, Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world, boasting collaborations with stars like Sting, Paul Simon, Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Andrea Bocelli and many more.

His most recent album, produced by David Foster an...

The six-time Tony Award winning show “Dear Evan Hansen” is bringing its North American Tour to the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ. The show boasts music and lyrics by EGOT winners - that’s an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony - Benjamin Pasek and Justin Paul. “Dear Evan Hansen” offers a score that will have you whistling the tunes on your way out of the theater.

The show tackles some sensitive topics in a way that audiences have b...

Jonatha Brooke has a voice to soothe your soul, and the lyrics to nurture it. First introduced to audiences as a part of the duo, “The Story,” Brooke eventually turned to an illustrious solo career and has been gifting us with her own unique storytelling ever since.

Jonatha has quite the discography to boast with 14 albums over the past three decades, most of which were produced under her own independent label - Bad Dog Re...

Pinky Patel is the crown adorned TikTok comedian you’ve come to know and love for her no holds barred, quick and quippy style. She speaks directly to audiences from her glam cave though sometimes she calls it - something else.

She claimed TikTok stardom while still working her corporate 9 to 5 job and playing PTA mom on the daily. It was the Covid pandemic and a close friend who gave her the push she needed to change her l...