Broadway 2015: 11 shows to look for this season by Ronni Reich

Now that we've counted down to 2015, the countdown to the next Tony Awards begins. Several shows that opened in the fall should receive some nominations, such as "On the Town," "The Curious …

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on January 11, 2015☆⚑

Jennifer Hudson set for Broadway debut in 'The Color Purple' by Ronni Reich

Hudson, who rose to fame as a contestant on 'American Idol' and went on to an Academy Award-winning turn in 'Dreamgirls' will play lounge singer Shug Avery.

SOURCE: NJ.com at 5:30pm on January 9, 2015☆⚑

Inside Jersey's 2015 Arts Preview: N.J. & N.Y.C. THEATER by Ronni Reich

The year 2015 promises lots of new work

SOURCE: NJ.com at 7:00am on January 8, 2015☆⚑

Top 10 2014 NJ stage performances by Ronni Reich

This year's best were an eclectic lot, showcasing the variety and gifted artists of New Jersey's theater scene

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 30, 2014☆⚑

Top 5 N.Y. shows this week: 'The Merry Widow' with Renee Fleming, Twelfth Night Festival by Ronni Reich

Also: The New York Philharmonic rings in the New Year with Dianne Reeves singing Gershwin

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 29, 2014☆⚑

Top 10 2014 New York stage performances by Ronni Reich

This year was full of great shows that didn't seem sure bets on paper.

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 28, 2014☆⚑

Arts events: 'Merry Widow' at the Met, NYPhil New Year's Eve by Ronni Reich

Also: Make Music New York returns to celebrate the solstice

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 17, 2014☆⚑

'A Christmas Carol': Tradition triumphs at the McCarter Theatre by Ronni Reich

Graeme Malcolm returns to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 16, 2014☆⚑

Luna Stage shakes up Christmas with 'Tilt the Unlit Candle' by Ronni Reich

Ben Clawson's 'Tilt the Unlit Candle' has its world premiere in West Orange

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 12, 2014☆⚑

Shakespeare Theatre's 'Much Ado' is a festive '40s affair by Ronni Reich

Even for holiday entertainment skeptics, what could almost be called "Much Ado About Christmas" is far more than the usual vehicle for theatrical snowfall and caroling.

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 9, 2014☆⚑

Arts events: 'White Christmas,' (New) Classical at LPR by Ronni Reich

Also: Complete casting announced for 'On the 20th Century' on Broadway

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 9, 2014☆⚑

'Grinch' star Presley Ryan, 9, trades Short Hills for Whoville by Ronni Reich

Ryan plays Cindy Lou Who in 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas' at Madison Square Garden

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 7, 2014☆⚑

'The Fabulous Lipitones' opens at the George Street Playhouse by Ronni Reich

A barbershop quartet gets a surprise when it goes looking for a new member

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 2, 2014☆⚑

'Elf' opens at the Paper Mill Playhouse by Ronni Reich

Bells jingle and snowflakes spin. Every tree in sight is festooned with ropes of colorful lights, and if you look up, you just might see a certain someone's sleigh flying overhead.

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 2, 2014☆⚑

Top 5 N.J. shows this week by Ronni Reich

Much Ado in Madison — The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey concludes its season with its namesake's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing." Scott Wentworth directs and appears …

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on December 2, 2014☆⚑

Holiday CDs: Dreaming of a 'Frozen' Christmas with Pentatonix and Idina Menzel by Ronni Reich

Also: Michael Feinstein records seasonal classics in cabaret style

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 30, 2014☆⚑

'Robeson' opera opens at NJPAC by Ronni Reich

Trilogy: An Opera Company paid homage to the great NJ-born bass

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 25, 2014☆⚑

Top 5 N.J. shows this week by Ronni Reich

'Elf' begins performances at the Paper Mill Playhouse

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 25, 2014☆⚑

Arts events: 'Wicked,' Motown legends, and 'Robin Hood' on Broadway by Ronni Reich

New cast members and new shows grace the Main Stem

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 25, 2014☆⚑

Top 5 N.Y. shows this week: 'The Illusionists' on Broadway, Hilary Hahn by Ronni Reich

Also: Disenchanted! takes the stage off-Broadway

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 24, 2014☆⚑

'Elf' brings outsize holiday spirit to the Paper Mill Playhouse by Ronni Reich

James Moye takes on the Will Ferrell role in a musical version of the 2003 movie

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 21, 2014☆⚑

Arts events: 'The Nutcracker' story, Rockettes by Ronni Reich

Also: The NJSO invites singers to raise their voices for a 'Gospel Hallelujah'

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 18, 2014☆⚑

Top 5 N.Y. shows this week: 'Honeymoon in Vegas,' Meredith Monk by Ronni Reich

Also: Work by Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Akhtar appears off-Broadway

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 17, 2014☆⚑

Ashleigh Smith wins Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition by Ronni Reich

Vaughan, the legendary vocalist who hailed from Newark, started her own career after winning a competition for amateurs at the Apollo Theater in New York.

SOURCE: NJ.com at 5:54pm on November 16, 2014☆⚑

A new 'Side Show' hits Broadway by Ronni Reich

Director Bill Condon is out to resettle the score for Daisy and Violet Hilton with a revised version of "Side Show" that opens tomorrow.

SOURCE: NJ.com at 6:00am on November 16, 2014☆⚑