Authors at this year’s Montclair Literary Festival will include Joyce Carol Oates, Colm Toibin and Tom Perrotta.
Here is a roundup of major arts events taking place around New Jersey, through May 7.
BOOKS
• Eugene Robinson, Maria Semple, Tom Perrotta, John Fugelsang and Christina Baker Kline will be among more than 60 writers featured in the 10th annual Montclair Literary Festival, taking place from May 2 to May 11 in various venues in downtown Montclair, and at Montclair State University.
Among the May 2 events: Jim Windorf will talk about his book “Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other — and the World” with writer and musician Warren Zanes at The Montclair Public Library, at 1:45 p.m.; Joyce Carol Oates will discuss her new collection of suspense writing “Double Trouble” with writer and visual artist Jonathan Santlofer at The First Congregational Church’s Guild Room, at 1:45 p.m.; and Colm Tóibín will talk about his collection of short stories “The News From Dublin” with writer Garth Risk Hallberg at The First Congregational Church’s Sanctuary, at 3 p.m.
The festival raises funds and awareness for Succeed2gether, the Montclair-based nonprofit organization that addresses unequal access to educational resources by providing free enrichment and academic programs and a post-high-school pathway to children in need from Montclair and other Essex County towns.
The cover of Jamie Lynn Sigler’s book “And So It Is … A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope,” May 5 at Bookends in Ridgewood.
• Actress Jamie Lynn Sigler, best known for playing Tony Soprano’s daughter Meadow on “The Sopranos,” will appear at Bookends in Ridgewood, May 5 at 7 p.m., signing copies of her new book, “And So It Is … A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope.”
THEATER
• The McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton will present Heidi Armbruster’s “Mrs. Christie” from May 6 to May 31 at its Berlind Theatre. The 2019 play is based on a real 1926 incident when mystery writer Agatha Christie — then 36 and already famous — disappeared for 11 days, with no explanation.
Christie, who died in 1976, never explained what really happened.
MUSIC
• The Prudential Center in Newark will present “Hatsune Miku — Miku Expo 2026,” May 7 at 8 p.m. Hatsune Miku is a virtual Japanese pop idol who makes “live” appearances as a holographic projection. According to the tour’s website, Miku Expo is “a world concert tour … that brings along a variety of sub-events (exhibitions, workshops, club events …) where fans of all backgrounds can meet up and share various aspects of the creative culture surrounding Hatsune Miku.”
• Willie Nile will bring his band to The Outpost in the Burbs at The First Congregational Church in Montclair, May 3 at 8 p.m., with Debra Devi opening.
Click HERE for a recent NJArts.net interview with Nile, by Cindy Stagoff.
“I love the music and playing the songs lifts my spirits, plus I’ve got a world class band to help bring the songs to life,” says Nile, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a professional musician this year. “It’s a celebration every time we play and it’s a feel-good show so people who come out have a great time and their spirits are lifted the same as ours. I don’t know why the fire still burns as much as it does, but it does, and I’m deeply grateful for that.”
PAQUITO D’RIVERA
• Saxophonist, clarinetist and composer Paquito D’Rivera — born in Cuba but a longtime New Jersey resident, as well as a five-time Grammy winner — will perform with The William Paterson University Latin Jazz Ensemble as part of the Jazz Room series at The Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University in Wayne, May 3 at 3 p.m.
There will also be a “Meet-the-Artist” session at 2 p.m., which ticket-holders can attend at no additional charge.
• Roger McGuinn of The Byrds will perform at The Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, May 1 at 8 p.m.
He will also talk about his career, and show videos, at the university’s Great Hall, April 30 at 2 p.m.; the talk is free to all concert ticket-holders.
• Chris Martin IV, joined by musician and guitar instructor Craig Thatcher, will talk about his 35 years as the head of the Martin Guitar company (founded in 1833) in an event titled “An Evening With Martin Guitar,” May 7 at 7 p.m. at The Bickford Theatre at The Morris Museum in Morris Township.
DANCE
• American Repertory Ballet will present a show titled “Americana” at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, May 1-3. The program will include works by George Balanchine — including an excerpt from “Stars and Stripes,” set to music by John Philip Sousa — plus world premieres of pieces choreographed by ARB dancer Michelle Quiner and ARB artist in residence Ethan Stiefel.
Charlie Chaplin in “The Gold Rush.”
FILM
• The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra often performs live music at screenings of classic silent films, and will do so when “The Gold Rush” is shown at The Brook Arts Center in Bound Brook, May 3 at 3 p.m. The 1925 film — written and directed by Charlie Chaplin — features him in his Little Tramp persona, on the search for gold in Alaska and falling in love with a woman he meets at a dance hall.
This show will feature the film’s original orchestral score, conducted by PRO Founder Rick Benjamin, with live sound effects.
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REVIEWS
“1776” at Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn. (Through May 2)
“Sins of the Mother” at New Jersey Repertory Company, Long Branch.(Through May 3)
“The Mountaintop” at Mile Square Theatre, Hoboken. (Through May 3)
“& Sons” at Luna Stage, West Orange. (Through May 10)
“Ann Vollum: Sharp Teeth, Long Tongues!” at BrassWorks Gallery, Montclair. (Through May 22)
“Alexandra Schoenberg: Shifting Perspectives” at Hillside Square Gallery, Montclair. (Through June 26)
“Willem de Kooning: The Breakthrough Years, 1945–50” at Princeton University Art Museum. (Through July 26)
“Allan Rohan Crite: Neighborhood” at Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick. (Through July 31)
“Salvador Jiménez-Flores: Raíces & Resistencias” at Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton. (Through Aug. 1, 2027)\
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