New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


Constantine Maroulis Brings Broadway to Avenel Performing Arts Center


By Karen Nowosad

originally published: 06/25/2019

Constantine Maroulis Brings Broadway to Avenel Performing Arts Center

On Saturday, June 15, Tony Nominee Constantine Maroulis gave two concerts at Avenel Performing Arts Center. The APAC advertised the show as part of “Broadway Comes to Avenel” and his setlist reflected that theme. The singer/actor is well known for his strong tenor voice. The songs he sings and the personal touches he gives to his shows add much to the audience’s enjoyment. The show I attended at 8:00 was filled with people who remember Constantine Maroulis from Broadway as well as Season 4 of American Idol. From their reactions and post show comments, I would say they really enjoyed the show.

Mr. Maroulis used his storytelling skills to weave the program together. He opened the show by singing “There’s a Place for Us” and “Maria” from West Side Story. Between those two songs, he spoke of watching the movie on television a few times a year with his family. As a very young boy, he was impressed with what he saw. He later appeared as an ensemble member of the Jets in a local production of West Side Story. This gave him some very valuable experience and a strong interest in musical theater.  

He kept that interest going after high school when he enrolled in the Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music to study musical theater and voice. It was in Boston that he developed a career plan which included auditioning and then being in the very popular show, Rent. To honor his time playing Roger in the touring company of Rent he sang “One Song Glory.” He also told how he practiced doing shows on his own such as Chess. He then sang a very dynamic rendition of a song from that show, “Pity the Child.”

Constantine Maroulis Brings Broadway to Avenel Performing Arts Center

Mr. Maroulis has a longtime working relationship with music writer Frank Wildhorn. He sang “Sarah” from Wildhorn’s show The Civil War and a song from Death Note. Next, he sang a beautiful love song from a new show, Excalibur. Finally, he concluded this segment of the show with a powerful rendition of “This is the Moment” from Jekyll and Hyde where he played the lead role of the revival of the show both on tour and on Broadway.

Another show that is a special favorite of the singer is Jesus Christ Superstar. He sang “Gethsemane” which was very moving and filled with passion. His voice was absolutely superb bringing the audience to their feet with applause.



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



On a lighter note, Mr. Maroulis talked about working with Post Modern Jukebox the last few years. He sang Aerosmith’s powerful hit song “Dream On” in a styling used by Post Modern Jukebox at their shows. The versatility he has is evident by doing songs like “Dream On” and then paying tribute to his time on American Idol by singing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

His final selection of the night was “Don’t Stop Believin.” This song by the band Journey was a part of the Broadway show Rock of Ages in which he starred and earned one of his two Tony Nominations. It was evident from the audience’s very happy response that they enjoyed hearing the way he combines his love of Broadway songs with rock. He also sang some of his new music, “All About You,” which is slated to be on his upcoming record/album.

Joshua Stephen Kartes accompanied Mr. Maroulis on the piano. Mr. Kartes is an accomplished musician who provides outstanding music. His own devotion to music is evident as he gives strong emphasis to the melodies to bring out the words Mr. Maroulis sings. The rapport between the two works well.

All in all, it was a most enjoyable evening of music at the new Avenel Performing Arts Center. This was my first event at the venue so I have to give high marks to the designers of the concert hall for the acoustics. In speaking with several people, good comments were made about the seating and I can attest to the good leg room!

To read our interview with Constantine Maroulis, click on this link.

To find out more about the very talented performer, visit his website at constantinemaroulis.com.

Photos from Avenel PAC show by K. Dickinson


Let's Go to the Theater helps people learn more about about live theater and develop appreciation for this art form. Karen M. Nowosad is the founder of the site. The enjoyment Karen gets from going to the theater is something she wants to share with others.



 
Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY


Rebirth Brass Band

Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 8:00pm
The Vogel
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
category: music

Click here for full description


Magical Mystery Doors: Tribute of The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles

Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music

Click here for full description


Southern Rockfest featuring A Brother's Revival and Classic Skynyrd Live

Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music

Click here for full description


Click here for more events

Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages.

Click here for more info.







 

LATEST NEWS


Ocean Casino Resort presents Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Ocean Casino Resort presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo on Saturday, July 6, 2024 in Ovation Hall. In a pop culture world defined by its perpetual changes, the partnership of singer songwriter Pat Benatar and producer-musician Neil Giraldo has been a potent, steadfast union that has soared to the top of the charts and into fans' hearts on their own terms. Showtime is 8:00pm.


The Princeton Folk Music Society to Celebrate Pete Seeger's legacy with Professor Allan Winkler




State Theatre New Jersey presents One Night of Queen




The Adelphi Orchestra Presents "Complexity & Simplicity" with SoHyun Ko


Click here for more event previews







New Jersey Stage

© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Nobody covers the Arts
throughout the Garden State
like New Jersey Stage!


Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and on our RSS feed


Art | Comedy | Dance | Film | Music | Theatre | Ad Rates | About Us | Pitch a Story | Links | Radio Shows | Privacy Policy