Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 06/10/2021
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents An Evening of Dueling Pianos featuring Nate Hopkins and Debbie Tjong on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 7:00pm. This virtual Pride Month event will be hosted on Zoom by drag queen performer, Victoria Lace. A minimum donation of $15 allows patrons to participate in the event. Proceeds raised support State Theatre’s Community Engagement programs. To sign up for this event, click here.
The Pride Month event is presented by State Theatre New Jersey's LGBTQ Community Engagement Committee. Launched in 2016, State Theatre’s LGBTQ Community Engagement Committee is comprised of dedicated community leaders with a wide range of backgrounds that champion diversity, increase engagement, and build relationships with members of New Jersey’s diverse community.
The STNJ Pride event will feature an audience interactive dueling pianos performance which will allow audience members to request songs. The event will also include giveaways and special guest appearances. Those who sign up for the event will automatically be entered to win a variety of prizes, including gift certificates to Fiddleheads Restaurant in Jamesburg or Robert’s Florals in Highland Park; the Pride 2021 Everyone is Awesome LEGOÒ set; a $50 Visa gift card, courtesy of Argentino Fiore Law & Advocacy, LLC; State Theatre swag; or State Theatre show tickets.
Debbie Christine Tjong is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and actress. An alumna of Berklee College of Music, she has been working professionally as a singer and dueling piano player for 10 years. In addition to piano and voice, she plays the bass, guitar, and drums. She has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions, most recently being in the ensemble and understudying the female lead in The Wrong Man, helmed by the team of Hamilton.
Nate Hopkins is a singer, pianist, entertainer, and actor. An alumnus of Berklee College of Music and the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater, he has been seen in dueling piano venues across the country, notably as the entertainment director of Howl at the Moon NYC. He has appeared onstage as an actor and musician in Broadway’s Bandstand, as well as off-Broadway’s What’s It All About: Bacharach Reimagined. He has also served as music director for Imperial Cities, as well as the theatrical productions of Eastbound and When Change Comes.
Victoria Lace is an entertainer and New York native with 34 years of artistic experience. She began her drag career as a background dancer for other well-known queens, and eventually branched out on her own. Her career took off after winning pageants all across the country. Aside from dancing, Victoria developed her skills impersonating artists such as Gladys Knight, Donna Summer, and Tina Turner. She has appeared in films such as To Wong Foo, Stonewall, and American Gangsters.
State Theatre was built in 1921 as a silent film and vaudeville palace. Recognizing the historic significance of the theater, PBS honored State Theatre New Jersey by featuring it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey, in the fall of 2018. “Treasures of New Jersey: State Theatre New Jersey” can be streamed at STNJ.org/History. Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed six million people through its doors since reopening as a non-profit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County, and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have featured high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey’s programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
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Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
George Street Playhouse Presents Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-woman Show
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Cocomelon: Sing-a-long Live!
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 1:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Cocomelon: Sing-a-long Live!
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 5:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
George Street Playhouse Presents Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-woman Show
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
EVENT PREVIEWS
State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.
NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.
Musicians on a Mission to Celebrate 16th Anniversary with Gala Concert at Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Musicians on a Mission (MOAM) will celebrate sixteen years of friends helping friends through music with a special anniversary gala and concert on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
NJPAC Announces Top Five Finalists of the 15th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the top five finalists of the 15th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Selected from a record-breaking pool of more than 360 entrants spanning 38 different countries, these gifted young singers represent the next generation of great jazz vocalists. The 2026 finalists are: Alyssa Allgood (Chicago, IL), Vahn Black (Detroit, MI), Nathan Farrell (New York City, NY), Angélique Nicolas (Paris, France), and Jackie Ribas (New York City, NY).
