New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

New Jersey Lyric Opera Returns to Kelsey Theatre for Summer Opera Festival

originally published: 07/16/2024


(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- New Jersey Lyric Opera (NJLO) returns to Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre for a second year with a weekend of opera favorites on MCCC's West Windsor Campus, July 26-28, 2024 during the Summer Opera Festival. Set with a wide range of emotions and melodies, the festival weekend features presentations by talented artists from the tri-state region and beyond. The weekend includes the presentation of three opera's, plus the Gala Spectacular, a showcase of opera favorites.

The opera weekend kicks off with Rigoletto (Friday, July 26 at 7:30pm), the tragic story of the unprincipled Duke of Mantua, his hunch-backed court jester Rigoletto, and Rigoletto's daughter Gilda. It’s a cautionary tale of love, jealousy and a shocking finale with famous melodies La donna è mobile and Caro Nome. The performance stars Christopher Connelly in the title role, nuanced soprano Amanda Simms as Gilda, and acclaimed tenor John Villemaire as The Duke of Mantua.

The Summer Opera Festival continues with the Puccini opera Tosca (Saturday, July 27 at 2:00pm), the tale of famous singer Floria Tosca, who tries to save her love, painter Mario Cavaradossi, from a corrupt government and police chief Scarpia. Soprano Stacey Canterbury returns to Kelsey Theatre as Floria Tosca, warm-voiced tenor Nikhil Krushna as Cavarodossi, and robust baritone Chris Drago Fistonich as Scarpia.

The Gala Spectacular (Saturday, July 27 at 7:30pm) features a visually-stunning, immersive program with live, on-stage performances including opera favorites The Pearlfisher Duet, The Queen of the Night, Nessun Dorma, Pilgrim Chorus and the Ghost Scene from Don Giovanni, all paired with rare opera gems. A one-of-a-kind performance starring tour-de-force bass Timothy Kjer, versatile mezzo Brittany Griffith, and velvet-voiced soprano Emily Woodruff returns from last year’s La Traviata.

The Summer Opera Festival concludes with Elixir of Love (Sunday, July 28 at 2:00pm), an exhilarating romantic comedy set in a modern day shopping mall. This entertaining escapade tells the story of lovelorn Nemorino who asks for a magic love potion, tricked by celebrity vendor Dr. Dulcamara — only to find out the fake potion might actually work. Starring tenor Sebastian Armendariz as Nemorino, Izaya Perrier as the eccentric Dulcamara, Robert Flora as the charismatic Belcore, Natalie Pica as the animated Gianetta and Theresa Carlomagno as Adina, who made her European debut at the Herodion in Athens, Greece, this past summer alongside Joyce El-Khoury and has shared the stage with luminaries like Andrea Bocelli and Mario Frangoulis.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Tickets start at $25 and may be purchased online at KelseyTheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333.

Kelsey Theatre is located on the MCCC campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor Township. The theater is wheelchair accessible with free parking adjacent to the venue. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. For a complete listing of events, visit the Kelsey website at www.KelseyTheatre.org.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Love, Loss, & What I Wore"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Love, Loss, & What I Wore from July 5-11, 2025. Based on Ilene Beckerman's bestselling book, this tender and witty play weaves together monologues and ensemble pieces to explore the deep connections between clothing and memory, touching on themes like mothers, prom dresses, bras, purses, and the timeless appeal of black clothing. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.



Classic

Classic American Tales presents "The Specialist" and "The Wizard of Oz" this week

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- This week, Classic American Tales presents two different events in two different Cape May locations: The historic Dormer House B&B and Rea's Farm.



East

East Lynne Theater Company presents Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning, Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) – now in its 45th year–will present its first show of the company's Mainstage Season, Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise," from June 19 to July 12, 2025 with a special performance to honor Veterans on June 27. The heartwarming love story features Liz Mattera, an East Lynne veteran, as Louise, and New York-based actor Xander Furman as Jack, with Mark Edward Lang (ELTC's "Possessing Harriet") directing and lush period costumes by NYC designer Travis Chinick.



Montclair

Montclair Township Declares 'Montclair Theater Day' Ahead of Vanguard Theater's Inaugural Festival

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Known for its vibrant and lively arts scene, the town of Montclair continues to find new and meaningful ways to celebrate creativity within its community. One of the town's newest initiatives includes the inaugural Montclair Theater Festival, presented by Vanguard Theater and The Essex County Board Of Commissioners. This eagerly anticipated event is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Glenfield Park in Montclair's historic Fourth Ward.



Dragonfly

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" in Metuchen and Plainfield

(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Not long after a revival of Thornton Wilder's play Our Town closed on Broadway, New Jersey audiences will have the chance to see the classic drama close to home. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic play in both Metuchen and Plainfield in July. Directed by Dragonfly's Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux, Our Town invites audiences into the heart of small-town America through the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 



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