(NEWARK, NJ) -- NJPAC will present four outrageous performances of comedian Whitney Cummings' popular "Touch Me" stand-up comedy show on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. "Touch Me" is a play on Cummings most recent Netflix special, "Can I Touch It" and will destigmatize and celebrate the importance of being together again after over months of isolation. The beautiful thing about the phrase "Touch Me", is that it has multiple meanings: the most obvious of course, is physical touch but there is also being touched emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and Cummings will cover it all.

Over the past few months while larger theaters have been closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Whitney has been touring the United States, workshopping her new material in smaller rooms in preparation for her massive “Touch Me” theatre tour.  During these creative workshopping sessions, Cummings has been engaging with her audience through her stand up, but also through physical touch- hugs, dancing, playful antics, etc.  As the most prominent female voice in standup comedy, the “Touch Me” tour will be a big ole’ party and celebration of LIFE!   The material is deeply personal, reflecting on the changes the pandemic brought to her life and her observations of today’s society. 

“Over the past year, I’ve had a lot of time to drink but also to work on ways to connect with comedy fans through my podcast and social media, and even though we’ve all been so far away from each other, I feel closer than ever to the people who follow me. I went from putting out a well-polished hour comedy special every couple years to sharing my personal life daily and frankly, secrets I shouldn’t even tell my therapist. I can’t wait to get back in venues with comedy fans and get every other disease besides Covid,” says Cummings.  

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located at One Center Street in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, which have reached almost 2 million children, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 10 million visitors since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.