New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



Rich Francese's Italian American Comedy All Stars

Thursday, August 21, 2025 @ 7:30pm



Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008

Rich Francese’s Italian American Comedy All Stars is a fast-paced, unpredictable, and hysterically funny show.

The show consists of National Headliners Rich Francese, Eric Tartaglione, and Frank Santorelli, who are all our proud Italian Americans.

Special Guest, Fred Rubino opens the show.

Join them as they discuss family, friends, things that annoy them (An Italian specialty), growing up Italian, dating, marriage, and then raising their own kids.  It’s like being at Sunday dinner with hundreds of guests, with some of the funniest people on Earth stirring the pot. So come on down and enjoy what is sure to be the funniest night of your life. Let’s do it Italian Style!

RICH FRANCESE: Funny how? Rich will show you how funny. A Regular at the prestigious Gotham Comedy Club in NYC, and the world famous Comedy Cellar in NYC, Rich is legendary for his intelligent and well-crafted material and improvisational genius on stage, he’s a killer! Rich also was a writer for Saturday Night Live coupled with an occasional sketch appearance. He also starred in The Italian American comedy touring stand up and sketch show “What Are You Looking At?” which was presented by many of the best theaters on the East Coast.  He was also selected to perform at the prestigious Montreal Comedy Festival.

ERIC TARTAGLIONE: A dynamo on stage, Eric’s high energy and high likability translates into rapid fire laughs.  A national headliner, Eric is known for poking fun at his Italian upbringing and his shortcomings dealing with everyday life.  A multi-talented artist, Eric co-wrote and co-starred in the award winning Italian American themed play, “Shut up, Sit Down, and Eat!”

FRANK SANTORELLI: A native of Boston, Frank Santorelli has been in the Comedy Scene for over fifteen years. Frank was a regular on HBO’s “The Soprano’s” playing ‘Georgie’, the bartender at the Bada-Bing. He has been seen on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, VH-1, MTV, HBO, Showtime, Comedy Showcase with Louie Anderson, Conan O’Brien, Evening at the Improv, A&E’s Caroline’s Comedy Hour and clubs all across the country. You may also remember him as the “Elevator Guy” from Short Attention Span Theater on Comedy Central. 

SPECIAL GUEST, FRED RUBINO: Fred Rubino is a standup comic from Brooklyn New York who performs all over the East Coast from comedy clubs to casinos and resorts. He has been called the “voice of American Italians”.




For information on how your event can be listed, click here



 

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

UPCOMING EVENTS




 

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


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



PBS'

PBS' Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum. The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Megan

Megan Thee Stallion to make her Broadway debut in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical"

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Producers of the Tony Award®-winning, record-breaking Broadway hit Moulin Rouge! The Musical have announced that three-time Grammy Award-winning superstar and actress Megan Thee Stallion will make her Broadway debut in the production as "Zidler", impresario of the titular nightclub. Taking the stage for a strictly limited 8-week engagement, Megan will light up the Al Hirshfeld Theatre from Tuesday, March 24th to Sunday, May 17, 2026, promising an unmissable, moment in the show's legendary run.



Paper

Paper Mill Playhouse presents "1776"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical, from April 1 through May 2, 2026. It brings the story behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the stage with witty satire, compelling drama, and a thrilling score. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and their fellow delegates as they navigate fiery debates, political tensions, and personal conflicts in their struggle to unite thirteen colonies.












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Dance of the Waxwing" by Pyrenesia

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Dance of the Waxwing" by the Lambertville-based gypsy jazz quartet Pyrenesia.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 04/23/2026

April 26, 2009; 17 years to the day this Sunday that "Danny Coleman's Rock On Radio" took to the airwaves on WIFI 1460 AM radio. Can it be that long? The answer is yes it can be and yes it has. 




This Week in Comedy: April 21-27, 2026

Here's a look at comedy shows taking place across the state from April 21 to April 27, 2026. New Jersey Stage compiles this list from comedy clubs, casinos, and performing arts centers.




This Week in Music

Here is a look at shows taking place this week along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas