New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



The Shining Stars- Broadway and Beyond!

Friday, May 09, 2025 @ 7:00pm



Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

The Shining Stars celebrate Broadway as this talented group of performers with special needs takes the UCPAC Main Stage for another exciting show! They have been lighting up the UCPAC stage since 2019 and no doubt, this show will be another memorable night of song and dance featuring legendary Broadway music you know and love, performed with the excitement and passion that these stars bring to every show. This show is presented by Shining Stars Network, a non profit 501(c)3 organization which shines the light on the special needs community by creating opportunities in the performing arts. Over 1,000 audience members attended our first “Broadway” show back in 2019 at UCPAC so you won’t want to miss this one!

Shining Stars Network is an expansion of the incredibly successful Shining Stars Talent Show – which was created by Sally Curci in 2012 to showcase the various talents of special needs students in Cranford, New Jersey.

Sally Curci and Shining Stars were awarded the prestigious Betty McGhee Award for her service to the special needs community by the Arc of Union County. Sally was also honored by the Cranford Board of Education for her service to the community.

Special needs and neurotypical performers come together in a dazzling display of choreography and teamwork – a culmination of four months of rehearsals and amazing dedication from the students, parents and volunteer buddies from local high schools.




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

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- From June 4 through October 15, 2026 (except for July 2), Classic American Tales (CAT) once more presents Tales at the Dormer House in which guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories written by noteworthy authors, read by a variety of performers. The schedule is 4:00pm every Thursday at the historic Dormer House Bed and Breakfast (800 Columbia Avenue) in Cape May, NJ. Performances are on the front porch, weather permitting.



American

American Theater Group to present East Coast Premiere of "Destroying David" as 2026-27 Season Opener

(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) presents the East Coast premiere of Destroying David at the DMK Theater at Union Arts Center from October 9-18 and at the Sieminski Theater from October 23-25, 2026. Destroying David is a thrilling, witty and heartfelt solo show about the power of art to help us through our darkest hours. The play is written and performed by Emmy Award-nominee Jason Odell Williams. ATG's new Producing Artistic Director Charlotte Cohn will direct.



The

The 2026 Dodge Poetry Festival to Take Place October 15-17

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation (Dodge Foundation) and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced that Dodge Poetry, North America's largest poetry festival, will return to Newark October 15-17, 2026.



There

There will be a Def Poetry Reunion at Dodge Poetry Festival on October 17th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the highly anticipated Def Poetry Reunion, taking place exclusively at NJPAC during the renowned Dodge Poetry Festival. The festival will run from October 15-17, 2026, with the Def Jam Poetry Reunion scheduled for Saturday, October 17th at 5:00pm, promising an unforgettable evening for poetry fans and local communities.



Rock

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Patti Smith comes to NJPAC for a Night of Songs and Stories on October 16th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) proudly welcomes legendary poet, musician, author and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Patti Smith for a special performance during the Dodge Poetry Festival on Friday, October 16, 2026. Returning to her home state of New Jersey, Smith brings together poetry, music and storytelling in a performance by one of the most influential creative voices of the past half-century.












LATEST COLUMNS


BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Soaked" by Kiaura Rose

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Soaked" from Kiaura Rose's debut seven-song debut album, "Vagrant."




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 08/06/2026

"I am great! I was in California last weekend and just got back, I have the day off and I'm getting to chat with you so everything is great," says Monster Jam monster truck driver Angelina Nock as she let us in on the profession, her background and what we can expect when she gets behind the wheel of Megalodon at Newark's Prudential Center August 14 through 16.




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