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Showing all results: From 64 to 74


Monty Alexander at Kean Stage

by Andrew Schinder
published 2026-11-01

Monty Alexander grew to become one of the most legendary pianists in jazz, in part, by marrying the pleasure points of two musical worlds. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Alexander grew up listening to the island's celebrated local music – reggae, calypso, folk. At the same time, he became a huge jazz fan at an early age, influenced by his music enthusiast parents, and was sure to catch heroes, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, whenever they crossed the Caribbean into Jamaica. By blending Jamaica's native sounds with traditional American swing, Alexander became an icon, creating a unique -- and irresistible -- take on jazz music.



 

 




Passage Theatre Company presents "Jitney" by August Wilson

(TRENTON, NJ) -- This holiday season, Trenton's only professional theatre company is staging the first-ever performance of an August Wilson play within the state capital. Passage Theatre Company will present August Wilson's Jitney, directed by Zuhairah McGill and starring Passage Theatre Executive Artistic Director Brishen Miller as Booster. The production runs from November 27 through December 20, 2026. The production is supported in-part by funding through the NJEDA's A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program, Isles, and GoTrenton.



Centenary Stage Company presents Disney's "Frozen: The Musical"

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Disney's Frozen: The Musical, this year's Family Holiday Spectacular, running November 27 through December 13, 2026 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Based on the beloved Academy Award-winning Disney animated film, this musical features music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, with a book by Jennifer Lee.



Westfield Community Players present "Miracle on 34th Street - A Live Radio Play"

(WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players present Miracle on 34th Street - A Live Radio Play from November 27-29, 2026. Directed by Jose Rivera, this is adapted by Cass Cochrane and based on the novel by Valentine Davies and the 1947 screenplay by George Seaton.



American Repertory Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" in Princeton, Red Bank, and New Brunswick

American Repertory Ballet (ARB) invites you to experience The Nutcracker, a timeless story filled with magic, beauty, and the spirit of the season. For more than 60 years, this cherished production has captivated audiences of all ages, enchanting first-time visitors while remaining a treasured holiday tradition for thousands of families. With its breathtaking dancing, unforgettable music, and beloved characters, The Nutcracker continues to create memories that last a lifetime.





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State Theatre New Jersey presents A Magical Cirque Christmas

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents A Magical Cirque Christmas on Friday, November 27, 2026 at 4:30pm and 7:30pm. In this show, the cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists will mesmerize, twist, flip, and push the boundaries of imagination where gravity is defied, and human potential knows no limits.



The Newton Theatre presents Big Apple Comedy Club 68

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Big Apple Comedy Club returns to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 8:00pm. This laugh-packed night features four, hilarious comedians coming to the stage for one epic night. Don't miss Olga Namer, Jeff Norris, Nick Telleli and Ruperto Vanderpool.



Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's "Holiday Inn"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn from November 28 through December 20, 2026. The beloved film classic comes to the stage in a charming crowd-pleaser featuring one glorious Irving Berlin number after another, each celebrating a different festivity.



Brian Ostering and his band present The Elvis Spectacular at the Middletown Arts Center

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Brian Ostering and his band present The Elvis Spectacular at the Middletown Arts Center on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Showtime is 7:00pm.



George Street Playhouse presents "2 Pianos 4 Hands"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents 2 Pianos 4 Hands, written by Ted Dykstra ("The Expanse") & Richard Greenblatt (Letters from Lehrer), and directed by Tom Frey (Souvenir). 2 Pianos 4 Hands begins previews December 1, 2026, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center and is set to open December 4, for a run through December 20, 2026.




 

FEATURED EVENTS


Travel back to the 80s with one of the decade’s best-loved films, “The Karate Kid” in 35mm!



 
Michael McDermott’s brand of rock n’ roll brims with the kind of well-honed style and wisdom that can only come from a career on the road and a pedigree in the studio. Effortlessly blending natural folk sensibility, pop hooks, and honest rock, McDermott’s music is as much for the outcast as the congregation. It’s an exploration of the dark corners of life’s journey and it resonates middle class truths through the passionate filter of a kid that grew up on Chicago’s Irish South Side.



 
10,000 Maniacs – 45 Years of Timeless Music

 

Praised as “the greatest songwriter on the planet,” by Sir Elton John, Rufus Wainwright joins the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia for a special one-night-only engagement performing selections from his albums Rufus does Judy at Carnegie Hall and Want One, Want Two, and beyond. Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia is a dynamic new collaborative ensemble that brings together student musicians from Princeton University's Sinfonia, directed by Ruth Ochs, and Princeton Playhouse Orchestra, directed by Solon Snider Sway, alongside members of the Princeton Jazz Ensembles and local professional musicians.


On the mark of its 20th anniversary this year, Wainwright’s “Rufus Does Judy” is undoubtedly one of the most sensational shows from his incredible career, an exhilarating and loving recreation of Judy Garland’s infamous 1961 comeback concert. “Rufus Does Judy” made its premiere at Carnegie Hall in 2006 and garnered Wainwright’s first GRAMMY nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. The full program has been performed globally including the London Palladium, Hollywood Bowl, Paris’ L'Olympia, and Toronto’s Luminato Festival. For the Colorado Symphony show, Wainwright will curate a special selection of his favorite songs from the album. 2026 will be the last time Rufus reprises this iconic show. 


Rufus Wainwright’s Want One and Want Two have earned recognition as iconic albums worldwide, with Paste Magazine elevating Want One to the No. 1 album of the year, and Rolling Stone Magazine listing it in their top 5 best albums of 2003. Bowie hailed Wainwright’s song ‘Dinner at Eight’ as the “best father/son song he knew”. 22 years later, these songs have been given new life through lush symphonic arrangements by Sally Herbert (Woodkid, Florence + the Machine) and Max Moston (Antony and the Johnsons). 


Combined in one program, these works form just a few of the many pillars of Rufus Wainwright’s extensive career—works that define his singular voice and fearless emotional range, merging vulnerability with spectacle, tradition with reinvention. Decades on, these songs continue to resonate as the foundation of Wainwright’s legacy.


 
Eric Jacobsen conductor
Christian McBride double bass
Chris Komer horn
New Jersey Symphony