Jay Leno, photo by Jeff Auger
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- On June 8, 2024, State Theatre New Jersey hosted the annual STNJ Benefit Gala to celebrate live performance, community, and legacy. The State Theatre Benefit Gala took place at the historic theater and featured a performance by comedian Jay Leno. This year’s Gala raised funds essential to State Theatre New Jersey's work to provide education and community engagement programs for children, families, and underserved residents and support the continued excellence of its world-class mainstage performances.
“With more than 100 years of memories, the State Theatre is one of the most special and historic venues in New Jersey, and it was truly wonderful to open the entire theater to our Gala attendees,” commented State Theatre New Jersey Gala Co-Chairs Wendy Wiebalk and Steven Cahn. “Thank you to the incredible Gala Committee, State Theatre staff, and generous supporters on making this event a great success.”
At this year’s Gala, the State Theatre honored John Pulomena, County Administrator of Middlesex County, NJ, as its 2024 Arts Advocate Honoree alongside NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and The DiLeo Family Foundation as its 2024 Corporate Honorees.
John Pulomena and Robert DiLeo, photo by Jeff Auger
Inspired by mainstage entertainer Jay Leno's passion for classic cars, this year’s Gala featured a 1950s theme. Guests were transported for an evening of retro charm, from poodle skirts to leather jackets, sock hops to gourmet diner delights. The Gala festivities featured a cocktail & dinner reception with delicious catering by Fritz’s, live music by Shake Rattle & Roll Pianos, and a silent auction with select signed memorabilia from some of STNJ’s top performances alongside curated experiences. After Jay Leno’s performance, Gala guests enjoyed a Late-Night After Party featuring the Blaire Reinhard Band, dancing, signature cocktails, and late-night treats.
Key sponsors for this year’s event included: American Benefits Consulting and Craig & Nancy Guiffre, Thunderbird; Joan & Bob Campbell, Corvette; NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and the DiLeo Family Foundation, Corvette; Boraie Development, LLC, Eldorado; EAB Insurance Group, Eldorado; Johnson & Johnson, Eldorado; Magyar Bank, Eldorado; Alma Scott, Eldorado; and Somerset Patriots, Clinton Honda, and Land Rover of Princeton, Skylark. Additional sponsors included BCB Bank; Benjamin & Christine Bucca; Cahn & Parra, LLC; Stephan DeMicco & Jeanne Fox; DLR Group; The Green Jade Group at Morgan Stanley; IBEW Local 456; Nicholas and Leah Kambitsis; Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.; Najarian Associates; Presidential Cleaning; Robin Suydam & Paul Corkery; Turner Construction Company; Eileen Harkins; Reilly Financial Group; and Todd A. Shamy & Joey Grinkley.
The State Theatre 2024 Benefit Gala committee included (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee, Gala Co-Chair) Wendy Wiebalk, Cahn & Parra, LLC; (Gala Co-Chair) Steven Cahn, Esq., Cahn & Parra, LLC; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee, Gala Auction Chair) Eileen Harkins, Retired, Johnson & Johnson; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Hiam Boraie, Boraie Development; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Ben Bucca; Christine Bucca; Saul Curtis, Retired, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Laura DeCandia, Johnson & Johnson; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Joey Kareem Grinkley, Merck; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Craig Guiffre, American Benefits Consulting; Jean McDonnell, Magyar Bank; John Reissner, Magyar Bank; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Alma Scott, Retired, Johnson & Johnson; Todd Shamy, Kenvue; and (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Robin Suydam, Franklin Mutual Insurance Companies.
Honorees with Sarah Chaplin, John Fitzgerald, Wendy Wiebalk, and Steven Cahn. Photo by Jeff Auger
After major renovations, State Theatre New Jersey celebrated its 100th Anniversary in December 2021 in a fully renovated theater including newly renovated lobbies, all new restrooms, upgraded HVAC systems, a new elevator for access to all levels, and brand-new theater seats. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre’s historic significance was honored by PBS by featuring it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey, in the fall of 2018. “Treasures of New Jersey: State Theatre New Jersey” can be streamed online.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have featured high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey’s programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.
