(NEWARK, NJ) -- Prudential North to Shore presents, comedy kingmaker Bob Sumner — co-creator of HBO's Def Comedy Jam —and the next wave of comedy greatness with The Rising Stars of Comedy: I'm in Love with Mary Jane Show on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.
Curated by the legendary talent scout himself, this lineup brings together five firecracker comedians on the up and up — Anthony Oakes, Rio Paris, Mason King, Rashaun Reese and Apple Brown Betty.
Each performer offers their own wild style, quick wit and unforgettable energy, setting the stage for a raw, real and ridiculously funny evening. They’ve cut their teeth in some of the best comedy clubs and festivals on the scene and have each been steadily building a buzz.
Sumner knows talent when he sees it. Many of the most gifted comedians to grace the stage and screen worldwide have Sumner to thank for helping them up through the ranks. This includes Bill Bellamy, Mike Epps, Dave Chappelle, Sheryl Underwood, Jo Koy, Chris Tucker, Deon Cole, Bill Burr, Cedric the Entertainer and the late, great Bernie Mac. Among other roles, Sumner is also the Curator of Comedy at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Tickets start at $46 and are available for purchase online starting Friday, April 18 at 10:00am. Tickets are also available by calling 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or by visiting the NJPAC Box Office (1 Center Street) in Newark.
Come vibe, laugh and fall head over heels for Mary Jane and the next big names in stand-up. With a special surprise DJ host, and a crowd ready to roll like in the Peppermint Day, this is your front-row seat to the future of funny.
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.
