Kelli O’Hara
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey welcomes patrons for A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Proceeds from STNJ's Annual Benefit Gala directly support its mission to provide transformative arts education programs, affordable ticketing initiatives, and community outreach efforts that bring the joy of live entertainment to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.
Held at the historic State Theatre, the evening includes dinner on their main stage, dancing, a silent auction, and an intimate performance by Tony® Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara.
Co-chaired by Robert J. DiLeo (State Theatre Board Member, NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co.) and John Reissner (Magyar Bank), this year's A Night In Lights Annual Benefit Gala honors John and Jeanne Fitzgerald as Arts Advocate Award recipients.
“State Theatre New Jersey holds a special place in our hearts—not just for the incredible slate of performances that light up the stage each season, but for the vital role it plays in enriching our community," says John Fitzgerald (2025 Co-Honoree, President & CEO of Magyar Bank, and STNJ Board Chair). “From inspiring students, to supporting local artists, to energizing downtown New Brunswick, STNJ makes a meaningful impact. We are proud to support State Theatre and are looking forward to A Night In Lights—an unforgettable evening celebrating the arts.”
Tickets and sponsorships are still available; visit STNJ.org/Gala, email gala@stnj.org, or call 732-247-7200, ext. 512.
State Theatre New Jersey gratefully acknowledges the generous support of their committed Gala sponsors as of the date of this release, including American Benefits Consulting and Craig & Nancy Guiffre, Magyar Bank, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Campbell, Alma Scott, Boraie Development LLC, EAB Insurance Group, John and Jeanne Fitzgerald, Johnson & Johnson, NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and The DiLeo Family Foundation, Lisa and Rick Martin, Todd A. Shamy and Joey Kareem Grinkley, Robin E. Suydam and Paul Corkery, Benjamin and Christine Bucca, Cahn & Parra LLC, Stephan DeMicco and Jeanne Fox, IBEW Local 456, Lombardi & Lombardi P.A., Turner Construction Company, Eileen Harkins, Reilly Financial Group, and Peter and Maggie Stavrianidis. Their dedication and partnership play an essential role in helping us bring this celebration—and our year-round mission—to life.
Annual Benefit Gala - As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, State Theatre New Jersey’s A Night In Lights Annual Benefit Gala provides essential support to our work providing affordable access to the arts for all communities through initiatives including free tickets for veterans, subsidized admission for public-school students, free tickets for NJ charities, and $10 tickets for families enrolled in NJ’s Families First Program and Medicaid cardholders.
A Night In Lights begins at 5:00pm with a cocktail hour, silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and signed memorabilia from some of STNJ’s top performances, and live entertainment, followed by a gourmet dinner, awards ceremony, and mission drive. After O’Hara’s breathtaking performance, the night will conclude with a vibrant after-party with music, dancing, and late-night indulgences.
Kelli O'Hara has established herself as one of Broadway's greatest leading ladies, with eight Tony® nominations and a 2015 win for The King and I. Her Broadway credits include Kiss Me Kate, The Bridges of Madison County, South Pacific, The Pajama Game, and The Light in the Piazza, among others.
On screen, she earned an Emmy® nomination for The Accidental Wolf and appears in HBO’s The Gilded Age, which received a SAG nomination. Other credits include Masters of Sex, 13 Reasons Why, Peter Pan Live!, and The Good Fight.
Most recently, O’Hara starred in Days of Wine and Roses, earning her the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical in addition to receiving Tony and Drama League Nominations for her role. Upcoming projects include Season 3 of The Gilded Age.
After major renovations, State Theatre New Jersey celebrated its 100th Anniversary in December 2021 in a fully renovated theater. 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.
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, Tom Jones, 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. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.
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