Photo by Paul Morejon
(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.
Get Up, Stand Up! is a soulful bop through the songs that have moved and grooved us through the decades. Get Up, Stand Up! showcases Henry’s incredible range as he flows seamlessly from the classic soul of Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, and Sam Cooke to Broadway gems by Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and original selections from his solo album.
“Joshua Henry is the kind of artist who reminds you why live performance matters,” said Steve Cochran, Manager of Kean Stage. “Starting our season with Get Up, Stand Up! feels especially meaningful—it’s joyful, inspiring, and a perfect invitation for our community to come together and experience something unforgettable."
Tickets range from $58-$88 and are available for purchase online or by contacting the Box Office at (908) 737-7469. The Kean Stage Box Office is located in Wilkins Theatre (1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ) and is open Monday - Friday, 10:00am - 3:00pm.
Joshua Henry is currently starring as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Ragtime. He most recently starred as Gaston in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration special and in Lin Manuel Miranda’s feature Tick, Tick…Boom! alongside Andrew Garfield.
Henry most recently starred in the Grammy-winning, Broadway revival of Into the Woods alongside Phillipa Soo and was also in the cast of Waitress as the charming Dr. Pomatter. He made his Tony-nominated Broadway run as Billy Bigelow in a revival of Carousel for producer Scott Rudin and director Jack O’Brien. He also portrayed Aaron Burr in Hamilton, in Chicago and on the first U.S. tour. Joshua has also starred on Broadway as Noble Sissle in George C. Wolfe’s Tony-nominated musical Shuffle Along opposite Audra McDonald. Henry was also seen on Broadway in his Tony-nominated turn opposite Sutton Foster in the musical Violet. He received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award nominations for his performance. He was previously nominated for a Tony Award for his starring role in Susan Stroman’s The Scottsboro Boys.
As a recording artist, he has opened for Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl, performed alongside Common at The Kennedy Center, and his album GROW is streamable everywhere.
Kean Stage at Kean University educates, entertains and challenges audiences by presenting high-quality programs that reflect the diversity of the region and of the arts. These cultural offerings complement the intellectual life of the classroom for our students, increase opportunities for community engagement, and provide affordable access to the arts for New Jersey residents. Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy a wide range of professional theatre, Broadway tours, dance performances, concerts, international films and family-friendly shows. In addition, Kean Stage encourages University students to attend events, and provides several opportunities to explore the performing arts through masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and employment opportunities as ushers, backstage technicians and box office staff.
Kean University, New Jersey’s urban research university, is a national institution of higher education recognized for its diversity, innovation and the social mobility of its graduates. Designated an R2 research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Kean ranks among the top eight percent of U.S. universities for research and doctorate production.
Founded in 1855 as a teachers college, Kean has evolved into a thriving research university that supports students as they persist to graduation, give back to their communities and launch successful careers. Kean’s six colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate programs, seven doctoral degree programs and more than 70 options leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications, across a full range of academic subjects. With campuses in Union, Toms River and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, as well as Kean Online, the University provides students of all backgrounds an affordable and accessible world-class education.
