Madeleine Peyroux performs with bassist Barak Mori and guitarist Jon Herington
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Madeleine Peyroux brings her WE ARE AMERICA: American Songs That Give Us Hope tour to McCarter Theatre Center on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Marking the 10th anniversary of her acclaimed album Secular Hymns and the 30th anniversary of her breakthrough recording Dreamland, Peyroux returns with a deeply personal concert celebrating the richness of American music. Known for her intimate style and evocative interpretations, she blends storytelling, history, and song in a program reflecting on identity, resilience, and the stories that shape us.
Reuniting with longtime collaborators Barak Mori (bass) and Jon Herington (guitar), Peyroux revisits the stripped-down trio sound that defined Secular Hymns. The program spans a wide range of American music—from Judy Collins, Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, and Allen Toussaint—alongside Peyroux's own original songs.
The result is less a traditional concert than a shared experience, connecting audiences through music that speaks across time. "Music has the power to unite people," Peyroux says. "It is the easiest way to find solidarity with another human being."
Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling Patron Services at (609) 258-2787. McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.
Born in Athens, Georgia, and raised in Paris, Peyroux began her career as a street musician before rising to international recognition with Dreamland. Over the past three decades, she has built a global following through her distinctive voice, genre-crossing repertoire, and deeply personal approach to performance.
McCarter is one of the country's flagship theaters and a vibrant center for community and the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the independent nonprofit serves as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub for arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and education programs for all ages.
A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter's legacy of artistic excellence dates back to 1930. Thornton Wilder's Our Town, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart's You Can't Take It with You, and William Inge's Bus Stop all premiered on the McCarter stage.
McCarter is equally revered for presenting global artists including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock.
Each year, more than 5,000 students participate in McCarter's educational programs across the region. McCarter creates experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
