(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Live Nation present Aries Spears on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New York native's quick wit, charisma, and ferociously aggressive comedy style have earned him critical acclaim, accolades, and, above all, a busy schedule.
From being a regular on Fox's Mad TV, starring in feature films, appearing on many national talk shows, and continually touring the country, where he continually sells out every city, Spears' talents are widespread as he just passed the three million spins played on Pandora and his podcast is one of the "Musts" in the U.S.
In 2023, Spears guest-starred in CNN's See It Loud hit docuseries on the history of Black Television, alongside Amanda Seales, Da'Vinchi, Debbie Allen, Deon Cole, Desus & Mero, Gabrielle Union, Jimmie Walker, Judge Greg Mathis, Lynn Whitfield, Mo'Nique, Naturi Naughton, Sherri Shepherd, Tatyana Ali, Tisha Campbell, Vivica A. Fox, and many more.
Tickets start at $46 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
As a principal cast member on Fox's hit sketch comedy show Mad TV, Spears brought a fresh, hip style to the already edgy program. The producers made full use of many of Spears' talents by calling on him frequently to create new hilarious characters and write sketches where he thrived for eight seasons.
Some of the many recurring characters that Spears is famous for on the show include Belma Buttons, Bill Cosby, Jesse Jackson, Mike Tyson, Walter (Crackheads), Reggie (Erascist), Dollar Bill Montgomery, Shaquille O'Neal, The Klumps, Michael Jackson, Sisqo, Evander Holyfield, El Diablo Negro, and more. He also boasts several uproarious impersonations on the show that include James Brown, Al Pacino, and his childhood idol, Eddie Murphy. The Spears-branded sketch "Talkin' American" was Mad TV's most popular bit, keeping fans tuned in and boosting Mad's ratings impressively on Saturday night.
Spears has also found great success in the world of feature films. At the age of 17, after being spotted in a comedy club, he landed a part in the movie Home of Angels, which eventually led to a starring role alongside John Leguizamo in The Pest followed by the notable role as Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s brother in the blockbuster hit, Jerry Maguire.
State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS featured it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half 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 included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. 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.
