McCarter Theatre Center presents a Week of Music and Dance with Mariza, Cecile McLorin Salvant, London City Ballet, and Suzanne Vega

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/23/2026

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- From the music of Portugal to jazz, contemporary ballet, and some of the most recognizable songs in contemporary songwriting, McCarter Theatre Center welcomes four distinctive performances in early November: Mariza, Cécile McLorin Salvant, London City Ballet, and Suzanne Vega.

Mariza | October 29 at 7:30pm - Portuguese singer Mariza brings the sound and spirit of fado to McCarter. Known for its emotional depth and sense of saudade, a Portuguese word that speaks to longing and yearning, fado has deep roots in Portugal's musical traditions. Mariza honors that history while exploring new directions, including on her latest album, Amor.

Make an evening of it at McCarter! The lobby is open to the public from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, with discounted drinks and snacks during happy hour from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. At 6:00pm, Portuguese duo maiseu, featuring vocalist Joana Camões and guitarist Miguel Samarão, performs live in the Lockwood Lobby. No show ticket is required to enjoy happy hour.

Cécile McLorin Salvant | November 1 at 6:00pm - A three-time Grammy Award winner, Cécile McLorin Salvant is one of the leading voices in jazz today. A composer, singer, and visual artist, she approaches songs as stories, moving among jazz, blues, vaudeville, folk, baroque, and other musical traditions. Her performances bring fresh perspectives to familiar songs and introduce audiences to lesser-known musical gems. Media Sponsor: WRTI

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London City Ballet | November 4 at 7:00pm. London City Ballet makes its McCarter debut with a program that brings together established works and new choreography. Ashley Page's Mephisto Waltz opens the evening, followed by Jerome Robbins' rarely seen Quiet City, choreographed for three male dancers, and Soon, a new work by rising choreographer Tasha Chu. The program concludes with Glen Tetley's Firebird, revived in his centenary year. Media Sponsor: WRTI

Suzanne Vega | November 6 at 8:00pm - Suzanne Vega brings a career-spanning selection of songs to McCarter, including favorites such as "Tom's Diner," "Luka," and "Marlene on the Wall," along with songs from her 2025 album, Flying with Angels. She'll be joined by longtime guitarist Gerry Leonard, known for his work with David Bowie, and cellist Stephanie Winters. Since the release of her self-titled debut album in 1985, Vega has made a lasting impression with her distinctive voice and songs that find meaning in the details of everyday life.

Tickets are available at mccarter.org. McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, New Jersey.

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 company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub for arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence dates back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Kaufmann & Hart’s You Can’t Take It with You, and William Inge’s Bus Stop all had their premieres on the McCarter stage, paving the way for a long history of collaborations with playwrights to launch remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances, reaching millions of audience members around the world.

The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Of the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 5,000 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust educational offerings in Princeton, Trenton, and schools throughout the region. McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.