Explore New Jersey

Fantasia in Concert with New Jersey Symphony
2025-10-26 00:00 (America/New_York) | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Experience Disney’s groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation, Fantasia. Beloved repertoire from the original 1940 version and Fantasia 2000, including The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and The Nutcracker Suite, will be performed by the New Jersey Symphony while Disney’s stunning footage is shown on the big screen. Enjoy iconic moments and childhood favorites like never before!
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.
Co-presented with New Jersey Symphony

Good Stuff: The Music of Sting and Steely Dan
2025-10-26 00:00 | Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Dr, Manasquan, 08736, United States
Gear up for an unforgettable night as Good Stuff returns to the Algonquin, bringing the iconic music of Sting and Steely Dan to life! This powerhouse band delivers spot-on renditions of timeless hits with top-tier musicianship that has wowed audiences up and down the East Coast. Don’t miss this incredible tribute!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show
2025-10-26 00:00 | New Jersey
Experience the spellbinding stories and colorful characters of beloved author and artist Eric Carle in a whole new way, with The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Show! Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, this innovative stage brings to life four Eric Carle stories, through 45 magical, handcrafted puppets, world-class puppeteering and lively original musical that invites your little one to play along with their favorite stories!

Rock and Roll Playhouse – Music of Bruce Springsteen for Kids
2025-10-26 12:00 - 14:00 | White Eagle Hall, 337 Newark Avenue , NJ, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07302, United States
Rock and Roll Playhouse – Music of Bruce Springsteen for Kids – Sunday, October 26, 2025

Introduce your little ones to the magic of live music with Rock and Roll Playhouse at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. Perfect for children age ten and under, this family-friendly concert combines movement, interactive games, storytelling, and hands-on fun with the timeless songs of rock legends, including a special focus on the music of Bruce Springsteen.

Accompanied by The Eddie Testa Band, kids and parents alike can sing, dance, and explore the joys of rock and roll in an engaging, safe, and creative environment. With carefully adjusted sound levels to protect young ears, Rock and Roll Playhouse creates a fun introduction to live music while fostering creativity, rhythm, and musical appreciation.

This concert is designed as an early musical adventure, giving children their first real taste of performing arts, audience interaction, and the thrill of classic rock. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver to ensure a comfortable and immersive experience.

For tickets, detailed event information, and other family-friendly performances across New Jersey, visit the Explore New Jersey Entertainment Directory.

Diana Ross
2025-10-27 17:30 - 23:30 | The New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Diana Ross Brings Timeless Hits and Unforgettable Glamour to NJPAC

Newark is set to sparkle as Diana Ross, one of the most iconic figures in music history, takes the stage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for a night of unforgettable entertainment. With a career spanning decades and a string of chart-topping hits that have become part of the soundtrack of generations, Ross promises a performance that will be equal parts spectacle, nostalgia, and pure musical artistry.

Known for her dazzling stage presence, signature style, and unmatched vocal talent, Diana Ross has long been a beacon of glamour and excellence in entertainment. Fans can expect to hear an array of classics including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Upside Down,” “I’m Coming Out,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” Each song carries the energy, emotion, and storytelling that have cemented her legacy as a cultural icon.

The evening at NJPAC will not simply be a concert—it is a celebration of Diana Ross’ enduring impact on music, fashion, and popular culture. Audiences will experience the magic that has made her performances legendary, from elaborate costumes and choreographed dance numbers to heartfelt moments that connect deeply with fans of all ages. Ross’ ability to bridge generations ensures that both longtime followers and new listeners alike will leave the venue with memories that last a lifetime.

Produced in collaboration with Metropolitan Entertainment, this special event underscores NJPAC’s role as a premier destination for world-class live performances. The center has a long history of hosting artists who shape the musical landscape, and Diana Ross’ appearance continues that tradition with an evening that promises energy, elegance, and timeless hits.

Tickets for this highly anticipated show are in demand, reflecting Diana Ross’ enduring appeal and the excitement surrounding her return to the live stage. Attendees can look forward to an experience that celebrates not only the music itself but also the performance artistry that has defined Ross’ career for decades.

For those eager to witness this legendary performance and explore other top-tier music events in New Jersey, visit https://explorenewjersey.org/music/ to stay up to date on schedules, ticket availability, and exclusive live music experiences across the state.

This concert offers more than a night of songs; it is an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of one of music’s greatest icons, relive classic moments, and create new memories in the company of a performer whose influence continues to resonate across generations. Diana Ross at NJPAC promises an evening of glamour, energy, and timeless music that New Jersey audiences will treasure for years to come.

Mariachi Herencia de México
2025-10-28 00:00 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
¡Viva el mariachi! A new generation takes mariachi to whole new heights—two-time Latin Grammy®-nominee Mariachi Herencia de México pushes the boundaries of traditional mariachi music. Simultaneously honoring the past, celebrating the present, and creating the future of mariachi music, Mariachi Herencia de México presents an electrifying and unforgettable night of Mexican music and culture.
The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City. As the ever-evolving genre’s influence spread, it reached Chicago and birthed Mariachi Herencia de México. The band has issued five chart-topping albums and has performed all across the North American continent paving the way for a new generation of mariachi musicians. Nuestra Herencia, their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts and earned the band their first Latin Grammy®-nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. 2018’s Herencia de la Tierra Mía and the series, Esencia and Esencia, Vol. 2 issued in 2019 and 2020, respectively, charted on all major streaming platforms and industry charts. In 2022, their album, Herederos, received a 2023 Latin Grammy® nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. The young, virtuosic band includes 14 musicians, ages 18-32, representing a new bicultural generation in the U.S.

Maddox Batson
2025-10-28 00:00 | Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Rd, Sayreville, New Jersey, 08872, United States

An Evening with Tommy Emmanuel, CGP
2025-10-29 00:00 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Guitar icon Tommy Emmanuel, CGP is no stranger to iconic stages from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to London’s Royal Festival Hall and Paris’ L’Olympia. The legendary entertainer has dazzled audiences across the world. But there is something truly magical about the Sydney Opera House, and the magic of Emmanuel’s performances there were finally captured on his new album Live at the Sydney Opera House.
Emmanuel has a Grammy® Award, multiple ARIA Awards, and countless accolades, but nothing means more to Emmanuel than the three letters Chet Atkins designated at the end of his name: CGP. The title of Certified Guitar Player was the highest honor Atkins could bestow on another player—a signifier that the recipient had not only mastered the instrument but taken it to new vistas and become a guiding light for the next generation of pickers. Like Emmanuel, Atkins had never gone to a university, and the CGP was his version of a PhD or a Doctorate of the guitar. He gave the honor to Emmanuel and only five other handpicked players.
As a songwriter and a performer, Emmanuel is a melting pot of influences across genres, from pop to bluegrass and jazz to rock n’ roll. To him, music is rhythm and emotion, all other distinctions are meaningless. Anyone who has seen him play will tell you, the vocalist is there, as is the drummer, the bass player, and the rhythm and lead guitarists. In a way that must often be seen to be believed, Emmanuel plays all the parts of a full band simultaneously, his fingers dancing around the fretboard with a dexterity and speed that would seem impossible if you weren’t witnessing it.

BTO Bachman-Turner Overdrive: Roll On Down The Highway 2025 Tour
2025-10-29 00:00 | New Jersey
Bachman-Turner Overdrive is coming to the bergenPAC on October 29! Rock out to BTO’s biggest hits on the Roll On Down The Highway 2025 Tour. Get your tickets today!” #BTO #RollOnDownTheHighway2025

Herbie Hancock: 2025 Fall Tour
2025-10-30 00:00 | New Jersey
Now in the seventh decade of his professional life, Herbie Hancock remains where he has always been: at the forefront of world culture, technology, business and music. Herbie Hancock has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s. As a member of the Miles Davis Quintet that pioneered a groundbreaking sound in jazz, he also developed new approaches on his own recordings, followed by his work in the 70s — with record-breaking albums such as “Headhunters” — that combined electric jazz with funk and rock in an innovative style that continues to influence contemporary music. “Rockit” and “Future Shock” marked Hancock’s foray into electronic dance sounds; during the same period he also continued to work in an acoustic setting with V.S.O.P. The lineup for the bergenPAC performance will feature:
Herbie Hancock on keys
Terrence Blanchard on trump
James Genus on bass
Lionel Loueke on guitar and vocals
Jaylen Petinaud on drums

Lawrence: The Family Business Tour Pt. 2
2025-10-30 00:00 | The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St, Montclair, NJ, 07042, United States
As NPR writes, “siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence are not your typical pair.” Clyde Lawrence and Gracie Lawrence have been writing songs and listening to countless Stevie Wonder, Randy Newman, and Aretha Franklin records in their family’s New York City apartment since they were little kids. After years of playing together, they officially created Lawrence, an eight-piece soul-pop band comprised of musician friends from childhood and college. The band has since gained a devoted following for its high-energy, keyboard-driven sound, which features tight, energetic horns and explosive lead vocals.
In 2024, Lawrence entered a new era with the release of their fourth studio album, Family Business. The album’s opening track, “Whatcha Want”, broke into the Top 40 on the US Pop Chart, and Lawrence recently performed it on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Today With Hoda & Jenna, and CBS Saturday Morning. The album was accompanied by their biggest headline tour yet across Europe and North America, which included iconic sold-out shows at venues like Radio City Music Hall in New York City, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, two nights at the Forum in London, and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam.
Live shows and touring continue to be key components of the group’s success. In 2025, Lawrence will be back on the road, taking The Family Business Tour (Part 2) to Australia for the first time, as well as returning to Europe, the UK, and the US for another round of their headline shows. In previous years, Lawrence opened for The Rolling Stones and the Jonas Brothers. They’ve also toured with acts such as Lake Street Dive, Vulfpeck, Jon Bellion, Jacob Collier, Soulive, O.A.R., and Bernhoft, and appeared at major festivals including Coachella, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Firefly, Okeechobee, Hangout, and Summerfest. The band released a docuseries from their adventures on the road during their Hotel TV Tour, which is available on YouTube. The series concluded with an episode dedicated to the retirement of their beloved touring van—affectionately named “Vandy Newman”—marking the shift into the next chapter of their life as a touring band.
In July 2021, Lawrence released their album, Hotel TV, and became the first band to release music under Beautiful Mind Records, the label of Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/artist Jon Bellion, who co-produced and co-wrote the songs on the album. The tracks on Hotel TV have garnered tens of millions of streams across all platforms and have had multiple viral moments on TikTok and Instagram.
The album’s lead single, “Don’t Lose Sight”, was featured in an international Microsoft commercial, which propelled it into the Top 20 on the USA Shazam Pop Charts and also hit #33 on Top 40. The band performed “Don’t Lose Sight” on Jimmy Kimmel Live, did a performance of it for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and closed both of their sets at Coachella with it, with the entire audience singing along. The band also played the single “23” from the Family Business album live during their set at Jingle Ball in 2023.
In addition to creating music, the band (particularly Clyde Lawrence and Jordan Cohen) have been outspoken advocates for artists and the challenges they face in the live music industry, speaking transparently in fan Q+A’s about industry dynamics, writing an op-ed in The New York Times, and even testifying in front of the U.S. Senate. Lawrence and Cohen continue to spread the word about the challenges in the live event promotion and ticketing space in conversations with outlets like NBC News, Vice News, Politico, and more.
Outside of the band, Gracie Lawrence is an accomplished actress. In 2024, she appeared as a series regular in the third season of Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble’s The Sex Lives of College Girls on Max, playing the character of Kacey. Her acting career continues in 2025 with an exciting return to Broadway, starring opposite Tony winner Jonathan Groff in Alex Timbers’ JUST IN TIME, a new musical that tells the story of legendary singer Bobby Darin.
Her other television acting credits include Billions, a series regular role on One Dollar (formerly on CBS All Access), as well as roles in films like Amy Poehler’s Moxie on Netflix, Rhys Ernst’s Adam, and the Disney+ comedy Noelle.
Meanwhile, Clyde has contributed songs and full instrumental scores to a number of major films and TV shows (often in collaboration with bandmate Jordan Cohen or frequent collaborator Cody Fitzgerald), including Hulu’s Animaniacs, Disney’s Noelle, HBO’s The Jinx, and Amazon’s Landline, among many others.
Lastly, a music production team called The Diner, consisting of Clyde, Jordan, and Jonny Koh, have written and produced songs for many artists beyond Lawrence, including Jonas Brothers, Shawn Mendes, Tori Kelly, Jon Bellion, Alec Benjamin, Trousdale, and others.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, A Special Halloween Film Screening
2025-10-31 00:00 | Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Dr, Manasquan, 08736, United States
Get ready to do the Time Warp! Join us at the Algonquin for a spooktacular Halloween screening of , the cult classic musical comedy that follows sweethearts Brad and Janet as they stumble upon the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Dress up, sing along, and experience the ultimate movie night!

Andy Bell of Erasure: Ten Crowns Tour
2025-10-31 00:00 | Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, New Jersey, 07701, United States
When you reach a milestone in your life, what’s the best way to mark it? By embracing it, glorying in it – crowning it, in fact – with an album of euphoric songs produced and polished in Nashville, of course!
The name of Andy Bell’s third solo album, Ten Crowns – like its cover art, featuring his head on a glistening gold coin – is making Andy smile today: “It sounds like a pub!”, he jokes. But behind that title lies ten songs of dazzling, joyous pop, inspired by the dancefloor and gospel, completed in the year he turned 60.
The name also refers to the tarot, he says: “The ten crowns on the tree of life, which is a very powerful card to have. And I’d just got my crowns on my teeth done in Miami when I was trying to think about a title!”, he laughs.
Ten Crowns marks a properly majestic moment in Andy Bell’s forty-year career. His joy about what that holds, and where it can go, clearly excites him. “It’s my third sort of solo record [following 2005’s Electric Blue and 2010’s Non-Stop] and in Erasure, our third album was our most successful out of all that we’ve done, so maybe I’m taking that spirit with me!”
Travelling into new dimensions and possibilities with gospel in the heart and dancing in the soul clearly suits him. Ten Crowns is Andy Bell imperial, gleaming, ready for his coronation.

Mrs. Doubtfire
2025-11-01 00:00 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
“A feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers”—The Hollywood ReporterA new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to New Brunswick in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News). Based on the beloved film, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune—one that proves we’re better together.

The Billy Joel Songbook featuring Chris Pinnella
2025-11-01 00:00 | Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Dr, Manasquan, 08736, United States
Join powerhouse vocalist Chris Pinnella (formerly of Trans-Siberian Orchestra) as he returns to the Algonquin stage paying tribute to The Piano Man himself, Billy Joel. This concert covers it all and will feature Pinnella’s spectacularly talented 8-piece band complete with horns, bringing that authentic Billy Joel sound to life.

Great Balls of Fire!!!
2025-11-01 00:00 | New Jersey
Jerry Lee Lewis was the original bad boy of Rock & Roll. Jason Cohen, who played Lewis in over 80 cities across North America in the national tour of the Million Dollar Quartet, brings the ivory-smashing superstar to life in this theatrical concert. He found a connection with ‘The Killer’ through his music, and with a multi- talented, multi-instrumental band, they perform all the hits you love. You’ll hear “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “High School Confidential,” “What’d I Say” and more. Featuring additional songs of Lewis’ friends like Buddy Holly, Elvis and Johnny Cash, New Orleans jazz and gospel favorites that inspired Lewis, Great Balls of Fire will have the audiences dancing, singing and screaming “Goodness Gracious!”

Biohazard
2025-11-01 00:00 | Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Rd, Sayreville, New Jersey, 08872, United States

Who's Bad? The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
2025-11-01 00:00 | The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St, , NJ, Newton, NJ, 07860, United States
Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true King. Their power-packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. As the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band, and the only one to predate his untimely passing, Who’s Bad is the ultimate music-and-dance driven Michael Jackson homage. Every MJ fan feels the adrenaline, screams at the sight of that unmistakable silhouette and succumbs to a surefire Michael Jackson sing-along.

Anthony Rodia: Laugh Till It Hurts Tour
2025-11-01 00:00 | New Jersey
Anthony Rodia’s comedy is refreshingly genuine and quick witted! A first-generation Italian American from Westchester, Rodia’s comedy pulls from his razor-sharp observations on marriage, parenthood, road rage, and everything else worthy of a rant.

Cinema Classics & Broadway Favorites
2025-11-02 00:00 | Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Dr, Manasquan, 08736, United States
Join Father Alphonse’s Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea for an unforgettable afternoon of cinematic and Broadway magic at the Algonquin! Cinema Classics & Broadway Favorites will feature iconic film scores and beloved Broadway tunes chosen by the Maestro.

Trivium: Ascend Above The Ashes Tour…
2025-11-02 00:00 | The Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St, Montclair, NJ, 07042, United States
Driving guitar solos and throbbing rhythms make up the heavy metal produced by Orlando-based metalcore outfit Trivium. Since their start in 2000, the four-member band has sold more than a million albums and toured alongside other big-ticket metal acts like Iron Maiden, As I Lay Dying and GWAR, bringing fans at venues like Fillmore (Detroit), the Buckhead Theatre and Aztec Theatre to capacity.
Their most recent effort, “Vengeance Falls,” surfaced in October 2013 and landed at No. 15 on The Billboard 200, as well as in the Top 10 on Japanese and Australian album charts. Along with a discography of six full-length records and a healthy U.S. tour history, Trivium has also handled concerts throughout Europe, Japan and Australia.
For the 2006 collection “The Crusade,” Trivium frontman Matt Heafy took a slight departure from his metalcore scream to deliver more traditional singing vocals that some compared to Metallica. That album debuted at No. 25 on The Billboard 200, and Heafy went back to his signature scream for the follow-up, 2008’s “Shogun,” and subsequent releases.

Mrs. Doubtfire
2025-11-02 00:00 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
“A feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers”
—The Hollywood Reporter
A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.
Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to New Brunswick in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News). Based on the beloved film, Mrs. Doubtfire tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune—one that proves we’re better together.

Will Wood: Halloween 2025
2025-11-02 17:00 - 23:30 | White Eagle Hall, 337 Newark Avenue , NJ, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07302, United States
Will Wood: Halloween 2025 – Live in Jersey City

Date & Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025 | Doors at 7:00 PM | Show at 8:00 PM

Celebrate the spooky season with indie singer-songwriter Will Wood as he closes out Halloween weekend with his band Tapeworms. Known for blending music, storytelling, and theatrical performance, Will Wood delivers a one-of-a-kind live experience that defies traditional genres and keeps audiences captivated from start to finish.

Over the past decade, Will Wood has evolved from a daring, unconventional indie artist into a master of emotive storytelling and eclectic performance. His shows mix everything from art-rock and chamber-pop to alt-comedy and high-energy theatricality. Fans attending his “Mr. Wood is Dead” 10-year anniversary tour can expect both intimate storytelling and the wild, raucous energy of Tapeworms’ live performances.

Venue: White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ

Ticket Information:

General Admission (18+): $47.10

Ticket Limit: 6 per customer

Print@Home / Mobile Tickets: Free

Day-of-Show Tickets Available: November 2, 2025, starting at 12:00 AM EST

Will Wood is a New Jersey local with a unique personal life—pescatarian, collector of stuffed rats, and caretaker for rescued stray cats. Fans interested in supporting his charitable efforts can learn more about his animal rescue partnership.

Don’t miss this unforgettable Halloween night of music, storytelling, and offbeat performance in Jersey City.

The Stray Cats
2025-11-04 00:00 | New Jersey
The Stray Cats — Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom — put Rockabilly music back on the record charts in the early ’80s thanks to a striking visual 1950’s style and sound on such hits as “Rock This Town,” “Stray Cat Strut,” “(She’s) Sexy & 17” and “Runaway Boys.” Note: Audience patrons may stand and dance in front of their seats at any time during THE STRAY CATS performance.

An Evening with Kenny Chesney - Heart Life Music Book Release
2025-11-04 19:00 - 23:30 | Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey, 07631, United States
An Evening with Kenny Chesney – Heart Life Music Book Launch

Date: Tuesday, November 4Time: 7:00 PMTickets: Available online

Experience an exclusive evening with country music superstar Kenny Chesney as he presents his new book, Heart Life Music. Each ticket includes a pre-signed copy, giving fans a one-of-a-kind keepsake from this special event. Please note, this event focuses on Chesney’s book and insights rather than a live concert.

Kenny Chesney’s journey began just outside Knoxville, Tennessee, where his love of sports and music shaped the early chapters of his life. Over the years, he has evolved into one of the most influential voices in country music, blending elements of rock, reggae, and bluegrass with a signature energy that fills stadiums across the globe. Recognized as the only country artist to remain in Billboard’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Last 25 Years for fifteen consecutive years, Chesney has redefined what it means to be a modern music icon.

During the evening, Chesney will join award-winning music critic and collaborator Holly Gleason to share the story behind Heart Life Music. Attendees will hear about the creative process, his Nashville beginnings, encounters with personal heroes, and the idea that everyday people can achieve extraordinary things. This is an intimate opportunity to gain insight into the mind and career of a true musical visionary.

For music lovers and book enthusiasts alike, this book launch promises an unforgettable evening with one of country music’s most beloved artists.

For more events and entertainment updates in New Jersey, explore Explore New Jersey Entertainment.

Richard Thomas in Mark Twain Tonight!
2025-11-05 00:00 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
Emmy® Award-winning actor Richard Thomas brings to life “the nation’s one true comic genius” (The New York Times) in Mark Twain Tonight!, written and originally performed by Hal Holbrook. Join the millions who have cheered for the legendary one-man show, bursting with Twain’s “uproariously funny” and “pungently wise” (Time Magazine) humor.
Most recently seen on Broadway in Our Town, on tour as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, on Netflix’s Ozark, and beloved to generations as John-Boy Walton, Richard Thomas is the first and only actor authorized to perform the play since the original.

Postmodern Jukebox: Magic, Moonlight & Mistletoe
2025-11-05 00:00 | New Jersey
Postmodern Jukebox’s musical troupe of world-class singers, dancers and instrumentalists will perform a variety show-styled evening of its popular genre-twisting covers of pop hits, with a few holiday classics sprinkled in. Audiences can expect to hear familiar hits — from Guns ‘n’ Roses to the Spice Girls to Chappell Roan — in the throwback styles of yesteryear. Dress in your vintage best for the full effect!

Crumbs from the Table of Joy
2025-11-05 17:00 - 2025-11-23 23:30 | New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
Crossroads Theatre Company Brings Lynn Nottage’s “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” Back to the Stage in New Brunswick

The celebrated Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick is once again lighting up the stage, this time with a heartfelt revival of Lynn Nottage’s “Crumbs from the Table of Joy.” This deeply moving family drama, penned by one of America’s most acclaimed contemporary playwrights, continues its run through November 23, offering audiences a powerful and poetic exploration of race, identity, loss, and hope in postwar America.

Set in the 1950s, “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” follows the Crump family as they navigate a rapidly changing world following the death of their matriarch. When the family relocates from Florida to Brooklyn, patriarch Godfrey Crump seeks solace and direction through religion — while his teenage daughters, Ernestine and Ermina, struggle to find their place amid the shifting tides of culture and self-discovery. The arrival of their free-spirited Aunt Lily adds both humor and chaos, pushing the family to confront the tension between faith and freedom, tradition and transformation.

Lynn Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, is known for crafting stories that give voice to the overlooked and the resilient. “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” captures her signature blend of emotional depth and lyrical storytelling, weaving together themes of migration, gender, and social awakening through the lens of a family searching for meaning in the midst of turmoil.

Crossroads Theatre Company, based in the heart of New Brunswick’s vibrant arts district, is the perfect stage for this revival. Founded in 1978, Crossroads has built a national reputation for championing African American voices and staging works that challenge, uplift, and inspire. Their production of “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” continues that legacy — blending meticulous direction, standout performances, and immersive staging to bring Nottage’s world to life with authenticity and heart.

Audiences can expect an experience that feels both timeless and urgently relevant. The play’s exploration of belonging, resilience, and the search for joy resonates powerfully today, inviting theatergoers to reflect on how far we’ve come — and how far we still have to go. The production’s design captures the era’s emotional and visual contrasts, from the simplicity of a 1950s Brooklyn apartment to the vivid imaginings that unfold in Ernestine’s mind as she dreams of a better, freer future.

For those looking to experience thought-provoking live theatre this fall, Crossroads’ latest production offers a perfect opportunity. The company’s intimate venue creates a uniquely personal connection between audience and performance, allowing every moment — from whispered conversations to emotional crescendos — to feel immediate and real.

Tickets for “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” are now available, with performances continuing through November 23 at Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick. Whether you’re a longtime theater lover or simply looking for a meaningful evening out, this revival delivers storytelling that is both soul-stirring and beautifully human.

To explore more live performances and theatre events happening across New Jersey, visit Explore New Jersey’s theatre section. The state’s rich performing arts scene continues to thrive — and productions like this one remind us why New Jersey remains one of the most dynamic places for live theatre on the East Coast.

NEEDTOBREATHE: The Barely Elegant Acoustic Tour
2025-11-06 00:00 | New Jersey
For over two decades, GRAMMY nominated multi-platinum band NEEDTOBREATHE has been a dynamic musical force, fusing modern rock, purpose-driven soul and irresistible pop. Their spirit-mining songs, master musicianship and elemental artistry have generated over two billion streams, five number one albums, and multi-platinum chart topping hits such as “Brother” (feat. Gavin DeGraw), “Who Am I,” “Let’s Stay Home Tonight” and many more.

Mandy Patinkin in Concert: JUKEBOX
2025-11-07 00:00 | State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue , NJ, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, United States
“Mandy is in the business of show stopping.” —The New Yorker
Tony®-winning Broadway legend, Emmy®-winning TV star, renowned for creating timeless characters in movies such as The Princess Bride, Yentl, and Dick Tracy—Mandy Patinkin presents his new show, Mandy Patinkin in Concert: JUKEBOX.
With Adam Ben-David on piano, JUKEBOX features Patinkin’s own hand-picked collection of classic musical numbers, expressed as only he can through a unique mastery of word and song. An unparalleled body of work from one of North America’s preeminent entertainers. “Mandy can turn an evening in the theater into an explosion of unbridled laughter,” says the Chicago Sun-Times.
