Mesmerizing audiences since 2007, DAMN THE TORPEDOES offer a complete Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert experience. Whether performing note for note renditions of Tom Petty studio recordings or engaging the audience with actual live versions of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. Performances, patrons and venues can be assured that Damn The Torpedoes will deliver the “AWE” factor EVERY TIME.
Blues People
Nominated in 2024 for “BEST NEW ARTIST DEBUT ALBUM” by Blues Blast Magazine, BLUES People is a NY/NJ blues band featuring…KELTON COOPER (vocals/guitar), MIKE GRIOT (bass), RON THOMPSON (keys) and GENE LAKE (drums). Early comparisons to the Meters, Luther Allison, Keb Mo’ and Buddy Guy are starting to roll in!
BLUES People’s arrival on the global blues scene marks a dynamic shift in the present and future state of blues music… and the culmination of a story over 40 years in the making. Lead singer- guitarist Kelton Cooper and Bassist Mike Griot met as teenagers in rival bands in Orange, NJ… just a stone’s throw from NYC.
After taking the NY-metro area by storm for 4 years with their incredible shows and musicianship, the band has won the North Jersey Blues Society International Blues Challenge in 2023 and 2024… and made the SEMIFINALS in the 2024 and 2025 Memphis International Blues Challenge!
Curtis Salgado
Award-winning vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Curtis Salgado, the man NPR calls “an icon” with “a huge voice,” is revered worldwide for his ability to wring every ounce of soul out of every song he performs. Salgado is famed not only for his powerhouse live shows and ten previous albums, but also for his passionate and insightful original songs. He has been nominated three times for the Blues Music Award for Song Of The Year, winning in 2018 for “Walk A Mile In My Blues” from “The Beautiful Lowdown.” In total, he has won eleven Blues Music Awards, including the B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. DownBeat calls his songwriting skills “an impressive gift.” Billboard says Salgado’s music is “inspired and powerful.” Now, Salgado is back with “Damage Control,” his first full band album in four years, and it’s packed with fresh, original material.
“Glorious and memorable… Salgado’s voice is center stage just as it should be. Highly recommended” – Blues & Rhythm UK
“Salgado’s vocals are soulful beauty. Fresh, unexpected, authentic, percolating…perfectly executed… simply delicious” – Living Blues
“Salgado inspires chills. Upbeat and original…poignant and wise with a great sense of humor” – Blues Music Magazine
“Curtis really helped me out, I owe him a lot.” – John Belushi feels his debt to Salgado so deeply that he dedicated The Blues Brothers’ album, “Briefcase Full of Blues,” to him.
Broadway for the Holidays 5
It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Performances
Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
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Production Crew
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About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Darrah Carr Dance
Since 1998, the Bessie Award-nominated company Darrah Carr Dance has created a sensational and unique blend of traditional Irish step and contemporary dance. The company draws from Irish music, step dance footwork, and spatial patterns to create high-energy, rhythmically based work that is accessible to a broad audience.
Recent New York City performance highlights include: NBC’s “The Today Show,“ a guest performance with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the company’s annual season at The Irish Arts Center, “The Yeats Project“ at the Irish Repertory Theatre, The Duke Theater on 42nd Street, Celebrate Brooklyn, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the annual NYC Irish Dance Festival, “Stam-pede“ Percussive Dance Festival at Symphony Space and a guest appearance with Mick Moloney at the Skirball Center.
The company has performed at venues throughout the United States including MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard, Wesleyan University (Connecticut), The Center for Performing Arts and SUNY Orange (upstate New York), The Dance Complex, Summer Stages Dance, and the JFK Museum (Massachusetts), The Goose Route Dance Festival (West Virginia), The Valentine Theatre (Ohio), St. Mary’s University (Minnesota) and the San Jose Fleadh (California). They have also appeared at the Toronto Fringe Festival, the Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival, and at the Bank of Ireland Arts Center in Dublin. In addition, they frequently conduct national tours with The Andy Cooney Band.
Her Irish Extravaganza (Irish duets, and traditional Irish group dances) features live music and champion Irish step dancers who have garnered awards at numerous competitions on both the national and international circuit. Darrah Carr Dance also features a wide variety of outreach and educational programs.
Darrah Carr Dance has received funding from numerous sources, including commissions from Trinity Irish Dance’s Junior Company and the One World Foundation, a fellowship from Summer Stages Dance, and grants from the American Ireland Fund, the Fund for Creative Communities, the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, The Brooklyn Arts Council, the Davenport Fund, and the Outer/Space program administered by Dance Theater Workshop.
Broadway for the Holidays 5
It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Performances
Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Broadway for the Holidays 5
It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Performances
Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Cherish the Ladies
For four decades, Cherish the Ladies has been one of the world’s most celebrated Irish music ensembles, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide with their exhilarating blend of traditional Irish music, captivating vocals, and dynamic step dancing. As the Boston Globe puts it: “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do!” This Grammy-nominated group has blazed a trail for women in the once-male-dominated Irish music scene, leaving an indelible mark with 18 critically acclaimed albums, thousands of concerts worldwide, and over 300 performances with symphony orchestras.
Led by the charismatic flute and whistle virtuoso Joanie Madden, a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award winner, Cherish the Ladies showcases a spectacular mix of virtuosic instrumental talent, beautiful vocals, engaging arrangements, and stunning step dancing. Their ongoing success as one of the world’s top Celtic groups is rooted in their ability to seamlessly blend the best of Irish traditional music, song, and dance into a vibrant, entertaining experience.
This holiday season, Cherish the Ladies presents their beloved Celtic Christmas program, a festive and family-friendly concert featuring their signature sound on classic carols, including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “The First Noel,” and “Silent Night.” Each song is beautifully arranged to showcase their Celtic instrumentation, rich harmonies, and remarkable step dancing. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this annual Christmas tour has been complemented by four acclaimed holiday albums: “On Christmas Night,” “A Star in the East,” “Christmas in Ireland,” and “Christmas Live from County Clare.”
The concert features an outstanding lineup of musicians, including Joanie Madden on flute, whistles, and vocals; Mary Coogan on guitar and mandolin; Mirella Murray on accordion; Nollaig Casey on fiddle; Gabriel Donohue on piano; and lead vocals and guitar by Kate Purcell, Don Stiffe, and Bruce Foley.
Adding to the magic, extraordinary step dancers elevate the performance with their athleticism and artistry. This year, audiences will enjoy the talents of five-time World Champion David Geaney, two-time World Champion Tyler Schwartz, All Britain Champion and Riverdance alumnus Noel Spillane, and Nathan Pilatzke, a four-time Canadian Stepdance Champion and Chieftains alumnus.
Together, they’ll create an unforgettable evening, guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
Broadway for the Holidays 5
It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Performances
Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Ballet for Young Audiences: The Nutcracker
Join Ballet for Young Audiences as they present another year of this Grunin Center holiday tradition. This child-friendly production of The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, the favorite godchild of Herr Drosselmeyer, a mysterious clockmaker who helps to transport Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to a special realm. This condensed version of the ballet is narrated to help young ballet enthusiasts enjoy the performance.
Please note that it is the Grunin Center Policy for all Family Shows that all attendees, regardless of age, require a ticket.
Broadway for the Holidays 5
It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Performances
Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Ballet for Young Audiences: The Nutcracker
Join Ballet for Young Audiences as they present another year of this Grunin Center holiday tradition. This child-friendly production of The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, the favorite godchild of Herr Drosselmeyer, a mysterious clockmaker who helps to transport Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to a special realm. This condensed version of the ballet is narrated to help young ballet enthusiasts enjoy the performance.
Please note that it is the Grunin Center Policy for all Family Shows that all attendees, regardless of age, require a ticket.
Broadway for the Holidays 5
It’s another year of the rousing review that celebrates the most wonderful time of the year: Broadway for the Holidays 5! Returning by popular demand, this festive extravaganza brings the magic of Broadway to the holiday season like never before. Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
Performances
Friday, December 12, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 13, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, December 19, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
OCC Concert Band: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Come along for an unforgettable evening of music, cheer, and holiday spirit as the OCC Concert Band presents The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. This festive concert brings together a dazzling collection of your favorite seasonal tunes performed by the talented members of the OCC Concert Band. From classic carols to contemporary arrangements, plus a visit from Santa, the concert will fill the air with warmth, joy, and celebration.
Chris Botti
Since 1965, the OCC Foundation has proudly served the Ocean County College community, supporting thousands of deserving students. Over the past 60 years, we’ve awarded over $22 million in scholarships and special program funding. Your generosity continues to make a lasting impact, supporting initiatives like the Helping Hands Food Pantry, the Blauvelt Speaker Series, the Global Travel Experience, select programming at the Grunin Center for the Arts, the Robert J. Novins Planetarium, and the Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC), resources for Athletic programs, and support for many other college and student-led programs.
About Chris Botti
GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades; he’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others; he’s topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House.
In short, Chris Botti really needs no introduction. Yet with his Blue Note Records debut, he’s offering one anyway. Vol.1 is in many ways a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back, with a small group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards.
“I turned 60 in 2022, at a time that seemed like a restart for so many things in the world,” Botti says. “I wanted to strip away all the orchestral arrangements and special guests and focus more on my playing, the playing of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.”
While Botti could boast of the major names with whom he’s shared stages, this project allows him to share his enthusiasm for the jazz greats past and present that excite him – his conversation is peppered with references to everyone from Miles Davis to Keith Jarrett to Pat Metheny to Brad Mehldau. He points to landmark albums like Davis’ Kind of Blue, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, or Metheny’s duo outing with Charlie Haden, Beyond the Missouri Sky as models for the kind of “lifestyle” music he set out to make – music that is exquisite on its own but can also set the scene for a coffee shop or hotel lounge, instantly generating a sophisticated mood.
Of course, Botti couldn’t have found a more ideal home for this artistic rebirth. Blue Note has been a standard-bearer of jazz throughout its storied history, and the trumpeter found a receptive partner in label president Don Was. “Anyone that’s lucky enough to say they’re on Blue Note Records should be pinching themselves,” Botti says. “It’s a fantastic honor. I had great runs on Verve and Columbia, so it’s amazing to now arrive on the most famous traditional jazz record label.”
Sponsors
Event sponsorships are available through the OCC Foundation.
The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra
The first Glenn Miller Orchestra did not make it at all. It was a total and absolute economic failure. But Glenn knew what he wanted, held to that dedication, and relentlessly worked to succeed. He launched his second band – the one that lives on today – in March of 1938. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a “hit” ever since.
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and ’40s. A matchless string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts, and the drawing power at theatres, hotels, and dance pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity.
Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows. On December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine plane from Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead a year later.
With the release of the major motion movie The Glenn Miller Story featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. On June 6, 1956, and under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have followed Ray including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien, and Gary Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band.
Today, the 18 member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought-after big band in the world.
Radliff-Niessen, violin & piano
Join Duo Radliff-Niessen, consisting of the renowned violinist Robert Radliff and Dutch pianist Sharon Niessen, for an extraordinary performance at the Grunin Center for the Arts, with masterpieces of Beethoven and Brahms. Radliff, a celebrated performer with orchestras such as the New Jersey Symphony, the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, and the Curtis Institute Orchestra, brings his extensive experience and passionate playing to the stage.
Radliff’s performances have captivated audiences across the United States and worldwide, and has collaborated with some of the most celebrated classical artists such as Yo Yo Ma, Jamie Laredo, and Itzhak Perlman.
Niessen, praised for her expressive playing and virtuosity, captivates audiences with her interpretations, having performed internationally with orchestras like the Philips Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands, and collaborated with renowned musicians such as world champion whistler Geert Chatrou and recording artist Dutch flutist Ilonka Kolthof.
As a duo, Radliff and Niesssen blend their dynamic artistry. With their international career spanning prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, this concert is sure to be one of the highlights of the season.
This event is funded by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Without Arrows Film Screening
After 13 years living in Philadelphia, Delwin Fiddler Jr., a champion grass dancer, embraces indigenous culture by returning to his ancestral home on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. Leaving his big city life behind, Delwin aims to protect his centuries-old Lakota heritage and heal from family tragedy through his passion for dance.
Join us for a film screening with a post-show talk with Delwin Fiddler, Jr.
This film screening is made possible through generous funding from the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Tours program of Mid-Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience starring Robert Neary
Broadway, television, and film star Robert Neary creates an unforgettable tribute to one of the greatest recording artists in history. Two hours packed with 24 classic hit songs, nostalgia, multimedia, stories, trivia, and a finale that is pure Broadway caliber, this is a true immersion into Neil Diamond’s life and career. Critical praise all across the internet and social media has called this show “the most authentic and professional tribute to Neil Diamond and delivers nothing short of a true Neil Diamond concert experience.”
With over 40 years in the entertainment business, Robert has 3 Broadway leads and over 60 major guest-starring television and film roles to his credit. He created this incredible show in 2019 and perfected it during the pandemic along with NY’s premier band, The Mystic. Now in its fifth year, “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” is selling out venues all over the US, and there is no end in sight!
Magic Rocks: Illusionist Leon Etienne
You’ve seen him on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Fallon, Masters of Illusion, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us! Illusionist Leon Etienne’s jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed hit show Magic Rocks! is not to be missed. Witness this family-friendly spectacular featuring the world’s best illusions, award-winning sleight of hand, and hilarious comedy. This show is an immersive experience that brings joy, laughter, and wonder when the world needs it most!
About Leon Etienne
From Radio City Music Hall to Planet Hollywood Casino and from Studio City Casino in Macau to his very own theater on the beautiful island waters of Saipan, the unique performance style of Illusionist Leon Etienne attracts entertainment producers to book him all over the world. He’s rocked stages from coast to coast in the USA and in dozens of countries, including England, Ireland, France, China, and Australia. His performances frequently leave celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Howard Stern, and Heidi Klum speechless.
Hailed by critics as “America’s Rock Illusionist,” Leon is a worldwide hit with audiences, critics, and producers. Etienne is recognized for his on stage charisma, a fast paced, high energy, rock n’ roll edge performance style, and his no nonsense approach to magic. He has appeared on the world’s biggest TV shows, trended worldwide on social media, and performs live at entertainment hotspots around the world.
Leon’s original creations, a passion for sleight-of-hand magic, and the best jaw-dropping grand illusions in the world explode on stage in his critically acclaimed hit show, “Magic Rocks!®“
Basil Camu
If livestream viewing is interrupted due to technical difficulties, a recording of the event will be emailed to Livestream registrants within two business days following the event, and will be viewable for 48 hours once received.
About Basil Camu
When you ask Basil what he thinks about himself, he’ll tell you he is incredibly lucky. He
has family he loves dearly, friends and colleagues who inspire him, and every day he gets to care for trees, soil, and flowers. He pursues his purpose and passions as the co-founder of Leaf & Limb, a tree care company in Raleigh, NC, and Project Pando, a non-profit that aims to connect people to trees. He is a Treecologist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Duke graduate, Wizard of Things, and author of the book From Wasteland to Wonder – Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Seattle Times, Forbes, Gardenista, The Joe Gardener Show, and a number of other publications and podcasts. When he’s not having fun at work, he likes to pull invasive plants from his pocket forests, contemplate on his front porch, and go hiking with his family.
The sponsors of the Blauvelt Speaker Series have generously underwritten the cost of tickets for this program. The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and the Wintrode Family Foundation.
Dracula
This new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.
Performances
Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
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About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Dracula
This new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.
Performances
Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Dracula
This new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.
Performances
Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
April May Webb Trio
Musician, Songwriter, Vocalist, and Educator April May Webb hails from Newton, Kansas. April May’s musical approach is diversely influenced but is rooted in jazz. April May is the first African American female to graduate from The William Paterson University Jazz Education program, where she honed her craft under the guidance of the late great pianist Mulgrew Miller.
April May is the WINNER of the 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her captivating voice has graced nationally syndicated televised specials like “Sounds of Summer” and “An American Christmas” alongside The Boardwalk Jazz Band. She was a lead vocalist in the acclaimed play “Sounding Board” by internationally renowned artist Tschabalala Self.
April May’s commitment to excellence in jazz earned her recognition as a recipient of Chamber Music America’s performance plus grant with her jazz ensemble “Sounds of A&R,” she continues to make waves as a Spring 2023 Jazz Road Touring Grant awardee. April May was chosen as a 2023 Woodshed Network recipient, an initiative by the legendary jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater. Additionally, her achievements were celebrated with induction into her hometown’s Newton Music Hall of Fame.
As a co-founder of the jazz ensemble Sounds of A&R, also known as S.O.A.R., April May has played a pivotal role in its success. In 2019, the group received the esteemed “Best Group” title at the NYC Reader’s Jazz Awards, presented by Hot House Jazz Magazine and Jazzmobile. Their single “Horizon” charted in the top 20 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Charts, and in 2021, SOAR released their third studio album, “Questions Left Unanswered,” which soared to #12 on The National Jazz Week Charts. The group’s influence continues to grow as they were selected to represent the United States as U.S. Cultural Ambassadors, embarking on a transformative tour across two South Pacific countries in 2023.
Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon is made possible through funding from the Wintrode Family Foundation, the Ocean County College Foundation, and support from the New Jersey Jazz Society.
Dracula
This new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.
Performances
Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Cécilia
Traditional music that causes a wonderful stir and fills to overflowing at every venue – that is Cécilia! Widely recognized as three of Canada’s finest musicians, it is a pleasure to see how much enjoyment Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer find in playing together. While honoring their heritage as Cécilia, their music-making has an undeniably fresh and high-spirited sound.
They bring together the best of many musical worlds in their explorations of traditional, Celtic, and Québécois music. Every one of their pieces is skillfully arranged and highlighted with influences from contemporary, classical, jazz, and swing styles. Cécilia’s recent debut album Accent is an impressive offering full of vibrant rhythms and melodies, all resonating with a unique warmth and richness of expression.
Each performance by Cécilia is a call to come out and share, not only in the joy of three dedicated musicians making music together, but also in creating a unique and memorable musical experience with Timi, Erin, and Louis. You’ll find yourself with a smile that lasts long after the final notes of Cécilia’s accordion, piano, and violin have melted away.
Dracula
This new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.
Performances
Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Dracula
This new adaptation restores the suspense and seduction of Bram Stoker’s classic novel to the stage. As Count Dracula begins to exert his will upon the residents of London, they try to piece together the clues of his appearances—in a valiant attempt to save themselves from a hideous fate. Rich with both humor and horror, this play paints a wickedly theatrical picture of Stoker’s famous vampire.
Performances
Friday, October 17, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 18, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 19, 2025 2:00 PM
Friday, October 24, 2025 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 26, 2025 2:00 PM
Cast
Check back soon
Production Crew
Check back soon
About the OCC Repertory Theater Company
Under the direction of Performing Arts Program Chair Paul Chalakani, the mission of the OCC/REP is to create opportunities for college and community participation in various rich and diverse theatrical experiences. The Company seeks to engage, entertain, inspire, and educate to enhance the cultural life of Ocean County College and the surrounding communities. The OCC/REP provides OCC students, faculty, staff, and residents of neighboring communities the opportunity to attend and/or participate in quality performances of theatrical works – musicals and plays, classical and modern, traditional and experimental, through a well-balanced theatrical season. Additionally, the OCC/REP provides an environment for students of our performing arts program to apply what they are learning in a collaborative and encouraging format. The OCC/REP celebrates the power of the theatre to illuminate and mirror the human experience.
The OCC Repertory Theatre Company is funded, in part, by the Ocean County College Foundation.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
Using both folk and classical music and dance, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s Dia de los Muertos explores a love story that spans the boundary between the living and the departed. A loving couple falls victim to treachery and is separated, seemingly forever. The young woman enters Mictlán- the underworld of Aztec mythology- where the mesmerizing Catrina reigns as queen.
The original concept for Dia de los Muertos was a show by Calpulli premiered in 2004 at Queens Theatre in the Park named “Tiempo de Cempazuchitl/ Time of the Marigold.” Then Artistic Director Noemy Hernandez created Calpulli’s first story-based production of “Dia de los Muertos” in 2012 premiered at the Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University. The final production of story was premiered at Queens Theatre in 2016 under the Artistic Direction of Alberto Lopez Herrera, Dramaturg and co-story writer Roberto Lara, with Music Direction by George Saenz.
