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  • Walnut Street Theatre’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers

    America in the 1960s, an era that encouraged LOVE, was populated by “Mad Men” and “Mod Women” trying to navigate the new normal. In this freshly conceived production of Neil Simon’s classic, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, true comedy ensues when a modern man in the hip sixties looks for something new and different, but ends up finding himself in the same situation, again and again…and again!

    Barney Cashman is middle-aged, married, overworked and overweight. It’s finally his turn to join the sexual revolution… before it’s too late. With no experience in covert maneuvers, he arranges three attempted trysts. His targets; a bawdy bundle of fun who likes smooth whiskey and other women’s husbands, a young actress too kooky for words, and a neurotic housewife who happens to be married to his best friend. And through all the mishaps and laughter, Barney begins to rediscover his humanity and what he thought was missing all along.
    Last of the Red Hot Lovers had a lengthy run on Broadway and was made into a hit film starring Alan Arkin and Sally Kellerman.

    Walnut Street Theatre, America’s Oldest Theatre, celebrated 200 years of great entertainment in 2009. Most noteworthy American actors of the 19th century and many from the 20th century have appeared on stage at the Walnut. Some of the Walnut’s shining stars include: Edwin Forrest, Edwin Booth, the Drews, the Barrymores, George M. Cohan, Will Rogers, The Marx Brothers, Helen Hayes, Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Jessica Tandy, Ethel Waters, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Lauren Bacall, George C. Scott, Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Julie Harris, Jack Lemon, and William Shatner.

    The theatre has been home to many pre-Broadway try-outs of plays that would go on to become American classics, such as A Streetcar Named Desire starring Marlon Brando, A Raisin in the Sun featuring Sydney Poitier, The Diary of Anne Frank featuring Susan Strasberg, Mister Roberts, starring Henry Fonda, and Neil Simon’s first Broadway play, Come Blow Your Horn.

    The Walnut began its most recent incarnation as a self-producing, non-profit regional theatre when Bernard Havard took the helm in 1982, founding the Walnut Street Theatre Company with a vision of once again creating theatre in a space that is so steeped in the American theatre’s traditions and history. Today, you can experience the realization of that dream when you attend a live performance. With over 56,000 subscribers annually, Walnut Street Theatre is the most subscribed theatre company in the world. For additional information about Walnut Street Theatre: Visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

    “Delightfully hilarious and witty, as well as filled with wisdom about human nature…an uproariously funny author. But he is far more than that. He has a mellow and compassionate understanding of how weak and essentially well meaning mankind behaves…a genuinely brilliant play.”- New York Post

  • A Marvelous Night: The Music of Van Morrison

    New Jersey’s favorite entertainers will take the stage to share the music of Van Morrison with their friends. Legendary front man Rob Paparozzi (Original Blues Brothers Band, Blood Sweat ‘n Tears) and Master Song Stylist Pat Guadagno (BobFest, The Candle Brothers) will lead an all-star band on a musical journey through the lifework of one of the most influential and unusual artists of our time. Last year’s capacity crowd was mesmerized by an eclectic selection of Morrison’s mystical compositions, performed by an ensemble of Jersey musical nobility that included Pam McCoy, Steven Delopoulos (Burlap to Cashmere) Irish Tenor Steve Reilly, Michael Ghegan (Michael Jackson Cirque de Soleil), John Korba, (Hall & Oates, Phoebe Snow, Roseanne Cash) Tom Labella, Joe Bellia & Jillian Reyes McCoy (John Bon Jovi’s Kings of Suburbia). The memorable evening was highlighted by a surprise visit from ‘the worlds most recorded drummer’ Bernard “Pretty” Purdie. The whole crew is back for a transcendental evening of genre defying music presented by Charles Moran and Christopher Neary on what is sure to be A Marvelous Night ….. You will be healed!

    Rock it! is an organization for young musicians ages 8 to 18 will open the evening with a selection of Van Morrison songs.

    (Please note this is a rental event and gift certificates and ticket vouchers are not valid on this event)

  • Arlo Guthrie

    On the heels of the sold-out Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour, Arlo Guthrie plunges into another musical trip certain to be a flashback inducing, mind-expanding show. For the Running Down The Road Tour, Arlo will again hit the road with a full band to fully embody the best of Guthrie’s catalogue from the late sixties and early seventies. Featuring the most outstanding cuts from Arlo (1968), Running Down The Road (1969), Washington County (1970) along with others, this tour exemplifies the sound that shaped a generation. Guthrie’s latest tour promises to take the audience back to the most remarkable, far-out era.

     

    Also on November 11 – Come to the opening reception for Bob Dylan: Photographs by Daniel Kramer a gallery exhibition Curated by the GRAMMY Museum taking place from 5-7 PM in the adjacent Pollak Gallery. Daniel Kramer and Bob Santelli from the GRAMMY Museum will give a talk during the opening reception at 6:00 PM.

  • CANCELLED: Jarrod Spector & Kelli Barrett This Is Dedicated: Music’s Greatest Marriages

    DUE TO SCHEDULING DIFFICULTIES THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
    Newly-married Broadway veterans Jarrod Spector and Kelli Barrett are often asked, “What’s it like to be married to a fellow artist?”

    Bringing to life the greatest songs birthed from the greatest marriages, the two attempt to answer the question. From Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil and Alan & Marilyn Bergman to Sonny & Cher to Beyonce & Jay-Z, the themes of love, heartbreak, triumph, and despair infuse not only these incredible songs but also the storied partnerships themselves. In an evening filled with humor, heart, and powerhouse vocals, Barrett & Spector celebrate marriage as the driving force behind this timeless music and tackle the difficult questions behind keeping it all together.

    Audiences can expect to hear such classics as Bruce Springsteen/Patti Scialfa’s “Because The Night,” Sonny & Cher’s “The Beat Goes On,” Johnny Cash & June Carter’s “Going To Jackson,” The Bergman’s “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” and many more songs written and/or performed by iconic married couples.

    Tony Award nominee Jarrod Spector originated the role of Barry Mann in Beautiful. About his 54 Below debut, The New York Times wrote: “Witty, energetic and infused with a jolt of passion!” Jarrod is also known for his vocal prowess in the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, which he played on Broadway.

    Kelli Barrett recently originated the leading role of Lara in Broadway’s Doctor Zhivago. She has also appeared on Broadway in Wicked, Baby It’s You!, and The Royal Family.

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  • Another Night of Acapella Harmony: Doo Wop Explosion II

    Our celebration of doo wop acappella harmony at the Pollak Theatre is back by popular demand. Born on the street corners of urban America, rhythm & blues and doo wop singing reached its peak in the 1950’s, but still has a strong following today.  While doo wop singing began as an African American art form, by the late 1950’s it was enjoyed by singers of all races.  Doo wop harmony in its purist form is acappella (without instruments or musical tracks). 

    We’ve again assembled some of the top acappella doo wop vocal groups from NYC to Washington DC.  Headlining the concert will be R&B and Doo Wop favorites, Pookie Hudson’s Spaniels along with Vito & the Salutations.   The Spaniels are known for the 1956 million seller, “Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight,” a song that defined the whole doo wop era.  The current group backed lead singer Pookie Hudson before his passing in 2006 and continues the Spaniels’ tradition of superb doo wop harmony.  Originating on the streets of Brooklyn, Vito & the Salutations scored regional hits in the early 1960’s with their recordings of “Gloria,” “Unchained Melody” and “Your Way”.  Rick Anthony has been handling most of the group’s leads for the past 15 years, as the original Vito is no longer with them.  The group also contains long time member, Shelly Buchansky, who sang on “Unchained Melody” and many of their other hits.  While both Pookie Hudson’s Spaniels and Vito & the Salutations almost always sing with bands, we’ve persuaded both to do this concert acappella, harking back to their early days singing on the street corners. Returning from our last acappella concert are two of the groups that excel every time they perform.  The Philadelphia acappella group Quiet Storm remains one of the areas’ top vocal groups.  Re-MemberThen did a fabulous job last time, on their own set and backing Larry Chance.  New to the concert this year are A Perfect Blend and the Copians.  A Perfect Blend is a great acappella group from Philadelphia who have been singing since 1990, and had previously won the talent contest on the nationally syndicated “Showtime At The Apollo” TV show.  The Copians  are made up of former members of other standout Philly acappella groups.  Enjoy another night of Doo Wop Acappella Harmony.

    [This line up is subject to change]

    A “Meet & Greet” Reception will be held prior to the concert for those holding Golden Seat Tickets.

  • Jody Joseph “4 Common Threads; One Heartstring”

    Tickets on sale July 1

    September 9 & 10
    First act at 7:15pm. Main event at 8pm | Lauren K. Woods Theatre

    A rare,
    intimate performance by Jody Joseph celebrating the styles of Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Carly Simon, and Bette Midler, with a featured performance as Jody herself. This show is up front and personal, riveting, witty and real. The ensemble will be comprised of 9 local talented musicians.

    A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Jody’s”Heartstrings” program.
    (Please note this is a rental event and gift certificates and ticket vouchers are not valid on this event)

  • One Last Waltz

    Tickets on sale July 1.  Glen Burtnik,
    Salvatore Boyd, Bob Burger & Arne Wendt, performing as The Band. Together
    they will be joined on stage by both local and national talent. Recreating not
    only the music but the celebration, camaraderie and talent that took over the
    stage November 25th back in 1976. The Band’s style of writing and music has
    influenced so many artists, bands and songwriters, from the Grateful Dead and
    The Beatles to Elvis Costello and Pink Floyd to our own local artists,
    throughout the years and continue to do so. This cast will bring you to your
    feet and take you back in time. A wise man once said it’s better to burn out
    than fade away, and on Thanksgiving Day of 1976, one of the best live acts of
    the rock era went out in a blaze of glory.
    Special Guests include: Vini Lopez, Matt Wade, Bruce Gassman, Puggy Derosa, Emily Grove, Tommy LaBella, Sonny Kenn, StringBean, Fred Scribner, Kate Taylor, Arlan Fieles & more to be announced!

    (This is a rental event and gift certificates and ticket vouchers are not valid for this event) 

  • Best of the Eagles

    BEST OF
    THE EAGLES (BOTE) to perform HOTEL CALIFORNIA in its entirety!

    The BEST OF THE EAGLES (BOTE) “The Eagles Tribute Band” was established in 2012 with veteran New Jersey musicians. BOTE plays the music of The Eagles, who have sold over 150 million albums worldwide, drawn from their entire career which includes the Joe Walsh years. At the upcoming 2+ hour Pollak show, BOTE will perform the Eagles mega-hit album Hotel California in it’s entirety as well as many more Eagles hits, nuggets and fan faves. The Hotel California album sold over 32 million copies worldwide and contained such classic Eagles songs as “New Kid In Town”, “Life In The Fast Lane”, “Victim of Love”, “The Last Resort” and of course “Hotel California”.

    Gold Circle seating includes an after show meet and greet with refreshments.
    (Please note this is a rental event and gift certificates and ticket vouchers are not valid on this event)

  • Koresh Dance Company

    In its 25th year, Koresh Dance Company presents Classic KORESH, a selection of favorites drawn from the company’s quarter century of innovative work. These repertoire classics include interpretations of Classical compositions by Bach, Beethoven, and Ravel, from the rolling strains of “Moonlight Sonata” to the trumpeting processions of “Bolero.” Moments of tenderness and grace alternate with humor and brash force on this tour of highlights drawn from over 60 existing works by Artistic Director Ronen Koresh. As a unique feature of our anniversary program, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 will feature in a newly commissioned work, “23: Deconstructing Mozart,” a collaborative initiative driven by Koresh and multi-media artist Paul Miller, a.k.a. DJ Spooky. 

    There will be a post show Q&A with members of the company.
     

  • BRAVO AMICI – FUNDRAISER FOR AUTISM SPEAKS

    Presented in partnership with Autism Speaks NJ, this special concert presentation held on World Autism Awareness Day will feature Geoff Sewell, founder of the classical crossover opera band Amici Forever and his cast of exceptionally talented Broadway performers singing favorite pieces from well-known musicals, operas and popular music. From classic opera favorites like La Traviata’s Brindisi to Phantom’s All I Ask of You and crowd pleasers like That’s Amore, audiences will delight in the uplifting performance by the gifted vocalists of Bravo Amici. The concert will also feature a special video presentation of Sewell’s song Heal Me co-written by his wife Simone and featuring daughters Olivia and Sienna (who has autism) highlighting the message that autism is treatable. This event will be held in conjunction with the Art+Autism gallery exhibition opening reception featuring juried work by artists with Autism. Proceeds will benefit Autism Speaks NJ.