NJPAC celebrating 20 years with all-star concert
James Monroe Iglehart, Savion Glover and more take the stage in Newark
NJPAC celebrating 20 years with all-star concert James Monroe Iglehart, Savion Glover and more take the stage in Newark Check out this story on app.com: http://on.app.com/2wPJXcW
Alex Biese, @ABieseAPP Published 1:59 p.m. ET Aug. 11, 2017 | Updated 3:17 p.m. ET Aug. 14, 2017
'Hamilton' cast members share what they love about New Jersey.
James Monroe Iglehart during the 68th annual Tony Awards from Radio City Music Hall in 2014.(Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)
For 20 years, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark has been a revered space for performers and audience members alike.
"It's just a great space," jazz artist Diana Krall said of the NJPAC earlier this year. "The people are great and I always have memories of great performances there with great audiences."
"It is a beautiful theater with wonderful acoustics, so when you get on the stage at soundcheck and just let out one note, you know the sound is going to be good," singer Tony Bennett told me in 2015. "So, the very first time I was on (stage) at NJPAC, I knew this was an excellent theater."
Savion Glover, pictured in 2004 at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton. (Photo: FILE PHOTO)
This particularly prestigious venue will have its own time in the spotlight this fall: NJPAC@20: Friends in Concert! happens Saturday, Sept. 23, in the center's Prudential Hall, with $50 tickets on sale now through njpac.org, via 888-466-5722 and at the NJPAC box office, One Center Street.
MORE NJPAC: Theater announces its 2017 to 2018 season
The event will feature musical direction by Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride of Montclair, jazz adviser for the NJPAC, who will also lead his big band.
NJPAC dance adviser and Newark native Savion Glover also will perform, as well as James Monroe Iglehart, a Tony winnner for his work as the Genie in "Aladdin" now co-staring in "Hamilton" as Thomas Jefferson/Lafayette.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the New Jersey Symphony Oscestra conduced by Xian Zhang, Paquito D'Rivera, Michael Feinstein, Lisa Fischer and India will also perform, along with students from the NJPAC Arts Education's music and theater departments.
During the performance, Audible founder and CEO Don Katz, founder of Newark Venture Partners, will recenived the inaugural Founders Award.
MOVIES: Classic tap documentaries return to theaters
The concert will be the centerpiece of the annual Spotlight Gala presented by the Women's Association of NJPAC. The gala begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. and will also include a gourmet dinner, dancing and dessert. Those interested in gala tickets and sponsorship opportinities can contact Sarah Rosen at srosen@njpac.org or 973-297-5806.
For more news from NJPAC, listen to our conversation with John Cleese on the Asbury Park Press' "Fan Theory" podcast before he returns to the Newark venue on Sept. 24.
Read or Share this story: http://on.app.com/2wPJXcW
Jersey women made a big splash at the 2020 Grammy Awards
Bruce Springsteen helps draw attention to 'horrific' conditions on Mexico-U.S. border
Kobe Bryant remembered by 'Jersey Shore' star Vinny: 'The greatest experience of my life'
Rare Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel concert to be broadcast for first time on SiriusXM
NJ beer shines at Asbury Park Beerfest
Jon Bon Jovi joins Billy Joel on stage at Madison Square Garden: WATCH