Arts & Entertainment

Former SNL Stars Headline SOPAC Stage

Colin Quinn and Jim Breuer come to SOPAC.

Two Saturday Night Live Alumni and stand-up comedians will be taking the South Orange Performing Arts Center stage for hilarious performances in October and November.

Colin Quinn will perform “Unconstitutional” on Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $48.

“Colin Quinn returns to the stage in Unconstitutional where he tackles 226 years of American Constitutional calamities in 70 minutes,” announced SOPAC. “On May 25th, 1787, fifty-five delegates in wigs and tights sat down to create a country from scratch. In 2013, Colin Quinn offers his unique comedic perspective on our national character. From predator drones to the Kardashians, he pulls no punches in asking if this is what the founding fathers planned.”

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The New York Times called Unconstitutional “ A pleasingly funny amble through American history. Mr. Quinn has always been a little ahead of the curve” and the New York Daily News called it “ Fast, furious and funny! In Quinn we trust.”

Jim Breuer, a resident of Chester, NJ, will also visit SOPAC on Friday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $45.

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“With over 20 years of stand-up comedy experience, Jim Breuer remains one of today’s top entertainers and continues to win over audiences with his off-the-wall humor and lovable personality,” SOPAC writes.

"Named one of Comedy Central's '100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,' Breuer is one of the most recognizable comedians in the business, known for his charismatic stage antics, dead-on impressions, and family-friendly stand-up."

"In addition to keeping busy on his current comedy tour, Breuer can be heard on his weekly Sirius/XM Radio show 'Fridays with Breuer,' featuring guests such as Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Cosby, Chris Rock, Dennis Leary, and Jeff Foxworthy.”

Check out SOPAC's other performances through the holidays:

NOW – SUN 12/22 – ART EXHIBITION AT THE HERB & MILLY IRIS GALLERY

Visual Art

Tickets: FREE

SOPAC extends the latest in its rotating series of visual art exhibitions in the Herb & Milly Iris Gallery inside the SOPAC lobby.  On view from till December 22 is a collection of paintings and drawings by two NYC-based artists - CJ Collins and Shawn Washburn. The artwork on display is for sale with partial proceeds supporting SOPAC. 

MON 11/04 + TUE 11/05 at 7:30PM – IRELAND: THE SHOW

Irish Music & Dance

Tickets: $39-$56

Direct from Ireland, Ireland: The Show is an innovative and exciting new Celtic production celebrating the very best of Irish heritage and culture—showcased by a cast of world champion Irish Dancers, Musicians and Singers. The show kicks off with a whirlwind of energy, as the musicians create lively tunes, pushing the dancers to new levels of artistic expression, and transporting old traditions from the Irish fireside to the international stage. The expressive language of dance ranges from a gliding shimmer of subtle soft shoe choreography to pounding dramatic hard shoe steps. The execution of seemingly effortless high kicks is married perfectly with modern polish, Irish charm and dazzling Vegas-style Celtic costumes. As the old Irish proverb relates, “There are no Strangers here, only friends you haven’t met.” 

THU 11/07 at 7:30PM – BLACKMORE’S NIGHT

World, Folk, Rock Music

Tickets: $33-$58

Legendary Deep Purple and Rainbow guitarist Ritchie Blackmore shifted his musical focus away from hard rock in the late 1990s and started concentrating on his love of Renaissance-era music. He formed Blackmore's Night with his wife, vocalist/lyricist Candice Night and recruited other musicians from around the world to combine elements of world music, renaissance, new age, folk, and rock & roll. Blackmore didn't exactly retire his Fender Stratocaster, but he plays acoustic guitar almost exclusively in Blackmore's Night. His acoustic guitar melodies and Night's clear, ethereal voice blend with a host of instruments such as mandolins, keyboards, pennywhistles, violins, tambourines, military drums, and hurdy-gurdies.

SAT 11/09 at 8:00PM – BETTYE LAVETTE

Soul, Blues

Tickets: $30-$50

"Ms. LaVette now rivals Aretha Franklin as her generation's most vital soul singer." - The New York Times

Grammy nominee Bettye LaVette has been performing her soulful blues for more than 50 years. She possesses a voice that compels you to listen to every word she says, sings or writes; rough, tender, sensuous and soaring – it is an instrument of inspiration. Her 2011 album Interpretations: British Rock Songbook was Grammy nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Betty has been incredibly busy as of late, touring with Robert Plant, dueting with Jon Bon Jovi at The Obama Inaugural Celebration at The Lincoln Memorial, and performing with Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr at Radio City Music Hall.

THU 11/14 at 7:30PM - DAR WILLIAMS

Singer, Songwriter

Tickets: $25-$45

The critically acclaimed singer/songwriter has enjoyed a 15 year career which began when Joan Baez, an early fan of her music, took her out on the road and recorded several of her songs. In 1995, two years after self-releasing The Honesty Room, she signed with Razor & Tie Entertainment, beginning a long and mutually beneficial relationship. Along with her six studio albums — also including The Green World (2000) and The Beauty of the Rain (2003), each amply represented on the balanced Many Great Companions — she's also released the onstage documentary Out There Live (2001) and the DVD Live at Bearsville Theater (2007). At the core of Williams' work is a belief in the innate ability of people to make a better world, the product of countless observations in her travels and conversations with her fans.   

FRI 11/15 at 8:00PM – DAVID BROMBERG QUINTET

Bluegrass, Folk

Tickets: $30-$55

Renowned for his jubilant, loose-limbed concerts, David’s sensitive and versatile approach to guitar-playing is steeped in the folk and blues traditions. He’s played with everyone, toured everywhere, and he can lead a raucous big band or hold an audience silent with a solo acoustic blues. He became a first-call, “hired gun” guitarist for recording sessions, ultimately playing on hundreds of records by artists including Bob Dylan (New Morning, Self Portrait, Dylan), Link Wray, The Eagles, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, and Carly Simon. 

SAT 11/16 at 8:00PM – MAVIS STAPLES

Soul, Gospel

Tickets: $50-$75

Soul/gospel legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient. VH1 named her one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone listed her as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. She won the 2011 Grammy Award for You Are Not Alone (produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco) for Best Americana Album. He also produces her new album, One True Vine, (June 25th- Anti- Records), which features new compositions by Tweedy and Nick Lowe, plus covers of Lowe, Funkadelic, and more.

FRI 11/22 at 8:00PM – ROBERT KLEIN

Comedy

Tickets: $30-$55

For more than forty years, Robert Klein has entertained audiences, and he continues to have an acclaimed career in comedy, on Broadway, on television, and in film. Born in the Bronx, he was a member of the famed “Second City” theatrical troupe in Chicago. He was nominated twice for Grammy Awards for “Best Comedy Album of the Year” for his albums Child of the Fifties and Mind Over Matter. He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor, and won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his performance in the hit Neil Simon musical They’re Playing Our Song. He costarred in the hit NBC Series “Sisters,” had recurring roles on TV’s “Law and Order,” and appeared multiple times on “The Tonight Show” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

SUN 11/24 at 7:30PM – THE KLEZMATICS with special guest JOSHUA NELSON: BROTHER MOSES SMOTE THE WATER

Klezmer, Gospel

Tickets: $25-$50

The Klezmatics and Joshua Nelson join forces to explore the complexity of Jewish identity, Black identity, and human identity. This vibrant and rousing live performance alternates between age-old Hebrew Passover songs, Nelson's own brand of kosher gospel, and traditional Yiddish anthems. The Klezmatics are the world-renowned and Grammy-winning superstars of the klezmer world. They erupted out of New York City's East Village in 1986 and revitalized klezmer for the new century. Joshua Nelson, an African-American Jew known as the Prince of Gospel Music, has been praised by critics across the world for his unique voice, which bears a strong resemblance to the legendary singer Mahalia Jackson's passionate vocal stylings. 

SAT 11/30 at 11:00AM + 1:00PM – THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR & OTHER ERIC CARLE FAVORITES

Children, Theatre

Tickets: $25. Kids 12 & Under: $20

The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia has set as one of its goals exposing young children to theater and inspiring in them a love of reading and storytelling. Featuring literature author and illustrator Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a triple-bill performance that includes an assortment of favorite Eric Carle puppet characters. Enjoy the adventures of the magical transformations of Little Cloud, a chameleon’s trip to the zoo, and the progression of a little caterpillar into a lovely butterfly. Colorful performances of these characters come to life on stage with the Mermaid Theatre’s use of black light, providing a unique and vibrant experience.

SUN 12/01 at 2:00PM & 5:00PM – THE NUTCRACKER FEATURING NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET

Dance, Family

Tickets: $25-$40

E.A. Hoffmann’s fairy tale, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, first premiered in 1892. New York Theatre Ballet’s production is the only hour-long Nutcracker presented by a professional troupe in the metro area. It is perfectly suited to the attention span of younger audience members, yet sophisticated enough for the most discerning adult.

THU 12/05 at 7:30PM – CHERISH THE LADIES: A CELTIC CHRISTMAS

Irish, Folk, Festive

Tickets: $25-48

Taking their name from a traditional Irish jig, Cherish The Ladies share timeless Irish traditions with audiences worldwide. The Ladies perform classic Christmas carols, in their signature arrangements highlighting unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies and spectacular step-dancing.

FRI 12/06 at 8:00PM – DAVID BENOIT – “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”

Jazz, Festive

Tickets: $40-$65

A wonderful holiday program conceived by Grammy nominated Jazz pianist David Benoit that will also feature some of his popular hits. The show features the music from the original hit television show "A Charlie Brown Christmas" performed by David Benoit and his trio with guest vocalist Selina Albright. While primarily focusing on the music of Vince Guaraldi, the original composer of the show, Benoit and the trio also feature new original music, (Benoit was the composer of the last several episodes,) and music from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" the hit Broadway musical. There are short video clips from the original show that will sure to bring back fond memories. A local children’s choir will also join David for a portion of the concert, sure to be a touching, sweet moment!  "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a family friendly, hip jazz show that is warm and entertaining.

SAT 12/07 at 8:00PM – RICHARD LEWIS

Comedy

Tickets: $35-$50

Richard Lewis holds the honor of being named by Comedy Central one of the top 50 stand-up comedians of all time and he was charted on GQ Magazine’s list of the ’20th Century’s Most Influential Humorists’. Lewis has taken his lifelong therapy fodder and carved it into a commanding, compelling art form. His early career as a stand-up brought him to the top of his ranks. Over time and through a variety of mediums, he broadened his exposure and more and more came on board to appreciate his brilliantly warped world. With scores of diverse guest acting appearances in TV series and films, the closest to his heart was his four year run in ABC's critically acclaimed series "Anything But Love," co-starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Lewis co-wrote and starred in the cult classic film Diary of a Young Comic, which first aired on NBC in the "SaturdayNight Live" time slot at its highest ratings period. Late night TV viewers and media junkies are familiar with his frequent guest appearances. He may hold the title to having the most late night appearances, chalking up well over 100 appearances with Dave, Jay, Conan, Jon, Stern, Ferguson and Maher. 

SUN 12/08  at 3:00PM – HOLIDAY JOY FROM THE JUILLIARD JAZZ ENSEMBLE, WITH GUEST VOCALIST ALICIA OLATUJA

Jazz

Tickets: $15-$20

The Juilliard Jazz Ensemble lights up the stage once again at SOPAC, with an exciting performance of swinging holiday classics. This year’s performance will also feature renowned vocalist Alicia Olatuja, praised by The New York Times for her “strong, lustrous tone.”

FRI 12/13 at 3:30 & 6:30PM – MAX & RUBY IN THE NUTCRACKER SUITE

Ballet, Children, Festive

Tickets: $20-$40

Max & Ruby bring to life a wonderful tradition this holiday season as they take to the stage their most magical performance yet! Inspired by one of the greatest musical scores ever composed - Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite - the beloved bunny siblings star in Koba Entertainment’s brand new musical production.

SAT 12/14 at 8:00PM – SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA “SALSA NAVIDAD”

Latin Jazz, Festive

Tickets: $33-$55

Since its original conception by producer Aaron Levinson in 2000, the Grammy Award Winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) has established itself as a standard bearer of contemporary Latin music. Directed by world-renowned pianist, arranger, and producer Oscar Hernández, the thirteen-member all-star ensemble has reintroduced the classic sounds of New York City Salsa to music lovers worldwide. In their brand new holiday program, Salsa Navidad, SHO will put their invigorating Latin flare on classic holiday songs and take their rhythmic seduction to the next level.

SUN 12/22 at 7:30PM – GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA “IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD”

Big Band Jazz

Tickets: $25-$45

It’s time to get ‘In the Christmas Mood’ as the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra breaks open the vault of holiday music. As well as the Miller Christmas hits ‘Jingle Bells‘ and ‘Sleigh Ride‘, you’ll hear other Christmas classics, as well as popular Glenn Miller favorites including: ‘In the Mood‘, ‘Moonlight Serenade‘, ‘American Patrol‘, ‘Little Brown Jug‘ and ‘Tuxedo Junction‘. The most popular and sought after big band in the world today! With its unique jazz sound, the present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world.


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