October brings a host of terrific shows and concerts at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). Here’s a look at what’s ahead:
SAT 10/04 at 8:00PM
BOBBY COLLINS
Comedy
Tickets: $25-$40
Always the funniest guy in the room, Bobby Collins is a show-business institution who has made millions laugh across the country. A native of New York, Collins was literally born into comedy when his father named him for his favorite comedian, Bob Hope. The audience at a Bobby Collins show is half the fun. Many of Collins’ enthusiastic fans have been following him for years and know by heart some of his classic bits (“…on the inside!”). But, Bobby keeps it fresh with new everyday-life observations and his travels. Over the years, he has hosted VH-1′s “Stand Up Spotlight;” toured with Cher, Julio Iglesias, Dolly Parton and Tony Bennett, among others; and released six comedy CDs.
WED 10/08 at 7:30PM
THE WAILERS “LEGEND” 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Reggae
Tickets: $30-$45
Led by Bob Marley, The Wailers burst onto the reggae scene more than 50 years ago with a force never before seen and never since duplicated within in the genre, taking reggae sounds from the streets of Jamaica and delivering them to living rooms and bedrooms across the globe. Now, more than 30 years since Marley’s untimely death, the world’s most iconic reggae outfit will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Legend, the legendary greatest hits compilation containing songs like “Is This Love,” “No Woman, No Cry,” “Could You Be Loved,” and “Buffalo Soldier.”
FRI 10/10 at 8PM
New Jersey State Council on the Arts Choreography Fellowship Showcase
Dance
Tickets: $15-$20
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will host the showcase of the 2014 winners of the prestigious New Jersey State Arts Council Choreography Fellowship. Recipients Randy James (Highland Park), Lydia Johnson (South Orange) and Erin Carlisle Norton (Montclair) were awarded the fellowship earlier this year to recognize their commitment to artistic excellence. Each will present a full-length work.
State Arts Council Choreography Fellowships are awarded every three years as part of the Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship Program, supporting New Jersey artists in 12 disciplines that rotate annually. These highly competitive awards are based solely on independent peer review of anonymous artist submissions, and are designed to promote artistic excellence and help artists further their careers.
A Q&A with celebrated dance critic Robert Johnson and the three choreographers will follow directly after the performance.
SAT 10/11 at 2PM
TOM CHAPIN’S FAMILY CONCERT
Kids ‘N Family, Music
Tickets: $15-$20
Tom Chapin engages hearts, minds and imaginations with witty, life-affirming original songs delivered in a sophisticated array of musical styles. In a career that spans five decades, 23 albums and three Grammy Awards, the multi-talented singer-songwriter and guitarist has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. Tom Chapin is a highly respected contemporary folk artist and a pioneer in the field of children’s music. Billboard Magazine calls him “totally captivating” and “the best family artist around.”
SAT 10/11 AT 8PM
CHRISTINE EBERSOLE WITH THE AARON WEINSTEIN TRIO IN “STRINGS ATTACHED”
Jazz, Cabaret
Tickets: $33-$58
An evening of jazzed up Broadway classics and songbook standards. For over 30 years, two-time Tony Award-winning actress (and Maplewood, NJ resident), Christine Ebersole has captivated audiences on the Broadway stage, television, films, concert appearances, and recordings. Ms. Ebersole won her first Tony Award for the smash hit revival of 42nd Street and her second Tony Award for Grey Gardens. Selected highlights of her illustrious career include Broadway revivals of Steel Magnolias, Camelot, Oklahoma, Dinner at Eight (Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). In film, she’s has appeared in Wolf of Wall Street, Amadeus, Tootsie, and The Big Wedding, among others. Ms. Ebersole has appeared at Carnegie Hall, with the San Francisco Symphony, the Boston Pops, Tanglewood, and more. She has appeared often on PBS, including her star turns in “Ira Gershwin at 100” and “The Rodgers & Hart Story.” Named a “rising star violinist” by Downbeat Magazine, Aaron Weinstein is quickly earning a reputation as one of the finest jazz violinists of his generation. As a featured soloist, Aaron has performed at world-class venues such as Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the SOPAC website.
