From South Orange Performing Arts Center:
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) announced its 21st season, its most vibrant one yet. This new season will be continuing the momentum of a milestone 20th Anniversary, with a lineup that spans genres, generations, and artistic disciplines. From an expanded slate of kids and family programming to headline performers crossing every corner of the arts, Season 21 reaffirms SOPAC’s role as the artistic hub of the SOMA community and beyond.
Season 21 arrives under the banner of Be Here. Inviting audiences to show up, together, for the moments that make live performance irreplaceable. Whether it’s a sold-out night of comedy, a career-spanning concert, or a child’s first time watching live performance, SOPAC’s message this season is simple: whatever you’re looking for, be here for it.
“Season 21 is an invitation to connect—with great artists, with your neighbors, and with the moments that remind us why live performance matters, ” said Miriam Vales, Interim Executive Director of SOPAC. “We know our audiences are hungry for these shared experiences. Be Here, is an invitation – come laugh, come dance, come discover something new, bring your family and friends along for it.”
Riding the Momentum of a Sold-Out Summer
SOPAC enters Season 21 on the heels of a summer defined by sold-out performances, including Direct from Sweden: The Music of Abba in June and Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much? In July. That energy carries directly into the fall, with a slate of shows already generating buzz among SOPAC members and first-time patrons alike.
Fall Highlights: Be Here For It
This lineup brings a genre-spanning mix of music, comedy, and theater to the SOPAC stage:
- Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East SEP 18 • 7:30PM
Jain returns to SOPAC following last year’s sold-out performance with Red Baraat, bringing his singular blend of bhangra, jazz, and Americana to a new project.
- Liz Glazer: Big Waitlist Energy SEP 19 • 8PM
Smart and human stand-up comedy from an audience favorite. - Willie Nile SEP 26 • 7:30PM
The veteran rocker brings his high-energy songwriting to South Orange. - The Improvised Shakespeare Company OCT 16 & 17 • 7:30PM
The beloved improv troupe returns with the kind of sharp, unscripted comedy audiences have been craving.
- Remember Jones: Back to Back to Black The Amy Winehouse Celebration NOV 20 • 7:30PM
Remember Jones returns to SOPAC for another monumental performance, marking the 20th anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s iconic album Back to Black with the top-notch, full-band production he’s known for delivering every time he takes the stage.
- Nate Smith DEC 4 • 7:30PM
SOPAC is thrilled to welcome Nate Smith, newly named Artistic Director of the Newport Jazz Festival, bringing his artistry to South Orange.
Kids + Family: A Bigger Season for SOPAC’s Youngest Audiences and their families
Season 21 features SOPAC’s most expanded Kids + Family lineup to date, giving young audiences and their families even more reasons to be here together.
- The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays the Music of David Bowie & More OCT 11 • 12PM
The largest kid-friendly live concert series in the country, bringing the music of rock’s most iconic artists to families with children ages one to seven in a high-energy celebration of music and movement.
- PANTO’s Cinderella NOV 14 • 1PM
Cinder’s future looks bleak until her Fairy Godmother casts a spell to send her to the royal ball. A classic story brought to life in true Panto Company USA fashion, with original modern songs and comedy for the whole family.
- Frosty: A Musical Adventure DEC 12 • 1PM
The magic of the holiday season comes to life in this heartwarming musical about a young orphan named Billy and the snowman, Frosty, as they journey through New York City in search of Billy’s real family – and discover that the real magic of the season is love.
- The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon JAN 30 • 1PM
One night, Harold wanted to go for a walk in the moonlight, but there wasn’t a moon or a path, so he drew them. Enchantment Theatre brings Harold’s imagination to life with puppetry, pantomime, dance, and magic as he jets to Mars, joins a circus, and rescues a princess.
- Peter Pan MAR 20 • 10AM* & 12PM
Wendy and her brothers love to play make-believe. Then one night, Peter Pan and his fairy friend Tinkerbell whisk them away to Neverland. Brought to life by six quick-changing actors, the Barter Players make this an adventure you will never forget.
- *The 10:00 AM performance will also mark an important milestone for SOPAC as our first-ever Sensory-Friendly performance. This pilot initiative is designed to create a welcoming and inclusive experience for children and families with sensory sensitivities.
- Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Musical MAY 23 • 12PM
Everyone’s favorite oversized pup takes the stage in a joyful, laugh-filled celebration of friendship and unconditional love, as Emily Elizabeth’s giant-sized love makes Clifford grow into a giant, sending them on a big Birdwell Island adventure with an even bigger heart.
Beyond presenting world-class performances, Season 21 reflects SOPAC’s commitment to making the performing arts more welcoming, accessible, and representative of the community it serves.
Check out SOPAC Season 21 Fall Preview here:
Be Here With SOPAC
Season 21 tickets are on sale now at SOPACnow.org or by calling the SOPAC box office at (973) 313-2787.
And the lineup doesn’t stop here. Audiences should stay tuned as additional shows, special events, and community partnerships, will continue to be announced and added to the Season 21 calendar throughout the year.
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About SOPAC
The South Orange Performing Arts Center offers audiences exhilarating and diverse arts entertainment in its intimate venue, serving as the cultural heartbeat of the greater South Orange/Maplewood region and contributing to the economic and social vibrancy of its highly diverse community.
SOPAC is an accessible cultural destination that presents world-class artists in an intimate and welcoming environment. The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall is a 439-seat mainstage theatre with superb acoustics, sight lines, and seating. Audiences remark that performances in this space are like having their favorite artists right in their own living room. Artists acknowledge that the atmosphere encourages conversations with audiences. The Loft at SOPAC is a 2,185 square-foot multi-purpose space used for performances, rehearsals, classes, and special events.
The unique architecture of SOPAC’s building, which includes a stunning 3-story glass-enclosed atrium, is also home to the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery. Beyond the building, SOPAC co-produces local events such as South Orange Summer Nights and serves students and schools through its arts education residencies.
SOPAC is invested in arts education. SOPAC serves students and schools in our region through a School Performance Series, performing Arts Residencies, and an annual juried art exhibit entitled INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition. SOPAC also collaborates with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts each year to host the Region 5 Poetry Out Loud competitions. The Seton Hall University Arts Council presents a diverse range of events at SOPAC with seasoned professionals, students, and faculty.
SOPAC opened its doors in 2006, born from a shared vision of the South Orange Village Trustees and Seton Hall University as the centerpiece of an ambitious redevelopment plan. After more than 20 years, SOPAC continues to serve as a cultural cornerstone for the region, an economic driver for the community, and a catalyst for artistic opportunity.
