Cultural Events Calendar

Oct 24–27
THEATER
7 pm (Thu-Fri-Sat) 2 pm (Sun)

My Italy Story

Written by noted NJ playwright and storyteller Joe Gallo (four-time Moth StorySLAM winner), My Italy Story is a nostalgic exploration of family, heritage and the ties that bind us. Spurred by pleas to help reunite his fractured family, a young man quits his job and travels to the tiny Italian village of his ancestors. After he returns home, he discovers a secret that unlocks his past. Directed by Charlotte Cohn, this endearing one-man show stars Michael Notardonado, who recently appeared in the Off-Broadway hit, Romeo and Bernadette.

Tickets: $45

Hamilton Stage
360 Hamilton St., Rahway
732-499-8226
ucpac.org/event/my-italy-story

Wheelchair-accessible parking, seating and restrooms.

Oct. 29
7:30 pm
FILM FESTIVAL

“Stay with Us”

The JCC Jewish Film Festival of Central NJ presents this film. Paralleling his own real conversion to Catholicism, a French-Jewish entertainer takes a journey of spiritual discovery in this poignant, humorous self-portrait. This offbeat comedy stars acclaimed French comedian Gad Elmaleh in a semi-autobiographical story; in French with English subtitles.

Cranford Theater
25 North Avenue West, Cranford
908-889-8800

Tickets $18
jccnj.org/jccinternationaljewishfilmfestival/

Theater is ADA accessible. Films are captioned. Program available in large print.

Nov. 2
7 pm
CONCERT

Americana Pops Concert – Plainfield Symphony

The joyful, annual “Americana Pops Concert” is an audience favorite, with something for everyone… featuring tunes by Leroy Anderson, Duke Ellington, Rogers and Hammerstein, Scott Joplin, Stephen Sondheim, John Philip Sousa and more. Tenor Brian Cheney returns as soloist. Concert performed live and livestreamed.

Tickets: $30 Senior/Student, $45 General, $65 Reserved

In-person
Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
716 Watchung Ave., Plainfield
908-561-5140
plainfieldsymphony.org

Venue has wheelchair-accessible parking spaces and building entry access, lift to performance area, and accessible rest rooms.

Nov. 2
4 – 5 pm
PUBLIC ART TOUR (Free)

Curated Art Walk with Summit Public Art

Join members of the Summit Public Art Board at My Love Story (31 Maple Street, in Summit) for refreshments, followed by small group tours of Summit’s downtown art scene. This may be the last chance to learn more about Emil Alzamora’s Time Travelers series — sculptures leaving Summit at the end of November. Kids are welcome!

FREE
Meet at: 31 Maple St., Summit

summitpublicart.com

Tour is outdoors and wheelchair-accessible. Other accommodations can be made on request in advance of the event by emailing friendsofsummitpublicart@gmail.com.

Nov. 3
2 pm (60-minute show, no intermission)
THEATRE

Haunted Hollow – Halloween Magic & Illusion Sensory-Friendly Theater

Meet Mortimer and Meg Muckelbones and experience Halloween-themed magic and illusion the entire family will enjoy! Families are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes! “Haunted Hollow” is kooky, spooky family fun! This sensory-friendly theater performance, presented by The Union County Board of County Commissioners, is specially adapted for children and adults with autism and other sensory sensitivities. Aspects of this event have modified lighting and sound and actor-audience interaction.

Tickets: $8 (without fees)
ucpac.org/event/haunted-hollow-sensory-friendly-theater

Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving St., Rahway
732-499-8226

This event is general admission; ADA seating available to those who need it.

Nov. 7
7 pm
THEATRE / MUSIC (FREE Event)

Native American Heritage Month CelibrsAtion

Native American Heritage Month, celebrated during the month of November, honors Native American people and their culture. Kenilworth Public Library is committed to telling the world about the sacrifices of Native American tribes. Tchin, a nationally-known Indigenous artist and educator, presents Native American music and stories.

FREE

Kenilworth Public Library
548 Boulevard, Kenilworth
908-276-2451
kenilworthlibrary.org

Wheelchair-accessible building, via back entrance.

Nov. 8–9 at 8 pm
Nov. 14, 15, 16 at 8 pm
Nov 17 at 6 pm
MUSICAL THEATRE

Bat Boy: The Musical

Bat Boy: The Musical is an American Horror Rock Musical Comedy about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia. For lack of a better solution, the local sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker, where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family and taught to act like a “normal” boy by the veterinarian’s wife, Meredith, and teenage daughter, Shelley. Bat Boy is happy with his new life, but when he naively tries to fit in with the narrow-minded people of Hope Falls, they turn on him.

Tickets: $60 (Free tickets are available for rehearsal.) Cash bar available on site.

duCret Center of Art
1030 Central Ave., Plainfield
908-501-9410
ctcproductions.org

Theater venue at duCret is wheelchair-accessible.

Nov. 17
3 pm
CHORAL CONCERT

Oratorio Singers in Concert

The Oratorio Singers of Westfield celebrate 30 years with Director Trent Johnson with his Farewell Concert, performing Trent Johnson’s own “Celebration Overture” for orchestra, Karl Jenkin’s Benedictus, from “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem.” Come listen to glorious choral music, including special soloists.

Tickets: General Admission $25, Seniors $20

First United Methodist Church
1 East Broad St., Westfield
908-656-7418
oratoriosingerswestfield.org

Wheelchair-accessible venue. Large-print programs available upon request.

Nov. 17
3 pm
JAZZ CONCERT

Bill Charlap – Jazz Piano

Afternoon Music presents renowned jazz pianist Bill Charlap in concert at Beacon. For more than forty years, Afternoon Music has provided outstanding music programs, with concerts that explore a wide diversity of music, showcasing classical and jazz performers.

Tickets: $30 online. $35 at the door. FREE for Students.

Beacon Unitarian Universalist Church
4 Waldron Ave., Summit
afternoonmusic.org

Nov. 21
6 pm / 7 pm
CLASSIC FILM & MORE

The Nightmare Before Christmas (in 35mm)

Doors open at 6 pm. Organ Concert on the “Biggest Little Wurlitzer” at 6:30 pm. Film starts at 7 pm. Come enjoy The Nightmare Before Christmas, shown in 35mm, with photo ops with special guests from Halloween Town, themed drinks, and more. Come dressed as your favorite Tim Burton character for a chance to win a prize. This screening is part of UCPAC’s Third Thursdays Classic & 35mm Film Series.

Tickets: $13 ($18 on day of show) excluding fees

Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving St., Rahway
732-499-8226
ucpac.org/event/the-nightmare-before-christmas-in-35mm

Our film events are general admission; ADA seating is available.

Nov. 22
8 pm
COMEDY

NY Kings Comedy Concert

What do you get when you combine 4 powerhouse headlining comedians in one show? You get the NY Kings Comedy Concert! Born and bred in New York City and Mount Vernon, the NY Kings made their bones in stand-up internationally, as well as in radio, TV, plays and film. You’ve heard them on Hot 97 and WBLS Power 95. You’ve seen them on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Showtime’s Bad Boyz of Comedy and on Comedy Central, and you’ve seen them in the movies Sunset Park, Paper Soldiers, A Brother’s Kiss, and The Stuff. This is a comedy show to remember. Talent, Capone, Rob Stapleton and Mark Viera are…The NY Kings!

Tickets $45–$75 (before fees)

Union County Performing Arts Center
1601 Irving St., Rahway
732-499-8226
ucpac.org/event/ny-kings-comedy-concert/

Please call UCPAC’s Box Office for ADA seating 732-499-8226

Nov. 24
3:30 pm
CONCERT

“Quintets” – Chamber Music from Mostly Music

Music by Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn and Brahms, performed by string quintet with Clara Neubauer and Carmit Zori on Violin; Aaron Boyd and Paul Neubauer on Viola; and Peter Wiley on Cello. Come hear these acclaimed performers, as they perform Phantasy Quintet by Vaughan Williams; String Quintet in A Major by Felix Mendelssohn; and String Quintet in G Major by Johannes Brahms.
Mostly Music presents five chamber music concerts each year by outstanding professional musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the New York Philharmonic, as well as leading guest soloists and ensembles from around the world. Before each work, musicians offer insights about the piece and composer.

Tickets: $50 | FREE for students

Temple Emanu-El
756 East Broad St., Westfield
908-789-8578
mostlymusic.org

Venue is wheelchair-accessible. Hearing enhancement devices are available.