All Access with State Theatre New Jersey

All Access chats with Dennis Tufano, a Golden Oldies Spectacular performer, about his early introduction to playing music as a child, how the R&B of Chicago influenced The Buckingham's style, and more! For more information about the Golden Oldies Spectacular on May 31 at 7pm, visit the event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/golden_oldies_spectacular

All Access had the opportunity to speak with Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director for Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dwight Rhoden! Dwight chats about the program of Bach to Bowie featuring Bach 25 and StarDust. Rhoden also tells us about what he looks for in dancers that join his company, his dance tribute to David Bowie and the diverse music catalog featured, and more! To learn about Complexions Contemporary Ballet, visit the event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/complexions-contemporary-ballet

We had the pleasure of speaking with Brock Bivens, who is an understudy in The Play That Goes Wrong! Bivens tells us about his improv training, the organized chaos that happens on stage, and what it's like to be on a national tour as an understudy! For more information about The Play That Goes Wrong, here at STNJ from April 2-4, visit our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/play-that-goes-wrong

All Access talks with Golden Oldies Spectacular co-headliner, BJ Thomas! BJ chats with us about his acclaimed career, starting out as a teenager in the music industry, and some background on his biggest hits like "Hooked on a Feeling." For more information about the Golden Oldies Spectacular on May 31 at 7pm, visit our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/golden_oldies_spectacular

On this episode of All Access, we sat down with Frank Jeckell of 1910 Fruitgum Company who are performing in the Golden Oldies Spectacular! Jeckell talks about working with Dennis Tufano, his Fruitgum family, and more! For more information about the Golden Oldies Spectacular on May 31 at 7pm, visit the event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/golden_oldies_spectacular

We had the great pleasure of speaking with three members of the Dinosaur World Live cast, Romina, Ashleigh, and Darcy! They shared what one might expect from this roar-some and interactive show, how they bring history to life, and what it's like to expose young audiences to something new and exciting! Dinosaur World Live is here for two shows on March 15 at 11am and 3pm. For more information, check our event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/dinosaur-world-live

On this episode of All Access, we have a conversation with Chloë Agnew of Celtic Woman! Chloë tells us about what you should expect for the Celebration Tour, with songs spanning their 15-year history, how she has been performing in front of large audiences since the age of six, and more! To learn more about the show on March 23, 2021, visit our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/celtic-woman

All Access chats with Sandy Deanne of Jay & The Americans, one of the headlining groups of our Golden Oldies Spectacular on May 31. Sandy talks about when he knew music was the business for him, wise advice from Tony Bennett, and opening for the Beatles on their first American tour! For more information about the Golden Oldies Spectacular on May 31, visit the event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/golden_oldies_spectacular

Marc Uys, who is the Executive Director of Princeton Symphony Orchestra's BRAVO Ensembles, chats with All Access about their upcoming BRAVO Percussion Ensemble performance at our Milk & Cookies Series, sharing the magic of percussion to young audiences, and so much more. To learn more about PSO BRAVO Percussion Ensemble's performance in our Milk & Cookies Series on March 7 at 10am and 12pm, take a look at our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/mc-pso-bravo-percussion

All Access had the pleasure of speaking with Matthew Smith, a New Jersey native, who is on tour with MasterChef Junior Live as a contestant from Season 7! Matthew talks about how he found his love for cooking at the young age of four, his biggest challenge on the TV competition show MasterChef Junior, and how he's found a new family within the MasterChef community! To learn more about MasterChef junior Live on March 8, visit our event page here :https://www.stnj.org/event/masterchef-junior-live

In this episode, All Access speaks with beat-boxer Blake Lewis who is performing in A Cappella Live on March 7. Blake Lewis talks about working with Deke Sharon, the life-changing experience of being on American Idol, and more! For more information on A Cappella Live, visit our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/a-cappella-live

All Access had a chance to speak with Lou Christie, who is featured in the Golden Oldies Spectacular on March 21! Lou chats with Kelly about his current touring schedule, producing his own podcast "It Should Have Been A Hit," and more! Visit the event page to see the full line-up of artists at the Golden Oldies Spectacular here: https://www.stnj.org/event/golden_oldies_spectacular

Hailing from New Jersey, illusionist Michael Turco of Masters of Illusion, talks with All Access about how he perfected his act, the magicians who inspired him while growing up, and what it's like to be have his own show in Vegas! For more information on Masters of Illusion, visit the event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/masters-of-illusion

All Access had the opportunity to speak with one of the talented singers, Niko Del Rey, of the a cappella group The Filharmonic. Niko explains the group's successful history, their experience on the show The Sing-Off, and working with Deke Sharon, and more. Learn more about The Filharmonic and other groups performing at A Cappella Live! here: https://www.stnj.org/event/a-cappella-live

Meet Annette Philip, singer in Women of the World, who will be performing in A Cappella Live! on March 7. She chats with All Access about the inspiring mission of Women of the World, how they perform in more than 30 languages, and so much more! To learn more about A Cappella Live, visit the event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/a-cappella-live

Geston Pierre from the a cappella group, Committed, sits down with Kelly from All Access to discuss the A Capella Live! tour, how Committed got their start, where their future is headed, and more! See Geston Pierre and Committed perform at A Cappella Live! on March 7. For more information, visit the event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/a-cappella-live

One of the founding members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Albert Mazibuko, talks with All Access about his long history with the South African vocal group, working with Paul Simon, and more! Ladysmith Black Mambazo comes to State Theatre on Tue, February 4. For more information, check out the event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/ladysmith-black-mambazo

We have always loved having mr. RAY at State Theatre New Jersey, and we had the opportunity to speak with mr. RAY on All Access! mr. RAY tells us about his musical influences, how he writes and creates his music (both for kids and adults), and more! To see mr. RAY perform in our Milk & Cookies series on February 8, check out the event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/mc_mr-ray

R&B masters Boyz II Men have been impressing audiences with their smooth harmonies for more than two decades! We sat down with singer Shawn Stockman to discuss the group's longevity, the power of music videos, and their latest movie appearance! See Boyz II Men just in time for Valentine's Day on Thu, February 13 at 8pm. For more information and tickets, click here: https://www.stnj.org/event/boyz_ii-Men

All Access talks with multi-talented guitarist Paul Hammond from Get The Led Out! Paul shares how the band prepares their tours, how his long hair helped score him a spot in the band, and his impressive guitar collection. See Get The Led Out live on February 21. For more information: https://www.stnj.org/event/get_the_led_out

All Access had the opportunity to speak with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's principal horn player, Chris Komer. Komer chats about how much John Williams' music has inspired him, the work he has done with NJSO, and how the musicians play an iconic movie score so perfectly over the film! See Chris Komer and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra perform the works of John Williams from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi on Feb 9. For more information about this show, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/return-jedi-njso

The Managing Director of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, James Williams, sits down with All Access to discuss the large undertaking in managing an internationally touring orchestra with 80+ musicians, his talented team of administrators, and more! For more information about Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on January 11, check out our event page here: www.stnj.org/event/royal-philharmonic-orchestra

Benjamin Cunningham who is both the Chairman of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a double bass player, tells us about their varied program, the piano soloist Khatia Buniatishvili, and his history with classical music! For more information about Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on January 11, check out our event page here: https://www.stnj.org/event/royal-philharmonic-orchestra

The talented dancer, Alan Bersten, from Dancing with the Stars joined All Access to speak about winning this year's season, the creation of the live tour, his favorite moments of the show, and so much more! For more information about Dancing with the Stars: Live! on January 19, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/dancing-with-the-stars-live

All Access sat down with Nashka Desrosiers who plays Nettie in The Color Purple! Listen in to learn about the character of Nettie, the Grammy®-winning score, and more! For additional information on The Color Purple from January 30-February 1, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/color-purple

State Theatre New Jersey is presenting the wonderful Mr. Pennygaff's Cirkus Sideshow Spectacular as part of our Milk & Cookies series on Jan 11! We sat down with Mr. Pennygaff himself to discuss the style of the show, his long history in circus performing, and the wide variety of audiences he entertains! For more info on Mr. Pennygaff's Cirkus Sideshow Spectacular on January 11 check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/mc-mr-pennygaff

Joining us today is Emma Taylor Schwartz who plays Shprintze in Fiddler on the Roof! Emma mentions her long history with this production, the magic of the show itself, and more! See Fiddler on the Roof this December 20-22. For more information, see our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/fiddler-on-the-roof

The talented dancer Erikka Reenstierna-Cates from American Repertory Ballet speaks with us about handling multiple roles, the LARGE cast, and more! See Erikka and the rest of the Nutcracker cast from December 13-15! For more info, click here: https://www.stnj.org/event/nutcracker

We had a fun time chatting with Corey Greenan who plays Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys! Greenan talks with us about the larger than life personality of the iconic Four Seasons member, the audition process, and, of course, the music! Jersey Boys will return to STNJ on December 3-4. For more information, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/jersey-boys

This episode we sit down with conductor Alastair Willis who discusses the phenomenal Salute to Vienna production. Willis mentions how this show is full of holiday cheer, the difficulties of conducting such an intricate production, and more! See Alastair and the wonderful holiday treat Salute to Vienna on December 31! For more details, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/salute_to_vienna

Cody Cooley, who plays Squidward Q. Tentacles in The SpongeBob Musical, chats with us about the cast, his collegiate ties to NJ, and his surprise tap dance number! Don't miss The SpongeBob Musical on Nov 29-Dec 1. For more details, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/spongebob-musical

We had the exciting chance to speak with Lorenzo Pugliese who plays SpongeBob SquarePants in The SpongeBob Musical! Lorenzo chats about his feelings on playing the iconic and beloved character on stage, the star-studded music produced for the show, and more! Don't miss The SpongeBob Musical on Nov 29-Dec 1. For more details, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/spongebob-musical

Creative Producer of the all new and very exciting PJ Masks: Saves The Day Live, Josh Blackburn, sat down with State Theatre to discuss the show! We get a sneak peak at all of the ways and reasons this live performance is shocking audiences across the states. Catch Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko fight the night to save the day on Sunday, December 8th. For more details, check out our event page: https://www.stnj.org/event/pj-masks-live

Tony Sylvester is the president and treasurer for the Gia Maione Prima Foundation and a lawyer by trade. The Gia Maione Prima Foundation is new sponsor at STNJ and will be supporting the Blue Note Records - 80th Birthday Celebration on November 6th. We talked with Tony about his love for jazz music, his times in the famous jazz clubs of NYC, the Gia Maione Prima Foundation's goals, and more. To get more information about who will be performing at the 80th Birthday Celebration click here: https://www.stnj.org/event/blue-note-records

The Beatles music has left a lasting impact on many, if not most, rock and roll lovers. Talented guitarist and singer Frank Agnello from The Fab Faux would agree! Agnello joins us to chat about The Fab Faux's formation, their upcoming tour, The Beatles movies and its music, side projects, and more! Don't miss The Fab Faux at State Theatre New Jersey on November 23. Get more details here: https://www.stnj.org/event/fab_faux_2019

Bollywood comes to life on the State Theatre stage! The musical Taj Express makes its way to New Brunswick and in this interview actress Tanvi Patil promises it to be a beautiful show of nonstop dancing, live music, color costumes, and more. Fun for all ages, Taj Express comes to town on November 16. Check out the event page for all the details: https://www.stnj.org/event/taj-express

Antonia Bennett grew up surrounded by some of the biggest names in music. As the daughter of Tony Bennett she is quite familiar with the the impact of the great American Songbook. In this interview Antonia talks to us about touring with her father, with a stop in New Brunswick on October 20, and just what it was like growing up.

In this interview with talk with Kevin MacCallum, a member of the kid's rock band City Stomp as he talks about City Stomp's fun original songs and introducing kids to sounds and musical styles that they may not otherwise hear. City Stomp performs live on December 7 for two performances as part of the State Theatre's Milk & Cookies. Check out the event page for all the details: https://www.stnj.org/event/mc-city-stomp

On this episode of All Access we talk with renowned cellist Matt Haimovitz about his career playing in big halls to small clubs and everything in between to his upcoming appearance with his close friend, pianist Navah Perlman on November 17, 2019. Check out the event page for all the details: https://www.stnj.org/event/matt-haimovitz-navah-perlman

On October 19, award-winning actor Denzel Washington will be the recipient of Crossroads Theatre Company’s inaugural Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee Living Legends Award at its signature fundraising event, A Night With Crossroads Theatre Company. On this episode we talk with Crossroads Board Chairman Anthony Carter about this exciting star-studded event. For more information visit: https://www.stnj.org/event/crossroads-gala

In this interview with talk with Sarah Farzam, the Founder of Bilingual Birdies. Since 2007, this group of talented musicians have been successfully teaching Spanish, French, Mandarin, and English(ESL) through live music, movement, dance, puppetry, and theatre-based games. Now, the Bilingual Birdies make their way to New Brunswick on November 2 for two performances as part of the State Theatre's Milk & Cookies. Check out the event page for all the details: https://www.stnj.org/event/mc-bilingual-birdies

Storyteller Julie Pasqual returns to the State Theatre for the Milk & Cookies series on October 5, 2019. We chatted with Julie about how she selects the stories she shares, clowning around as an actual clown, and her travels around the world. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/2LLeOAt

One of the featured performers at this year's State Theatre Family Day on September 22 are juggling husband and wife duo, the Give & Take Jugglers. We chatted with juggler Erik about mastering juggling with fire and how much it takes to cut it as a professional juggler. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/34EccNC

Eva Lucena has been the Executive Director of the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre since 1980. One of the featured performers at this year's State Theatre Family Day on September 22, Eva talks with us the performance and embracing all Spanish dance art forms. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/34FTyok

Navah Perlman is one of the most celebrated pianists of her generation. On this episode of All Access we chat with Navah (daughter of renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman) about her career, family, and meeting cellist Matt Haimovitz—to whom she performs with at The State on November 17—when they were just 11 year old kids in music school. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/2kmAadX

Comedian George Lopez returns to the State Theatre on September 21! In this episode of All Access, we chat with George about the staying power of his sitcom TV show (George Lopez), his movie career (including working with Christopher Walken), and hitting the road for his new comedy tour. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/2OI2zcB

Joining YouTube sensation The Piano Guys on stage for a song during their State Theatre performance on September 10, 2019 will be eight violinists from the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey (YOCJ). YOCJ Executive Director Larisa Epps chats with us to talk about this once-in-a-lifetime experience for these eight talented musicians. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/2GDOLcM

Relive the classic music of the 1960s with the Rock and Roll Spectacular on Nov 2! Headlining this event is the legendary Chubby Checker, who chats with us about how he acquired his famous nickname from Bob Hope's wife and how "The Twist" has influenced music and dance over the decades.

Thanks to new technology, rock and roll pioneers Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly perform on stage together for the first time as holograms as part of the Rock 'N' Roll Dream Tour on November 12! CEO of Base Hologram, Marty Tudor, joins us to discuss how he initially got into the business of blending music and science and how it's evolved over the years to what it is today! Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/2Ua25eC

Pianist James Francies is “a force on the ground in New York...he’s a pianist with liquid dynamism in his touch" says the New York Times, and he is one of the performers with the Blue Note 80th Anniversary Tour on Nov 6. He chats with us about how he first became interested in music and how his synesthesia works with him when he's composing. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/2U6ZYYS

The hilarious Peabody Award-winning hit TV comedy is coming to New Brunswick on October 26 with an all-new Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live: The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour! Original host Joel Hodgson chats with us about how MST3K got started as the cheapest show they could possibly make and how the rehearsal process works. Check out the event page for all the details: http://bit.ly/33LYw2u