The 2008-2009 State Theatre season opens in September with a variety of music and dance performances. Starting mid-September, laugh with the finalists of NBC's 'Last Comic Standing' for the Live Tour (9/17/08); two days later see "America's favorite string band," ETHEL in the world premiere ETHEL's Truckstop: The Beginning (9/19/08); and watch the intense physicality and emotion of the Stephen Petronio Company (9/23/08).
Rounding out the month will be the New Jersey Blues & Jazz Festival at the Backstage Jazz Club, a series of Jazz and Blues performances in which the performers and the audience are on the State Theatre stage in a 238-seat club-style venue, custom designed to give patrons an exclusive experience just inches away from the artists. Performances part of the festival include: Legend of Blues: Pinetop Perkins and the Legends of Blues featuring Hubert Sumlin and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (9/25/08); Ron Carter Quartet and vocalist Lisa Sokolov (9/26/08); and Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers and John Hammond (9/27/08).
State Theatre and Stress Factory Entertainment present:
NBC's 'Last Comic Standing' Live Tour
Wed, September 17, 2008 at 8pm
See the finalists of this summer's NBC's 'Last Comic Standing' (season 6) perform live at the State Theatre.
ETHEL's Truckstop: The Beginning
Fri, September 19, 2008 at 8pm
America's favorite string band explores the melting pot of American music. The program will include TruckStop guest artists: Jeff Peterson, a Grammy Award-winning Hawaiian slack-key guitarist; NAMMY (Native American Music Award) award-winning and 2008 Grammy nominee, flutist Robert Mirabal from Albuquerque, NM; "Queen of Tex-Mex" Tejano Conjunto accordionist Eva Ybarra from San Antonio, TX; and Kentucky Blue Grass legend Dean Osborne.
Mason Gross School of the Arts and State Theatre present Stephen Petronio Company
Tue, September 23, 2008 at 8pm
Having performed in 26 countries and in 35 NYC engagements, SPC combines new music, visual art, and fashion to produce critically acclaimed, powerfully modern dance. Program includes new works, This is the Story of a Girl in a World (music by Antony, Lou Reed, and Nico Muhly), Beauty and the Brut (with original music by art-rock band Fischerspooner), and BLOOM (from 2006 with original music by Rufus Wainwright). Tickets: $20-40 (student, senior, and group discounts apply).
New Jersey Blue & Jazz Festival at the Backstage Jazz Club
Sponsored by the Karma Foundation and the New Millennium Bank
Set #1 "Legend of Blues"
Thu, September 25, 2008 at 8pm & 10:30pm at the Backstage Jazz Club
The show boasts legendary pianist Pinetop Perkins, guitarist Hubert Sumlin, and W.C. Handy Award winner/multiple Grammy Award nominee harmonica player, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.
Set #2 "Ron Carter Quartet"
Fri, September 26 at 8pm & 10:30pm at the Backstage Jazz Club
This jazz concert includes one of the most original, prolific, and influential bassists in jazz, Ron Carter with special guest jazz vocalist Lisa Sokolov.
Set #3 "Rod Piazza and Friends"
Sat, September 27 at 8pm & 10:30pm at the Backstage Jazz Club
Blues harp player, Rod Piazza performs with his award-winning band The Mighty Flyers with special guest legendary blues musician John Hammond. -- www.statetheatrenj.org
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