David Saint, Artistic Director of George Street Playhouse, joins us to chat about their newly announced 2019-20 Season! The season includes a heartwarming new musical, a hilarious one-woman show starring a beloved television personality, a gripping suspense thriller based on a bestselling novel, a world premiere historical drama by George Street Playhouse favorite Joe DiPietro, and a new musical adaptation of a popular film. For all of the details check out www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org.Season

Tony and Grammy Award-winning Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater will be the musical guest at State Theatre's 2019 Benefit Gala on June 1. She joins us to chat about what it was like growing up in a musical household (when she used to think everyone could sing), how she began her professional career, and about winning a Tony Award.

Plays-in-the-Park is located in Edison and presents 3 full-scaled musicals each summer. Kicking off the season this year is Evita, running June 19-29. A Park veteran, Gerard Lebeda is returning to play Che in Evita after performing the role on the same stage 19 years ago in 2000. Learn all about Plays-in-the-Park and the rest of the season here: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PR/Plays-in-the-Park.aspx

The Happy Together Tour 2019 returns to The State on May 29 to open up the 10th Anniversary Tour. Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, discusses how it's almost like touring with old friends when Happy Together comes around, and what it's like when people come to see him perform who influenced him when he was younger.

Poet-in-Residence Glenis Redmond and Vice President of Education & Community Engagement Lian Farrer continue to chat about the annual poetry residency program. Bert also discusses participating in Glenis's workshop and what it's like to think differently about writing poetry. The culmination of the annual residency is the Free Community Poetry reading on May 23 at 7pm.

The State Theatre New Jersey Poet-in-Residence Glenis Redmond joins us in-studio with our Vice President of Education & Community Engagement Lian Farrer to discuss the residency program. Glenis is returning for her 11th year at The State and over the years we've built relationships with community members from middle-schoolers to senior citizens, all leading up to a Free Poetry Reading on May 23 at 7pm.

Happy Together 2019 returns to State Theatre New Jersey for it's 10th Anniversary on May 29! Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams chats with us about what it was like being on the original Happy Together Tour in the 80s and what it's like touring with these fantastic groups nowadays.

Paul Cowsill and his family band The Cowsills return to the State Theatre with the Happy Together Tour on May 29. Check out our interview with Paul as he talks about his performance ties to New Jersey, including a memorable concert on Atlantic City's old Steel Pier with the diving horses and the legendary Duke Ellington.

The Man Who Planted Trees tells the inspiring tale of a shepherd who spends a lifetime transforming a barren wasteland by planting a forest, one acorn at a time and it's coming to The State on May 11. Richard Medrington of Scotland's Puppet State Theatre Company discusses how they've been working on and performing this show for 13 years and its impact. Check out the event page for all the details: https://www.stnj.org/event/man-who-planted-trees

On March 18, State Theatre hosted a masterclass with legendary flutist Sir James Galway. Three young flutists were chosen to perform for Sir James, who gave them valuable feedback and instruction, and spoke at length to the students and an invited audience about the history of the flute, playing techniques, how to practice, and how to take care of the instrument. Two of the student participants were able to join us for a talk about this unique experience and how it has impacted their lives. Check out our interview with Hunter Green from Wenonah, a masters student at Mannes Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Judy Mendenhall; and Hannah Lee a student at East Brunswick High School.