INFORMATION FOR
A native of East Brunswick, NJ, and an alumnus of William Paterson University, Bobby Mahoney brings his signature sound to the stage in an acoustic duo as part of WP’s Midday Artist Series.
When you grow up within earshot of the Jersey Shore, and just a bridge or tunnel away from New York City, inspiration comes in waves. Mahoney’s music is a blend of Springsteen and Bon Jovi mixed seamlessly with Gaslight Anthem, Against Me! and the Menzingers; generating a ground-breaking approach. The result has led to Mahoney joining the robust roster of New Jersey icon Stevie Van Zandt’s (The Sopranos, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul) Wicked Cool Records and releasing Another Deadbeat Summer, his first album with the label.
Mahoney has spent the last decade honing his live performance, and his prowess has not gone unnoticed. When he wasn’t blowing the roof off dive bars, college basements, and music halls - along with his band, currently consisting of Andrew Saul (guitar), James McIntosh (drums, and Jon Chang Soon (bass) - he was opening for Against Me!, Frank Turner, Bon Jovi, and Steve Earle. Most recently, Mahoney played The Continental Club in Austin, TX as part of the Wicked Cool Records Rock & Roll Revue for the 2024 South By Southwest festival.
That cutting edge attitude, along with a blue-collar work ethic and an education that was born out of a relentless touring schedule has given Bobby Mahoney a creative foundation in song craft and a solid understanding of what it takes to succeed. He has done all of this before hitting 30 years old, and is just getting started.
Free admission
Tom Christensen, sax; Pete McCann, guitar; Matt Pavolka, bass; Scott Neumann, drums
“Spin Cycle is one of the freshest groups on the scene today. With a quartet composed of some of New York’s best players, great solos abound from start to finish.” [Rochester City News]
Saxophonist and clarinetist Ken Peplowski is truly one of the virtuoso woodwind players in jazz today, on the world’s jazz stages for many years but always coming up with fresh, new versions of the popular song and jazz standards that have made him so well known. Peplowski’s early studies were with the legendary saxophonist Sonny Stitt, and his early touring was with the Teddy Wilson Trio and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra led by Buddy Morrow. He has been a headliner at the Newport Jazz Festival, in Las Vegas venues, many European festivals, and has played soundtracks to numerous Woody Allen movies. He has collaborated with Cedar Walton, Tom Harrell, Madonna, Steve Allen, James Moody, George Shearing, and many others. This drummerless trio presents Peplowski in an almost chamber music setting, in the style of such historic clarinetists as Benny Goodman, Buddy DeFranco and others. This concert promises to be a kickoff to the Fall 2024 Jazz Room season at the highest level!
Ticket Prices: $20 General Public • $18 WP community & senior citizens • $10 Non-WP students • WP Students admitted free with ID
Included with your ticket purchase, each Jazz Room concert is preceded by Sittin' In Meet-the-Artist, which takes place one hour prior to performances and gives audience members a unique opportunity to interact with the artist of the day.
Christopher Dylan Herbert, baritone and Carl Patrick Bolleia, piano
Heralded by Rolling Stone as “a stunning portrait of a singular moment in America", WP music faculty Christopher Dylan Herbert and Carl Patrick Bolleia present Gabriel Kahane's gripping collection of songs entitled Book of Travelers. Based on the composer's conversations with dozens of strangers during an 8,980-mile Amtrak journey embarked on the morning after the 2016 presidential election, Kahane writes, "...these songs are intended as a kind of loose diary of that journey, and as a portrait of America at a time of profound national turbulence."
David Sedaris is one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. He is a master of satire and one of today’s most observant writers. Beloved for his personal essays and short stories, David Sedaris is the author of the New York Times best- sellers Barrel Fever, Holidays on Ice, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, and Calypso. His pieces regularly appear in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” The two volumes of his diaries, Theft By Finding: Diaries (1977-2002) and A Carnival of Snackery, Diaries (2003-2020) were New York Times bestsellers. His most recent book, Happy-Go-Lucky, debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. The audio version of Happy-Go-Lucky, written and narrated by Sedaris, won the 2023 Audie Award. Sedaris has been nominated for five Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album. Currently, David Sedaris is a regular contributor to CBS Sunday Morning, and his Masterclass, David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor, is now available.
Admission: Gold Circle $70; Orchestra/Front Loge $65; Rear Loge $50
Victor, bass guitar/vocals; Joseph, keyboards/vocals; Roy, percussion/vocals; and Regi, guitars/vocals
For over four decades the Wooten Brothers have been recognized as some of the most innovative musicians in existence and are collectively known as one of the most talented and dynamic band of brothers the world has ever known.
Victor Wooten, a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist, has graced the cover of Bass Player Magazine five times. He is a founding member of the eclectic group Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and is recognized as one of the greatest living bassists today often drawing comparisons to Jaco Pastorius, and was named one of the “Top ten bassist of all time” by Rolling Stone Magazine.
Joseph Wooten has a dizzying list of talents that is impressive even by the Wooten clan’s standards, and he’s currently the keyboardist for the Steve Miller Band (since 1993).
Roy “Futureman” Wooten, also a five-time Grammy Award winner, is best known for his masterful drumming and percussion skills and is a founding member Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. Roy, a seasoned drum set player, is mostly known for his frenzied, inimitable on-stage performances heightened by his surreal choice of instruments: his trademark inventions “The Drumitar” and “RoyEl” keyboard.
Regi Wooten’s signature guitar style of chording, slapping, tapping and frenzied strumming has earned him world-wide notoriety and comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and Chuck Berry.
Together The Wooten Brothers bring an uncanny level of experience, originality, and musical expertise to the stage. Their shows will be a high-energy, super-funky, artistic blend of styles including original songs and classics. In short: these brothers are the real deal and their shows are not to be missed.
Presenting the music of Paul Dukas, Ronald Lo Presti, David Maslanka, and a World Premiere of Payton MacDonald’s Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble.
The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is a regionally based, auditioned orchestra located in Ridgewood, New Jersey. For over 80 years, the RSO has served northern New Jersey with high quality performances, internationally renowned guest soloists and unique education opportunities for young musicians. This newly formed partnership between RSO and WP will bring a high-quality orchestral concert series to the WP campus and engage WP music students in live performance with professional musicians.
The inaugural concert will feature Academic Festival Overture by Johannes Brahms and The Planets by Gustav Holst.
Prices: General Admission $35 • Senior Citizens $25 Non-WP students $5 • WP students admitted free.
This is a show unlike any tribute you have ever seen or heard before. As a Broadway, television, and motion picture actor for over 35 years, Robert Neary creates a one of a kind, cut above the rest, production. He talks about the songs and tells stories behind them, from Neil's interviews, quotes, and autobiographical books. You will swear you are watching the master himself, as he and the band perform 20 of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits. Songs like “Cherry Cherry”, “I Am, I Said”, “I’m a Believer”, “Solitary Man”, “Holly Holy”, “Coming to America”, “Sweet Caroline” and so many more. So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience is guaranteed to leave you speechless!
Born and raised in East Meadow, Long Island, NY, Robert Neary gained immediate success as an actor, when he was 20 years old, with a guest star role in the Television series "Fame", and then opposite Jason Bateman in the film, "Teen Wolf Too". He has since gone on to guest star in over 50 television shows, including "Criminal Minds", "Sons of Anarchy", "The Closer", "Grey's Anatomy", " Blue Bloods", "Justified", "The Fosters", "FBI: Most Wanted", "Weeds", "Medium" "NCIS" and "NCIS New Orleans". He landed his first Broadway show in 1996, starring in “Smokey Joe’s Café”, and then toured as the evil Zoser in Elton John’s Broadway hit “Aida”. He understudied the lead role of Sonny in the Broadway smash, “A Bronx Tale, The Musical”. It has been a deep passion for Robert to one day perform and put together a tribute show to Neil Diamond. And here it is!
This event is sponsored by https://novelli-restaurant.com/
OMNIUM CIRCUS is a world renowned comprehensively inclusive and accessible circus company bringing excitement, thrills, and joy to people of all ages as only a circus can! Living up to the name “Omnium” which means of all and belonging to all, the show is hands down America’s most Extraordinary, Inclusive, Diverse, Multi-Sensory, and Accessible Family Circus Experience.
“I’m Possible” follows young Johnny on his journey to courage, strength and perseverance through a death defying, awe inspiring, madcap circus adventure with no limits, no boundaries, and no barriers. Step into a world of all things possible where we discover the power, the passion, and the perseverance of the human spirit within each one of us! Enjoy a jaw dropping, awe inspiring, joyful entertainment experience for the entire family!
Omnium Circus is spectacular entertainment celebrating diversity, creating joy, and enriching empathy. They are leading the way towards an active, inclusive culture as a force of change, pioneering an accessible circus experience for all while ensuring representation of disabled and BIPOC artists on a world class stage. ASL is fully integrated into every show. Relaxed seating option at every performance- express your joy the way you feel best! Extra space, movement, and vocalization are welcome. Audio description is also available at every performance.
Tickets: Orchestra $25; Loge $20
Tickets: $10
(Tickets for your school or organization for the Monday, 10/21 show can be requested by filling out the online form at: https://tinyurl.com/sheacenter1)
TBA
Come to the first act of our rehearsal of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
From the Academy Award-winning team comes a lushly scored retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.
The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.
A sweeping score and powerful story make The Hunchback of Notre Dame an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.comTickets: $25 general admission; $10 for students
The students of the WP Flute studio presents an evening of solo flute ensemble repertoire. Under the direction of Teresa Purcell-Giles.
The students of the WP Brass studios present solo and ensemble music for brass in varying combinations.
The Doo Wop Project begins at the beginning: tracing the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. In their epic shows The Doo Wop Project takes audiences on a journey featuring foundational tunes from the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons all the way to DooWopified versions of modern hits from Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, and Sam Smith.
Featuring stars from the Broadway hits Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical, and A Bronx Tale, The Doo Wop Project brings unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence to recreate—and in some cases entirely reimagine—the greatest music in American pop and rock history.
Tickets: Gold Circle $65; Orchestra/Front Loge $55; Rear Loge $45
Discounts are available for WP employees, students, senior citizens, and groups of 10 or more by calling or visiting the Shea Center Box Office.
New York Voices are one of the world’s premiere vocal jazz quartets, ranging in style from great American song standards by Cole Porter and Al Jolson and bebop and big band jazz classics to Stevie Wonder, Latin jazz and pop, and world music. As they approach their historic retirement as an ensemble in 2026, they have appeared and collaborated with The Count Basie Orchestra, Paquito D’Rivera, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. This performance will feature the NYV long-standing foursome (Kim Nazarian, Darmon Meader, Lauren Kinhan and Peter Eldridge) together with the powerful WP Jazz Orchestra performing musical director Darmon Meader’s wonderful arrangements, exactly as they have been featured on the New York Voices’ many hit CDs.
WP music students perform art songs by Canadian composers.Pianists: Matthieu Cognet, Hannah Comia, June Marano-Murray
WP popular music students showcase their songs, voices, and musicianship in this concert starring, hosted, and produced by students.
StevieMac faithfully recreates Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks’ solo recordings with striking accuracy. Diane Lutz gives a stunning performance as Stevie Nicks with spot-on vocals and visuals that magically capture Nicks’ stage presence. Andie Baldwin recreates Christine McVie with the look, sound and note-for-note piano playing that Christine was known for. Steve Ronson captures every essence of Lindsay Buckingham from his commanding vocals to his iconic guitar sound, style, and spirit.
StevieMac performs the greatest hits from Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, including: Stand Back, Rhiannon, Gold Dust Woman, Don’t Stop, Stop Dragging My Heart Around, Silver Springs and so many more!
Your audience will be on their feet, singing along to all the hits!
Tickets: Gold Circle $45; Orchestra/Front Loge $40; Rear Loge $35
Vibraphonist Warren Wolf is one of the exciting new voices on his instrument, appearing regularly at such venues as Dizzy’s Club Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Village Vanguard, Keystone Korner in Baltimore, and on many European tours. He has made ten albums, many for Mack Avenue Records, featuring such musicians Mulgrew Miller, Kendrick Scott, and Jeff “Tain” Watts; his most recent CD is a tribute to the legendary percussionist Chano Pozo. He is a regular touring member of SF Jazz Collective and Christian McBride’s Inside Straight band. He is also gaining wide recognition for his teaching and is a faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory.
WP music faculty, students, alumni and friends perform the music of the 20th and 21st Century, including original compositions of the WP community and works of leading contemporary composers.
WP Pianists present an around-the-world sonic spectacle inspired by 500 years of dances from Ballet Russe, Basque, Buenos Aries, Havana, Mazovia, Memphis, Panama City, Rome, Tamil Nadu, Versailles, and more! Includes music of J.S. Bach, Byrd, Chopin, Debussy, Esmail, Ginastera, La Guerre, Piazzolla, and Schubert.
WP Percussion Ensemble performs new and classic works.
Directed by Payton MacDonald
Shea Auditorium
Presenting the music of Composer-In-Residence, Aakash Mittal, with guests, the Pequannock Township High School Band.
Starring Leighann Lord, Julia Scotti, and Carole Montgomery
What began as a fun way to work with her friends has exploded into a comedy brand of its own. When Carole Montgomery (a stand-up comedy veteran of over 40 years) started in the business, you would never see two female comics on the same show. Fast forward to today’s comedy scene and nothing has changed, even though there are way more women in comedy.
Funny Women of a Certain Age (FWOACA) was created to give older women comics a chance to be seen and be heard. Frustrated by how women are portrayed in show business once they hit the age of 50, Carole decided to do something about it. It was only a few years ago that she had the idea to create a show that would travel to different cities and showcase a rotating cast of older female comedians. In no time at all, Carole’s idea become a Showtime special that made history and broke ratings records. It was Showtime’s highest rated premiere of a stand-up show in 2019! Two more specials followed and now they’re touring the show nationally.
The women who appear in FWOACA are all brilliant, funny, and vibrant – and it just so happens that they are all a certain age. These are the women who paved the way – blazed the trail - for the female comedians you see performing today.
“These comedians don’t hold back!” – New York Times
“It’s a hit!” – Today Show
Pianist, arranger, and producer Oscar Hernandez is the founder of the Harlem Jazz Orchestra, winner of Grammy awards in 2002 and 2005. He also serves as musical director to Ruben Blades and is a legendary performer in his own right who is involved in so many aspects of the music industry. Paul Simon asked Hernandez to arrange and produce the Broadway musical The Capeman where he was also music director and conductor. He has been involved in other projects, including TV projects like Sex in the City and music for numerous commercials. Alma Libra’s recent CD is The Art of Latin Jazz, containing ten original compositions by Hernandez and featuring some of the biggest names in Latin jazz. Don’t miss this exciting showcase of Hernandez’s musicianship and vision!
WP Choirs perform a variety of holiday repertoire under the direction of new Director of Choral Activities Dr. Hannah Carr.
Through the years, Darlene Love continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her warm, gracious stage presence and superb performances. Her film Twenty Feet from Stardom was not only awarded an Oscar, but it was also soon followed by a Grammy Award for the soundtrack. Her Billboard hits include He’s A Rebel, The Boy I’m Gonna Marry, Wait ‘Til Bobby Gets Home, He’s Sure the Boy I Love, and the legendary #1 holiday classic Christmas Baby Please Come Home. Darlene Love received her industry’s highest award when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Industry icons Bette Midler and Bruce Springsteen are on record as Darlene’s biggest fans. Rolling Stone has proclaimed Darlene Love to be “one of the greatest singers of all time” and that certainly rings true, but perhaps Paul Shaffer says it even more concisely: “Darlene Love is Rock N’ Roll!”
Tickets: Gold Circle $85; Orchestra/Front Loge $75; Rear Loge $60
The Wizards of Winter - featuring members who have performed with Classic Rock Giants – The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rainbow, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult and Trixter, along with Broadway and Theater veterans, perform a Christmas Holiday rock opera titled “The Christmas Dream”. Weaving a story based on their latest album The Christmas Dream, along with music from their self-titled CD and their album The Magic of Winter, The Wizards take their audience on a musical journey in search of the meaning of Christmas. This 11-member ensemble boasts soaring vocal harmonies, precision string instrumentation, powerful percussion, and stunning keyboard work, layered around a rich storyboard that evokes memories and emotions of December’s past! From rock and pop to ballads, and even a visit from Mrs. Claus – there is something for everyone. Celebrate the Season with Wizards of Winter!Tickets: Gold Circle $59; Orchestra/Front Loge $49; Rear Loge $39
