Emmy Award winner Jackie Mason, master of pungent political satire, insightful observations on the foibles of modern life and impeccable timing, will be at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Thursday, May 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $100 – $28. The theater is located at 99 Monmouth St. For tickets, call the box office at (732) 842-9000 or visit www.countbasietheatre.org.
The Monmouth Conservatory of Music is offering a Music Theory & Ear Training Group Class for adults interested in filling in the gaps in their knowledge of music theory and/or improving sight-singing skills. The class has no prerequisites and learning is self-paced. The session of six, 90-minute weekly classes is offered on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m., or Saturdays at 9 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., beginning May 10 or 12. Cost is $150. The conservatory is located at 50 White St., Red Bank. For more details and registration, call (732) 741-8880, or visit www.monmouthconservatory.org.
Over the Rainbow Productions is presenting “The Graduate” through May 27. No performance Mother’s Day, May 13. Tickets are $22, $17 seniors & students. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m., at the Eatontown Playhouse, 37-13 Highway 35 north, Eatontown. For reservations, call (732) 888-0339.
Brian Wilson will headline the fifth annual Spring Benefit Concert & Gala presented by the Count Basie Theatre Foundation Saturday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at the theater in Red Bank. The former Beach Boy is a legendary producer, arranger and performer of some of the most cherished music in rock history. Tickets: $150 – $75, concert only. The theater is located at 99 Monmouth St. Call the box office at (732) 842-9000 or visit www.countbasietheatre.org. Running Rabbit Family Theatre premieres “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” May 10 at 10:30 a.m. and running through May 20 at Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave. in Red Bank. The playful, laugh-filled look at the school subjects of math, science, social studies and history is based on the 1970s PBS short cartoons. Cast members meet and greet children after each performance. Tickets are $14. For more information or tickets, call the Two River box office at (732) 345-1400 or visit www.rrfamilytheatre.org.
The Little Sisters of Hoboken have returned to First Avenue Playhouse in “Nunsensations – The Nunsense Vegas Revue.” The play runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays (no show June 2) at 8:30 p.m. through June 23 with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. at the playhouse, 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands. Tickets are $20. For information or reservations call the playhouse at (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse.com.
Phoenix Productions in Red Bank will hold auditions for “Fiddler on the Roof” Tuesday, May 15, and Wednesday, May 16, 7-10 p.m. Performances of the musical will be in July at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. Auditions will take place at the second floor studio in the Count Basie, 99 Monmouth St. in Red Bank. Performers will need 16 bars, sides will be provided. No dancing at the initial auditions. For more information, contact [email protected].
“Proof” by David Auburn will be presented by Soar Productions May 18-June 9 at the Union Beach Firehouse, 1110 Union Ave. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. May 18, 19, June 1, 2, 9; Sundays at 2 p.m., May 20, June 3. Ticket prices are $18-$15. For tickets, call (732) 471-8268.
The Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Association of New Jersey will present a stage show and jam session Sunday, May 20, 1-5 p.m. Five bluegrass, country or folk bands will perform at Embury Methodist Church, Church Street, Little Silver. Admission is $5, $4 members. For information, visit www.newjerseybluegrass.org. or call (732) 987-1891.
VSA arts of New Jersey, a statewide organization that provides arts opportunities for people with disabilities, will honor the recipients of its 2007 Arts Achievement Awards and the second annual Dare to Imagine Awards May 19. Evelyn Gardell, artistic director of the Performing Arts Ensemble, Red Bank, and Elizabeth Seydell, Red Bank, are among the honorees.
VSA artsNJ will also present its ninth Art Par Excellence touring exhibit featuring original artwork by students through age 21 at the new VSA/Arc of Monmouth gallery at the Freehold Raceway Mall, Route 9, May – July.