By Kelly Skinner
April at the State Theatre
Kicking Off Spring with Fresh Performances
Ticket Office: 732-246-SHOW (7469)
New Brunswick, NJ (February 13, 2009)—This April, the State Theatre presents a variety of shows including the rock opera band East Village Opera Company (4/3/09) performing classical operas fired up with elements of 21st century rock; California’s Opera A La Carte inThe Mikado (4/4/09)National Acrobats of China (4/5/09)The Acting Company/Guthrie Theater Production of Henry V (4/23/09). Closing out the month will be k.d. lang (4/29/09), performing some of her greatest hits along with new music from her self-produced album, Watershed.
State Theatre Premiere
East Village Opera Company
Fri, April 3, 2009 at 8pm
You’ve heard opera, and you’ve heard rock. Now, hear opera rocked! This five-piece powerhouse band, string quartet, and two outstanding vocalists bring the towering emotion and musicality of opera into the 21st century. Enjoy riveting, hard-hitting arrangements of opera’s “greatest hits”—including “La donna è mobile” from Rigoletto, “Habanera” from Carmen, and “Nessun dorma” from Turandot —performed at full length and in the original languages.Tickets: $20-40 (Group discounts of up to 20% off tickets are available).
State Theatre Premiere
Opera A La Carte in The Mikado
Sat, April 4, 2009 at 8pm
Founded in 1970 by noted British Gilbert and Sullivan specialist Richard Sheldon, acclaimed as “the number one Savoyard now living in America,” Opera A La Carte has enjoyed a rapid rise to fame. Known for the authentic style of its productions, the outstanding caliber of its artists and high production standards, Opera A La Carte is constantly winning new audiences and earning recognition as the foremost Gilbert and Sullivan touring repertory company in the country. Tickets: $25-60 (Group discounts of up to 20% off tickets are available).
National Acrobats of China
Sun, April 5, 2009 at 2pm
The National Acrobats of China have been entertaining audiences for over 50 years with their combination of martial arts, acrobatics, and illusion. Set to traditional Chinese music, the group achieves what seems impossible for the human body to accomplish. Winning several circus awards around the world, the artistic and skillful performers use objects of daily life, such as chairs, dishes, ladders, and tables as stage props. Tickets: $20-45 (Group discounts of up to 20% off tickets are available).
Philadelphia Orchestra
Kurt Masur, conductor
Sergey Khachatryan, violin
Thu, April 16, 2009 at 8pm
Program: Brahms, Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73; Shostakovich, Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 77; Strauss, Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Op. 28
Tickets: $30-75(Group discounts of up to 20% off tickets are available).
The Acting Company/Guthrie Theater Production of Henry V
Thu, April 23, 2009 at 8pm
Co-produced by Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater and The Acting Company, and directed by Davis McCallum, Henry V expertly balances the thrilling heroics of battle with the painful and complex reactions of men, who are sometimes unsure of the justice of their cause.
Tickets: $20-40 (Group discounts of up to 20% off tickets are available).
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
Fri, April 24, 2009 at 8pm
Along with outstanding athleticism and beauty in their dance, Cedar Lake is renowned for the extraordinary artistic environment each performance creates. Striking lighting, music, projection design, live video, and interaction incorporate audience members’ right into the exciting progressive nature of the show. The program includes the Bessie Award-winningL’Annonciation by Angelin Preljocaj, as well as works by choreographers Didy Veldman and Luca Veggetti.Tickets: $20-40 (Group discounts of up to 20% off tickets are available).
Joe Cocker
Sun, April 26, 2009 at 7pm
Joe cocker has one of the most instantly recognizable and iconic voices in the world. A living legend, Cocker has been a rock star for over 40 years now with hits such as “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Cry Me a River,” “Feelin’ Alright,” “You Are So Beautiful,” and “You Can Leave Your Hat On.” Tickets: $30-100.
k.d. lang
Wed, April 29, 2009 at 8pm
Lang hits the road fresh off of her first self-produced album, watershed. On tour, Lang and her band will perform some of her greatest hits as well as songs from her new album. Tickets: $41-111.
For tickets (or a brochure), call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 536.
The State Theatre, a premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. The theater exists to enrich people’s lives, contribute to a vital urban environment, and build future audiences by presenting the finest performing artists and entertainers and fostering lifetime appreciation for the performing arts through education. The State Theatre’s programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Continental Airlines is the official airline of the State Theatre. The Heldrich is the official hotel of the State Theatre. The Star-Ledger is the official newspaper of the State Theatre. William Grant & Sons, our season spirits’ sponsor.
STATE THEATRE
15 Livingston Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Ticket Office – 732-246-SHOW (7469)
Online – www.StateTheatreNJ.org
PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS FURNISHED UPON REQUEST
Please contact Kelly Skinner at
732-247-7200, ext. 542 or by email at [email protected].
Information in this release is current as of February 13, 2009.
For up-to-the-minute information on events and State Theatre news,
visit the State Theatre online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org.

