Middlesex County’s theater and music series are back this summer, planned for outdoor, in-person performances.
Plays-in-the-Park is back live on stage, with performances of “America the Beautiful,” “Rock Roll & Soul” and “Showtune” at Roosevelt Park in Edison on Sundays.
Music-in-the-Park, which features musical performances by local bands on Wednesdays and Sundays, returns to the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park stage at the South Amboy/Sayreville beachfront on Wednesdays.
“We are thrilled that COVID-19 crowd restrictions for large outdoor gatherings have lifted, allowing us to resume Plays-in-the-Park and Music-in-the-Park for our residents to enjoy after postponing last year’s summer series. The excitement of live performances is finally back and what better way to spend time this summer with family and friends than in our pristine County parks and outdoor spaces,” Ronald G. Rios, director of the Board of County Commissioners, said in a prepared statement.
“From a wide variety of genre-defining music from established and emerging artists to Broadway-caliber shows, join us this season for a variety of live entertainment that will appeal to the whole family,” County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, chair of the Infrastructure Management Committee, said in the statement. “And as we continue to help those in need that have been impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage everyone attending these events to bring a non-perishable food item as a donation for the Middlesex County Food Organization and Outreach Distribution Services (MCFOODS).”
Plays-in-the-Park will be held at the Stephen J. Capestro Theater stage, Roosevelt Park, 1 Pine Dr., Edison, at 8 p.m.
The schedule is:
- July 2, “America the Beautiful”
- July 23, “Rock Roll & Soul”
- Aug. 13-15, “Showtune”
The Box Office opens at 5:30 p.m. and patrons are admitted to the seating area immediately after receiving a free ticket.
Bring a lawn chair.
In the case of inclement weather, save the ticket stub for another performance this season.
For more information, visit www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PIP/CurrentSeason.aspx
The first two Plays-In-The-Park performances will be streamed live at www.facebook.com/PlaysInThePark
The first part of Music-in-the-Park will be held at the Raritan Bay Waterfront Park stage, South Amboy/Sayreville beachfront, O’Leary Boulevard.
Concerts are from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The schedule is:
- July 7 – Danny V’s 52nd Street Band, a tribute to Billy Joel
- July 14 – Scarborough Fair, a tribute to Simon & Garfunkel
- July 21 – Underwater Airlines rock music
- July 28 – Sounds of the Street golden oldies
- Aug. 4 – Parkway Soul Motown classics
- Aug. 11 – Zydeco-A-Go-Go, New Orleans style Rhythm & Blues, ’40s jazz and swing
- Aug. 18 – Green River, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Aug. 25 – The Perry Brothers, Irish favorites
The second part of Music-In-The-Park will be held on the Plays-in-the-Park stage in Edison.
These concerts start at 6 p.m.:
- July 11 – Kraus Memorial Band, music from the theater
- July 18 – Into the Woods Woodwind Trio
- Aug. 1 – Mark Heter Band
- Aug. 8 at – Greg Giannascoli & Friends
- Aug. 22 – Silk City Jazz Quartet
- Aug. 29 – Sandy Sasso’s Swingin Big Band
In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be cancelled and rescheduled based on band availability. Concerts will not be held indoors as done in past years.
All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, visit http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PR/Music-in-the-Park.aspx
Both series, in partnership with MCFOODS, will collect nutritious food for residents in need throughout the season.