My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

99 Monmouth Street
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Upcoming Shows

Count Basie Orchestra Block Party
Aug 21

A free outdoor Block Party celebrating the 122nd anniversary of Count Basie's birthday features a free Count Basie Orchestra performance, food trucks, and street performers....

Hollywood Hits: From West Side Story to Spirited Away
Hollywood Hits: From West Side Story to Spirited Away
Oct 10

Keitaro Harada conductorNew Jersey SymphonyLights, camera, action! Rising-star conductor Keitaro Harada leads a program of thrilling orchestral music from classic movies. Movie-musicals West Side Story...

Golden Girls The Laughs Continue
Golden Girls The Laughs Continue
Oct 11

The Golden Girls are back in an all-new show! 2026 finds Sophia out on bail, after being busted by the DEA for running a drug...

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in Concert
Feb 26

Lawrence Loh conductorNew Jersey SymphonyThis fantasy swashbuckler film follows pirate Jack Sparrow and the blacksmith Will Turner as they attempt to rescue the kidnapped Elizabeth Swann....

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
May 21

New Jersey SymphonyLuke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy in Star Wars: A New Hope. Nineteen years after the formation of the...



Review: WEST SIDE STORY at Paper Mill Playhouse-A Stellar Production


by Marina Kennedy - June 03, 2026

The story is a modern reimaging of the tale, Romeo and Juliet.  Set in 1957 on the West Side of New York City in the last days of summer, there’s trouble on the streets between rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks....

Review: SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at Crossroads-Riveting and Entertaining


by Marina Kennedy - May 29, 2026

The time is now to see the powerful award-winning play, SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at the renowned Crossroads Theatre Company (CTC)...

Review: Noel Coward’s PRIVATE LIVES at STNJ-A Comedic Delight


by Marina Kennedy - May 26, 2026

STNJ’s theme for this season is “Method and Madness,” and Private Lives is ideal to usher in the exciting season ahead....

Review: MRS. CHRISTIE at McCarter-Comedy for Mystery Fans and Many More


by Marina Kennedy - May 12, 2026

Mrs. Christie is the new comedy-mystery on stage at McCarter Theatre Center in their Berlind Theatre....

Review: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Burlington County Footlighters


by Donna Marie Nowak - May 05, 2026

What did our critic think of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Burlington County Footlighters?...

Review: & SONS at Luna Stage-A Bold and Compelling Must-See Play  


by Marina Kennedy - April 24, 2026

Luna Stage is now presenting the outstanding World Premiere of '& Sons,' smartly written by Jack Angelo Cummings and superbly directed by Matt Monaco. ...

Review: SINS OF THE MOTHER at NJ Rep-A Gripping Play on the Long Branch Stage


by Marina Kennedy - April 14, 2026

New Jersey Repertory Company (NJ Rep) is presenting a riveting new play, 'Sins of the Mother' by acclaimed playwright Israel Horovitz. ...

Review: 1776 at Paper Mill Playhouse Excellently Depicts History in the Making


by Marina Kennedy - April 08, 2026

The extraordinary musical, 1776 is now being performed at Paper Mill Playhouse through Saturday, May 2....

Review: WHAT BECAME OF US at George Street Playhouse-Relatable and Affecting


by Marina Kennedy - March 24, 2026

From the first moment of the show, you become immersed in the rich, personal story about the joys and challenges of a family as presented by two siblings....

Review: MY FAIR LADY by American Theater Group-Marvelous


by Marina Kennedy - March 03, 2026

American Theater Group (ATG) is topping off their 2025-2026 season with a superb main stage production of Lerner and Loewe’s musical theatre gem, My Fair Lady....

Past Shows

Season Finale: Symphonie fantastique
Season Finale: Symphonie fantastique
Jun 6

Xian Zhang conductorGregory D. McDaniel conductor (for Allison Loggins-Hull’s Doublespeak)Emanuel Ax pianoNew Jersey SymphonyBerlioz used all the colors in a composer’s paintbox–and created a few new...

Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert
Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Concert
May 29

Nicholas Hersh conductorNew Jersey SymphonyDon’t miss this big-screen battle with the score performed live by the New Jersey Symphony. The Resistance is in desperate need...

KIMBERLY AKIMBO
May 21 – May 24, 2026

Kimberly Akimbo, the winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, follows the story of a quirky teenager navigating family dysfunction and a rare genetic...

Xian Conducts Prokofiev & Strauss
Xian Conducts Prokofiev & Strauss
Apr 11

Xian Zhang conductorFrancesca Dego violinNew Jersey SymphonyProkofiev asks for astonishing skill from every musician in his tour-de-force concerto. For his part, Strauss invites the artists...

Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra
Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra
Mar 14

Program UpdateConductor Ruth Reinhardt is happily expecting her first child and has withdrawn from her upcoming performances with the New Jersey Symphony. On the advice...

Romeo & Juliet
Romeo & Juliet
Jan 31

Xian Zhang conductorThe Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey | Brian B. Crowe, directorEarl Baker Jr. Friar Laurence, Lord MontagueClark Carmichael Mercutio, PrinceDino Curia BenvolioJesmille Darbouze Lady CapuletIsaac Hickox-Young RomeoHassiem Muhammad Tybalt, ParisDavid Shih CapuletAlison...

Elf in Concert
Elf in Concert
Dec 7

Conner Gray Covington conductorNew Jersey SymphonyBuddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to...

Disney's Fantasia in Concert
Disney's Fantasia in Concert
Oct 25

Constantine Kitsopoulos conductorNew Jersey SymphonyExperience Disney’s groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation, Fantasia. Beloved repertoire from the original 1940 version and Fantasia 2000, including...

Opening Weekend: Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1
Opening Weekend: Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1
Oct 11

Xian Zhang conductorJoyce Yang pianoNew Jersey SymphonyFrom Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone to Dvoák’s autumnal Eighth, our season-opening concert is full of musical warmth. Tchaikovsky’s riveting...

Season Finale: Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich
Season Finale: Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich
Jun 7

Xian Zhang conductorConrad Tao pianoNew Jersey SymphonyRussian fireworks to close our season: Shostakovich’s blazing triumph of a symphony written after a frightening threat to his...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Concert
Apr 9

Constantine Kitsopoulos conductorNew Jersey SymphonyThirty years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker has vanished, and a new threat has risen: The First Order,...

Brahms Violin Concerto with Vadim Gluzman
Brahms Violin Concerto with Vadim Gluzman
Mar 22

Lina González-Granados conductorVadim Gluzman violinNew Jersey SymphonyWhen a dear friend brings you a present…that’s the feeling of violinist Vadim Gluzman, who’s given New Jersey Symphony...

Nimbus Dance & NJ Symphony Present Firebird and Dark Water
Nimbus Dance & NJ Symphony Present Firebird and Dark Water
Mar 8

Nimbus Dance collaborates with the New Jersey Symphony for two world premiere works this spring. Firebird, choreographed by Artistic Director Samuel Pott, reimagines the iconic...

The Firebird with Xian Zhang
The Firebird with Xian Zhang
Mar 8

Xian Zhang conductorJonathan Spitz celloNimbus Dance | Samuel Pott, artistic director & choreographerNew Jersey SymphonyYou may be lifted out of your seat as the final...

Brahms and Chopin
Brahms and Chopin
Feb 22

Christoph König conductorTony Siqi Yun pianoNew Jersey SymphonyCompelling new voices and the pleasure of dear friends. Christoph König is a cherished, frequent guest on the...

Warner Bros. Discovery presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Warner Bros. Discovery presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Feb 14

George Daugherty conductorGeorge Daugherty & David Ka Lik Wong creatorsNew Jersey SymphonyBugs Bunny at the Symphony is back! Celebrate Looney Tunes and its legendary stars,...

The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
Dec 6

Constantine Kitsopoulos conductorNew Jersey SymphonyThe New Jersey Symphony presents Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert featuring the complete film, with the score performed live...

Opening Weekend: Xian Conducts Scheherazade
Opening Weekend: Xian Conducts Scheherazade
Nov 2

Xian Zhang conductorInon Barnatan pianoNew Jersey SymphonyStories and music together – what could be better? Kauyumari tells the tale of a joyful search for the...

The Godfather Live in Concert
The Godfather Live in Concert
Aug 18

Nicholas Hersh conductorNew Jersey SymphonyRelive the chilling portrait of the Sicilian clan’s rise and near fall from power in The Godfather as the New Jersey...

Daniil Trifonov Plays Gershwin
Daniil Trifonov Plays Gershwin
Jun 8

Xian Zhang conductorDaniil Trifonov pianoNew Jersey SymphonyAmerican music swings into summer with hits from Gershwin’s pathbreaking opera, Porgy and Bess. Letting their instruments do the...

Epic Scores of John Williams and More!
Epic Scores of John Williams and More!
Jun 1

Xian Zhang conductorJessica Rivero Altarriba conductorBrett Boles hostMin Kwon pianoNew Jersey SymphonyKorngold Fanfare from The King’s RowProkofiev Suite from Lieutenant KijéRachmaninoff Adagio sostenuto from Piano...

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Apr 5

Nicholas Hersh conductorNew Jersey SymphonyComing to New Jersey from a galaxy far, far away—experience Star Wars: Return of the Jedi like never before as your...

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
Feb 24

Xian Zhang conductorRobert Ingliss oboeEric Wyrick violinNew Jersey SymphonyThe spotlight shines on New Jersey Symphony musicians! Reena Esmail’s wildly colorful overture RE|Member came to life...

Aretha: A Tribute
Aretha: A Tribute
Feb 16

Lucas Waldin conductorCapathia Jenkins vocalistRyan Shaw vocalistNew Jersey SymphonyAretha Franklin OvertureChain of FoolsI Say a Little PrayerBirth of BluesSir DukeNobody Does it BetterWhat a Friend...

Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Augustin Hadelich
Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Augustin Hadelich
Jan 13

Xian Zhang conductorAugustin Hadelich violinNew Jersey SymphonyWhen Augustin Hadelich performs, time stands still. He makes a classic like Beethoven’s serenely beautiful Violin Concerto sound as...

Jurassic Park in Concert
Jurassic Park in Concert
Oct 27

Constantine Kitsopoulos conductorNew Jersey SymphonyThis action-packed adventure pits man against prehistoric predators in the ultimate battle for survival. Featuring visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special...

Schumann’s Cello Concerto
Schumann’s Cello Concerto
Oct 21

Joseph Young conductor Sterling Elliott celloNew Jersey SymphonyDiscover astonishing new talent! In the solo spotlight, cellist Sterling Elliott performs Schumann’s ravishing Cello Concerto, and on the...

Season Finale with Joshua Bell
Season Finale with Joshua Bell
Jun 10

Xian Zhang conductor Joshua Bell violin New Jersey Symphony An all-new commission from the genre-bending Resident Artistic Catalyst Daniel Bernard Roumain kicks off an epic...

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert
May 19

Constantine Kitsopoulos conductor New Jersey Symphony Coming to New Jersey from a galaxy far, far away, experience Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like never...

Symphonie fantastique
Symphonie fantastique
Apr 29

Gemma New conductor George Li piano New Jersey Symphony Former Associate Conductor Gemma New returns to New Jersey stages to conduct Berlioz's extraordinary Symphonie fantastique....

New Jersey Symphony Stars
New Jersey Symphony Stars
Mar 18

Xian Zhang conductor Eric Wyrick violin Ha Young Jung bass Chris Komer horn Garth Greenup trumpet Nayoung Baek cello New Jersey Symphony Eh, what's opera,...

The Best of John Williams
The Best of John Williams
Feb 24

Damon Gupton conductor New Jersey Symphony Celebrate the music of iconic composer John Williams as your New Jersey Symphony brings to life some of his...

Once On This Island
Once On This Island
Feb 17 – Feb 19, 2023

From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime), comes the Olivier Award-winning Once on This Island. This highly original...

Hilary Hahn & Xian Zhang Unite!
Hilary Hahn & Xian Zhang Unite!
Jan 28

Xian Zhang conductor Hilary Hahn violin New Jersey Symphony Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn accentuates all the brilliant colors and shades of melancholy in Sibelius'...

Jaws in Concert
Jaws in Concert
Oct 28

Nicholas Hersh conductor New Jersey Symphony The original summer movie blockbuster, with an Academy Award-winning score by composer John Williams, Jaws is an unforgettable film-with-live-orchestra...

Yefim Bronfman Plays Rachmaninoff
Yefim Bronfman Plays Rachmaninoff
Oct 8

Xian Zhang conductor Yefim Bronfman piano Nimbus Dance Company New Jersey Symphony The excitement of our centennial season begins with Banner, a contemporary work by...

Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast
Apr 29 – May 7, 2017

This classic story of everlasting love tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town who doesn’t quite fit in, and the Beast, an...

DISNEY'S ALADDIN JR
Dec 11 – Dec 12, 2015

Welcome to Agrabah, City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! All of your favorite characters are here...

Videos


Disney's Newsies in New Jersey Disney's Newsies
Vanguard Theater (6/11-6/28)
Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert in New Jersey Together Off-Broadway: Merman & Martin in Concert
Robert Shackleton Playhouse (7/04-7/10)
Grease the Musical in New Jersey Grease the Musical
Music Box at the Borgata (7/12-8/09)
West Side Story in New Jersey West Side Story
Paper Mill Playhouse (5/31-6/27)
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in New Jersey Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The Actors Studio of New Jersey (10/16-10/25)
Stranger Things: The 1,000 Candles Concert Experience in New Jersey Stranger Things: The 1,000 Candles Concert Experience
New Jersey Festival Orchestra (7/25-7/26)
We Declare: Words That Shaped A Nation in New Jersey We Declare: Words That Shaped A Nation
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (9/14-9/14)
Rock of Ages in New Jersey Rock of Ages
Dunellen Theatre (6/19-6/28)
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation in New Jersey A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation
Bergen Performing Arts Center (6/27-6/27)
Warrant in New Jersey Warrant
Bergen Performing Arts Center (7/12-7/12)