This May, the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents Broadway royalty followed by Sondheim reimagined, the classic Motown sound followed by classic Rock, and riotous comedians first in the Loft and then on the Mainstage. There’s something for everyone this month at SOPAC.
Tickets for all May shows are on sale now. Secure your spot today!
SOPAC Presents shows
Laughs in the Loft
Wednesday, May 3 at 7:30PM
Join us for Laughs in the Loft, a monthly series featuring stand-up comics from our own backyard, Brooklyn and beyond! This month features Johnny Lampert, Gordon Baker Bone, Katie Hannigan and Matt Jenkins!
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Emily King
Special Occasion Tour
Friday, May 5 at 8PM
Don’t miss this Grammy Award nominee’s SOPAC debut on the same night as her album Special Occasion releases! Like so many of music’s most essential singer-songwriters, Emily King has a near-magical gift for digging into life’s deepest sorrows and uncovering unexpected beauty and illuminating truth.
With supporting artist Joseph Solomon
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Kids + Family
The Jungle Book
Saturday, May 6 at 1PM
Join young Mowgli as he learns the laws of the jungle with the help of friends like Bagheera and Baloo. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s time-honored adventure, this tale will delight the young and the young at heart!
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Laura Benanti – Broadway Royalty
Sunday, May 7 at 3PM
Experience Tony-Award winner Laura Benanti as she returns to SOPAC. Hailed by The New York Times for her “effortless” vocals, and by the New York Post for her ability to “whip up laughs out of thin air,” Benanti is a performer you don’t want to miss. Get your tickets today!
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Motor City Revue
The Ultimate Motown Tribute
Wednesday, May 17 at 7:30PM
Motor City Revue takes audiences on a journey back in time to 1960s Detroit and the birth of the Motown sound. This 11-piece tribute band will have you dancing and singing along to the songs immortalized by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Supremes and countless others.
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BoDeans – classic Rock
Thursday, May 18 at 7:30PM
Part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame‘s Midwest Artists exhibit, BoDeans, led by frontman, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kurt Neumann continue to contribute to the American songbook. Don’t miss your chance to experience the band responsible for generational anthems such as “Good Things,” “You Don’t Get Much,” “Idaho,” and “Closer To Free” on SOPAC’s mainstage!
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INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition
Opening Reception
Thursday, May 18 at 5PM
Join us for the opening reception of this year’s INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition, the latest exhibition in The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery. This is a juried exhibit of art by Essex County high school students. Each year, thousands of submissions are juried by a panel of distinguished artists, photographers, museum curators, and arts advocates. The result is an exciting and eclectic body of work from the perspective of young emerging artists. Free and open to public.
More information coming soon!
An Evening with Eleri Ward – Sondheim Reimagined
– Friday, May 19 at 8PM
Eleri Ward took social media by storm with her groundbreaking fusion of Broadway and Indie-Folk and her “incandescent” reimagination of Sondheim classics (American Theatre Magazine) on her new album A Perfect Little Death. Don’t miss her SOPAC debut!
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Healing Sounds in the Loft with Sound Bowl Healer Sasha Green
Sunday, May 21 at 5PM & 8PM
In this 75-minute guided Reiki Energy Crystal Sound Bath, take a journey of sound and energy to recalibrate and balance the flow of energy throughout your entire body and lead you into deep rest and relaxation.
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Best of Laughs – comedy on the Mainstage
Saturday, March 25 at 8PM
Join us for this specially curated comedy night on the SOPAC Mainstage with comedic talent that will blow you away! Featuring Mia Jackson, RichAronovitch, AliSultani, and Ophira Isenburg, get ready to laugh the night away.
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Our Community Partners Present
Seton Hall University Annual Spring Concert
Monday, May 8 at 7:30PM
Enjoy Seton Hall University Chorus’, Chamber Choir’s and Orchestra’s “Celebration of Spring” concert! They will present everything from Mozart and other classical composers to well-known film scores.
Presented by the Seton Hall University Arts Council within the College of Communication and the Arts.
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Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical
Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14
Class Act Performing Arts Studio proudly presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, book by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.
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Sweet Charity
Friday, May 12-Sunday, May 14
Class Act Performing Arts Studioproudly presents Sweet Charity, with book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman, and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, based on an original screenplay by Frederico Fellini, Tulio Pinella, and Ennio Flaiano.
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Richie Furay
Buffalo Springfield & Poco Legacy Show – The Legacy of Richie Furay
Saturday, May 20 at 8PM
2022 & 2023 mark the milestone 50th anniversary releases of the landmark POCO albums, A Good Feelin’ To Know & Crazy Eyes, before Richie left the band to form Souther-Hillman-Furay. This special concert celebrates a retrospective of Richie’s acclaimed musical career with his 8-member rockin’ electric band(Back To The Garden) joining Richie and his daughter Jesse on vocals, his long time keyboard player Jack, and newer band member Dan on guitar & vocals.
With very special guest John Ford Coley of England Dan & John Ford Coley. Presented by Nancy and David Fine Jewels.
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