The historic State Theatre New Jersey, located in the heart of New Brunswick’s Arts District, is home to central New Jersey’s largest nonprofit performing arts center. The theater recently completed significant renovations and is celebrating its centennial season with a spectacular lineup of Broadway shows and performers, concerts, comedians, dance performances, international orchestras, family shows and much more.
National Broadway tours and performers “represent some of the best of Broadway coming right to us,” says Kelly Blithe, State Theatre’s director of communications and community engagement. “Our audiences don’t need to invest the time or expense of traveling to New York City to see these amazing performances—we’re essentially Broadway in your backyard. And, New Brunswick offers a wealth of great dining experiences before you head over to the theater.”
The view of the theater’s newly renovated interior.
“The State Theatre officially celebrated its 100th anniversary in December 2021 and continues this milestone anniversary through the end of 2022,” says Blithe. “We recently made major renovations to our facility, including the installation of an elevator that provides easy access to all public theater levels for the first time, as well as increased accessible and wheelchair seating throughout the orchestra and balcony. We also installed a beautiful vertical-blade marquee outside, similar to what our theater had back in 1921, which truly brings us back to our roots and makes a grand addition to the streetscape of New Brunswick’s Arts District.”
Renovations also include the addition of family restrooms on both levels; all-new theater seats (which were last renovated in 1988) that now offer plusher, more comfortable seating; and a new onstage system that allows the theater to present larger and more elaborate shows.
“Our Broadway Series serves as the perfect example of the power of live performance, which stands at the center of our mission and purpose,” said Sarah Chaplin, State Theatre’s president and CEO. “The theater is a magical place where we transcend our daily worries, expand our viewpoints, come together in a singular shared experience and make memories that last a lifetime.”
State Theatre’s Broadway Series lineup includes:
- Tootsie | Friday–Sunday, November 4–6
- STOMP | Friday–Saturday, December 2–3
- Linda Eder | Sunday, January 22, at 7 pm
- My Fair Lady | Friday–Sunday, January 27–29
- Menopause The Musical® | Thursday, February 2, at 8 pm (one night only!)
- R.E.S.P.E.C.T. | Saturday–Sunday, March 11–12
- Patti LuPone: Don’t Monkey With Broadway | Saturday, March 25, at 8 pm (one night only!)
- Legally Blonde: The Musical | Friday-Sunday, April 28–30
- Jesus Christ Superstar | Friday–Sunday, June 9–11
State Theatre New Jersey is located at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. For more information, call 732-246-7469 or visit the State Theatre website.