Welcome back! While you might notice the continued construction of the larger lobby expansion, we’re thrilled to welcome you back to the Main Stage of the Jay & Linda Grunin Center for the Arts!
This season, our stage comes alive with an exciting lineup: Garrison Keillor graces us with his signature storytelling charm; Calpulli Mexican Dance Company brings vibrant culture and movement to life; and Scottish singer Julie Fowlis fills the hall with unforgettable music. Families and magic lovers of all ages will be dazzled by Magic Rocks, and our stage will host world music that transports you across continents through rhythm and song.
There’s so much more to come—join us as we celebrate a season of world-class performances and the joy of gathering once again!
For over 50 years, I have called Ocean County home. It is where I began and grew my law firm with my late wife and law partner, Linda. It is where we started our family and where we cofounded the Grunin Foundation for the explicit purpose of giving back to the community which had afforded us so many incredible opportunities, both professionally and personally. Building collaborative and growing relationships is the cornerstone of who we are as a Foundation. We are honored to continue listening, learning, and growing with our wonderful nonprofit partners at the central Jersey shore and beyond.
The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts truly epitomizes so many aspects of what our Foundation is all about. It provides the ever-important connection between the Arts, educational programming, and dissemination of cultural resources. The Center’s commitment to the people of the central Jersey shore is evident, and we are so honored to be a partner in community with them.
Fall 2025 at a Glance
A Broadway Tour of America
DJ Willy Wow!
July 10-20
August 7
Alexa Stier ............................................................................................................ September 12
CeCe Teneal’s Divas of Soul September 13
Maureen Dowd September 16
Garrison Keillor Tonight .................................................................................. September 20
Swingadelic presents “The Three Louies” September 21
The Bronx Wanderers September 28
Julie Fowlis ................................................................................................................. October 4
Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Retired) October 8
Liana Paniyeva October 10
The Ocean Blue ........................................................................................................ October 11
Laura Westmoreland Assistant Director, Operations & Production
Jaclyn Wood Assistant Director, Education & Community Engagement
Bryn Farace Technical Production Manager
Victoria Buczynski Marketing & Sales Coordinator
Benjamin Robinson
Technical Production Coordinator
Harriet Wood House Manager
Novins Planetarium Staff
Cara Muscio Associate Director
Kevin Molnar Planetarium Technician
Thomas Mellott Office Coordinator
Advisory Committee
Paul Chalakani
William Colon
Brian Gilmore
Jeremy Grunin
Sanford (Sandy) Josephson
Don Kehne
Melanie Magnin
Catherine Mancuso
Ricky Riccardi
Heidi Sheridan
Samantha Stokes
Jaclyn Wood
Alizar (Nick) Zorojew
Design & layout by Nicole Howard Graphic Design Specialist, Ocean County College
Grunin Center for the Arts Membership Packages
Join us on an unforgettable cross-country adventure through the heart of Broadway’s finest hits in this dazzling musical revue! Featuring iconic songs from Broadway’s most beloved musicals, this dynamic production showcases a variety of styles, from big show-stopping numbers to intimate ballads. A Broadway Tour of America celebrates America’s cultural landmarks through the magic of musical theater.
Thursday, July 10 • 7:30pm
Friday, July 11 • 7:30pm
Saturday, July 12 • 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, July 13 • 2:00pm
Saturday, July 19 • 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sunday, July 20 • 2:00pm
Adults: $26 Seniors: $24 Black Box Theatre
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
This show is presented for summer camp groups. A limited number of tickets will be made available to the public for free on our website with advance registration required. To book your summer camp group, call Jaclyn Wood at 732-255-0400 ext. 2487
THURS. AUGUST 7
10:00AM & NOON
Join Grammy®-nominated children’s songwriter, music producer, voice-over artist, and radio personality, DJ Willy Wow! for an interactive musical journey and dance party. DJ Willy Wow! uses his music to share about working together, being kind, and having fun. Whether you’re 1 or 101, get ready for DJ Willy Wow! to spin some epic tunes and get you on your feet!
Free! Gateway Lecture Hall
This event is made possible through the support of The Wintrode Family Foundation.
ALEXA STIER
Pianist
FRI. SEPT. 12 2:00PM
Join Alexa Stier for an afternoon program that explores the connection between bird calls, nature, and the supernatural. Through selections of works from Jean-Philippe Rameau, Olivier Messiaen, Robert Schumann, and Sergei Prokofiev, the program traverses a vast landscape of nature’s wonders, supernatural whispers, and human imagination.
$10 Bösendorfer Recital Room
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
Buy all 3 Afternoon Recitals at once and save 15%!
SAT. SEPT. 13 7:00PM
Take a ride on the “Midnight Train to Georgia” over “River Deep, Mountain High” while award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal delivers you the “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” you deserve in DIVAS OF SOUL, a one-of-akind concert event! This spectacular celebration of thirty years of chart-topping music from artists like Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, and more has wowed audiences worldwide, featuring hits from the Disco Era (“Ring My Bell” ) to Broadway (“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”) and Pop (“What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “I’m Every Woman”).
Orchestra: $42 Mezzanine: $36 Main Stage
16
6:00PM
BLAUVELT SPEAKER SERIES
presented by
Maureen Dowd is a columnist for The New York Times’ Opinion pages and a feature writer for The Times’ Style and Arts & Leisure sections. Ms. Dowd won the Pulitzer Prize in 1999 for her “unsparing columns on the hypocrisies involved in the Lewinsky affair and the effort to impeach President Clinton.” Ms. Dowd was appointed a columnist for the Op-Ed page of The New York Times in January 1995 and has covered ten presidential campaigns. She served as White House correspondent during the first Bush administration and the Clinton administration, gaining a wide following of admirers and imitators for her witty, incisive and acerbic portraits of the powerful.
$20 Main Stage
The sponsors of the Blauvelt Speaker Series have generously underwritten the cost of tickets for this program. The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and The Wintrode Family Foundation.
SAT. SEPT. 20 7:00PM Garrison Keillor Tonight is an evening of stand-up, storytelling, audience song, and poetry. One man, one microphone. There are sung sonnets, limericks, and musical jokes; the thread that runs through it is the beauty of growing old. Despite the inconvenience, old age brings the contentment of less is more. Your mistakes and big ambitions are behind you, with nothing left to prove, and small things give you great pleasure because that’s what’s left.
Orchestra: $58 Mezzanine: $48 Main Stage
SUN. SEPT. 21 3:00PM
Ocean County College and Swingadelic present “The Three Louies,” a deep dive into the music, artistry, and lives of three seminal figures in American Jazz and popular music, Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, and Louis Prima (along with Prima’s sensational wives, Keely Smith and Gia Maione). Expect some great stories and great music!
Adult: $28 Senior: $24 Main Stage
Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon is made possible, in part, through the support of The Wintrode Family Foundation.
Buy both Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon shows and save 15% on the Glenn Miller Orchestra!
Orchestra: $52 Mezzanine: $49 Main Stage presents The Three Louies
SUN. SEPT. 28 3:00PM & 7:00PM
What comes to mind when a father, his two sons, and their two high school classmates get together and create a show? A diverse recipe of hilarious personal stories, a vast repertoire of songs, and one family’s journey together through life and music. The Bronx Wanderers have been going strong for over 16 years, and from them you’ll hear songs by Dion and The Belmonts, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Billy Joel, The Animals, Queen, and even an artist or two from today’s generation!
SAT. OCT. 4
7:30PM
BLAUVELT SPEAKER SERIES
presented by
WED. OCT. 8 6:00PM
Julie Fowlis is a multi-award-winning singer whose music is deeply influenced by the Hebridean islands where she grew up and by the Highland landscapes where she now resides. She will forever be recognized for singing the theme songs to Brave, Disney Pixar’s Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA-winning animated film set in the ancient highlands of Scotland. Voted Musician of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2023, her ‘crystalline’ and ‘intoxicating’ vocals have enchanted audiences worldwide.
Orchestra: $44
Mezzanine: $39 Main Stage
Admiral James Stavridis is a retired four-star U.S. naval officer. During his 37-year military career, he served as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, overseeing operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans, and anti-piracy efforts off Africa. He also led U.S. Southern Command, directing military operations across Latin America, and is the longest-serving Combatant Commander in recent U.S. history. After retiring, he became the 12th Dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Admiral Stavridis has published fifteen books on leadership, character, risk, the oceans, maritime affairs, and Latin America, as well as hundreds of articles in leading journals.
$20 Main Stage
The sponsors of the Blauvelt Speaker Series have generously underwritten the cost of tickets for this program. The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and The Wintrode Family Foundation.
FRI. OCT. 10 2:00PM
Hailed by the New York Concert Review as “a wonderful pianist”, and one with “tender regard for the music, a captivating inwardness” by Fanfare magazine, Liana Paniyeva has won prizes in competitions internationally and has performed at festivals around the world. Her recitals have taken her to Carnegie Hall, Worcester’s Mechanics Hall, the Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, and Merkin Hall in NYC. Liana will perform works by Schumann and Brahms.
$10 Bösendorfer Recital Room
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
Buy all 3 Afternoon Recitals at once and save 15%!
SAT. OCT. 11 7:30PM
Getting their start as teenagers in the late ’80s in Hershey, PA, The Ocean Blue released their self-titled debut on the legendary Sire Records—home to many of their musical heroes, including the Smiths, the Pretenders, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Embraced by college radio and MTV, the band quickly made their mark with singles like “Between Something and Nothing,” “Drifting, Falling,” and “Ballerina Out of Control,” all of which became Top Ten hits on Modern Rock Radio. With eight albums and several EPs, The Ocean Blue continues to perform and record, with a new album currently in the works.
Orchestra: $46 Mezzanine: $42 Main Stage
WED. OCT. 15 7:00PM
Using folk and classical music and dance, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s Dia de los Muertos explores a love story that spans the boundary between the living and the departed. A loving couple falls victim to treachery and is separated, seemingly forever. The young woman enters Mictlán- the underworld of Aztec mythology- where the mesmerizing Catrina reigns as queen.
$39 Main Stage SAT. OCT. 18 7:00PM
Cécilia brings traditional music to life with vibrant energy, filling every venue! They combine the best of many musical worlds in their explorations of traditional, Celtic, and Québécois music. Every one of their pieces is skillfully arranged and highlighted with influences from contemporary, classical, jazz, and swing styles. You’ll find yourself with a smile that lasts long after the final notes of Cécilia’s accordion, piano, and violin have melted away.
$32 Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre
This event is made possible through support from the Quebec Delegation General – New York.
This event is made possible through support from the Latino Institute, the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission, and the Ocean County College Foundation.
OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE
REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
Coming soon!
Save these dates for the OCC Repertory Theatre Company’s fall production. We’re still in the process of selecting the show, so visit our website and join our email list to be the first to hear when the show is announced!
Friday, October 17 • 7:30pm
Saturday, October 18 • 7:30pm
Sunday, October 19 • 2:00pm
Friday, October 24 • 7:30pm
Saturday, October 25 • 2:00pm
Saturday, October 25 • 7:30pm
Sunday, October 26 • 2:00pm This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
SUN. OCT. 19 3:00PM
April May Webb, winner of the 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, brings her jazz trio to OCC. She has appeared in nationally televised specials like Sounds of Summer and An American Christmas with The Boardwalk Jazz Band, and starred in the acclaimed play Sounding Board by renowned artist Tschabalala Self. Join The April May Webb Trio for an unforgettable afternoon of jazz melodies.
Adults: $28 Seniors: $24
Main Stage
Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon is made possible, in part, through the support of The Wintrode Family Foundation.
Buy both Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon shows and save 15% on the Glenn Miller Orchestra!
TUES. OCT. 28 11:00AM
Basil Camu pursues his purpose and passions as the co-founder of Leaf & Limb, a tree care company in Raleigh, NC, and Project Pando, a non-profit that aims to connect people to trees. He is a Treecologist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Duke graduate, Wizard of Things, and author of the book From Wasteland to Wonder - Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape.
Free* Main Stage
*Advance registration required.
The sponsors of the Blauvelt Speaker Series have generously underwritten the cost of tickets for this program.
The Blauvelt Speaker Series is funded in part by the generosity of the late Bradford Thomas & Eleanor G. Blauvelt and The Wintrode Family Foundation.
THURS. NOV. 6
7:00PM
You’ve seen him on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Fallon, Masters of Illusion, and Penn & Teller: Fool Us! Illusionist Leon Etienne’s jaw-dropping, critically acclaimed hit show Magic Rocks! is not to be missed. Witness this family-friendly spectacular featuring the world’s best illusions, awardwinning sleight of hand, and hilarious comedy. This show is an immersive experience that brings joy, laughter, and wonder when the world needs it most!
Orchestra: $46 Mezzanine: $42
Main Stage
SAT. NOV. 8
7:00PM
Broadway, television, and film star Robert Neary creates an unforgettable tribute to one of the greatest recording artists in history. Now in its 4th year, So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience is selling out venues all over the US with no end in sight. This is a true immersion into Neil Diamond’s life and career: two hours packed with 24 classic hit songs, nostalgia, multimedia, stories, trivia, and a pure Broadway-caliber finale. Critical praise has called this show “the most authentic and professional tribute to Neil Diamond and delivers nothing short of a true Neil Diamond concert experience.
Orchestra: $45 Mezzanine: $40 Main Stage
Sponsored by
Film Screening
followed by Q&A with Delwin Fiddler, Jr.
Radliff-Niessen
SAT. NOV. 22 3:00PM
19 12:30PM
After 13 years living in Philadelphia, Delwin Fiddler Jr., a champion grass dancer, embraces indigenous culture by returning to his ancestral home on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. Leaving his big city life behind, Delwin aims to protect his centuries-old Lakota heritage and heal from family tragedy, through his passion for dance.
$9 Main Stage
FRI. NOV. 21 2:00PM
Join duo Radliff-Niessen, featuring the renowned violinist Robert Radliff and Dutch pianist Sharon Niessen, for an extraordinary performance of masterpieces by Beethoven and Brahms. As a duo, Radliff and Niesssen blend their dynamic artistry. With their international career spanning prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, this concert is sure to be one of the highlights of the season.
$10 Bösendorfer Recital Room
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
Buy all 3 Afternoon Recitals at once and save 15%!
The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a hit since 1938. Today, the 18-member ensemble plays many of the original Miller arrangements from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. It also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is still the most sought-after big band in the world.
$39 Main Stage
OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE FOUNDATION CONCERT EVENT
WED. DEC. 3
7:00PM
Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades. He’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others. He’s topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple gold and platinum records, and performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House. Post-show VIP Packages are available at chrisbotti.com.
Orchestra: $104 Mezzanine $84
Pre-Show OCC Foundation Reception: $75 Main Stage
Since 1965, the OCC Foundation has proudly served the Ocean County College community, supporting thousands of deserving students. Over the past 60 years, we’ve awarded over $22 million in scholarships and special program funding. Your generosity continues to make a lasting impact by supporting the Helping Hands Food Pantry, the Blauvelt Speaker Series, the Global Travel Experience, select programs at the Grunin Center for the Arts, the Robert J. Novins Planetarium, the Veteran & Military Resource Center (VMRC), athletic resources, and many other college and student-led initiatives.
SAT. DEC. 6 1:00PM
YATES MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS
CAROL
Yates Musical Theatre has brought to life Charles Dickens’ unforgettable characters from the page to the stage in this familyfriendly production of A Christmas Carol. They’ve added a melodious score and wrapped it all up in a beautiful holiday experience, which will put everyone in the holiday spirit!
Adults: $19 Children: $16 Main Stage
Sponsored by
CONCERT BAND PRESENTS
OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE
REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
SAT. DEC. 6
7:00PM
Come along for an unforgettable evening of music, cheer, and holiday spirit as the OCC Concert Band presents The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. This festive concert brings together a dazzling collection of your favorite seasonal tunes performed by the talented members of the OCC Concert Band. From classic carols to contemporary arrangements, plus a visit from Santa, the concert will fill the air with warmth, joy, and celebration.
Adults: $28 Seniors: $24
Children: $14
Main Stage
Join OCC students and community members for a journey through the beloved songs and timeless classics that capture the spirit of the holidays. From heartwarming ballads to toe-tapping showstoppers, Broadway for the Holidays 5 promises an unforgettable musical experience for the whole family.
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
SAT. DEC. 13 1:00PM & 4:00PM
This child-friendly production of The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, the favorite godchild of Herr Drosselmeyer, a mysterious clockmaker who helps to transport Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to a special realm. This condensed version of the ballet is narrated to help young ballet enthusiasts enjoy the performance.
Adults: $19 Children: $16
Main Stage
Sponsored
SUN. DEC. 14
7:00PM
For four decades, Cherish the Ladies has been one of the world’s most celebrated Irish music ensembles, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide with their exhilarating blend of traditional Irish music, captivating vocals, and dynamic step dancing. This holiday season, they present their beloved Celtic Christmas program, a festive, family-friendly concert featuring classic carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Silent Night.” Join Cherish the Ladies for an unforgettable evening!
SAT. DEC. 20 7:00PM
Since 1998, the Bessie Award-nominated company Darrah Carr Dance has created a sensational and unique blend of traditional Irish step and contemporary dance. The company draws from Irish music, step dance footwork, and spatial patterns to create high-energy, rhythmically based work accessible to a broad audience. Join them for Baile: A Celtic Christmas Celebration: a high-energy Irish Christmas celebration to ring in the holidays with live music and champion Irish step dancers!
Orchestra: $45 Mezzanine: $40 Main Stage
Orchestra: $50 Mezzanine: $44 Main Stage
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.
Schools ‘N Stage
The Grunin Center presents programming for kindergarten through college-age students that offers access and exposure to the arts, sciences, and fun! Contact Jaclyn Wood at 732-255-0400 ext. 2487 to have your students participate!
Calpulli Mexican Dance’s DÍA DE MUERTOS
School performance: Wednesday, October 15
11:00am
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s repertoire is a carnival of folkloric traditions and original creations both choreographic and musical developed since 2003. Calpulli tells narrativebased stories told through dance, music, and elaborate costuming. In this “educational journey” performance of their Dia De Muertos show, a loving couple falls victim to treachery and is separated, seemingly forever. The young woman enters Mictlán- the underworld of Aztec mythologywhere the mesmerizing Catrina reigns as queen.
The PAZA Experience
School performance:
Thursday, November 20
10:00am & Noon
World-renowned Native American performing artist Delwin Elk Bear Fiddler is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. As a teenager, he was a champion Grass and Hoop dancer on the pow-wow circuit. Delwin created PAZA, Tree of Life, to fulfill his mother’s dream of returning the people to the roots of their culture.
The Paza Experience cultural performances include Native American flute, drums, and traditional/modern songs with a complete historical explanation and demonstration of the men’s and women’s traditional dances.
These programs are funded in part by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners and a grant from the NJ State Council on the Arts administered by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and by the OCC Foundation, Arts for Everyone Fund, and Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
The Robert J. Novins Planetarium is located on the Ocean County College campus. It unites students and visitors through immersive and engaging educational programs highlighting astronomy and science. The 103-seat dome theater serves as a gateway to learning about our earth, the solar system, and beyond. In addition to public shows, the Novins Planetarium offers programs for schools, camp groups, birthday parties, and special themed events. Visit us online at go.ocean.edu/planetarium or call 732-255-0343.
How to Buy Tickets
Online: grunincenter.org
Phone: 732-255-0500
Box Office: College Drive, Building 11A, Toms River, NJ
Box Office Hours for Fall 2025
Our lobby will reopen in September!
Wednesday-Friday, Noon-5:00pm 732-255-0500
Ticket Policies
A full listing of ticketing policies can be found by visiting grunincenter.org (under Ticketing Info)
Exchanges and Refunds
All sales are final. Members may be eligible for limited exchanges and refunds based on their membership level.
Ticket Fees
At the time of publication, a $4.00 per ticket processing fee is applied to all orders, regardless of purchase method. Prices listed in this brochure include this $4.00 fee. An optional $3.50 shipping fee is applied for shipped tickets.
Group Sales
Group rates are available for most performances for groups of 10 or more guests. For more information, call the Box Office at 732-255-0500.
Accessibility
ADA wheelchair and companion seating is available. Assisted Listening Devices are available for Main Stage events.
Rental Presenters
Events marked as “presented by” are presented by individuals or organizations renting the Grunin Center and are not Grunin Center productions or events.
Discounts
Discounts are available for OCC Faculty/Staff, OCC Students, Active and Retired Military, OCC Alumni, and Groups. For questions about available discounts, please contact the Box Office at 732-255-0500 or visit our website.
Venues
The Grunin Center for the Arts presents art and entertainment in 4 beautiful venues on the Ocean County College Campus!
The Main Stage Building 11A
A 460-seat theatre with a groundlevel Orchestra section and an upstairs Mezzanine.
The Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre Bldg. 12
A 219-seat theatre with seating on three sides located off the lobby of the OCVTS Grunin Performing Arts Academy. Seats require stairs to access.
The Black Box Theatre Building 11B
An 85-seat, General Admission theatre with seating on three sides. Used primarily by the OCC Repertory Theatre Company.
Bösendorfer Recital Room Building 11A
A 45-seat general admission recital room on the Grunin Center’s upstairs level, room A-203. Used primarily for Afternoon Recital events.
Give the gift of arts and entertainment!
Gift Vouchers are available for purchase online and through the Box Office!
Sponsors
The Grunin Center thanks the following supporters and granting organizations for their support of the Fall 2025 Season:
Are you or your business interested in supporting the Grunin Center for the Arts? A variety of sponsorship options are available. Contact Heidi Sheridan at hsheridan@ocean.edu to learn more!
