Grunin Center Fall 2025 Brochure

FALL 2025

Photo by Marconi Photography

A Message from Executive and Artistic Director Heidi M. Sheridan

A Message from Jay Grunin

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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.

Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

Fall 2025 at a Glance A Broadway Tour of America.................................................................................... July 10-20 DJ Willy Wow!.................................................................................................................. 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 Calpulli Mexican Dance Company...................................................................... October 15 Fall Play................................................................................................................ October 17 - 26 Cécilia........................................................................................................................... October 18 The April May Webb Trio........................................................................................ October 19 Basil Camu.................................................................................................................. October 28 Magic Rocks: Illusionist Leon Etienne.............................................................. November 6 So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience with Robert Neary.................. November 8 Without Arrows Film Screening........................................................................November 19 Robert Radliff and Sharon Niessen................................................................November 21 Glenn Miller Orchestra........................................................................................November 22 Chris Botti..................................................................................................................December 3 Yates Musical Theater: A Christmas Carol........................................................December 6 OCC Concert Band: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.........................December 6 Broadway for the Holidays 5......................................................................December 12 - 21 Ballet for Young Audiences: The Nutcracker................................................ December 13 Cherish the Ladies................................................................................................ December 14 Darrah Carr Dance................................................................................................ December 20

Ocean Member tickets on sale July 3, 2025 Bay Member tickets on sale July 7, 2025 River Member tickets on sale July 9, 2025 General Public tickets on sale July 10, 2025 All prices listed in this brochure include a $4.00 per ticket processing fee.

Grunin Center for the Arts Staff Heidi M. Sheridan Executive & Artistic Director Jessica Zawerczuk Assistant Director, Marketing & Sales 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

Grunin Center for the Arts Membership Packages July 2025 - June 2026 BENEFITS

RIVER

BAY

OCEAN

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

✓ ✓

15% off face value.

20% off face value.

25% off face value.

Early Access to tickets!

1 day before the public.

3 days before the public.

7 days before the public.

Novins Planetarium Staff

Exchanges

Within same series.

Within same series.

Cara Muscio Associate Director Kevin Molnar Planetarium Technician Thomas Mellott Office Coordinator

Between membership eligible events.

Refunds

1 refund per year

1 refund per year

Sneak peeks to upcoming events!

OCC Swag Bag Ticket discounts eligible on: Grunin Presents Series events, Family Series events, OCC Repertory Theatre Company events, and OCC Concert Band events

Advisory Committee Paul Chalakani William Colon

Membership cost through June 30, 2026 (1 per household)

Melanie Magnin

Up to 2 tickets (rentals excluded).

Limit 4 per show, max 32 per season.

Up to 2 tickets (rentals excluded).

Ticket fees waived on all purchases. $75

$200

$375

2025-2026 memberships are on sale now!

Jeremy Grunin Don Kehne

Limit 4 per show, max 20 per season.

Waived ticket fees

Brian Gilmore Sanford (Sandy) Josephson

Limit 4 per show, max 12 per season.

Become a member this year and receive great benefits in return. Your membership will help us continue to bring you outstanding and affordable arts events!

Catherine Mancuso

Plus, opt-in to two great Subscription Packages!

Ricky Riccardi

Classical Club

Heidi Sheridan

Buy all 3 Fall Afternoon Recital Series events in a package and save 15% off face value.

Samantha Stokes

Jazz Club

Jaclyn Wood Alizar (Nick) Zorojew

Buy both Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon shows this Fall at face value and get 15% off a ticket to the Glenn Miller Orchestra!

Design & layout by Nicole Howard Graphic Design Specialist, Ocean County College grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

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

Saturday, July 19 • 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Friday, July 11 • 7:30pm

Sunday, July 20 • 2:00pm

Saturday, July 12 • 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sunday, July 13 • 2:00pm

Adults: $26  Seniors: $24

Black Box Theatre

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.

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Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

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. Join Grammy®-nominated AUGUST children’s songwriter, music

producer, voice-over artist, and radio personality, DJ Willy Wow! for an interactive musical 10 : 0 0 A M journey and dance party. DJ & NOON 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!

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Free!

Gateway Lecture Hall This event is made possible through the support of The Wintrode Family Foundation.

Logo created by OCC student Ty Hogan

AFTER NOOONRECITAL

ALEXA STIER Pianist FRI. SEPT.

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 2 : 0 0 P M whispers, and human imagination.

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$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.

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 7: 0 0 P M 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”).

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Orchestra: $42  Mezzanine: $36

Main Stage

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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BLAUVELT SPEAKER SERIES presented by

Tonight

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 6:00PM 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.

TUES. SEPT.

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$20

Main Stage

SAT. SEPT.

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 7:00PM ambitions are behind you, with nothing left to prove, and small things give you great pleasure because that’s what’s left.

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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.

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Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

Orchestra: $58  Mezzanine: $48

Main Stage

presents SUN. SEPT.

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3:00PM

The Three Louies

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!

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 3 : 0 0 P M them you’ll hear songs by Dion and The Belmonts, Frankie Valli & 7:00PM and the Four Seasons, Billy Joel, The Animals, Queen, and even an artist or two from today’s generation!

SUN. SEPT.

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Orchestra: $52  Mezzanine: $49

Main Stage

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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BLAUVELT SPEAKER SERIES presented by

WED. OCT.

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 6:00PM 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.

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SAT. OCT.

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 7:30PM 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.

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Orchestra: $44  Mezzanine: $39 8

Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

Main Stage

$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.

AFTERNOONRECITAL

FRI. OCT.

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, 2:00PM the Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, and Merkin Hall in NYC. Liana will perform works by Schumann and Brahms.

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$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%!

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 7:30PM 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.

SAT. OCT.

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Orchestra: $46  Mezzanine: $42

Main Stage

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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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 7:00PM the mesmerizing Catrina reigns as queen.

WED. OCT.

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$39

Main Stage This event is made possible through support from the Latino Institute, the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission, and the Ocean County College Foundation.

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Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

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 7:00PM yourself with a smile that lasts long after the final notes of Cécilia’s accordion, piano, and violin have melted away.

SAT. OCT.

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$32

Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre This event is made possible through support from the Quebec Delegation General – New York.

BLAUVELT SPEAKER SERIES

OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

presented by

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

SUN. OCT.

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 3:00PM 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.

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Friday, October 24 • 7:30pm

Adults: $28  Seniors: $24

Saturday, October 25 • 2:00pm

Main Stage

Saturday, October 25 • 7:30pm Sunday, October 26 • 2:00pm

Logo created by OCC student Ty Hogan

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.

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.

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.

11:00AM 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.

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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.

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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SAT. NOV.

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 7 : 0 0 P M 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.

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Orchestra: $45  Mezzanine: $40

THURS. NOV.

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, award7 : 0 0 P M winning sleight of hand, and hilarious comedy. This show is an immersive experience that brings joy, laughter, and wonder when the world needs it most!

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Sponsored by

Orchestra: $46  Mezzanine: $42 Main Stage 12

Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

Main Stage

AFTERNOONRECITAL

Film Screening followed by Q&A with Delwin Fiddler, Jr.

Radliff-Niessen 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.

2:00PM 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.

FRI. NOV.

WED. NOV.

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 12:30PM 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.

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$9

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$10

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 3:00PM 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.

SAT. NOV.

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$39

Main Stage

Bösendorfer Recital Room

Main Stage This film screening is made possible through generous funding from the Ocean County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid-Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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%! grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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FAMILYSERIES

OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE FOUNDATION CONCERT EVENT

YATES MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL SAT. DEC.

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1:00PM

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

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, 7:00PM 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.

WED. DEC.

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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.

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Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

Sponsored by

THE OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE CONCERT BAND PRESENTS

OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

FAMILYSERIES

Ballet for Young Audiences presents

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 7 : 0 0 P M 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.

SAT. DEC.

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dults: $28  Seniors: $24 A 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.

Fridays, December 12 & 19 • 7:30pm Saturdays, Dec. 13 & 20 • 2:00pm & 7:30pm Sundays, December 14 & 21 • 2:00pm

Adults: $26  Seniors: $24 Black Box Theatre This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.

The Nutcracker SAT. DEC.

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 1:00PM Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to & 4:00PM a special realm. This condensed version of the ballet is narrated to help young ballet enthusiasts enjoy the performance.

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Adults: $19  Children: $16 Main Stage

Sponsored by

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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SAT. DEC.

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 7 : 0 0 P M 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!

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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 7 : 0 0 P M 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!

SUN. DEC.

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Orchestra: $50  Mezzanine: $44 16

Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

Main Stage

Orchestra: $45  Mezzanine: $40 This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ocean County College Foundation.

Main Stage

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

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.

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.

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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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

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.

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.

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Grunin Center for the Arts • Fall 2025

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:

11a

Main Stage & Bösendorfer Room

11b

Black Box Theatre

12

Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre

West College Drive  (to N. Bay Ave)

South College Dr

ive

GRUN Bldg. #11b

PAA Bldg. #12

GRUN Bldg. #11a

11b

12

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!

H. G

Dr

Colleg e Dr i ve

Parking Lot 2

iv e

11a

ge le l Co h rt No To Ch

urch R eorg oad  e Buc kwald Drive

grunincenter.org • 732-255-0500

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www.grunincenter.org

Fall 2025