Gala
Past galas have featured Kool & The Gang, Aretha Franklin, Frankie Valli, Jay Leno, and other world-class artists. Check out the photos from our most recent event and stay tuned for news about the 2024-25 Benefit Gala.
Save the date for next year's Benefit Gala!
Saturday, June 7, 2025
State Theatre New Jersey Celebrates Annual Benefit Gala with A Performance By Jay Leno!
On June 8, 2024, State Theatre New Jersey hosted its annual Benefit Gala to celebrate live performance, community, and legacy. The State Theatre Benefit Gala took place at the historic theater and featured a performance by comedian Jay Leno. This year’s Gala raised funds essential to STNJ’s work to provide education and community engagement programs for children, families, and underserved residents and support the continued excellence of its world-class mainstage performances.
“With more than 100 years of memories, the State Theatre is one of the most special and historic venues in New Jersey, and it was truly wonderful to open the entire theater to our Gala attendees,” commented STNJ Gala Co-Chairs Wendy Wiebalk and Steven Cahn “Thank you to the incredible Gala Committee, State Theatre staff, and generous supporters on making this event a great success.”
At this year’s Gala, STNJ honored John Pulomena, County Administrator of Middlesex County, NJ, as its 2024 Arts Advocate Honoree alongside NAI DiLeo-Bram & Co. and The DiLeo Family Foundation as its 2024 Corporate Honorees.
Inspired by mainstage entertainer Jay Leno's passion for classic cars, this year’s Gala featured a 1950s theme. Guests were transported for an evening of retro charm, from poodle skirts to leather jackets, sock hops to gourmet diner delights. The Gala festivities featured a cocktail and dinner reception with delicious catering by Fritz’s, live music by Shake Rattle & Roll Pianos, and a silent auction with select signed memorabilia from some of STNJ’s top performances alongside curated experiences. After Leno’s performance, Gala guests enjoyed a Late-Night After Party featuring the Blaire Reinhard Band, dancing, signature cocktails, and late-night treats.
View Our 2024 Digital Program Online
THANK YOU TO OUR BENEFIT GALA SPONSORS
THUNDERBIRD
CORVETTE
Joan & Bob Campbell
ELDORADO
Boraie Development, LLC
EAB Insurance Group
Johnson & Johnson
Magyar Bank
Alma Scott
SKYLARK
Somerset Patriots, Clinton Honda, and Land Rover of Princeton
CONTINENTAL
BCB Bank
Benjamin & Christine Bucca
Cahn & Parra, LLC
Stephen DeMicco & Jeanne Fox
DLR Group
The Green Jade Group at Morgan Stanley
IBEW Local 456
Nicholas and Leah Kambitsis
Lombardi & Lombardi, P.A.
Najarian Associates
Presidential Cleaning
Robin Suydam & Paul Corkery
Turner Construction Company
DEVILLE
Eileen Harkins
Reilly Financial Group
Todd A. Shamy & Joey Grinkley
The State Theatre 2024 Benefit Gala committee included: (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee, Gala Co-Chair) Wendy L. Wiebalk, Esq., Cahn & Parra, LLC; (Gala Co-Chair) Steven Cahn, Esq., Cahn & Parra, LLC; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee, Gala Auction Chair) Eileen Harkins, Retired, Johnson & Johnson; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Hiam Boraie, Boraie Development; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Ben Bucca; Christine Bucca, Leader & Berkon, LLP; Saul Curtis, Retired, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Laura DeCandia, Johnson & Johnson; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Joey Kareem Grinkley, Merck; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Craig Guiffre, American Benefits Consulting; Jean McDonnell, Magyar Bank; John Reissner, Magyar Bank; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Alma Scott, Retired, Johnson & Johnson; Todd Shamy, Kenvue; and (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Robin Suydam, Franklin Mutual Insurance Companies.