State Theatre New Jersey Celebrates Annual Benefit Gala with a Performance by Jay Leno

On June 8, 2024, State Theatre New Jersey hosted the annual STNJ 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 State Theatre New Jersey’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.

“Thank you to the incredible Gala Committee, State Theatre staff, and generous supporters on making this event a tremendous success,” commented State Theatre New Jersey Gala Chair Craig Guiffre. “We couldn’t be more pleased to honor the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the founders of Wash & Learn New Brunswick (Maritza Acevedo, Gisela Ciancia, and Anne-Marie Riveaux McMahon) for their commitment to our community.”

The gala event included performances by local musicians, yard games, dancing, a silent auction, and a delicious menu by Fritz’s in New Brunswick. The evening also included a wonderful performance by The Bacon Brothers. The duo—Michael and Kevin Bacon—ended the set with an exciting cover of the song “Footloose” (from the movie Footloose in which Kevin Bacon starred) that had everyone on their feet.

At this year’s Fête at the Farm, the State Theatre honored the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the founders of Wash & Learn New Brunswick: Maritza Acevedo, Gisela Ciancia, and Anne-Marie Riveaux McMahon.

The State Theatre 2023 Benefit Gala committee included (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee, Gala Chair) Craig Guiffre, American Benefits Consulting; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Hiam Boraie, Boraie Development; Ben and Christine Bucca; Saul Curtis, Retired, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Eileen Harkins, Retired, Johnson & Johnson; Jean McDonnell, Magyar Bank; (State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Farryn Melton, Bristol-Myers Squibb; John Reissner, Magyar Bank; State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustee) Robin Suydam, Franklin Mutual Insurance Companies; and (Vice-Chair of the State Theatre New Jersey Board of Trustees) Wendy Wiebalk, Cahn & Parra, LLC.

About State Theatre New Jersey

After major renovations, State Theatre New Jersey celebrated its 100th Anniversary in December 2021 in a fully renovated theater including newly renovated lobbies, all new restrooms, upgraded HVAC systems, a new elevator for access to all levels, and brand-new theater seats. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre’s historic significance was honored by PBS by featuring it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey, in the fall of 2018. “Treasures of New Jersey: State Theatre New Jersey” can be streamed at STNJ.org/explore/treasures-of-new-jersey-documentary. Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have featured high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.

State Theatre New Jersey’s programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

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