Coming Up at McCarter

Streaming Now

How to Raise a Freeman

Written by Zakiyyah Alexander
Directed by Reginald L. Douglas

A drama about living Black in a White America where every 28 hours a Black Man is killed by police, the play poses the question – how does a middle-class family teach their son to stay alive?

Explore the cast, creative team, reserve your tickets, and learn more about How to Raise a Freeman.

Streaming Now

Sonnets for an Old Century

In the afterlife, 18 total strangers face the unknown and answer the question: if you had one statement to make about your life, if you had one last story to tell the universe, what would you say?" From the author of "Marisol" and "The Motorcycle Diaries."

STREAMING NOW

Charles Francis Chan Jr.'s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery

Written by Lloyd Suh
Directed by Ralph B. Peña

In 1967, Berkeley grad student Frank Chan and his artist-activist girlfriend Kathy Ching are staging a revolution. Amid the backdrop of ongoing war in Vietnam and a peak in the Civil Rights movement, they devise a wild, impulsive theatrical trip through the history of Asians in America, from the ancestral railways of their forebears to the shameful legacy of Charlie Chan stereotypes.

Explore the cast, creative team, reserve your tickets, and learn more about Charles Francis Chan Jr.'s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery.

Thursday, February 24   /   7:30PM

The Princeton Sing-Off

A night of a cappella, starring students from Princeton University.

A collaboration between McCarter and Princeton University’s Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Friday, February 25 / 8:00PM

Comedy at McCarter

Here's a first: a night of Comedy at McCarter! Featuring emerging and veteran comedians alike, get the laughs you know you could use from the Matthews Stage.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

February 25 - 27

Fuenteovejuna

In the town of Fuenteovejuna, the people rise up, led by the village women, when their rights are infringed upon by their malicious lord, the Comendador. Fuenteovejuna tells the story of how a united people successfully challenged and defeated their oppressor.

Performed in Spanish with English supertitles; English translation by G.J. Racz

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Sunday, February 27   /   3:00PM

National Geographic Live: On the Trail of Big Cats

Get daringly close to tigers, snow leopards, jaguars, and cougars through the unforgettable stories and images of award-winning National Geographic photographer Steve Winter.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Friday, March 4   /   8:00PM

Joe Henry

In a career spanning more than 25 years, Joe Henry has left an indelible and unique imprint on American popular music. As a songwriter and artist, Henry is celebrated for his exploration of the human experience.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Monday, March 7   /   7:30PM

Seong-Jin Cho

With an overwhelming talent and innate musicality, Seong-Jin Cho has made his mark as one of the consummate talents of his generation and most distinctive artists on the current music scene.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

STREAMING NOW

Passing

Written by Dipika Guha
Directed by Nicole A. Watson

In the fifties, on an island colonized by the British, an English couple kidnap a child indigenous to the island. On National Sorry Day the child, now a visual artist, has been asked to participate in the proceedings where “both sides” peaceably reconcile. Passing is a confrontation with a brutally violent history which resists erasure.

Explore the cast, creative team, reserve your tickets, and learn more about Passing.

Friday, March 11   /   8:00PM

Pam Tanowitz Dance & Simone Dinnerstein

New Work for Goldberg Variations

A joint creation of the choreographer Pam Tanowitz and the pianist Simone Dinnerstein, this collaborative performance converses with Bach’s iconic score in a delightful interplay of rhythm, style and idiosyncrasy.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Friday, March 18 /  8:00PM

On Beckett

Produced by Octopus Theatricals

In On Beckett, Irwin combines his renowned skill as a master clown and dramatic actor to explore a performer’s relationship to the works of Samuel Beckett, incorporating passages from various works by the Irish writer and playwright, including Waiting for Godot, Texts for Nothing, and Watt.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Saturday, March 19   /   8:00PM

A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul

Musician, vocalist, and composer Damien Sneed returns to McCarter to pay homage to Aretha Franklin, the most successful female recording artist in history.

Backed by an accomplished cast of jazz, gospel, and soul musicians and vocalists, this multi-media tribute will be a tender and spiritual reflection upon the life of an iconic industry titan.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Wednesday, March 23   /   7:30PM

Memphis Jookin': The Show

Featuring Lil Buck

Renowned dance artist Lil Buck conceives, choreographs, and performs this ode to his hometown as he takes audiences on a journey to the fabled city to chronicle how the art form emerged from local street dance to international phenomenon.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Friday, March 25   /   8:00PM

Shawn Colvin

Steady On: 32nd Anniversary Tour

Shawn Colvin will perform Steady On Acoustic in its entirety, plus other favorites, in what promises to be a very special evening for her longtime fans.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Saturday, April 2   /    8:00PM

Audra McDonald

The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy, Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor.

Sunday, April 3   /   3:00PM

National Geographic Live: When Women Ruled the World

When it comes to women in power, we’ve come a long way…right? Join Dr. Kara Cooney, professor of Egyptology, for a look at a time in ancient history when women ruled supreme.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Friday, April 8   /   8:00PM

Zakir Hussain Trio

With Zakir Hussain, Kala Ramnath, and Jayanthi Kumaresh

Leading Indian classical exponents of their respective instruments—tabla, violin and Saraswati Veena—each member of this trio is also renowned as virtuoso collaborators, pathbreakers, and educators, advancing the art of their particular instruments to remarkable levels in the context of their classical traditions and beyond.  

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Saturday, April 9   /   8:00PM

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra

This remarkably versatile orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis, is made up of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players, and arrangers in jazz music today. They perform a vast repertoire ranging from original compositions and Jazz at Lincoln Center-commissioned works to rare historic compositions and masterworks.

Sunday, April 10   /   3:00PM

J'Nai Bridges

American mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, known for her “plush-voiced mezzo-soprano” (The New York Times), has been heralded as “a rising star” (Los Angeles Times), gracing the world’s top opera and concert stages.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Wednesday, April 13   /   7:30PM

Mark Morris Dance Group

Founded in New York City in 1980, the internationally-renowned Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) has been called “the preeminent modern dance organization of our time” (Yo-Yo Ma).

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

April 30 - May 29

Ride The Cyclone: The Musical

Book, music & lyrics by Brooke Maxwell & Jacob Richmond
Directed by McCarter Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen

Six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir take one last ride on a rollercoaster that changes the course of each of their lives forever. At once quirky and smart, edgy and beautiful, Ride the Cyclone reveals the resilience of the human spirit

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Tuesday, May 10   /   7:30PM

Angélique Kidjo

On her new album Mother Nature, the four-time Grammy Award-winning luminary joins forces with many of her musical progeny, including some of the most captivating young creators of West African music, Afrobeat, Afro-pop, dancehall, hip-hop, and alt-R&B. The result is a truly visionary body of work, rooted in a deep understanding of musical tradition yet endlessly forward-thinking and inventive.

May 20 - 21

Princeton's Famous Triangle Show: Singin' in the Train

Reunions are back - and so is Triangle! Encore of the annual student written and performed Princeton Triangle Show.

Friday, September 24   /   8:00PM

Béla Fleck

My Bluegrass Heart

Featuring Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton.

Béla Fleck has made a point of boldly going where no banjo player has gone before, a musical journey that has earned him 15 Grammys in nine different fields. He returns with his first bluegrass tour in 24 years, My Bluegrass Heart.

Sunday, September 26   /    2:00PM

Garba360

Take part in this free outdoor event that celebrates the traditional Gujarati social folk dance experience. With dance lessons, performance, and live music, gather in the plaza at Princeton Shopping Center, where all are invited to come together for a fun afternoon event.

Friday, October 8 & Saturday, October 9   /   8:00PM

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham

The mission of A.I.M by Kyle Abraham is to create a body of dance-based work that is galvanized by Black culture and history. The work, informed by and made in conjunction with artists across a range of disciplines, entwines a sensual and provocative vocabulary with a strong emphasis on music, text, video, and visual art.

Saturday, October 9   /   8:00PM

Tusk

Tusk is the number one tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none.

Tuesday, October 12   /   7:30PM

David Sedaris

Humor writer David Sedaris’ new book, The Best of Me, is a “must read”, according to The New York Times: “It will be a new experience, knowing that enough time has passed to find humor in the hardest parts of life. More than ever — we’re allowed to laugh.” 

Friday, October 15   /   8:00PM

Nella

Winner of the 2019 Latin GRAMMY® Award for Best New Artist, Nella merges her folklore roots of Venezuela, modern production, and Andalusian inspirations to resound every corner of the globe.

Friday, October 15   /   8:00PM

Jan Lisiecki

Pianist Jan Lisiecki’s interpretations and techniques speak to a maturity beyond his age. At 26, the Canadian performs over a hundred yearly concerts worldwide, working closely with renowned conductors. He returns to McCarter in an all-Chopin program of Etudes and Nocturnes. 

Saturday, October 16   /   8:00PM

Terence Blanchard

Two-time Oscar® nominee, and five-time GRAMMY®-winning trumpeter & composer Terence Blanchard celebrates both the brilliance of Wayne Shorter’s legacy and the inspiration he has given Blanchard, influencing his ever-expanding amalgam of music and storytelling.

Friday, October 22   /   8:00PM

Dorrance Dance

SOUNDspace

MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient and artistic director Michelle Dorrance, Dorrance Dance aims to honor tap dance’s uniquely beautiful history in a new and dynamically compelling context.

Saturday, October 23   /   8:00PM

Chris Thile

Encompassing classical, rock, jazz, and bluegrass, Chris Thile (of Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, and the host of the radio program Live from Here) creates a distinctly American canon and a new musical aesthetic for performers and audiences alike.

Sunday, October 24   /   7:00PM

Lake Street Dive

As a band, Lake Street Dive epitomizes democracy in action. Their personalities, skills, and wide-ranging taste in pop, rock, R&B, and jazz have long blended together to make an impressively cohesive sound, both sophisticated and playful, combining retro influences with contemporary attitude.

Friday, October 29   /   8:00PM

Matthew Whitaker Quartet

To witness the breathless virtuosity of Matthew Whitaker improvising at the keyboard is to be in the presence of a once-in-a-generation musical talent.

October 22 – November 5  

Sugar Skull!

A Virtual Día de Muertos Adventure

Specifically created for the virtual platform, with a new script, and additional creative partners to facilitate the leap into this new territory, SUGAR SKULL! A Virtual Día de Muertos Adventure is a captivating theatrical experience for the times that celebrates  Day of the Dead, a traditional holiday that transcends borders.

Friday, November 5   /   8:00PM

The Moth

True stories — told live and without notes — that celebrate the ability of personal storytelling to illuminate both the diversity and commonality of the human experience. 

Saturday, November 6   /   8:00PM

Shake & Holla

Shake & Holla is a brand-new tour that showcases foot-stomp-ing Mississippi “hill country” blues and the funky, syncopated sounds of New Orleans brass.

Sunday, November 7   /   3:00PM

National Geographic Live: Secrets of the Whales

Dive deep into the groundbreaking science of whale families — and their startlingly human parallels — through the awe-inspiring work of celebrated National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry.

November 5 – 13

Early Decision / Late Bloomer

Two new, short musicals give voice to the experiences of first-generation Princeton students from immigrant families: Early Decision by Adam Gwon follows Owen, and Late Bloomer, a new musical by Jaime Lozano and Georgie Castilla commissioned by the Lewis Center, follows two Latino siblings Princeton students.

Friday, November 12

Princeton Poetry Festival

The biennial Princeton Poetry Festival, organized by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon, returns in-person with a full day of readings, panel discussions and a lecture featuring poets Reginald Dwayne Betts, Victoria Chang, Laura Kasischke, and Patricia Smith from the U.S.; Sasha Dugdale and Daljit Nagra from the U.K.; Javier Zamora from El Salvador; and Polina Barskova of Russia.

Saturday, November 13   /   8:00PM

Kelli O'Hara

Stage and screen star Kelli O’Hara has established herself as one of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies. She won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, along with a Grammy nomination. 

Friday, November 19   /   8:00PM

Dessa

Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations — her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, and her track on The Hamilton Mixtape has notched over 11 million streams.

November 19 - 21

Princeton Dance Festival

The 2021 Princeton Dance Festival returns with in-person performances featuring new and repertory works by choreographers Rebecca Lazier, Kyle Marshall, Justin Peck (staged by Michael Breeden), Larissa Velez-Jackson, Omari Wiles, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Germaine Acogny (staged by Samantha Speis), and new work staged by Tina Fehlandt inspired by Mark Morris’ choreography on the 40^th anniversary of the founding of his famed dance company, performed by Princeton dance students.

Saturday, November 20   /   8:00PM

Valerie June

Tennessee-born and Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Valerie June has been recording and performing since she was 19 years old, climbing from Memphis coffee houses to national TV performances and getting name-checked by Bob Dylan.

NOVEMBER 26 - NOVEMBER 28, 2021

American Repertory Ballet presents The Nutcracker

This holiday favorite tells the magical story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they battle toy soldiers and larger-than-life mice, and travel through a whirlwind of dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets.

Friday, December 3   /   8:00PM

Rosanne Cash

One of the country's pre-eminent singer-songwriters, Rosanne Cash has released 15 albums of extraordinary songs that have earned four Grammy Awards & 12 nominations, as well as 21 top-40 hits, including 11 chart-topping singles. She Remembers Everything — her latest release — is a poetic, lush, and soulful collection of songs that reckon with a flawed and intricate world

Saturday, December 4   /   2:00PM

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Family Read-Aloud at the Princeton Public Library

Usher in the spirit of the season by participating in the sixth annual public community reading of Dickens’ 1843 novella. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the beloved Victorian masterpiece—the original “Ghost-Story”—in its literary form, which Dickens’ wrote to be read aloud.

December 7 - December 12

What the Constitution Means to Me

A Play by Heidi Schreck
Directed by Oliver Butler
Starring Cassie Beck

Direct from Broadway, this hilarious, hopeful, and achingly human new play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans.

Saturday, December 11   /   8:00PM

Cécile McLorin Salvant

Composer, singer, and visual artist Cécile McLorin Salvant has developed a passion for storytelling and finding the connections between vaudeville, blues, folk traditions from around the world, theater, jazz, and baroque music. 

Tuesday, December 14   /   7:30PM

Princeton Symphony Orchestra's Holiday POPS!

Wednesday, December 15   /   7:30PM

McCarter's A Christmas Carol Bake-Off Festival of Plays

Paula Vogel’s “A Christmas Carol Bake-Off Festival of Plays” – the Pulitzer Prize winning writer provides a list of A Christmas Carol-themed Bake-Off “ingredients” for writers of all levels to include in their own original 10-minute dramatic works.

Thursday, December 16   /   7:30PM

The Brandenburg Concertos

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center 

If Bach had only left the world his six Brandenburg Concertos, he would still reside in the pantheon of the great composers. Don't miss this McCarter holiday tradition, featuring 20-plus all-star musicians performing one of music’s most enduring masterpieces.

Friday, December 17   /   8:00PM

Sweet Honey In The Rock

Celebrating The Holydays

A rare fusion of traditional American holiday spiritual songs and hymns, as well as songs from other cultures and religions ranging from Africa to Israel, this show is a seasonal presentation that also offers songs from the group's extensive repertoire.

Saturday, December 18   /   8:00PM

The Hot Sardines

Fueled by the belief that classic jazz feeds the heart and soul, The Hot Sardines are on a mission to make old sounds new again and prove that joyful music can bring people together in a disconnected world. 

Sunday, December 19   /   3:00PM

Stewart Goodyear

Proclaimed "a phenomenon" by the Los Angeles Times, pianist Stewart Goodyear is a concerto soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, and composer. He will be performing selections from The Nutcracker to lead into the Christmas week!

Sunday, December 19   /   4:00PM

A Christmas Carol Community Play Reading

Lovers of A Christmas Carol can take part in a unique telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, along with choral carol singing with McCarter’s A Christmas Carol Community Play Reading. It is free and “stars” the community itself, as readers and audience members—both are needed!

Sunday, January 9, 2022   /   4:00pm

Film Screening of MAMA AFRICA: MIRIAM MAKEBA! at the Princeton Public Library

In advance of McCarter’s opening of the new musical Dreaming Zenzile by Somi Kakoma, McCarter and the Princeton Public Library partner to screen Mika Kaurismäki’s 2011documentary biography on the iconic “Zenzile” herself: South African singer, activist, and international star, Miriam Makeba.

Tuesday, January 11   /   7:30PM

Igor Levit

Igor Levit is the 2018 Gilmore Artist and Royal Philharmonic Society’s “Instrumentalist of the Year”. The New York Times describes Levit as one of the “most important artists of his generation”.

Thursday, February 3   /   7:30PM

Branford Marsalis Quartet

After more than three decades of existence with minimal personnel changes, this celebrated ensemble is revered for its uncompromising interpretation of a kaleidoscopic range of both original compositions and jazz and popular classics. 

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Monday, February 7   /   7:30PM

Keb' Mo'

Over the past two decades, award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, and contemporary blues artist Keb’ Mo’ has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music.

January 21 - February 13

Dreaming Zenzile

Based on the life of Miriam Makeba
By Somi Kakoma
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz

Written and performed by international music sensation Somi Kakoma, this world-premiere musical is an electrifying portrait of revolutionary artist Miriam Makeba and her singular voice and vision.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Sponsored by Professional PT

Saturday, February 12   /   8:00PM

Anaïs Mitchell

Featuring Bonny Light Horseman

Anaïs Mitchell, the esteemed singer-songwriter whose Broadway smash Hadestown won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is joined on this one-of-a-kind tour by Bonny Light Horseman, a folk supergroup trio comprised of Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, and Josh Kaufman. 

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Friday, February 18   /   8:00PM

Jennifer Koh

Recognized for intense, commanding performances, violinist Jennifer Koh is a forward-thinking artist dedicated to exploring a broad and eclectic repertoire. 

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.

Saturday, February 19   /   8:00PM

Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

With Special Guest Ayodele Casel

The multi-Grammy-award winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, led by pianist, composer, and Artistic Director Arturo O’Farrill, blends the drama of big band jazz, the culture of Latin music, and the virtuosity of eighteen of the world’s most accomplished solo musicians, plus one of 2019's biggest breakout stars, tap dancer and choreographer Ayodele Casel.

Passport to the Arts or PUSTUTIX eligible.