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Events

Visiting Writer: Joyce Carol Oates

Pollak Theatre

There is no more versatile and accomplished American writer than Joyce Carol Oates. The author of many books, Oates has penned bestselling novels, critically acclaimed collections of short fiction, as well as essays, plays, poetry, a recent memoir, A Widow’s Story, and an unlikely bestseller, On Boxing. Best known for her fiction, Oates’ novels include them, which won the National Book Award; Blonde, a bold reimagining of the inner life of Marilyn Monroe; The Falls, which won the France’s Prix Femina; The Gravedigger’s Daughter and Little Bird of Heaven, each set in upstate New York; and We Were the Mulvaneys, which follows the disintegration of an American family and which became a bestseller after being selected by Oprah’s Book Club. Fellow author John Updike, praises Oates body of work by saying “Iif the phrase ‘woman of letters’ existed, she would be, foremost in this country, entitled to it.”

Skippyjon Jones

Pollak Theatre

Skippyjon Jones is a little kitten with big ears and even bigger dreams! Sometimes he pretends to be a bird, sometimes he pretends to be a llama, and sometimes he pretends to be a whale… Anything BUT a Siamese cat!

$12; $15

Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools

Pollak Theatre

Southside Johnny & The Poor Fools return to the Pollak Theatre for another riveting evening embarking on a stripped down journey through Johnny Lyon’s eclectic version of the Great American Songbook. Playing a wide range of music from Dylan, Mose Allison, Muddy Waters, NRBQ, Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris, The Band, George Jones and more, The Poor Fools also dive into some of the Southside’s Asbury Jukes material–revisiting some classics as well as the underperformed deep tracks. In this incarnation, musicians such as Jeff Kazee, John Conte, Tommy Byrnes, and Neal “The Dude” Pawley join Johnny for singing, playing, and having some fun on stage. It will be a loose mix of songs, stories and banter between the musicians and–hopefully–the audience. Opening Act: Bob Burger. All ticket holders will receive a free autographed poster signed by the artists after the show.

$28; $38; $50 (Gold Circle)

Graduate Information Session

The Great Hall -104

For prospective students interested in Graduate School at Monmouth University. All programs will be represented.

Met Opera: CARMEN Encore (Broadcast in HD)

Pollak Theatre

Richard Eyre’s mesmerizing production of Bizet’s steamy melodrama returns with mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili singing her signature role of the ill-fated gypsy temptress.

$23.00

On Screen in Person: The Phantom Tollbooth

Pollak Theatre

The Phantom Tollbooth: Beyond Expectations playfully examines the creation, creators, lasting impact and enduring relevance of one of the most beloved children’s books of our time. Through interviews, animation, and archival imagery, the documentary traces the friendship between author Norton Juster and Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Jules Feiffer. There will be a Q&A with director Hannah Jayanti following the screening.

Ani DiFranco

Pollak Theatre

Folk singer Ani DiFranco melds soul, funk, jazz, electronica and spoken word into her eclectic repertoire, which features the songs “Untouchable Face,” “32 Flavors” and “Wishin’ and Hopin’.” A Grammy-winning songwriter and collaborator, DiFranco has never stopped evolving, experimenting or pushing the limits of what can be said and sung, over the course of more than 20 albums. Her CDs include the live two-disc Living in Clip, the career retrospective Canon and her latest release, ¿Which Side Are You On? Opening the show will be renowned jazz violinist Jenny Scheinman, who has collaborated and played with artists like Norah Jones, Lou Reed, Aretha Franklin, Lucinda Williams and Bono.

$40; $50; $75 (Gold Circle)

Art Now: Bernd Klug – Sound Installation and Performance

Joan and Robert Rechnitz Hall

This sound installation features a piano-wired based interactive feedback system that turns Rechnitz Hall into a resonating instrument. Room frequencies, wavelengths and the connection points of the strings will create a unique sonic activation of the exhibition space.