Extraordinary soprano Lise Davidsen stars as the volatile diva Floria Tosca for her first time at the Met. David McVicar’s thrilling production also features tenor Freddie De Tommaso in his eagerly anticipated company debut as Tosca’s revolutionary lover, Cavaradossi, and powerhouse baritone Quinn Kelsey as the sadistic chief of police Scarpia. Maestro Xian Zhang conducts the electrifying score, which features some of Puccini’s most memorable melodies. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.
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Tosca
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Grounded
*** Please note that there will also be a home football game taking place on campus at 1pm this day. We encourage our patrons to arrive on campus early and please let the parking attendants know you are here for the MET opera so that you do not pay the parking fee.***
Two-time Tony Award–winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s powerful new opera Grounded, commissioned by the Met and based on librettist George Brant’s acclaimed play, wrestles with the ethical quandaries and psychological toll of 21st-century warfare. Mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, one of opera’s most compelling young stars, portrays Jess, a hot-shot fighter pilot whose unplanned pregnancy takes her out of the cockpit and lands her in Las Vegas, operating a Reaper drone halfway around the world. As she struggles to adjust to this new way of doing battle, she fights to maintain her sanity, and her soul, as she is called to rain down death by remote control. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin oversees the Met premiere of Tesori’s kaleidoscopic score and a cast that also features tenor Ben Bliss as the Wyoming rancher who becomes Jess’s husband. Michael Mayer’s high-tech staging, using a vast array of LED screens, presents a variety of perspectives on the action, including the drone’s predatory view from high above. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.
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Les Contes d’Hoffmann
*** Please note that there will also be a home football game taking place on campus at 1pm this day. We encourage our patrons to arrive on campus early and please let the parking attendants know you are here for the MET opera so that you do not pay the parking fee.***
On October 5, an ensemble of leading lights take the stage for Offenbach’s fantastical final work, headlined by tenor Benjamin Bernheim in the title role of the tormented poet. Hoffmann’s trio of lovers are sung by soprano Erin Morley as the mechanical doll Olympia, soprano Pretty Yende as the plagued diva Antonia, and mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine as the Venetian seductress Giulietta. Marco Armiliato conducts Bartlett Sher’s evocative production, which also features bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Four Villains and mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in an important company debut as Hoffmann’s friend Nicklausse. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.
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An Evening with Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones is an American musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy winner who has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut, followed by the seminal Pirates. Named the “premiere song-stylist and songwriter of her generation” by The New Yorker, and “The Duchess of Coolsville” by Time magazine, Jones released her Grammy-nominated album Pieces of Treasure in 2023, a reunion with Russ Titelman, who produced her first two records. Jones’ celebrated memoir Last Chance Texaco was named Book of the Year by MOJO and a Best Book of the Year at Pitchfork and NPR. The Independent writes, “There has always been something defiant about Rickie Lee Jones . . . a voice from a dream, elusive yet familiar, transcendent, a messenger from another place.”
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Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters
The Boxmasters make a triumphant return to Pollak Theatre, bringing their latest album, “Love & Hate In Desperate Places,” and their electrifying North American tour to the stage. With J.D. Andrew and Bud Thornton leading the charge, the album introduces Kirk McKim and Raymond Hardy to the lineup, adding new dimensions to their sound. Kirk, a seasoned guitarist, and Raymond, a powerhouse on bass, bring fresh energy to the band’s recordings.
Fran Moran and The Nervous Wrecks will be opening for the Boxmasters
The Boxmasters, formed in 2007, draw inspiration from the rock and roll of the 1960s, with nods to bands like the Beatles, Byrds, and Beach Boys. Their diverse catalogue reflects influences ranging from The Mothers of Invention to Kris Kristofferson. Based at Peppertree Hill Studios, J.D. & Bud continue to create music that resonates, collaborating with artists like Ian Hunter and Gov’t Mule.
With a dedicated fanbase spanning the globe, The Boxmasters have earned acclaim both as headliners and as openers for acts like ZZ Top and Steve Miller. From “Knuckleheads” in Kansas City to “The Troubadour” in Los Angeles, their live performances captivate audiences, making each show an unforgettable experience.
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Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack and special guests each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!
This month’s novel is Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar. In the hauntingly beautiful pages of The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath takes us on a gripping journey into the fragile psyche of Esther Greenwood. Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, this semiautobiographical novel explores the stifling expectations placed upon women and the suffocating grasp of societal norms.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.
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Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack and special guests each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!
This month’s novel is Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City. #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Splendid and the Vile comes the true tale of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the cunning serial killer who used the magic and majesty of the fair to lure his victims to their death.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.
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R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack. This month’s novel is R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface.
White lies. Dark humor. Deadly consequences… Bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American–in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from R.F. Kuang, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.
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Elvis Costello’s Imperial Bedroom
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Elvis Costello’s Imperial Bedroom
This event is offered BOTH in person and via Zoom. Join us in person at Woods Theatre on the Campus of Monmouth University or join us via zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.
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Paul and Linda McCartney’s Ram
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Paul and Linda McCartney’s Ram.
This event is offered BOTH in person and via Zoom. Join us in person at the Great Hall Auditorium on the Campus of Monmouth University or join us via zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.