03/14/26 08:00 PM - 03/14/26 10:00 PM

Songs You Know and Love.  A Voice You’ll Never Forget

Described as “the next Justin Timberlake”, this handsome young man always wanted to be singer and now finds himself, in his mid-twenties, an in-demand showman and social media superstar.  He’s appeared on national PBS specials, shared the stage with music icons, performed live on Good Morning America, and is succeeding at wowing audiences in his solo show across the nation.

This rising young entertainer has created a live stage show that shares his remarkable story, while breathing new life into timeless hit songs of the last six decades, from the 60s and 70s up to today.    One moment he and his spectacular band will be weaving a song by Adele into a Lionel Richie classic, and the next, marrying Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are” with the iconic “This Magic Moment”.   All the while sharing his incredible Cinderella story that began with a dream of being able to make it as a singer and make people happy.

Now more than ever, people need to feel hope that they can make something of their own lives.  Which is why Chris Ruggiero’s “Livin’ the Dream” delivers a musically uplifting experience that engages and inspires audiences and lives on in their hearts long after he leaves the stage.  If there’s any doubt that what he’s doing is resonating with people everywhere, his Facebook page reached a staggering 63 million people last year. And he’s just getting started. 

Everybody has a dream. Chris Ruggiero is living his.

Tickets: 
Gold Circle $58
Rear Orchestra $53 
Front Loge $48 
Rear Loge / Obstructed / Accessible $43

Discounts:
10% off for senior citizens and WP employees and students. 15% off for groups of ten or more.

Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

03/27/26 08:00 PM - 03/27/26 10:00 PM

The Joni Project formed as a tribute in sound and spirit to Joni Mitchell, one of music’s greatest and most innovative artists. They are quite simply the finest and most musically sophisticated tribute to Joni on the scene today.  

The band is fronted by Long Island's remarkable multi-instrumentalist and singer Katie Pearlman, who impressively plays Joni's songs in their original open guitar tunings, and also includes jazz and jam band mainstays Dave Berg (guitar), Dan Ehrlich (bass), Alan Lerner (drums),Mark Mancini (keyboards), Steve Finklestein (percussion), Premik Russell Tubbs (saxophone and flute), and Victoria Faiella (backing vocals). 

Collectively, they've performed with members of the Grateful Dead, The Band, The Doors, the Neville Brothers, and so many others. Premik Russell Tubbs alone has played with Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston, Sting, James Taylor, Lady Gaga, Herbie Hancock, and more. Together, they bring fresh interpretation to Joni's legendary tunes from their many eras and genres - particularly from the time of her stunning and dynamic collaboration with Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker.  

Prices: 
Gold Circle $48 
Rear Orchestra $43
Front Loge $38
Rear Loge / Obstructed / Accessible $33 

Discounts:
Senior citizens and William Paterson employees and students are eligible for 10% discount. Groups of ten or more get 15% off.

Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

03/29/26 03:00 PM - 03/29/26 05:00 PM

Sponsored by the Woody Shapiro Foundation

The Pizzarelli jazz family has had a long connection to William Paterson: John’s father, the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, was one of the first WP jazz faculty members, taught for many years here, and appeared many times on the Jazz Room series, often accompanied by his equally virtuosic son. John Pizzarelli is equally known as a guitarist and vocalist, dedicating many of his performances to the diverse elements of the Great American Songbook and the recordings of Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Zoot Sims, Tony Bennett, and Paul McCartney, among many others, often with his wife, singer Jessica Molasky. He proudly carries on his father’s humor and Jersey sensibility, as well as his amazing command of the guitar. He performs with his sparkling new trio, including pianist Isaiah J. Thompson and bassist Mike Carn.

Tickets (includes fees):
$53 – Gold Circle
$48 – Rear Orchestra 
$43 – Front Loge
$33 – Rear Loge/ Accessible

WP Student are admitted free with show of I.D.

Discounts:
Senior citizens and William Paterson employees and students are eligible for 10% discount. Groups of ten or more get 15% off.

Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

04/25/26 08:00 PM - 04/25/26 10:00 PM

The Chapin family has a long touring history at the Shea Center starting with the late, great singer-songwriter Harry Chapin who performed here first in 1973 and again in 1981. Years later after his tragic passing, The Chapin family performed a tribute to Harry in 1998. His brother Tom Chapin was a mainstay of our presenter series for many years, and most recently, Harry’s daughter Jen Chapin graced our stage. Now, the Family come together again in celebration of Harry’s music and Shea Center’s 60th anniversary.

In the long rich history of Family Groups in American Roots Music, THE CHAPIN FAMILY has a special place. When these singers, songwriters and extraordinary live performers come together, magic happens. Tom Chapin, Steve Chapin, Jen Chapin, and The Chapin Sisters (Abigail Chapin and Lily Chapin) are all powerful musical artists who have active careers and multiple recordings, who just happen to be related, and who love making music together. Harry Chapin (1942 - 1981) was one of our most passionate, political, prolific and inspiring songwriters. Two generations of the musical Chapin Family will gather to bring the songs of Harry Chapin to life. Backed by The Harry Chapin Band (including Big John Wallace and Howard Fields), the Family will perform Harry’s classic songs, including Cat’s In The Cradle, Taxi, Mr. Tanner, Mail Order Annie, W•O•L•D, and Circle. To honor Harry’s commitment to fighting hunger, we will have a Food Drive in connection with this concert. The audience is encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to a local food bank. Experience iconic performances and timeless hits from Harry Chapin’s Greatest Stories LIVE. Don't miss this unforgettable night of music!

Tickets (including fees):
Gold Circle $68
Rear Orchestra $63 
Front Loge $58
Rear Loge / Obstructed / Accessible $48

Discounts:
Senior citizens and William Paterson employees and students are eligible for 10% discount. Groups of ten or more get 15% off.

Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

05/01/26 08:00 PM - 05/01/26 10:00 PM

Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts

05/03/26 03:00 PM - 05/03/26 05:00 PM

The career of the brilliant saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera began in his native Cuba, where he first earned worldwide recognition as a member of the all-star group Irakere. Since coming to the U.S. in the early 1980s, he has released more than 40 albums, earning numerous Grammy Awards. Equally recognized as a jazz and classical soloist and composer, he was the first artist to win Grammys in both the Latin Music and Best Classical Composition categories. He became an NEA American Jazz Master and was awarded the National Medal of the Arts in 2005, has been awarded several honorary doctorates, and is artistic director of jazz programming of the New Jersey Chamber Music Society. He brings his passion and energy to the Jazz Room stage to collaborate with the William Paterson Latin Jazz Ensemble in this memorable concert.

Tickets:
$25 – Public
$22 - Senior/WP Community
$15 – Non-WP Student
Free for WP Students with show of ID

All prices include fees.

Location: Shea Center for Performing Arts