First time visit…read more Limited street parking Clean and quiet Bar is available Seeing a theater Murder Mystery

It is a very nice and modern theater inside the art center. No bad seats in this small space. The…read morestage and sound is excellent. Lobby has a bar and the play I went to see was very well done.

Saw a play called Chicken & Biscuits tonight. This was my first time back since the major…read morerenovation and merger with New Brunswick Performing Arts Center a couple years back. The stage play area itself is now called the Arthur Laurents Theatre. The room is very cozy and intimate. It feels a tad smaller than the old Crossroads theatre but not by much. It was a great show. Lighting and sound quality are top notch and seating is very comfortable. I recommend supporting this company because the production quality has always been high and because it is so important to support the smaller, local theatre scene.

Amazing one man show masterfully performed by the son of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee! Highly…read morerecommend!

Theater was clean and well kept. The theater space itself isn't huge but sound for our kids' show…read morewas just fine, and seats didn't feel crowded nor did the kids seem to have visibility issues in adult chairs even when adults were seated in front of them. Staff were organized and friendly. I had my purse searched upon entry; all bags were looked at. My ticket was purchased through Vivid Seats, and apparently they didn't provide me a legit theater-issued QR so I had to visit the box office. They were friendly and promptly issued me printed tickets. Lobby was a con because it's just small and cramped. This old building probably didn't have to house as much food and merch purchasing back in its day but the multiple concession lines were blocking people from just getting to the theater and accessing their seats. They have tons of low quality junk food for sale. The huge group sitting next to us had chicken fingers, fries, a ketchup smell that wouldn't go away... it was honestly ridiculous the food they allow in people's laps just to turn profits. I was surprised these people were buying full huge meals (that had to cost $40+ each for junk) at 3:30pm to hold it in their laps for a 1.75h kids' show. Whatever. Point is, if you haven't eaten and want to pay $40 for crap that will linger in your body, you will not go hungry here. Clean bathrooms were the right size to allow a packed house to process themselves in the 20min intermission timeframe. This includes the ladies room, which always takes longer, and it was for a kids' show, which adds even more time. I recommend pairing your visit with the Rutgers Zimmerli Art Museum if you have time. They are open until 6pm most nights.

Great night at THE State Theatre! I won tickets for a Ladies Night concert with Raheem DeVaughn and…read moreEric Benét, orchestra level, row P, seats 109/110. Perfect view of the stage, but I don't think it really matters much where you are seated due to the design of the auditorium. The opener was a rising singer/songwriter named Aniyyah, born and raised in New Jersey. Aniyyah's DJ had some technical issues loading her music at the start of her set, but wow, she has a voice on her. She, along with Raheem DeVaughn and Eric made for a fantastic show. They are all extremely talented vocalists, but Raheem DeVaughn without a doubt stole the show with his stage presence. Eric Benét however truly surprised me. His voice is absolutely incredible live. The State Theatre did a major renovation back in 2020 and the interior was previously renovated in 2004. It's as if we have a piece of Broadway right in the middle of New Brunswick, New Jersey. I felt like I stepped right into the 1920s with their vintage design and architecture. The acoustics inside the theatre are phenomenal. I'm not sure if it was my seating, but the sound was so crisp and well balanced. I can understand why any artist would choose this theatre as their preferred venue to perform in. One important note is their designated passageway to the closest parking deck which would otherwise be a long walk in the freezing cold. We were able to use the enclosed heated hallway as a shortcut which leads directly from the garage to the State Theatre located on Livingston Ave. We almost walked right past the entrance to the passageway, so I wanted to make sure I shared it with anyone who has read this far into my review : ) It's been many years since I've come to see a show here, and I had an enjoyable experience. I look forward to checking out any of their other events in the near future.

Did the Centerstage musical and LOVED it! He worked hard and made friends. He learned a lot.read more

September 2024 update. We still love Center Stage and spend most of our week there these days…read more My daughter who I mentioned in an earlier review loved dancing there so much she is now one of their company dancer. My son who had just started tried a few classes on and off and he found his thing as a hip hop dancer. Both kids love center stage and their teachers too! We will probably be part of the center stage family for years to come. I still also highly recommend center stage for all dancers!

Came here for a concert and it has an amazingggggg auditorium .. well litted and big hall. Lots and…read morelots of parking ... sounded good with amazing acoustics .. temple itself is small. I liked the sanctity inside the temple .. peaceful ... liked the temple architecture from outside .

What a great venue for live entertainment. Was there to see the Van Halen Tribute Band on May 9th …read more The band was amazing and the venue is huge and the band was amazing . My only issue is that even tho it is a historic venue I think it could be a little more well preserved. And there is no parking so that was a bummer .

Stunning historic venue! Always something exciting happening at Brook, either a musical, an…read moreorchestra performance, or a traditional concert, there are events here for everyone of all ages! It is a very well kept, clean, and comfortable theater. They always have a great variety of snacks and drinks during performances which is great. The staff always has the theater decorated for the holidays, special occasions, and just in general. Definitely worth stopping by for an upcoming event!

I took my 4 year old son here for 3 Bollywood dance classes in total. When my wife called up the…read moreplace initially, we were told that we could bring him for a trial class. This is the first time my son is taking any classes, so we weren't sure. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place given the following facts: - The 2 instructors (who take turn) are very strict and cold to the kids. I think younger kids need more attention and need to be encouraged rather than be spoken harshly. My elder 9 year old daughter has been going to an American Tap school for the last 6 years and I have seen the difference. - The place is unkempt. The three Saturday mornings I went, I found the carpet in the lobby to host all kind of trash and never vacuumed. Maybe the place operates on a lean staff and they do not have this covered. But not a good impression to give newcomers especially. - We had a tiff with the center on the fees. We were charged for the trial class even though we weren't told initially that this class would be charged (In my opinion a trial class is normally free unless stated specifically). Upon pointing this out, we were reimbursed the money in again a very cold hostile way. Hope the center realizes its mistakes in dealing with newcomers and takes this review in a positive constructive manner.

A great place for Adults and kids of all ages . they have the best choreographers and their…read moretraining program and dance teachers are very friendly , dedicated and can make anyone dance . Everyone is so dedicated which is the key differentiator and wins awards . been here for last 2-3 years and always look forward to be a part every year and have fun while we dance. Jeanie is THE BEST and once you are a part here you will not go anywhere else. They can make anyone dance .