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Announcing the 2025/2026 PEAK Performances Season!

Become a member for discounted performance tickets!

By Jessica Kline, Publisher + Editor Macaroni Kid Clifton-Montclair September 11, 2025


PEAK Performances at Montclair State University is thrilled to unveil its 2025–2026 season, packed with unforgettable experiences for all ages. From Moana: Live-to- Film-Concert in the amphitheater, complete with pre-show festivities like food trucks and balloon animals, to the beloved musical Rent in Concert, bringing its iconic songs to life, this season promises a diverse lineup of performances that entertain, inspire, and celebrate the magic of live arts.

FALL PERFORMANCES AT PEAK

Khaṅkhaṇā: THE SOUND OF DANCING FEET
The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, founded in 1990 by Protima Gauri, is one of India’s premier Odissi dance companies, renowned for its exquisite artistry and deep dedication to the classical tradition. Located in a serene village near Bangalore, Nrityagram is more than a dance company; it is a living community where the sacred art of Odissi is practiced through the immersive Gurukula system, blending movement, meditation, and music. Under the artistic direction of Surupa Sen, a founding student, the Ensemble has become a global force, praised for its performances that transcend time and space, embodying devotion, beauty, and spiritual depth. With each performance, Nrityagram bridges ancient wisdom and modern expression, offering audiences a profound experience of classical Indian dance.

Run Time: 2 hours (including 20-minute intermission)




MOANA: LIVE-TO-FILM CONCERT
Date & Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Location: Amphitheater

Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide present Disney’s Moana Live-To-Film Concert North American tour, featuring a full-length screening of the beloved movie accompanied by live performances of a unique on-stage musical ensemble of top Hollywood studio musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters, and vocalists. This special event celebrates the music and songs from this award-winning Walt Disney Animation Studios classic.

Run Time: Approximately 2 hours (including intermission)
Recommended Audience: All ages



NEFESH MOUNTAIN LIVE — An Evening of Soulful Americana
Date & Time: October 16, 2025 I 6:30 PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater
Treat yourselves to a night out with New York’s boundary-pushing Progressive Americana band, Nefesh Mountain. With their masterful blend of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and roots, soaring harmonies, and virtuosic instrumentals, this performance is the perfect soundtrack for a romantic evening or a night out with friends who love great music.

Since forming nearly a decade ago, Nefesh Mountain has been proud and vocal about their Jewish American heritage, becoming one of the first prominent Americana/bluegrass bands to weave Jewish tradition and soul into the rich, diverse tapestry of American roots music.

WINTER PERFORMANCES AT PEAK

MAGNIFICENT BIRD/ BOOK OF TRAVELERS
Date & Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater

In Book of Travelers, Gabriel Kahane journeys across the United States, weaving together stories of the people he meets into a poignant musical meditation on American identity and human connection. Blending folk, classical, and pop influences, the work offers a deeply personal reflection on a nation in flux.

Run Time: 70 minutes (no intermission)




CAMILLE A. BROWN & DANCERS’ I AM 
Date & Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater

Five-time Tony-nominated choreographer and director Camille A. Brown deepens her explorations of Black joy in Camille A. Brown & Dancers’ I AM. With captivating live and original music, I AM launches new queries into the possibilities of imagination—and boldly investigates the future. Inspired by a narrative within HBO’s Lovecraft Country and the rhythms of the movie Drumline, Brown’s 2025 New York Times Critics’ Pick breaks boundaries and “takes her signature interweaving of African diasporic dance forms to new heights.” — The New York Times

Run Time: 60 minutes




RENT in Concert
Date & Time: Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Location: Alexander Kasser Theater

Experience the iconic music of RENT like never before. In this sweeping symphonic concert produced by AMP Worldwide, a powerhouse ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists brings Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking rock musical to life in a sweeping symphonic concert.

Set in New York City’s East Village at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, RENT follows a group of young artists as they chase their dreams, navigate heartbreak, and fight to live—and love—fully in the moment. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT remains a cultural touchstone with music that resonates across generations.

Run Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes (includes 20-minute intermission)






Support Peak Performances with a Membership!

Family-Friendly Memberships
Enjoy even more cultural adventures this season with our new lower-priced memberships—including complimentary tickets to a select performance.

Family 4-Pack Special
Save $20 when you buy 4 tickets! It’s the perfect way to bring parents, kids, grandparents, and friends together for an unforgettable evening of music, magic, and adventure.

Even More to Share as a Member
With PEAK’s new lower-priced memberships, you’ll unlock family-friendly perks—including complimentary tickets to select performances—so you can make even more memories this season.

Reserve your seats & join today at peakperfs.org