First time visiting the Avenel Performing Arts Center and found it easy to locate off Rt.1 with plenty of free parking. The building itself is on the site of the old General Dynatics factory and pays tribute to it's history with a very industrial appearance and feel. Seating approximately 200 patrons, the acoustics were fine for Sunday's John Jorgenson/ Herb Pederson bluegrass event. Comfortable seats and a friendly staff of volunteers made for a pleasant afternoon. Start time at 3pm was nice. Highly recommended and hope to return. 1 read more

See all

QR Code for playbill https://www.canva.com/design/DAGVnMAuS6Y/zMHt-7Uy0hyHPUgajP1QAQ/view?utm_content=DAGVnMAuS6Y&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor#4 Support local theatre! The show was wildly interactive and funny! Cast stayed in character throughout the intermission. I felt like I was part of the show. read more

See all

The staff were very polite and helpful. We went and had a drink at the bar and the bartender was nice. Of course my girl my hipster sister Kelly was funny kept us laughing the whole night. I follow her and it's not my first or last time seeing her. Love her read more

My teen son and I went to see a 2 part Japanese cultural-themed show at the Avenel Performing Arts Center. The first part consisted several Japanese folk dances with fans and parasols as props. The second part was a Japanese opera-pre Kabuki-style called, "Murasaki's Moon" about Lady Murasaki who lived in 11th Century Japan. She was an atypical woman for her time in that she wasn't focussed on makeup, hairdos and fancy clothing like other women at the Japanese Royal Court. Rather, she could read and write and is said to have written a novel on the romantic life of Prince Genji, a narcissistic Japanese "Casanova" or "Don Juan" at the Japanese Royal Court. As it turns out, the opera is a romance of sorts between Lady Murasaki and the fictitious character, Prince Genji, that she created through her writing of stories about his romances to entertain other ladies at the Japanese Royal Court. Thanks for this interesting cultural experience! read more

Sunday, June 5, 2022, I attended an Avenel Performing Arts Center show for the first time, seeing one of my favorite musicians, Graham Parker. While Graham Parker was in top form, this review concerns the Avenel P.A.C. itself, which earned high marks. As its parking lot is small, Avenel P.A.C. provides free valet parking. Please take care of the attendants; whatever you tip, compare that to what many establishments charge you just to park your car yourself. If you can catch a New Jersey Transit Coastline train, the Avenel train station sits at the P.A.C. door. The Avenel P.A.C. staff proved friendly and eager to help. While the P.A.C. conducted head-temperature checks in case of COVID-19, they did not subject guests to purse searches, let alone the degrading pat-downs that have caused me to add a number of concert and sports venues to my Will Not Return list. The Avenel P.A.C. auditorium is clean and comfortable. A intimately small setting, even the back row provides a good view of the stage. I don't know if Graham Parker or the Avenel P.A.C. decided this, but a tip of the hat to the 3:00 start time. I wish more weekend shows were held in the afternoon. After the concert, the Avenel P.A.C. offered a meet-and-greet with Graham Parker, at no extra fee. Compare that to the mark-up you pay to meet the artist at other concert halls. I look forward to returning to the Avenel Performing Arts Center. read more

Avenel Performing Arts Center - Graham Parker in concert at the Avenel Performing Arts Center, June 5, 2022. - Performing Arts Near Me - Avenel, New Jersey

This was our first time seeing a show here. We saw Bobby Collins. Since my husband is handicapped, we had front row seats. Acoustics were not great from where we were sitting on the left. But it was comfortable and the staff was efficient. Valet parking is available in parking lot. Restaurant Curtains is attached to theatre. They were not organized and it was a very stressful meal. I would probably eat after show to avoid stress of being on time for show. read more

Avenel Performing Arts Center - Screen on stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Avenel, New Jersey

Very nice, location is convenient, has a restaurant, free valet parking, great shows, and awesome prices. We went to see My Gay Italian Wedding. This show was spectacular!! Laughed so hard from the beginning to the end. We had such a great time. read more

A wonderful new live performance venue in the heart of Avenel, NJ! The staff is so nice and the performers the Artistic Director has brought in from all over the country are spectacular! There's everything from comedy to Broadway stars to plays to rock bands...they have it all! AND! They have a restaurant and bar with live entertainment nightly! What a treat for Woodbridge Township! read more

FANTASTIC! Great venue to see a show! Easy to find and they have a nice variety of shows lined up. Not a bad seat in the house. The place a fairly new (opening in August 2018). Parking was close and they offer FREE valet parking. Restaurant & Bar onsite - didn't try the food - but the drinks were well made and average price for Specialty drinks ($9-$11) Only Downside - They could use a larger (or another) Ladies room - had 15 minute intermission and spent 1- minutes in line waiting to use bathroom. Looking forward to next visit. read more

Small venue recently built. Every seat has a good view and very good acoustics. Staff is exceptionally friendly from when you park your car to the bartender to the ticket staff to the woman who shows you to your seat. Seats are comfortable and wide enough but there was a bar on the floor that restricted leg room which is not good for me for extended periods. That plus the cold air blasting through on what was a cool night were the only negatives. read more

We came opening week and saw Dixie's Tupperware Party. Thoroughly enjoyed the show and the theatre is very nice. Restaurant wasn't open yet but we hope to check it out next time we see a show! read more

What good is a venue if they only offer one brand of entertainment? This venue has yet to book anything we'd go to see, we would love to support the place but please get something other than schlock. So far the only show we might have gone to see was Freda Payne but only doing tribute bands and such isn't something we'd spend $40 to see. I keep looking at the events but so far nothing there for us. Drove by and it looks like a nice building but I'd rather see good music in a dive bar given the choice. read more

I went with my wife for the first time and it was fantastic! The drinks at the bar were excellent and the food was delicious. The show was so on point! We will be returning!! read more

What a find.The place is beautiful and very intimate-when you go to a show you feel like you are at a private event.The shows are professional coming from off broadway, and Vegas -a great restaurant and bar- Make sure you go to a show and you will be very impressed read more

New and exciting. Just what Woodbridge needed. Fun and exciting shows upcoming and a brand new building. Also a restaurant attached to the building is a plus. read more

I was served by Joe D. at the bar. He was attentive to our group, friendly and gave a good first impression for the restaurant that just opened at the Performing Arts center. read more

My family and I decided to by tickets to the Charles Peachock "juggling show" he is absolutely amazing! The show was funny, interactive & full of energy. The new Avenel performing arts center is a true hidden gem, I'm so glad we went and we are already looking to purchase tickets to future shows. They have such a great lineup of shows to come for reasonable priced tickets. I will spread the word to my family and friends! read more