Lauper Rocks the House at NJ PAC

Cindi Lauper loves to make music and her fans at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark enjoyed every minute of her concert on Sunday night. Her entrance brought the audience to their feet and they remained there, rocking to her tunes. Lauper said that her "She's So Unusual" tour is a "gift to her fans." In the past, she has been reluctant to do what she called the "80's thing." Yet, most recently, Lauper's career has come full circle with her Tony-Award winning score for Broadway's Kinky Boots. She included the show's song, "Sex is in the Heel" in her repertoire and graciously acknowledged members of the Kinky Boots cast who attended the NJ PAC concert.

The "She's So Unusual Tour" commemorates the 30th Anniversary of Cindi Lauper's debut album of the same name; the album that had four Top-5 hits on Billboard 100. Lauper performed the album in its entirety to thank her many fans that stood by her since the beginning. Lauper's energy is contagious and the NJ PAC audience enthusiastically sang along to their favorites, "Time After Time," "She Bop," "All Through the Night," and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." With an outstanding back-up band, the night was topped off by her encores which included an acapella version of "Hat Full of Stars" and a heartfelt rendition of "True Colors." If hearing the music wasn't enough of a treat for the audience, Lauper also related some inner moments of her life, travels, and career with humor and style.

Cindi Lauper's performance at NJ PAC on Sunday included the incredibly talented special guests, Singer, Songwriter Garland Jeffreys and Hunter Valentine, the all-girl Alternative Rock Band from Toronto, Canada.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center will continue their summer schedule with an eclectic line-up of shows and star-studded performances. They include the free "Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City" series at their Theater Square on Thursday nights. Upcoming music events this summer include Mary Mary/BeBe Winans, Barry Manilow, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Diana Ross, and Gladys Knight and The O'Jays. Tickets for all performances may be purchased by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722), in person at the NJPAC box office located at One Center Street in downtown Newark, or online at www.njpac.org.

Photo Credit: Gavin Bond