See who made the Academy's short list for actress and actor in a leading role. USA TODAY
What do David Duchovny, Kiefer Sutherland, Keanu Reeves, Russell Crowe, Bruce Willis and Kevin Bacon all have in common?
They're all accomplished actors who, at one time or another, traded in the worlds of television and movies for the concert stage and rocked out for crowds here in New Jersey.
FESTIVAL SCENE: Grateful Dead, Doors documentaries playing Asbury Park
And yes, dear reader, while audiences may not have heard from Crowe's 30 Odd Foot of Grunts or Reeves' Dogstar in quite some time, the tradition of the singing actor is alive and well here in New Jersey.
If you need proof, here is a look at five thespians, each with a song in their hearts, who will be performing in New Jersey soon:
Bill Murray and 'New Worlds' in Princeton
Bill Murray — yes, "Saturday Night Live," "Ghostbusters" and "Groundhog Day" star Bill Murray — is coming to the Matthews Theater at Princeton's McCarter Theater Center 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5.
Murray will be singing and narrating, joined by cellist Jan Vogler, violinist Mira Wang and pianist Vanessa Perez.
The music of George Gershwin, Stephen Foster and Leonard Bernstein, along with the words of Ernest Hemingway, Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, are all expected to be part of the evening.
Tickets for "New Worlds: Bill Murray, Jan Vogler and Friends" at the McCarter Theater Center's Matthews Theater, 91 University Place, $100 to $150, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26. Order by calling 609-258-2787 or visiting www.mccarter.org.
Gaten Matarazzo and Work in Progress in Sayreville
Gaten Matarazzo, the Little Egg Harbor teen who stars on the Netflix hit "Stranger Things," rocks Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville, with his band Work in Progress 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3.
Work in Progress also features Gaten's sister Sabrina and brother Carmen.
In December, the band played two packed shows at the historic Stone Pony in Asbury Park, delivering crowd-pleasing renditions of Pearl Jam's "Porch," Foo Fighters' "Everlong" and Fall Out Boy's "Dance, Dance."
Work in Progress will be joined at Starland Ballroom by The Flukes, Sonic Blume and The Ones You Forgot.
Tickets are $20 to $50 for the show. For more information, call 732-238-5500 or visit www.starlandballroom.com.
Scott Reeves and Jacob Young in Point Pleasant Beach
A pair of soap opera stars will be singing at the Shore this spring.
Scott Reeves, the former "Young and the Restless," "General Hospital" and "Nashville" star who used to perform as part of Blue Country, will be joined by Jacob Young of "The Bold and the Beautiful" at Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club, 518 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, 1 p.m. Sunday, April 15.
OSCARS: Academy Awards respond to Hollywood's year of disruption
Reeves and Young will play music, take part in a question-and-answer session and host a photo and autograph opportunity with fans.
Doors open at 11 a.m., the event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. and no video taping or recording will be permitted. Tickets are $69.47, plus a $10 food minimum per ticket.
For more information, call 732-899-3900 or visit www.unclevinniescomedyclub.com.
Jason Alexander in Newark and New Brunswick
This spring, Jason Alexander returns to his roots — both artistically and geographically speaking — with "Jason Alexander: The Broadway Boy," a collaborative performance with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under the conduction of Bob Bernhardt.
You see, years prior to his work on classic sitcom "Seinfeld" earning him eight Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations, Newark native Alexander was a Tony-winning musical theater star.
LONG GOODBYE: Elton John announces farewell tour
"The Broadway Boy" is a concert and comedy performance charting Alexander's career on the Great White Way.
Alexander and the NJSO bring "The Broadway Boy" to Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14, $20 to $95.
"The Broadway Boy" then travels to the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15.
Tickets for both performances are $20 to $95. For tickets and more information, visit www.njsymphony.org.