The Gold Rush Comes to Life at Brook Arts Center
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra performs Charlie Chaplin's classic silent film with live orchestral accompaniment on May 3rd
Staff · April 4, 2026
On Sunday, May 3rd, the Brook Arts Center hosts a rare and special event: the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (PRO) performs Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush (1925) with orchestral score played live, conducted by PRO founder Rick Benjamin.
The show begins at 3:00 PM, with a Theatre Organ pre-show at 2:30 PM.
About the Film
The Gold Rush is one of the most celebrated comedies in film history — and Chaplin's own favorite among his works. His iconic Little Tramp character ventures to the Klondike during the gold rush, braving blizzards and starvation in scenes that include two of the most famous comic sequences ever put on film: the bread roll dance and the cabin teetering on the edge of a cliff.
About the Orchestra
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra is the world's only year-round professional ensemble dedicated to performing "America's Original Music" — the syncopated sounds of early musical theatre, silent cinema, and vintage dance. Founded by conductor Rick Benjamin, PRO has performed at Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian, and more.
The orchestra is making national news right now: PRO and Rick Benjamin appear on PBS Great Performances in "Now Hear This: Everyone Loves Joplin," which aired April 17, 2026 — just two weeks before the show.
Tickets
- Adults: $25
- Seniors/Students: $20
- Groups of 10 or more: use code GROUP10 for 10% off
The Brook Arts Center is located at 10 Hamilton Street, Bound Brook. Free parking is available nearby in the train station commuter lot.