New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Presents "A Child’s Christmas in Wales"

originally published: 10/26/2021


(MADISON, NJ) -- After almost two years of darkness, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will light up its Main Stage again for the holidays. The company’s long-awaited return to indoor, in-person performances will kick off with an all-new production of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, based on the classic story by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and adapted for the stage by Jeremy Brooks and Adrian Mitchell. Performances begin December 8 and run through January 2 at the beautiful F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University. 

Based on Thomas’ classic story about his childhood holidays in Wales in the 1920s, this heartwarming piece about a time gone by rejoices in the simple joys of childhood, the spirit of goodness, the comfort of family, and the magic that music and imagination bring to us all. STNJ’s Bonnie J. Monte will be directing the play and plans to embrace the mantra that “necessity is the mother of invention.” She shared, “I will be creating a landscape for this gorgeous piece of theatre that relies for the most part on the artistry of our actors, the power of music, the purity and appeal of the tale, the beauty of the language, the limitless power of our collective imaginations – along with a lot of shredded paper, which trust me when you hit it with light becomes a most magical affair!”

Tickets to this holiday classic start as low as $40. Prices range from $40 - $55. For tickets, call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales was last produced during the STNJ 2016 season, critics and audiences alike praised the production, encouraging those who had not yet seen it to come and "experience the wonder and joy that will become a treasured part of your holiday season" (BroadwayWorld). The production features traditional music from the British Isles and is sure to touch the hearts of all who see it. 

The cast is headed up by Broadway veteran Jeff McCarthy, who will be playing D.J. Thomas, Dylan’s father. McCarthy has also worked extensively in regional theatres across America, playing leading roles at The Guthrie, Long Wharf Theater, Arena Stage, Barrington Stage, ACT San Francisco, Denver Center Theater, and many others. He has also appeared in numerous films and television series.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Dylan Thomas will be played by Isaac Hickox-Young, who has become one of STNJ’s most versatile leading men over the past few years. He has appeared in numerous Shakespeare Theatre productions since his debut with the company in 2018. He was most recently seen in Snug and The Comedy of Errors this past summer at the company’s Outdoor Stage. 

Tina Stafford, having appeared in the 2016 production of the show, returns to reprise her portrayal of Dylan’s mother. Tina’s prodigious list of credits includes the first national tour of the Broadway musical, Once. She has appeared at prestigious theatres across the nation and this show will mark her ninth season with STNJ.

Andy Paterson, another returning company member, and real-life spouse of Ms. Stafford will play the revolutionary uncle Glyn and Dai, the postman. Andy was the original Dylan Thomas for STNJ when it was first performed back in 1999, and has appeared in every STNJ production of the show since.

The full cast of 16 actors will be announced within the next few days.

The Director: Bonnie J. Monte, has just begun her 32nd season as the company’s Artistic Director. Under her leadership for over three decades, the Theatre has evolved into one of the most respected classical theatres in the nation. Since 1990, she has directed over 80 productions for The Shakespeare Theatre. 

The Artistic Team: Robert Long returns as the show’s Musical Director, marking Mr. Long’s third collaboration with The Shakespeare Theatre. He is an accomplished pianist and vocal coach and has performed as an organist at Carnegie Hall, pianist in recital at Weill Recital Hall-Carnegie Hall, on the Noonday Series at Trinity Church in New York, as well as having served as Music Director on shows at STNJ and other theatres. Paul Canada, one of STNJ’s most celebrated costume designers will return as the production’s Costume Designer, and Matthew Weisgable is Lighting Designer. Ms. Monte is designing the set. Julie Foh is Dialect Coach, and Alison Cote is the Production Stage Manager. 

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey offers various cost-saving opportunities, including $15 student rush tickets, which are available 30 minutes prior to each performance, with a valid student ID, and a limited number of Pay What You Can tickets for every performance on a first-come, first-serve basis. To book, please call 973– 845 – 6742. STNJ also has a $30 Under 30 ticket option, which offers $30 tickets for patrons aged 30 and under, with valid ID.  




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Special Performances: 

For the same price as a regular ticket, the Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For A Child’s Christmas in Wales, the Symposia will be held on Tuesday, December 14 at 7:30pm, Saturday, December 18 at 2:00pm, and Saturday, January 1 at 2:00pm.

Special Limited Capacity & Family Matinee Performances: Limited capacity performances will be held on Wednesday, December 15, Tuesday, December 21, Wednesday, December 22 (matinee and evening), Tuesday, December 28, and Wednesday, December 29. All Limited Capacity performances begin at 7:30pm.

The Know the Show pre-show talks are offered free of cost. Prior to the Thursday, December 16th performance at 7:00pm, Ms. Monte will conduct a pre-show talk and Q&A for interested patrons. This program is free with the purchase of a performance ticket. The performance that night follows at 8:00pm.

Audio Description will be available for the show on Thursday, December 16 at 8:00pm. 



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: Where is Everybody?

Wednesday, July 09, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

A

A New Musical, "Rocky Bumps," to Have Staged Reading in Haddonfield

(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- An original musical, Rocky Bumps, will hold a staged reading on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the Haddonfield Theater Arts Center Studio. The musical is a coming-of-age tale steeped in romance, risk, and retro charm. The reading begins at at 2:00pm.



SoHo

SoHo Playhouse presents Finalists for 2025 Lighthouse Series

(NEW YORK, NY) -- SoHo Playhouse is thrilled to announce the six finalists for the 2025 Lighthouse Series, running July 6–20, 2025. The Final Round includes Brody Went Missing by Matt Stephens; How to Build a Gate by Electra Artemis; Golem Owned a Tropical Smoothie by Ethan Crystal and Garrett Poladian; The Ghost of Bob Dylan Shows One of Us Greatness by Annie Stein; Hungry Women by Melissa Maney; and Hot Pussy Time Machine by Alexander J. Daniels.



Classic

Classic American Tales presents "The Specialist" and "The Wizard of Oz" this week

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- This week, Classic American Tales presents two different events in two different Cape May locations: The historic Dormer House B&B and Rea's Farm.



WHATCo

WHATCo presents Free performances of Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

(KEARNY, NJ) -- The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHATCo) is bringing the Bard back to West Hudson this summer! William Shakespeare's The Tempest will be performed in Arlington Depot Park in Kearny on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 7:00pm and in East Newark's new Riverfront Park on Sunday, July 20 at 6:00pm. Both performances are free of charge.



Montclair

Montclair Township Declares 'Montclair Theater Day' Ahead of Vanguard Theater's Inaugural Festival

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Known for its vibrant and lively arts scene, the town of Montclair continues to find new and meaningful ways to celebrate creativity within its community. One of the town's newest initiatives includes the inaugural Montclair Theater Festival, presented by Vanguard Theater and The Essex County Board Of Commissioners. This eagerly anticipated event is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Glenfield Park in Montclair's historic Fourth Ward.