New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

East Lynne Theater Company hosts "Lennie's Christmas Extravaganza"

originally published: 11/21/2023


(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Get in the holiday spirit with New York City piano bar favorite Lennie McKenzie, as he brings  his “Christmas Cabaret” show back to East Lynne Theater Company for three nights - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 7-9, 2023.

McKenzie, a singer and actor who created the one-man show “Over the Rainbow,” a tribute to composer Harold Arlen, will spread holiday cheer by combining his one-of-a-kind humor with a variety of popular holiday songs that are sure to warm the cockles of your heart.

McKenzie has performed up and down West 46th Street in Midtown Manhattan at many of the city’s famous piano bars that line the street, most notably Don’t Tell Mama, and has been delighting audiences throughout the years with his talent and charm. However, he also has deep ties to Cape May County, having spent his childhood summers in West Cape May in a property still owned by his family today.

“It is very much a second home to me and always will be,” says McKenzie not explicitly of the physical house, but of Cape May in general. “As I’ve grown older, I have truly come to appreciate it more than ever.”

While it’s difficult to make this time of year any more wonderful, McKenzie and his holiday-themed repertoire do just that. Look for classics such as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Wonderful! Wonderful!” made popular by Johnny Mathis, and “Do You Hear What I Hear,” as well as a few surprises. There will also be a singalong during this festive performance for the whole audience to enjoy.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Accompanying McKenzie on piano will be Alex Bechtel, a New York-based composer, actor, and writer. Bechtel recently wrote a musical called “Penelope” which had its world premiere at Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and will be produced next year at Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia.

McKenzie, who has performed at East Lynne Theater before, is excited to return to perform in Cape May at his favorite time of year. He says audiences can expect to have a good time, participate in the singalong and have a laugh or two. Theatergoers will also hear some of McKenzie’s personal stories and anecdotes, told in his customary jovial style.

“When have thespians not wanted to talk about themselves?”, he jokes.

Showtimes are 7:00pm Wednesday to Friday, December 7-9. Tickets are $25; students and military are $20. East Lynne is in residence at Cape May Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. During the December 9 performance, a drawing will take place for East Lynne’s year-long raffle. The winner does not have to be present. More information and ticket reservations can be found at EastLynneTheater.org

Founded in 1980, East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) was the first theater in the country with the unique mission of presenting and preserving America's theatrical heritage. The New York Times listed ELTC as one of the 75 top summer theaters in North America. In 2018, the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly passed a joint legislative resolution recognizing ELTC as “one of the state’s most important cultural treasures.”




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

An

An Interview with Tim Palmieri of Lotus

Lotus was founded between 1998-1999 at Goshen College in Goshen, IN. Now based out of Dever, Colorado and Philadelphia, PA primarily, Lotus continues to bloom as a premiere jamtronica band for over the past 25 years. In 2021, founding member and longtime guitarist, Micheal Rempel left Lotus ushering in new guitarist, Tim Palmieri.



Bergen

Bergen County presents 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the County Parks Department are excited to announce the full schedule for Bergen County's 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular on July 4, 2025 in Overpeck County Park. Musical groups Super Trans Am, Glenn Roberts Country Band, and Tempo Alegre will take the stage ahead of a performance from the New Jersey Wind Symphony.



Celebrate

Celebrate America! 'Music of the Revolution' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

(BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The momentous decision by our founding fathers to emerge from colonization and establish a new nation will soon mark its 250th anniversary. In honor of this historic milestone, join us for Anne and Ridley Enslow's "Music of the American Revolution" at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Graham Nash

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Graham Nash, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, will perform at Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Nash will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars and vocals) and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career. Showtime is 7:30pm.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90's Part 2

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- After a totally fly 2024 summer tour packed full of 90s boy band, pop, and R&B hits, RIAA-certified Gold a cappella group Straight No Chaser is back by popular demand with "Straight No Chaser Summer: 90s Part 2." The tour comes to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Thursday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00pm.



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.


Curtis

Curtis Salgado

Wednesday, July 02, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

John

John Lee & Friends

Thursday, July 03, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Blues

Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music