(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage: The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey,  is thrilled to kick-off 2024 with Carmela Full of Wishes weekends from February 2-18, 2024. Adapted by Alvaro Saar Rios from the book by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Christian Robinson, this production is directed by Danny Campos, veteran TGS performer and teaching artist. The play invites us to Carmela’s 7th birthday, and she’s finally old enough to accompany her big brother on his errands.

On their way to the laundromat, past fields of what her Mamí calls “flores de cempazuchitl”, Carmela finds a puffy white dandelion to blow, but her brother asks “Did you even make a wish?” Full of touching and funny fantasies, Carmela must decide what her deepest wish is and she must do it before her birthday is over.

Carmela Full of Wishes  features a company of 4 artists: Irley Vallejo (TGS Debut) of Newark, NJ as Carmela; Tyler Miranda (Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus, The Lightning Thief) of Highland Falls, NY as Big Brother; Lisa Burgos (The Hardy Boys) of Elizabeth, NJ as Mami/Ensemble and Danny Campos (Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus) of Kearny, NJ as Papi/Ensemble.

Performances take place in the Historic Palace Theatre located on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey from February 2-18 with performances on Saturdays at 4:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm and a special opening night performance on Friday, February 2nd at 7:00pm.  Opening Night features a performance from The Lakeland Youth Symphony, latin themed treats from Rose’s Diner in Netcong and much more.

Single tickets and season subscriptions are currently on sale. All subscriptions offer a 20% discount off of regular ticket prices plus benefits including: choice of shows and performances, reserved seating, 10% off additional tickets, unlimited ticket exchanges and no individual ticket fees charged on packages.  Please visit their website at www.growingstage.com or call our Box Office at (973) 347-4946 to purchase tickets and subscriptions. Group Rates are available for all of their productions.

The Growing Stage-The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey is a non-profit professional performing arts center dedicated to theatre for young audiences. Through their programming they provide opportunities for all to learn and grow through participation in the arts.