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This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place December 19-25, 2023

originally published: 12/19/2023


 

Here are previews of plays taking place from December 19-25, 2023 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. Click on the title to go to the full preview. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Jump to Featured EventsEvent PreviewsEvent ListingsComing Soon.

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FEATURED EVENTS

McCarter Theatre presents "A Christmas Carol" starring Joel McKinnon Miller  (PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre presents A Christmas Carol, starring veteran stage and screen actor Joel McKinnon Miller (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Love) as Scrooge. For more than four decades, McCarter has welcomed more than a million audience members from across Central New Jersey and beyond to experience Charles Dickens' timeless classic. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on a fantastical journey through Christmases past, present, and future with this family friendly production that runs December 6-24, 2023 in the Matthews Theatre.




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Have "A Tuna Christmas" With Cape May Stage  "A Tuna Christmas" is a humorous play set in the fictional town of Tuna, the third smallest town in Texas. The play is a sequel to "Greater Tuna" written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears, and Jaston Williams. It debuted in 1989 and has become a popular comedic fixture in American theater, especially around the holiday season.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Mile Square Theatre presents "The Christmas Tree Farm"  (HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre presents the World Premiere of The Christmas Tree Farm by Adam Szymkowicz from November 30 through December 23, 2023. This is a heartwarming, bittersweet comedy about love and joy. Get a glimpse of your neighbors in a collection of delicious, bite-sized scenes including a breakup, a breakdown, a meet cute, four Santas, high school sweethearts, a film director and a group of carolers - all taking place at a Christmas Tree Farm! The production is directed by Rachel Dart.

First Avenue Playhouse presents "A Christmas Chaos"  (ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- First Avenue Playhouse presents A Christmas Chaos by Michael Wehrli in December. When the Royal Shakespeare Company doesn’t show up to perform their  stirring rendition of a Christmas Carol it’s up to this intrepid band of hapless actors and technicians to put together their own production in less than seven hours.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "A Midwinter Night's Dream"  (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will conclude their 61st season with a slightly altered version of Shakespeare's most popular comedy A Midwinter Night's Dream. "Re-seasoned" by Bonnie J. Monte and Joseph Discher, with direction by Brian B. Crowe, this production is rife with magical winter wonderment and fun for the whole family. This holiday season do not miss being transported into the dazzling and frosty world of Shakespeare's hilarious romantic comedy that is sure to warm the coldest hearts. This production will run December 6-31, 2023.

'Twas the Night Before...' by Cirque Du Soleil comes to Chicago and NY  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) announced that the acclaimed family holiday theatrical – 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil – is returning to both The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre this holiday season. The holiday themed show will run concurrently at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre for 28 performances each from December 7 through December 28.

Dover Little Theatre Presents "Kinky Boots"  (DOVER, NJ) -- Dover Little Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning hit, Kinky Boots, weekends from December 8-30, 2023. This high-energy and heartwarming show is set to captivate audiences with its dazzling performances, fun music, and powerful messages of acceptance and self-discovery. The production is directed by Ruthanne and Larry Pelham.




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EVENT LISTINGS

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

Thursday, December 21, 2023 @ 7:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

Saturday, December 23, 2023 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

Saturday, December 23, 2023 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

Sunday, December 24, 2023 @ 12:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

Sunday, December 24, 2023 @ 4:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540

COMING SOON

The Ma'ayanot H.S. Drama Society & Black Box Studios presents Roald Dahl's "Matilda, the Musical"  (TEANECK, NJ) -- The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, presents Roald Dahl's Matilda, The Musical live on stage in the new Ma'ayanot Performing Arts Center (1650 Palisade Avenue) in Teaneck. Performances take place Tuesday, December 26 and Thursday, December 28 at 7:30pm each night.

State Theatre New Jersey presents "Come From Away"  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the Broadway musical, Come From Away from January 5-7, 2024. This musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. On September 11, 2001, the world stopped. On September 12, their stories moved us all.




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Theatre 68 presents "I'm Not a Comedian... I'm Lenny Bruce" at NBPAC  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Theatre 68 presents I'm Not a Comedian... I'm Lenny Bruce at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) January 11-13, 2024 with performances each night at 8:00pm. Written by and Starring critically acclaimed actor Ronnie Marmo, with the blessings of Kitty Bruce (daughter of the late Lenny Bruce), along with the Lenny Bruce Foundation. The production is directed by Tony Award-winning stage and television star, Joe Mantegna.

Haddonfield Plays & Players to Presents Monty Python's "Spamalot"  (HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Haddonfield Plays & Players will present Monty Python's Spamalot weekends from Friday, January 19 to Saturday, February 3, 2024. Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur's quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. With a mashup of several Monty Python bits, this show will not only delight the Monty Python enthusiast, but any fan of musical comedies.

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "DEATHtrap"  (MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre presents DEATHtrap, a murder mystery by Ira Levin, from January 19-28, 2024. Sidney Bruhl would do anything to publish the next great play. He would even kill for it. This dark comedy, thriller will have audiences laughing one moment and screaming in terror the next as Sidney discovers he may not be the only murderer in the room.

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents "All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg"  (RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents All Things Equal – The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Rupert Holmes on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7:00pm. Over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, the play presents an intimate portrayal of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a true American original.


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Speranza

Speranza Theatre Company presents "Princess Pals"

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company, joined by students from Speranza Studio's Summer Acting Intensive, presents its summer stage production, Princess Pals, from July 11-19, 2025 outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City History at The Apple Tree House. Written and directed by Nick Radu-Blackburn. Happily Ever was just the beginning... turns out "after" isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Bored after their fairy tale endings, princess-frenemies embark on a mischievous adventure. Can they put their differences aside to save their kingdoms, all while dealing with an unexpected twist?



"RIFT"

"RIFT" Returns To Luna For Two Nights Only Before International Debut At Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage's commissioned World Premiere play RIFT is headed to the Edinburgh Fringe for a four-week run at Traverse Theatre this August. On July 18-19, 2025 at 8:00pm each night, the powerful and timely new play returns to Luna for two benefit performances to support the company's travel to Scotland.



PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Pleasant Valley Productions

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions (PVP) is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC). The production runs July 11-12 and July 17-19, 2025. This groundbreaking musical, which revolutionized the world of theatre, tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



Centenary

Centenary Stage presents Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Featuring a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, this play combines tropical vibes and feel-good humor with a collection of the singer-songwriter’s most beloved hits.



The

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

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present the unstoppably joyous musical, Hairspray, over two weekends, July 11–20, 2025. Directed by Victoria Keiser, with musical direction by Lauryn Boyle and choreography by Samantha Amaral, the award-winning Broadway musical promises a fun-filled evening of laughter, energy and unforgettable dance numbers.



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The

The Mallard

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

The

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

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre