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OCVTS GPAA Winter 2023 Showcases

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 @ 7:00pm



Grunin Center
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754

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Acting Showcase – November 29, 2023

Junior Acting Showcase (Act One): “A Spooky Storytime: The Nightmare Before Christmas” by Tim Burton. Come out and see the Grunin Performing Arts Academy Junior Actors as they reenact the famous story “The Nightmare Before Christmas” by Tim Burton. Our narrators will guide you through Halloweentown as they follow Jack’s journey to becoming Sandy Claws. You will experience an interactive, musical adventure as our narrators showcase the many familiar characters of the story.

Senior Acting Showcase (Act Two): “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is based on a

children’s novel written by Barbara Robinson. This is a story of six misfit children who volunteer to star in their town’s Sunday school Christmas pageant, and a Mom who has never directed a production before. In this heartwarming tale full of shenanigans, you will see how a town learns the true meaning of Christmas. Join us for this family-friendly show that will prove to be incredibly entertaining!

Vocal Showcase – December 13, 2023

The Junior and Senior Vocalists will be presenting their Winter Vocal Showcase “An Evening of Operetta… and then some!” The performance will include selections from Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance,” as well as some holiday pop favorites. The Grunin Performing Arts Academy Chorale and Vocal Ensemble will open the show with a holiday prelude at 6:30pm.

Dance Showcase – December 18, 2023

The OCVTS Grunin Performing Arts Academy’s Dance Department presents “The Winter

Dance Concert: A Reconstruction of The Nutcracker.”

The Nutcracker, first premiering a week before Christmas by Moscow’s Imperial Theatre in

1892, is a classic Christmas Story, a fairy tale ballet is danced in two acts, centered on the

magical story of Clara and her Nutcracker. The ballet was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with the musical score by Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky, which was adapted from the passage of “The Nutcracker & The Mouse King” written by E.T.A. Hoffman.

Since then, ballet companies all around the world have performed this holiday tradition and from the moment the lights dim, audiences are transported to a wondrous world of magic and wonder. A rousing snowstorm sends a blizzard of ballerinas across the stage, sweeping you to exotic locales in the enchanting Land of Sweets. Please enjoy our reconstructed rendition of The Nutcracker and other holiday selections presented by the Grunin Performing Arts Academy Dance Department’s Dance Ensemble.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company brings the Tony Award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen, to the F. Otto Haas Stage this spring. Featuring a book by Steven Levenson and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the production is directed by Terrence J. Nolen and co-conceived by Jorge Cousineau and Nolen. Performances begin May 21, the show opens May 27, and runs through July 5, 2026.



Paper

Paper Mill Playhouse presents "West Side Story"

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents West Side Story, the final production of Paper Mill's 2025-2026 season, from May 28 through June 28, 2026. An enduring masterpiece based on a conception of Jerome Robbins, West Side Story reimagines Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York, where young lovers Tony and Maria dare to dream of a future together as rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks clash for control of the streets.



MPAC

MPAC Announces Free Summer Concert Lineup for 2026

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center's Arts in the Community free summer concert schedule for 2026 has been announced. MPAC will present six free concerts between June and August. The lineup includes the return of three of their most popular events – Bollywood Dance Party, Country Line Dancing and Salsa at Sunset, as well as singer-songwriters, and more.



Cape

Cape May Stage presents "What the Constitution Means to Me"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck from June 3-28, 2026. Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning constitutional debate competitions across the country. In this electrifying and deeply personal play, she revisits that teenage self to explore how the U.S. Constitution has shaped her life — and how it continues to shape all of ours.



Two

Two River Theater and Deaf West Theatre Announce Taylor Iman Jones to Star in new musical "Elephant Shoes" alongside Daniel Durant and James Olivas

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater and Deaf West Theatre are thrilled to announce Taylor Iman Jones (Six The Musical, Head Over Heels) will star as Roxy in the world premiere co-production of Elephant Shoes, alongside Daniel Durant (Spring Awakening, CODA) and James Olivas (Evita, American Idiot).












LATEST COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Western Shores" by Renee Maskin

In November, Multiple Makin Waves Award-winning Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin will release her latest solo album, "If the World Is Ending." The LP's first single, "Western Shores," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 06/25/2026

There are differences and then there is different and as it may have been written before when Dave Vargo records are reviewed; the differences are few but this time around, something is definitely "Different."




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "I Will Walk You Home” by Wiser Time

Wiser Time, aka Central Jersey singer-songwriter-guitarist Carmen Sclafani, just dropped his latest album, "There’s A Change A-Comin'," on his own Wiser Time Music. The closing focus track, "I Will Walk You Home," is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




This Week in Music

Here is a look at shows taking place this week along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas