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OCVTS GPAA Winter 2023 Showcases

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 @ 7:00pm



Grunin Center
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754

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

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



PBS'

PBS' Independent Lens Launches 20th Season of Free Pop-Up Screening Series in Teaneck and Nationwide

(TEANECK, NJ) -- The award-winning PBS documentary series, INDEPENDENT LENS, presents the launch of the upcoming season of Indie Lens Pop-Up in partnership with the Teaneck International Film Festival and the Puffin Cultural Forum. The season kicks-off on February 4, 2026 with The Librarians and continues through May. The series is free for all but sign up is required.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the series are $20-$30.



Morven

Morven Museum & Garden's Grand Homes & Gardens returns with a new series for America's 250th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Morven Museum & Garden's popular speaker series Grand Homes & Gardens returns for 2026. Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Freedom at Home: Telling the Full Story of America's Founding Homes and Gardens examines four estates belonging to five signers of the Declaration: William Paca, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, Thomas Jefferson, and Arthur Middleton.



Faith

Faith and Frosting Collide in "The Cake" at Bergen County Players

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Enjoy a touching and topical dramedy as love clashes with conscience in Bergen County Players' (BCP) production of The Cake. The play, written by Bekah Brunstetter, producer/writer for the hit TV series This Is Us, is directed by Carol Fisher of Teaneck. It opens March 14 and runs through April 11, 2026 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell.












LATEST COLUMNS


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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