(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Young Performers Workshop class of Fall 2023 will present their productions of Gifts of the Magi and Really Rosie from December 15th – 17th in the Little Theatre at 400 Jefferson Street in Hackettstown.

Gifts of the Magi features music & lyrics by Randy Courts, and lyrics by Mark St. Germain. It is Christmas in New York, but for two young lovers, Jim and Della, the prospects are bleak, as both are out of work and penniless. But as those familiar with the famous O. Henry story know, their dilemma is solved when both part with their most precious possessions in order to buy gifts for each other thereby creating, at least for a magical moment, an aura of warmth and giving in the cold, impersonal winter city.

Really Rosie with book and lyrics by Maurice Sendak & music by Carole King, tells the story of Rosie, the sassiest kid on her block of Brooklyn’s Avenue P, entertains herself and her friends by acting out her showbiz fantasies.

Performances of Gifts of the Magi take place Friday, December 15 at 8:00pm; Saturday, December 16 at 2:00pm; and Sunday, December 17 at 7:00pm. Performances of Really Rosie take place Saturday December 16 at 8:00pm and Sunday December 17 at 2:00pm. Tickets for any performance are $12.50 for adults and $10.00 for children and students. Tickets are available for purchase online, by calling 908-979-0900, or in person at the box office. Ticket sales for day-of performance tickets will be at the box office at the Little Theatre.

The Young Performer’s Workshop is a 15-week theatre training program for performers ages 8-18. This is a hands-on program designed to meet the needs of beginning, intermediate, and advanced performers interested in working in theatre. Throughout the session, students have the opportunity to learn about multiple facets of theatre arts from acting, singing and dancing, to stage management, props, and costuming. Each session concludes with a weekend Festival of Shows. New applicants must complete an interview with the director of the program, Michael Blevins, before registering. The price for the first student is $425.00, a second student is $395.00, and a third student is $300.00. 

Centenary Stage Company’s Young Performers Workshop is directed by Broadway, movie, and television alumnus Michael Blevins. Some of Blevins’ previous credits include director and choreographer of the National Tours of Babes in Toyland, Aladdin, and Tom Sawyer, and most recently he directed and choreographed the NYC revival of Seesaw. Blevins also directed and choreographed his original musical Count to Ten at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He has worked with many Tony and Academy Award winning directors and choreographers including Sir Richard Attenborough, Woody Allen, and Bob Fosse. Michael Blevins has performed with many professionals including Michael Douglas, Victor Garber, Brooke Shields, Beth Leavel, and Robert Downey Jr. He has appeared in several Broadway productions including Bring Back Birdie, Neil Simon’s Little Me, and Tony winning Tap Dance Kid in which he created the role “Winslow”. He is most widely known for his portrayal of Mark in the movie A Chorus Line. Most recently, Blevins joined artists around the world to celebrate one of America’s greatest art forms and performed selections from Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ at City Center in the Career Transition for Dancer’s Benefit Gala. 

Centenary Stage Company is accepting applications for the Young Performer’s Workshop 2024 Spring Session, running February 24 through June 2 and the deadline to apply is February 23, 2024. Those interested in joining the program must call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979-0900 or email boxoffice@centenarystageco.org to schedule an interview with the director of the program, Michael Blevins. 

Centenary Stage Company remains committed to the health and safety of our community and adheres to all requirements set forth by the Stage of New Jersey. For more information regarding CSC COVID-19 policies and policy updates, visit centenarystageco.org/faq 

The 2022-23 Season of Performing Arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, the John and Margaret Post Foundation, the CSC corporate sponsors, including Platinum Season Sponsor the House of the Good Shepherd, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Medical Center Atlantic Health System, Home Instead Senior Care (Washington), Visions Federal Credit Union, and Fulton Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.