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

Published by New Jersey Stage

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.

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.

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

(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.

The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system. 
Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"

Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"

(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Misfits Theatre Co., a community theater organization dedicated to producing bold, entertaining, and accessible theater for audiences of all ages, presents its inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me at Matawan Regional High School from July 10-12, 2026.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art

(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center invites audiences to experience Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility in a charming outdoor production this summer at duCret Center of Art in Plainfield. Performances take place July 10-12, 2026.

Howell PAL Theater Company presents "Grease"

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Howell PAL Theater Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from July 10-12, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form.
Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce encore performances of their production of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Following a sold-out run of the show in downtown Morristown earlier this year, the original cast and production team have partnered with Chatham Borough to present an encore weekend July 11-12, 2026 at the Stanely Center.

Masquerade Theatre presents a staged reading of "Executive Decisions" by Dan Jankauskas

(RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents a staged reading of Executive Decisions by Dan Jankauskas from July 10-12, 2026. It tells the story of two coworkers, Fives and Tenner, who are suddenly faced with the prospect that their routine deskwork has lethal consequences.

Phoenix Productions presents "Rock of Ages"

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presents Rock of Ages from July 10-12, 2026 at Count Basie Center for the Arts. Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair!

Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"

(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.

The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at Van Vleck House and Gardens

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing outside at Van Vleck House and Gardens across two weekends from July 10-18, 2026. This is no ordinary stage production, it’s an immersive theatrical experience.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Vivid Summer Solos: "Fair Stage" by Megan Gogerty

Wednesday, July 08, 2026 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ


NYC Music Marathon
& Jack Dallas presents
Miranda


Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Demarest Methodist Church
109 Hardenburg Ave, Demarest, NJ


My Fair Lady

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


The Little Mermaid

Friday, July 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


Shrek: The Musical

Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ



 

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