This Week in Theatre: Previews for Plays Taking Place December 24-31, 2024

Here are previews of plays taking place from December 24-31, 2024 including a look at productions currently being presented and those coming soon. New Jersey Stage covers Equity, community, college, and high school theatre. Check back every week for the weekly theatre preview. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Event Previews, Event Listings, Coming Soon.

Send press releases to [email protected] to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

Joel McKinnon Miller stars as Scrooge in McCarter's "A Christmas Carol"  (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Get ready to be transported to 19th-century London for McCarter Theatre Center's annual production of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Led by veteran stage and screen actor Joel McKinnon Miller as Ebenezer Scrooge, the show runs from December 10-29, 2024, in the Matthews Theatre.

Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents their annual production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoast at State Theatre December 28-29, 2024. This beloved musical brings the Bible story of Joseph to life with unforgettable music, drama, and a touch of Elvis-inspired flair.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical  (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical from November 27 to December 29, 2024. Based on the classic 1954 holiday film, it is a Technicolor Broadway musical extravaganza. The production is directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee.

"ANNIE" returns to New York City for the First Time in a Decade  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment), Carolyn Rossi Copeland Productions, Inc. and Crossroads Live North America recently announced full casting for the limited engagement of iconic Tony Award-winning musical ANNIE at The Theater at Madison Square Garden which runs from December 4, 2024 through January 5, 2025. This run marks the return of ANNIE to New York City for the first time in a decade.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "A Christmas Carol"  (MADISON, NJ) -- Gather the family and rediscover the joy and magic of Charles Dickens' classic tale this holiday season as A Christmas Carol returns to the Main Stage of the acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ). This production plays at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from December 4-29, 2024.

Luna Stage's "Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library" Gets A New 5 Week Run Off Broadway  (NEW YORK, NY) -- Congrats to Luna Stage! Due to critical acclaim and an incredible run of sold out performances at 59E59 Theaters, Luna Stage's New York premiere of Jenny Lyn Bader's Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library, directed by Ari Laura Kreith, is extending and moving to Off-Broadway's WP Theater for a limited five-week engagement, December 10, 2024 – January 12, 2025.

Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024 @ 12:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Tuesday, December 24, 2024 @ 4:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Friday, December 27, 2024 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Saturday, December 28, 2024 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Saturday, December 28, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Saturday, December 28, 2024 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Saturday, December 28, 2024 @ 7:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Sunday, December 29, 2024 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Sunday, December 29, 2024 @ 2:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Sunday, December 29, 2024 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Sunday, December 29, 2024 @ 7:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Next episode of "Gemstones" A Vivid Stage original series comes in January  (SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. Coming up is the third episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. The series blends the best storytelling qualities of mainstage performances with the exhilarating fun of improv. Episode 4 runs Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 2:00pm and Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 8:00pm.

George Street Playhouse presents "SMALL"  (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents SMALL from January 14 through February 2, 2025. This is a Penguin Rep Theatre production written and performed by Robert Montano (The Steel Man), and directed by Jessi D. Hill (Daniel's Husband). From the racetrack to the stage, Robert Montano shares his extraordinary true story of resilience and reinvention through the highs and lows of an unconventional life.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Mile Square Theatre presents "7th Inning Stretch" with a twist

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre's beloved annual fundraiser, 7th Inning Stretch, returns with a new look for this year inspired by the World Cup coming to New Jersey. This year’s edition takes place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and trades baseball for soccer, featuring seven original short plays celebrating the passion, humor, intensity, and culture of the game.

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Maurer Productions to Hold Auditions for "Midnight at the New Dawn" June 6-7

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Maurer Productions OnStage and the newly formed Maurer TheaterWorks have announced a special co-production partnership — in association with Kelsey Theatre — for the world premiere of Midnight at the New Dawn. The ensemble comedy, written and directed by Dan Maurer, will hold open auditions on June 6-7, 2026.

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Bergen County Players to present "Kodachrome"

​​​​​​​(ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP) will conclude its 93rd season with Kodachrome, a delightful and deeply moving one-act comedy by Adam Szymkowicz. Running as part of BCP's Second Stage for three exclusive performances on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 2026, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary magic within ordinary lives.

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Main Street Theatre Company presents "Legally Blonde, Jr."

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents Legally Blonde, Jr. on Saturday, June 6 at Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:30pm each day. Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery pink storm in this fun and upbeat adaptation of the hit film and award-winning Broadway musical.

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Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the nominations for adjudicated production categories of the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in New Jersey High School Musical Theater. Often referred to as New Jersey's version of the Tony Awards for high school musical theater, the Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in performance, direction, design, choreography, music direction, and overall production.

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Studio Garage presents "Chekhov's People" at HACPAC

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- Studio Garage presents Chekhov's People at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on June 8-9, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. Performed in Turkish. The play explores the human condition through a blend of Anton Chekhov's The Good Doctor and his short plays The Bear and A Marriage Proposal.

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The Maplewood Strollers to present a Broadway Karaoke Party on June 12th

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers present a Broadway Karaoke Party on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the theater company, begins at 7:30pm.

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Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.

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The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on June 13th

(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 4:00pm. The plays include Snapped, The Wind in the Wildflowers, Timmon and the Magic Shoes, and My Tree.

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Jackson Arts Ministry presents "Seussical Jr." and "Les Misérables School Edition"

​​​​​​​(JACKSON, NJ) -- This June, audiences are invited to experience two unforgettable musical productions as Jackson Arts Ministry (JAM) transforms their outdoor stage into a celebration of music, storytelling, and student talent with performances of Seussical Jr. from June 6-7 and Les Misérables School Edition from June 11-14, 2026.