Here are previews of plays taking place from December 23-29, 2025 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.
Plays listed here are mostly previews created by New Jersey Stage, but you may send press releases to [email protected] to have your events considered for previews. 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 available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads are available from $50-$100 per event and can be purchased up to 3 months in advance.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" (MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, running December 3-28, 2025 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. This brings the beloved holiday classic to life in the format of a 1940s radio broadcast — complete with microphones, sound effects, and a talented ensemble of actors. Click here for an interview with the actors who portray George and Mary Bailey.
Cameron Knight Leads the Cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in McCarter Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" (PRINCETON, NJ) -- A holiday tradition for 45 years, McCarter Theatre Center's annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol returns December 9–28, 2025. Adapted and directed by Lauren Keating, this year’s production offers a fresh perspective on the classic story of redemption and generosity. Cameron Knight leads the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge, with music direction by Cris Frisco and choreographer Emily Maltby. Click here for a video feature about the production.
Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Every December, Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park moves from its home at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre in Edison and travels to State Theatre New Jersey, lock, stock, and camel, to do their annual production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This year there are four performances from December 27-28, 2025.
Quintessence Theatre presents "The Pirates of Penzance" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Quintessence Theatre continues its 16th season with The Pirates of Penzance, the beloved comic opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, from November 19, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Directed by Quintessence Artistic Director Alex Burns, the resplendent and hilarious story follows a band of pirates who go to battle with the British bobbies over the hearts of a bevy of beautiful Cornish maidens, with only a Major- General and Queen Victoria to stand in their way.
Cape May Stage presents the World Premiere of "Let's Catch Santa" (CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents the World Premiere of Let's Catch Santa from November 19 through December 28, 2025. This is a new holiday play by Dan McCormick that combines magic, humor, hope and the Christmas spirit. The production is directed by Roy Steinberg.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's "Frozen" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's Frozen from November 26 through Sunday, January 11, 2026. This musical transforms the magic of the beloved animated film to the stage in an enchanting adventure. When sisters Elsa and Anna are torn apart by a mysterious secret power, they each set out on their own journey of courage, self-acceptance, and discovery of love in all its forms.
Arden Children's Theatre presents "A Wrinkle In Time" (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This winter, Arden Children's Theatre invites families to journey across time and space with an exciting adaptation of Madeline L'Engle's beloved book, A Wrinkle in Time. Adapted by John Glore, winner of the Newbery Medal, A Wrinkle in Time has inspired generations of readers, and even a major motion picture, since its publication. Now, the Arden brings this timeless classic to its stage for the first time. The production runs from December 3 through January 25, 2026.
Cirque du Soleil presents "'Twas the Night Before..." at The Theater at MSG (NEW YORK, NY) -- Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) announced that, due to overwhelming success, the celebrated holiday theatrical 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil is returning to The Theater at Madison Square Garden for a limited engagement this holiday season from December 4-28, 2025.
Bristol Riverside Theatre presents the World Premiere of "The Nice List" (BRISTOL, PA) -- Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) welcomes the holiday season with the world premiere of The Nice List, a lively musical filled with songs, humor, and plenty of Christmas cheer. This merry new production invites audiences of all ages to embark on a cheerful adventure straight from Santa's North Pole. Emmy Award-winning director Alan Muraoka leads this joyful production with music direction by Gary Adler. The production runs December 9-28, 2025.
Lantern Theater Company presents Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Lantern Theater Company continues its 2025/26 season with a remount of its original adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, commissioned and developed through the Lantern's New Play Program and co-created by Philadelphia theater artists Anthony Lawton, Christopher Colucci, and Thom Weaver. The production runs from December 13-28, 2025, at St. Stephen’s Theater in Center City Philadelphia.
Manhattan Theatre Club presents "Bug" by Tracy Letts (NEW YORK, NY) -- Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) presents the Broadway premiere of Bug, written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts (August: Osage County, The Minutes) and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer (Prayer for the French Republic at MTC, The Band's Visit). The production begins performances on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Opening night is Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Night Stories: 4 Tales of Reanimation by the Greatest Poet of the Holocaust - Avrom Sutzkever - Comes to Life Off- Broadway (NEW YORK, NY) -- Night Stories, comprising four tales of reanimation by Yiddish poet and resistance fighter Avrom Sutzkever, will be presented Off-Broadway direct from a South American tour through São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Night Stories makes its official Off-Broadway bow at Wild Project, 195 E. 3rd Street (between Aves. A & B), with performances from December 17, 2025 through January 11, 2026.
The Ma'ayanot H.S. Drama Society & Black Box Studios presents "Fiddler On The Roof" (TEANECK, NJ) -- The Ma'ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, presents three performances of Fiddler On The Roof from December 27-30, 2025 at Ma'ayanot Performing Arts Center. Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, this musical is the brainchild of Broadway legends, Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince; songwriters, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick; and bookwriter, Joseph Stein. Touching audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty, this universal show is a staple of the musical theatre canon.
Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity" on December 28th (RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Langston Hughes' Black Nativity on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 4:00pm. A joyous retelling of the traditional Nativity story in music, dance and verse, Black Nativity is a Gospel "song play" based on the Gospel of St. Luke, using the poetry of Langston Hughes and performed by an all-Black cast of singers, actors, dancers and musicians.
Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 @ 2:00pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 @ 7:30pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 @ 12:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Wednesday, December 24, 2025 @ 4:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Friday, December 26, 2025 @ 2:00pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Friday, December 26, 2025 @ 7:30pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 2:00pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 7:30pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Sunday, December 28, 2025 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, December 28, 2025 @ 2:00pm - It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Shakespeare Theatre Of NJ - F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison
Sunday, December 28, 2025 @ 2:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
Sunday, December 28, 2025 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre), 91 University Place, Princeton
Sunday, December 28, 2025 @ 7:00pm - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
The Players Guild of Leonia to Hold Auditions for "The Psychic" by Sam Bobrick (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for The Psychic by Sam Bobrick on three days from January 4-11, 2026. This play is a laugh-out-loud mystery full of twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. The production will be directed by Terri Caust.
The Ritz Theatre Company presents "Company" by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth (HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents Company by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth weekends from January 9 to February 1, 2026. The musical asks the question: what does it mean to be alive, alone, and in love in the city that never sleeps?
Westfield Community Players presents "Time Stands Still" by Donald Margulies (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- Westfield Community Players presents Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies across three weekends from January 10-24, 2026. The play focuses on Sarah and James, a photojournalist and a foreign correspondent trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy.
Nutley Little Theatre to Hold Auditions for "True West" by Sam Shepard (NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre will hold auditions for True West on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and Tuesday, January 13, 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This American classic by Sam Shepard was nominated for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The production will be directed by John Fraissinet.
Ruth Stage presents "At Home at the Zoo" (OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Ruth Stage is roaring back to the Jersey Shore Arts Center with a theatrical event of rare significance: Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo — the complete and fully realized version of The Zoo Story, presented with the approval of the Edward Albee Estate. Performances take place January 15-17, 2025 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center.
The Barn Theatre presents "Misery" (MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents Misery weekends from January 16 to February 1, 2026. The play by William Goldman is based on the novel by Stephen King in which a romance novelist is kidnapped by his obsessed fan, Annie Wilkes, who demands he write a new Misery novel.
Shakespeare 70 presents "Arms and the Man" at Kelsey Theatre (WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Shakespeare 70 presents Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw weekends from January 16-25, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. One of Shaw's most enduringly popular comedies follows a hunted soldier who, seeking refuge in a young lady’s boudoir, starts in motion a series of unlikely comedic events.
Two River Theater's A Little Shakespeare presents "As You Like It" (RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater's signature arts education program, A Little Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Noelle Marion returns to the helm with As You Like It. Now in its 13th year, A Little Shakespeare engages young artists with the work of the Bard, in an abridged production directed and designed by theater professionals, and performed and supported backstage by high school students. This year's production runs from January 17-25, 2026.
The Road Company presents "Groundhog Day: The Musical" (WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ) -- The Road Company presents Groundhog Day: The Musical weekends from January 22 to February 7, 2026. Critically acclaimed on both the West End and Broadway, Groundhog Day revels in one man's journey of self-discovery, day after day.
The Maplewood Strollers presents "Narnia, the Musical" (MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Four children—siblings—stumble upon (and through) a wardrobe into the magical kingdom of Narnia. Relieve this magical story when The Maplewood Strollers presents Narnia, the Musical across two weekends (January 23 - February 1, 2026) at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The production is directed by Beth Seales-Hanson.
The Players Guild of Leonia presents "Blithe Spirit" by Noël Coward (LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward weekends from January 23 to February 8, 2026 in the Civil War Drill Hall. In Noël Coward’s sparkling classic, a well-intentioned séance conjures up far more than anyone expected.
Chatham Players presents "Any Night" by Daniel Arnold & Medina Han (CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players presents Any Night by Daniel Arnold & Medina Han weekends from January 23 to February 1, 2026. The writers/performers of the international hit Tuesdays & Sundays are back with a contemporary Hitchcockian thriller.
The Triad Theater presents selections from The Rock Musical "Soul Searching" in concert (NEW YORK, NY) -- The Triad Theater presents Selections from The Rock Musical Soul Searching in concert on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 9:30pm. This special performance highlights almost twenty numbers from this sung-through show and features a soon-to-be-announced stellar cast from Broadway, Off Broadway and national tours as well as a live rock band.
Broadway Bound Kids to Hold 4th Annual Benefit Concert: Empower State of Mind at City Winery (NEW YORK, NY) -- Broadway Bound Kids (BBK) will hold its Fourth Annual Benefit Concert, Empower State of Mind on Monday, February 2, 2026 in the mainstage at City Winery. The evening will celebrate the empowering impact of arts education in young lives as well as their community. The dazzling night is in exaltation of the influence of the "city that never sleeps" and New York City's greatest contribution to theater – Broadway. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Two River Theater presents "The Good Thief" starring Christopher Fitzgerald (RED BANK, NJ) -- The award-winning Two River Theater presents The Good Thief starring three-time Tony Award® nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Broadway's Wicked, Waitress, Spamalot, Young Frankenstein) in the title role from February 4-7, 2026.
Paper Mill Playhouse presents "Come From Away" (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Come From Away from February 4 to March 1, 2026. The play deals with September 11, 2001 - the day the world stopped - and September 12, when a small Newfoundland town started bringing people together. Come From Away tells the true story of 7,000 stranded airplane passengers welcomed by a community that turned fear into friendship and strangers into family.
The Village Playbox presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Village Playbox presents William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream across three weekends from February 6-21, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Haddon Heights. The production is directed by Natasha Thompson.
Light Opera of New Jersey presents "Rigoletto" at The Sieminski Theater (BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents Rigoletto at The Sieminski Theater February 7-8, 2026. Experience the raw passion and haunting power of Verdi’s Rigoletto, a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and revenge.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center presents the premiere of "That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical" starring N'Kenge (DEAL PARK, NJ) -- Axelrod Performing Arts Center (APAC) presents premiere of That's Love! The Dorothy Dandridge Musical, starring Tony®, EMMY®, and GRAMMY® Award–nominated internationally acclaimed performer N'Kenge (Motown the Musical, Caroline, or Change). Performances run February 19 through March 8, 2026
