State Theatre New Jersey presents "A Christmas Story: The Musical"

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/04/2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents A Christmas Story: The Musical for four performances from November 20-22, 2026. From the songwriting team behind the smash-hit Tony® Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen and the critically acclaimed films La La Land and The Greatest Showman, the classic 1983 holiday movie comes to life on stage.

A Christmas Story, The Musical chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle ("You'll shoot your eye out kid!"). An infamous leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish. Chock-full of delightful songs and splashy production numbers, A Christmas Story: The Musical, has proudly taken its place as a perennial holiday classic for the whole family.

Hailed by The Associated Press as "a joyous Christmas miracle," The New York Times writes, "I was dazzled. You'd have to have a Grinch-sized heart not to feel a smile spreading across your face." A Christmas Story: The Musical premiered on Broadway in 2012 and was a critical and commercial success. The musical was nominated for three Tony® Awards including Best New Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical.

A Christmas Story: The Musical features a festive and nostalgic holiday-themed score by composer/lyricist team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Tony® Award for Dear Evan Hansen, Oscar® for La La Land, Golden Globe for The Greatest Showman), with a book by Joseph Robinette, based on the writings of radio humorist Jean Shepherd and the 1983 holiday film favorite.

Performances take place Friday, November 20 at 7:30pm; Saturday, November 21 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm; and Sunday, November 22 at 1:00pm. Tickets start at $52 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.

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State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS chose the theater as the first performing arts organization to be featured in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.

Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.

State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.