(DUNELLEN, NJ) -- Pushcart Players, New Jersey's award-winning professional touring theater company, is partnering with The Actors Studio of New Jersey to present two public performances of Holiday Tales: A Season of Miracles at the historic Dunellen Theatre on Saturday, December 5 and Saturday, December 12, 2026. Both performances begin at 11:00am.
Founded in 2024, The Actors Studio of New Jersey is a nonprofit professional theater company dedicated to producing theater, supporting artists, and expanding access to the performing arts throughout New Jersey. The presentation of Holiday Tales: A Season of Miracles marks the organization's first Theatre for Young Audiences production at the Dunellen Theatre, adding a new dimension to its programming and introducing local families to professional theater created especially for younger audiences.
The collaboration also brings together artists who have worked with both organizations. Danny Sims, a member of the Pushcart Players cast, also serves as Director of Creative Vision for The Actors Studio of New Jersey, making the production a particularly meaningful connection between the two companies.
"I am beyond thrilled and proud to be a company member with Pushcart Players and a part of The Actors Studio of New Jersey's inaugural team as their Director of Creative Vision," said Danny Sims. "Having toured with Pushcart Players for eight seasons and performed theatre for young audiences in many productions, I see how special and essential this work is for all young people to experience the joy of live theatre! Offering these kinds of experiences is important for growth and development and has always been an essential cornerstone for the inspiring work that Pushcart does. Subsequently this marks the start of many more exciting educational theatre experiences for children and families at Dunellen Theatre in the near future. These experiences remain a special way to introduce young people to a whole new world of creative opportunity and expression, hopefully fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts and spreading holiday joy along the way!"
Written and adapted by Pushcart co-founder Ruth Fost, with music arranged by Tony Award-winner Larry Hochman and directed by producing artistic director Paul Whelihan, Holiday Tales: A Season of Miracles features four stories celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa.
The production begins with Clara and Fritz, familiar characters from The Nutcracker, as they anxiously wait for their family's Christmas celebration to begin. When they open a storybook, the stories come to life.
The four stories include O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," about a young couple and the meaning of giving; "The Kwanzaa Kite," an original story set in Mozambique about a young girl's creativity and the seven principles of Kwanzaa; "The Menorah from Heaven," adapted from a story by Eric Kimmel, about two villagers who mistake a farmer's hayfork for a menorah; and E.T.A. Hoffmann's "The Nutcracker," featuring Clara's dream adventure with the Nutcracker Prince.
Through music, humor, and storytelling, the production explores the importance of generosity, kindness, creativity, and compassion. Designed for families and audiences of all ages, it offers an opportunity for children and adults to experience live theater together during the holiday season.
The cast includes Nikki Andrews-Ojo, Oscar Castillo, Ariella Mandel, and Danny Sims. Tori Riley serves as production stage manager.
"We're pleased to bring Pushcart Players to the Dunellen Theatre in collaboration with The Actors Studio of New Jersey," said director Paul Whelihan. "At the heart of 'Holiday Tales: A Season of Miracles' is a message that resonates far beyond the holiday season. Miracles are not always extraordinary events. They are also found in everyday expressions of compassion, generosity, courage, creativity, and love."
Michael Restaino, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Actors Studio of New Jersey, said, "We are incredibly excited to welcome Pushcart Players to the Dunellen Theatre. Bringing professional theatre to children and families is something we believe strongly in, and there's no better way to introduce young audiences to the magic of live performance than with a joyful holiday production like A Season of Miracles. We want children to experience the excitement of walking into a theatre, seeing a story come to life right in front of them, and creating memories that will hopefully inspire a lifelong love of the arts."
Tickets are $20 per person and are available for purchase online. Doors open at 10:30am. The Historic Dunellen Theatre is located at 458 North Avenue in Dunellen, New Jersey. Doors open at 10:30 AM.
Founded in 1974, Pushcart Players is an award-winning professional touring theater company and member of Actors' Equity Association. For more than 50 years, the company has presented musical theater productions, workshops, and residencies for students from pre-K through 12th grade, bringing educational and entertaining performances to schools and communities throughout New Jersey and across the country.
As a social-profit organization, Pushcart Players' programs are made possible in part by the support of The New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Dept. of State, Pine Tree Foundation of NY, New Jersey Cultural Trust, NJ Manufacturers Insurance Company, NJ State Bar Foundation, Actors' Equity Foundation, ADP Foundation, Children's Theatre Foundation of America, The Community Foundation of NJ, EJ Grassmann Trust, First Lutheran Church of Montclair, Fylstra & Associates, Hyde & Watson Foundation, The Montclair Foundation, The Sosland Foundation, The Turrell Fund for Children, The Whitehill Foundation, and numerous individual contributors.
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
Union, NJ
Music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
