WHAT’S GOING ON? Here is a small sample of area happenings you may want to check out in the coming days.
Choreographer Fanny Soriano's "Fractales" will make its U.S. premiere Dec. 16-19 as part of the "Peak Performances" series at Alexander Kasser Theater on the Montclair State University in Montclair.Loic Nys
Art/Museums
DEC. 19
WEST ORANGE “Art Swap and Shop,” free holiday networking event; bring wrapped sample of your art to exchange with another attendee, 2-4 p.m., West Orange Arts Council, 551 Valley Road. woarts.org, 973-325-0151.
Comedy
DEC. 17
RED BANK Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, “Scared Scriptless,” 8 p.m., Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St. $49-$79. countbasietheatre.org, 732-842-9000.
Dance
DEC. 17
JERSEY CITY “Jersey City Nutcracker,” adaptation of Tchaikovsky ballet set in Jersey City, 7 p.m., also Dec. 18-19, 3 and 7 p.m. Nimbus Arts Center, 329 Warren St. $25-$40. app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=nim, 201-377-0718.
CLINTON Hunterdon Hill Ballet, “The Clinton Nutcracker” adaptation of the ballet as an homage to the town, 7 p.m., also Dec. 18-19, 1 and 7 p.m. Clinton Township Middle School, 34 Grayrock Road. $21-$23. tix.com/ticket-sales/hunterdonhillsballet/5702, 908-797-6761, [email protected].
COLLINGSWOOD Tricia Sloan Dance, “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike. $25-$32. scottishriteauditorium.com, 856-858-1000.
DEAL Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater, “The Nutcracker Rocks” modern-day reimagining of the holiday ballet, 7 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 19, 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave. $26-$56. axelrodartscenter.com, 732-531-9100.
HACKETTSTOWN New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet, “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., also Dec. 18, noon and 5 p.m.; Dec. 19, 3 p.m. Centenary University, Sitnik Theater, Lackland Center, 400 Jefferson St. $17.50-$30.50. centenarystageco.org, 908-979-0900.
MONTCLAIR “Fractales,” production meshing circus and dance movement written and choreographed by Fanny Soriano, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 3 p.m. Montclair State University, Alexander Kasser Theater, College Avenue and Red Hawk Road. $40. peakperfs.org, 973-655-5112.
MORRISTOWN New Jersey Ballet, 50th anniversary production of “The Nutcracker,” 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 18-19, 1 and 6 p.m. Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St. $35-$75. mayoarts.org, 973-539-8008.
NEW BRUNSWICK American Repertory Ballet, “The Nutcracker” with cast of more than 100 and live orchestra, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 1 and 5 p.m. State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave. $25-$65. stnj.org, 732-246-7469.
WEST WINDSOR NJ Dance Connection, “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., also Dec. 18-19, 1 and 4 p.m. Mercer County Community College, Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road. $14-$16. kelseytheatre.org, 609-570-3333.
DEC. 18
BOUND BROOK “The Duke Ellington Nutcracker,” Metuchen Dance Centre production of the ballet set to music of the jazz composer, 1 p.m., also Dec. 18, 6 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton St. $29. brookarts.org, 732-469-7700.
FLORENCE Central NJ Ballet Theatre, “The Nutcracker,” 11 a.m., also Dec. 18, 4 p.m. Florence Township Memorial High School, 1050 Cedar Lane. $25. cnjballet.com, 609-424-3192.
LAKEWOOD Atlantic City Ballet, “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave. $15-$35. strand.org, 732-367-7789.
NEWARK “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” holiday production with MC Kurtis Blow, 2 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Hall, 1 Center St. $29-$79. njpac.org, 201-503-1333.
TOMS RIVER Ballet for Young Audiences, “The Nutcracker,” 1 p.m., also Dec. 18, 4 p.m. Ocean County College, Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, Hooper Avenue and College Drive. $10-$12. grunincenter.org, 732-255-0500.
Music
DEC. 17
ASBURY PARK Coin, 7 p.m., Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave. $25-$30. stoneponyonline.com, 732-502-0600.
CAMDEN Evanescence, Halestorm, indoor event, 7:30 p.m., BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd. $39-$109. livenation.com/venues/14115/bb-t-pavilion, 856-365-1300.
MADISON Brynn Stanly Quartet, 6:15 p.m., and 8:35 p.m. Shanghai Jazz Restaurant and Bar, 24 Main St. $40 food-drink minimum. shanghaijazz.com, 973-822-2899.
MORRISTOWN MUUF Benefit Concert, seasonal songs by Folk Project members, 7:30 p.m., The Folk Project, Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road. $12. folkproject.org, 973-335-9489.
PRINCETON Sweet Honey in the Rock, “Celebrating the Holydays,” 8 p.m., McCarter Theatre Center, Matthews Theatre, 91 University Place. $40-$60. mccarter.org, 609-258-2787.
RED BANK Max Weinberg’s Jukebox, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Count Basie Theatre, The Vogel, 99 Monmouth St. $30-$79. thebasie.org, 732-842-9000.
RIDGEWOOD Jersey Jubilation Handbell Choir, free annual Christmas concert, 8 p.m., Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St. ridgewoodumc.net/rumc, jerseyjubilation.org/performances.
STANHOPE Willie Nile, 7 p.m., Stanhope House, 45 Main St. $27.50. stanhopehousenj.com, 973-347-7777.
DEC. 18
CARTERET Scot Bruce’s Blue Suede Christmas, Elvis Presley holiday tribute, 8 p.m., Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, 46 Washington Ave. $35-$45. carteretpac.com, 877-849-2722.
ENGLEWOOD Kenny G, “Miracles Holiday and Hits” tour, 8 p.m., Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St. $39-$99. bergenpac.org, 201-227-1030.
HILLSIDE Norm Lewis, 7:30 p.m., Kean University, Enlow Recital Hall, 215 North Ave., East Campus. $55-$75. keanstage.com, 908-737-7469.
MANASQUAN Chris Pinnella, “Christmas at the Algonquin,” 8 p.m., Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive. $29-$47. algonquinarts.org, 732-528-9211.
MIDDLETOWN “The Wag’s Christmas Spectacular,” fundraiser for Monmouth County SPCA with holiday songs, dance and comedy, 7 p.m., Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St. $15. middletownarts.org, 732-706-4100.
MILLBURN Summit Chorale, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” holiday concert, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 19, 4 p.m. Christ Church, 66 Highland Ave. in Short Hills. $10-$25. summitchorale.org, 908-264-5324.
PARAMUS Bergen Sinfonia Orchestra, “Uplifting Music for Strings,” 7:30 p.m., Bergen Community College, Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, 400 Paramus Road. $45. tickets.bergen.edu, 201-447-7428.
PRINCETON The Hot Sardines, 8 p.m., McCarter Theatre Center, Matthews Theatre, 91 University Place. $40-$60. mccarter.org, 609-258-2787.
RED BANK Brian Kirk and the Jirks, “Santa for . . . Lunch Break” holiday show, 8 p.m., Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St. $25-$99. countbasietheatre.org, 732-842-9000.
SAYREVILLE The Starting Line, the Movielife, Queen of Jeans, 7 p.m., Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road. $25. starlandballroom.com, 732-238-5500.
SOUTH ORANGE “Mike Griot Presents,” “Jazz in the Loft” concert celebrating South Orange International Blues Festival’s 10th year, 8 p.m., The Loft at SOPAC, South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way. $25. sopacnow.org, 973-666-1191.
STAFFORD The Duprees, Lenny Dell and the Demensions, 7 p.m., Stafford Township Arts Center, OceanFirst Theater, 1000 McKinley Ave. in Manahawkin. $35-$45. njstac.com, 609-489-8600.
WESTFIELD The Three Holiday Tenors, with the NJ Festival Orchestra, 7 p.m., Presbyterian Church in Westfield, 140 Mountain Ave. $15-$76. njfestivalorchestra.org/njfo-special-events, 908-232-9400.
DEC. 19
ASBURY PARK Forgivers, 6:30 p.m., House of Independents, 572 Cookman Ave. $15. houseofindependents.com, 732-977-5284.
“LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah,” 7 p.m., Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave. $35-$40. stoneponyonline.com, 732-502-0600.
MADISON The Three Holiday Tenors, with the NJ Festival Orchestra, 3 p.m., Drew University, Dorothy Young Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 36 Madison Ave. $15-$76. njfestivalorchestra.org/njfo-special-events, 908-232-9400.
MANASQUAN James Langton’s New York All-Star Big Band, “Swingin’ in a Winter Wonderland,” with the Gimme Four, 8 p.m., Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive. $25-$42. algonquinarts.org, 732-528-9211.
MORRISTOWN Morris Choral Society, “Tidings of Comfort and Joy,” 3 p.m., Morristown United Methodist Church on the Green, 50 S. Park Place. $17-$27. morrischoralsociety.org, 908-459-5223.
Twelve Twenty-Four: A Holiday Rock Orchestra
NEWTON Twelve Twenty-Four, holiday rock orchestra, 3 p.m., The Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St. $29-$44. skypac.org, 973-383-3700.
OCEAN GROVE Arcadian Chorale, “Glorious Dawn” holiday program with works by Vivaldi, Karl Jenkins, Dan Forrest and Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus, 4 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 80 Embury Ave. $10-$20. arcadianchorale.org, 732-583-4007.
PLAINFIELD Sean Altman and the GrooveBarbers, potluck followed by a cappella group concert, 3 p.m., duCret School of Art, 1030 Central Ave. $10.75-$23.50. eventbrite.com, 908-757-7171.
PRINCETON Pianist Steward Goodyear, selections from “The Nutcracker,” 3 p.m., McCarter Theatre Center, Berlind Theatre, 91 University Place. $45-$55. mccarter.org, 609-258-2787.
RARITAN TWP. Hunterdon Choral Union and Hunterdon Symphony, holiday concert with Handel’s “Messiah” Part 1 and “Hallelujah Chorus” featuring soprano Rebecca Nixon, alto Abigail Sherman, tenor Liam Nixon and bass Devin McGuire, Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 with flautist Terri Garippa and Vaughan Williams’ “Fantastia on Greensleeve,” 3 p.m., Hunterdon Central Regional High School, 84 Route 31. $10-$20. hunterdonmusicalarts.org, 908-995-7977.
RED BANK Monmouth Civic Chorus, “Hallelujah — Together Again for the Holidays,” 4 p.m., Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St. $30-$45. countbasietheatre.org, 732-842-9000.
SUMMIT “The Pipes of Christmas,” 23rd annual holiday concert fundraiser for music scholarships, 2 p.m., Central Presbyterian Church, 70 Maple St. pipesofchristmas.com, 908-858-6357.
Theater
DEC. 17
ALLAMUCHY “A Christmas Carol,” dinner theater production, 5 p.m., also Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m. Rutherfurd Hall, 1686 Route 517. $50. rutherfurdhall.org, 908-852-1894.
BEACH HAVEN “Ebenezer,” musical based on the Charles Dickens novelette, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Surflight Theatre, 201 Engleside Ave. $31-$41. surflight.org, 609-492-9477.
CAPE MAY “Adopt a Sailor: The Holiday Edition,” Charles Evered comedy about an upper class New York couple that inadvertently welcomes a military man from the deep south, 7 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 7 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Cape May Stage, Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank and Lafayette streets. $36-$65. capemaystage.org, 609-770-8311.
EAST BRUNSWICK “A Christmas Carol,” 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 4 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 3 p.m. Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road. $15. playhouse22.org, 732-254-3939.
LAKEWOOD “3 Egg Creams — a Musical Rhapsody,” musical built around the songs of Lou Christie, 7:30 p.m., Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave. $20-$35. strand.org, 732-367-7789.
MADISON “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” musical stage production based on the Dylan Thomas short story, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 and 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. $40-$55. shakespearenj.org, 973-408-5600.
MILLBURN “A Jolly Holiday — Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits,” musical revue of seasonal songs, 7 p.m., also Dec. 18-19, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive. $36-$98. papermill.org, 973-376-4343.
NETCONG “The Story of the Nutcracker,” in-person production of stage adaptation of the holiday ballet, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 18, 4 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Growing Stage Theatre, Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Ave. $18-$28. growingstage.com, 973-347-4946.
NEW BRUNSWICK “It’s Only a Play,” Terrence McNally comedy set at an Broadway opening night party, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 and 7 p.m. George Street Playhouse, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Ave. $25-$85. georgestplayhouse.org, 732-246-7717.
NUTLEY “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” radio play version of holiday story inspired by a little girl’s letter to the editor, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Nutley Little Theatre, 47 Erie Place (off Brookfield Avenue). $20. nutleylittletheatre.com, 201-294-9157.
OAKLYN “The Absolute, Fantastical Adventures of Cindy Ella,” original holiday production based on British pantomime, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Ritz Theatre, 915 Whitehorse Pike. $27. ritztheatreco.org, 856-858-5230.
ORADELL “A Grand Night for Singing: A Celebration of Rodgers & Hammerstein,” musical revue of the showtune composers’ portfolio, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road. $25. bcplayers.org, 201-261-4200.
POMPTON LAKES “Yuletide Magic,” holiday show, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 1 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 3 p.m. Rhino Theatre, 247 Wanaque Ave. $28-$32. rhinotheatre.com, 973-248-9491.
SPRING LAKE “Scrooge,” on-site production of the musical, 7:30 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Spring Lake Community House, 300 Madison Ave. $25-$35. springlaketheatre.com, 732-449-4530.
TOMS RIVER “It’s a Wonderful Life — a Live Radio Play,” 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 2 p.m. Exit 82 Studio Theater, 73 Main St. $28-$30. exit82theatre.com.
WESTFIELD “Play On,” Westfield Community Players production of Rick Abbott comedy, 8 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Westfield Community Playhouse, 1000 North Ave. $22-$25. westfieldcommunityplayers.org, 908-232-1221.
The Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn is presenting ""The Absolute, Fantastical Adventures of Cindy Ella," an original holiday play, through Dec. 19.ritztheatreco.org
DEC. 18
HAMMONTON “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” stage adaptation of the animated holiday TV special, noon, also Dec. 18, 4 p.m.; Dec. 19, noon Eagle Theatre, 208 Vine St. $20. theeagletheatre.com, 609-704-5012.
OLD BRIDGE “Once an Angel,” Main Street Theatre Company production of the holiday musical, 3 p.m., also Dec. 18, 8 p.m.; Dec. 19, 3 p.m. Congregation Beth Ohr, 70 Route 516. $14-$20. mainstreettheatrecompany.org, [email protected].
Other
DEC. 18
NEWARK Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, noon, Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St. $25-$90. prucenter.com, 973-757-6600.
DEC. 19
PATERSON Model Train Christmas Show, 5 miles of interconnecting tracks, visit from Santa, hands-on children’s room, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., New Jersey Hi-Railers, 185 Sixth Ave. $7, $2 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger. njhirailers.com, 800-225-5360.
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Patrick O’Shea may be reached at [email protected].
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