This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

It's a Happening Holiday Season on Stage

North Jersey's stages are bursting with Christmas shows, along with some non-festive offerings.

If you’re a holiday kind of person, North Jersey’s theaters are sure to have something for you.

Sure, thereare a lot of “Christmas Carol” and “Nutcracker” productions going on, but you can also spend some time with George Bailey and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or see “White Christmas” live on stage. Options for kids include “Babes in Toyland,” “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “The Littlest Angel.”

And if Christmas songs are your thing, there are plenty of concerts featuring holiday music to take in, including shows by Crystal Gayle, Kenny G and Wilson Phillips.

Find out what's happening in Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But if you’re not much of a holiday person, there’s still time to catch “The Wedding Singer,” “Crimes of the Heart” and “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

Read on to find out more about performances, auditions and theater news in this week’s On Stage Scoop. The Scoop runs every Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

ON STAGE SCOOP:

New Play Reading Series Growing Stage: Growing Stage Children’s Theatre of New Jersey will begin its 2011-2012 New Play Reading Series with presentations of four new works, beginning Nov. 29 and continuing through Dec. 4. The plays being read are “Convivencia” by R.N. Sandberg on Nov. 29 at  at  and Nov. 30 at the Growing Stage Theatre, located at 7 Ledgewood Ave. in Netcong. The series will continue with Joan Cushing’s “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy” on Dec. 1 at Growing Stage and Dec. 2 at Playwrights. Anne Negri’s “With Two Wings” will get two performances on Dec. 3, the first at Growing Stage at 1 p.m., the second at Playwrights at 7 p.m. Russell Davis’ “Theatre for Your Mother—The Little Red Riding Hood Show” will be performed twice on Dec. 1, at Growing Stage at 1 p.m. and at Playwrights at 7 p.m. Click here for more information.

Winter Theatre Classes at Brundage Park Playhouse: Brundage Park Playhouse will begin its winter theater classes on Jan. 30. Classes are being offered in acting, musical theater dance, modern dance and more. Click here for class descriptions, schedules and prices. Randolph Township is also hosting a Stars on Stage program for children with special needs, beginning Jan. 12 and continuing through March. Click here for more information.

Here Comes “The Wedding Singer:”  is performing “The Wedding Singer” through Dec. 3. The musical pays homage to the 1980s as Robbie Hart, a New Jersey wedding singer, is heartbroken after being abandoned at the altar. Robbie’s heartbreak leads to him ruining every wedding he works, until Julia enters his life. The problem is, Julia is already engaged. Tickets cost $20. The theater is located at 32 Skyline Drive. For tickets or more information, call 973-334-9320 or go to BarnTheatre.org.

Family Ties:  is staging Joe DiPietro’s “Over the River and Through the Woods” through Dec. 4. The comedy is about Nick, a 20-something New York City bachelor who visits his Italian-American grandparents in Hoboken every Sunday. That’s all about to change when he gets offered a great job in Seattle, so his grandparents scheme to keep him on the East Coast, with the help of the beautiful Caitlin O'Hare. Tickets cost $40 for general admission, $36 for seniors, $20 for students (18 or under with valid college ID). The Bickford is located at the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown. For information, call 973-971-3706 or go toMorrisMuseum.org. .

Three Sisters, and a Husband With a Gunshot Wound: The Women’s Theater Co. is staging Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy “Crimes of the Heart” through Dec. 4. The play is about the three Magrath sisters who reunite at their grandfather’s Mississippi home after the youngest sister shoots her husband. Performances are at the Parsippany Playhouse, located at 1130 Knoll Road in Lake Hiawatha (GPS users should enter Boonton). For ticket information, call 973 316-3033 or go toWomensTheater.org.

Sing Along With Scrooge: Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown is presenting a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with performances continuing through Dec. 11 in the Sitnik Theater of the David and Carol Lackland Center in Hackettstown. The musical was created by Alan Menken ("Beauty and the Beast," "Little Mermaid,"), Lynn Ahrens ("Ragtime," "Seussical") and Mike Okrent ("Crazy For You," "Me and My Girl”). It was a regular at Madison Square Garden for a decade. Centenary’s production is directed by Michael Blevins and features a cast of 65, including Osborn Focht as Scrooge. Tickets cost $22.50-$27.50 and can be purchased by calling 908-979-0900 or visiting CentenaryStageCo.org.

It’s Getting “Frosty” in Budd Lake: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is in the holiday spirit with “Frosty in Toyland” through Dec. 17. The children’s theater presentation will feature a food drive for homeless animals; visitors can donate a can or box of cat or dog food, which will be donated to local animal shelters. Tickets cost $12. For information, call 973-691-2100. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake.

What a Bunch of Characters: Growing Stage Children’s Theatre is performing the holiday favorite “Babes in Toyland” through Dec. 18. The adaptation by Arthur Kroeger and Stephen L. Fredericks is loosely based on the Victor Herbert operetta and the Laurel and Hardy film. In The Land of Make Believe, Barnaby is threatening Mother Goose with eviction unless her daughter, Bo Peep marries him. Other characters include the Three Little Pigs and Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. The theater is located at 7 Ledgewood Ave. in Netcong. For more information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

Dreaming of a White Christmas? Then Head to Paper Mill: Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” is on stage at the  for a run continuing through Dec. 24. The holiday favorite is based on the 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye about two men who open a show in a Vermont inn and fall in love with two singing sisters. The theater is located at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn. For more information, call 973-376-4343 or go to PaperMill.org.

Are You Ready to “Theatre Rock?” The Darress Theatre in Boonton will host “Theatre Rock” on Nov. 29 at 8 p.m. The concert will feature songs from rock musicals performed live. Songs from such shows as “Rent,” “Quadrophenia,” “Tommy,” “Godspell,” “Movin’ Out” and others will be featured. The performance is rescheduled from Oct. 29, when it was postponed because of the snowstorm. For more information, visit DarressTheater.com.

Jazz Benefit Concert:  will present an All-Star Benefit Concert on Nov. 30, beginning at 8 p.m. at the theater located at the  in Morris Township. Performers include Randy Reinhart, Bria Skonberg, Joe Midiri and Dan Levinson. Tickets cost $20 and are available by calling 973-971-3706.

It’s The Right Time to Rock the Night Away: “Jingle Bell Rock with Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Thomas” is coming to  on Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. Fans can expect to hear holiday favorites, along with songs such as “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “We Built This City.” Tickets cost $47 to $87. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Bah Humbug!  will conclude its 49th season with Neil Bartlett’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 1 through Jan. 1. The Shakespeare Theatre’s Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte directs. The production features a cast of nine playing more than 50 roles, with Philip Goodwin leading the way as Ebenezer Scrooge. The cast also includes John Ahlin as Fezziwig and Greg Jackson as Bob Cratchit. Performances are at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of  in Madison. For tickets and information, call 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.

Laugh It Up, Manhattan Style: Manhattan Comedy night is returning to  on Dec. 2 with comics Sue Costello, Nick Griffin, Gary Gulman and DF Sweedler. Tickets cost $25. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

God Bless Us, Everyone:  will present its production of “A Christmas Carol” beginning Dec. 2 and continuing through Dec. 18. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough. Tickets cost $17, $15 seniors-students. For information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org or call 908-369-7469.

Return to Bedford Falls: Bells will ring and angels will get their wings as Pax Amicus Castle Theatre presents “It’s a Wonderful Life” from Dec. 3 to Dec. 17. The stage adaptation of the classic movie starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed tells the story of George Bailey, who learns the value of life from an angel named Clarence. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Tickets cost $22. For tickets and information, call 973-691-2100.

Audition Alert, “Sly Fox:”  will hold auditions for Larry Gelbert’s “Sly Fox” on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, from noon to 3 p.m. at the playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough. Director Christopher Rollings is looking for 10 adult males, ages 25 to 70 and four adult females, ages 20 to 50. The theater’s website describes the play as a “fast-paced comedy about money-grubbing greed in the old West,” in which a miser pretends to be dying in order to fleece gold from his friends. Readings will be from the script. Two- and three-minute monologues are also welcome. For more information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org.

The Hills Will Be Alive with “The Sound of Christmas:” Elisabeth Von Trapp will join Empire Brass for a Christmas concert titled “The Sound of Christmas” at  on Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. Von Trapp is the granddaughter of Baron Von Trapp, whose story inspired “The Sound of Music.” The concert will also feature songs from the legendary musical. Tickets cost $32 to $47. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, “Grapes of Wrath:”  will hold auditions for Frank Galati’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel “The Grapes of Wrath” on Dec. 5 and Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at The Chatham Playhouse, located at 23 N. Passaic Ave. in Chatham. Director Frank Licato asks that actors be familiar with the play/novel and be prepared to read from the script. Sides will be provided at the audition. Performances will run March 2 through 17. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to ChathamPlayers.org.

Audition Alert, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream:” Villagers Theatre is holding auditions for Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Dec. 7 and 9 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at its location at 475 DeMott Lane in Somerset. Come prepared with a 10- to 20-line speech from a Shakespearean comedy other than “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Performances are Feb. 24 to 26. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to VillagersTheatre.com.

Crystal Clear: Crystal Gayle will perform “A Crystal Christmas” at on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. The singer, famous for her voice and long hair is best-known for the hits “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “Half the Way.” Tickets cost $42 to $67. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

More “Wonderful:” in Montville will present two performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” on Dec. 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. The show is based on the classic movie and is directed by Marilyn Schilke. Visit BarnTheatre.org for more information.

Does He Play in the Key of G? Kenny G will bring his Holiday Show to  on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. The clarinetist will perform holiday music with a contemporary jazz spin. Tickets cost $57-$97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

A Christmas Gift: Brundage Park Playhouse will present “The Littlest Angel,” Dec. 9 through Dec. 18. The show is adapted by Patricia Gray, based on Charles Tazewell’s children’s book about a small angel and his special gift to the newborn Christ child. Tickets cost $15, $12 seniors and children under 12. The Playhouse is located at 2 Bungalow Lane in Randolph. For more information, go to BrundageParkpPlayhouse.org.

Feeling Jazzy: The Bill Noren Group will present a jazz program at Villagers Theatre in Somerset on Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. The evening will explore tempo, form, dynamics and improvisation. Tickets cost $20 (includes light fare and beverages). For more information, call 732-873-2710 or visitVillagersTheatre.com.

Young Takes on Theater: Centenary Stage Company’s Young Performer’s Workshop Winter Festival of Shows returns with performances of “Narnia, the Musical” on Dec. 10 and 11, and Dec. 17 and 18; “Meet Me in St. Louis” on Dec. 10 and Dec. 16 through 18; and “Count to Ten” on Dec. 11, 17 and 18. “Count to Ten” is an original musical by YPW director Michael Blevins. It was an official selection of the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Performances are at the Centenary Little Theatre on Jefferson Street in Hackettstown. For information, call 908-979-0900 or visitCentenaryStageCo.org.

Saving Christmas From Trolls: Madhatter’s Children’s Theatre will present three performances of “The Trolls Who Stole the North Pole” on Dec. 10 and 11 at  in Montville. With Christmas just days away, two trolls intercept a shipment of supplies headed for Santa’s toy factory and send it to their factory at the South Poll, so that they can sell the toys at a hefty profit. But Santa finds out about the scheme and sends Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and two elves to retrieve the supplies and save Christmas. Performances are on Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Dec. 11 at noon. Visit BarnTheatre.org for more information.

Simply the “Best:” Villagers Theatre is staging “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” with daytime performances on Dec. 10 through Dec. 18. Adapted from the classic book, the story involves the local church Christmas pageant, which becomes challenged with the awful Herdman kids join the show. Tickets cost $10. The theater is located in the Franklin Township Municipal Complex at 415 Demott Lane in Somerset. For more information, call 732-873-2710 or visit VillagersTheatre.com.

Holiday Harmonies: Wilson Phillips will perform a concert titled “Christmas in Harmony,” beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at . The trio is best-known for its hits such as “Hold On” and “Release Me” and will, according to the Mayo Center’s website, perform seasonal music in “perfect three-part harmony.” Tickets cost $47-$77. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visitMayoArts.org.

Audition Alert, “Moon Over Buffalo:” Dover Little Theatre will hold auditions for Ken Ludwig’s “Moon Over Buffalo” Dec. 11-12 at 7 p.m. at the theater, located at 69 Elliott St. in Dover. The comedy follows an acting couple who are headed to Buffalo to perform “Cyrano de Bergerac,” and learn that the great director Frank Capra is going to the performance. Callbacks will be on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Performances are in March. Click here for more information, including a character breakdown.

Holiday Concert at the Barn: The North Jersey Concert Band will perform a concert at The Barn Theatre in Montville on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. The show will feature holiday favorites and other songs. Visit BarnTheatre.org for more information.

You Gotta “Lovett:” Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group are coming to  on Dec. 11 for a concert that is not being billed as a holiday show. The Grammy-winner has released 14 albums and is known for fusing country, swing, jazz and other styles. Tickets cost $57-$97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Have a “Merry” Time at the Shakespeare Theatre:  in Madison will present “Something Merry This Way Comes,” a one-night “winter holiday event” on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The presentation will feature members of the theater’s company sharing songs and stories by writers such as O. Henry, Truman Capote, Shel Silverstein, Hans Christian Anderson, and Dr. Seuss. Tickets cost $32. For more information, call 973-408-5600 or go toShakespeareNJ.org.

Jazz at the Bickford: The Barnhart Levinson Family Fugue will perform as part of the Bickford’s Jazz Showcase on Dec. 12 with a concert starting at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18, $15 at the door. For tickets, call 973-971-3706.

It’s Nutcracker Time: New Jersey Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at  with performances beginning Dec. 16 and continuing through Dec. 26. The annual favorite features dancing (of course), along with a live orchestra and special effects. Tickets cost $19-$59. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Visions of Sugar Plumb Fairies: The New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” Dec. 16 through Dec. 18 at the Sitnik Theater of the Lackland Center. The narrated adaptation is billed as being appropriate for audiences from “3 to 103.” Performances are at 2 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 3 p.m. on Dec. 18. Tickets cost $22.50-$25. The theater is located at 715 Grand Ave. in Hackettstown. For more information, go to CentenaryStageCo.org.

Giving Plays a Chance: Premiere Stages is seeking submissions to the Eighth Annual Premiere Stages Play Festival. The competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental opportunities to four playwrights born or currently residing in the greater metropolitan area (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut). The winner of the festival will be awarded $2,000 and a full Equity production in Premiere’s 2012 season. The runner-up will receive $750 and an Equity workshop in June. Two other writers will receive staged readings in March and a cash prize of $500. Entries are evaluated by a panel of theater professionals in consultation with the artistic director and resident dramaturge. Agents may submit full scripts; playwrights may submit a synopsis and script sample directly. Postmark deadline is Jan. 15, 2012. No entry fee. Complete submission guidelines available at Kean.edu/PremiereStages.

About this column: 'On Stage: A Peek At The Performing Arts' is a weekly look at what's going on in the world of theater, music and other performing arts. It runs Tuesdays.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?