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Arts & Entertainment

North Jersey Theaters in the Holiday Spirit

Here's your weekly On Stage Scoop guide to what's happening on North Jersey's stages.

If you’re a theater lover living in North Jersey, then you’ve got a lot to be thankful for.

That’s especially true if you’re a fan of “A Christmas Carol,” as three different theaters (The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Centenary Stage Company and Somerset Valley Players) are opening their different takes on Dickens’ famous tale of Scrooge and ghosts.

Other holiday tales and concerts abound on the area’s stages, but there are plenty of options for people who need a break from all those jingling bells. There’s still time to see “Over the River and Through the Woods” at the Bickford, “The Wedding Singer” at the Barn, and “Crimes of the Heart” by the Women’s Theatre Co.

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And a few theaters are looking ahead to 2012 as they hold auditions for upcoming shows. Read this week’s On Stage Scoop to find out all about them. The Scoop runs every Tuesday.

ON STAGE SCOOP:

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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 to MorrisMuseum.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 to WomensTheater.org.

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.

It’s Getting “Frosty” in Budd Lake: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake is in the holiday spirit with “Frosty in Toyland” beginning Nov. 25 and continuing 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.

Sing Along With Scrooge: Centenary Stage Company in Hackettstown is presenting a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with performances beginning Nov. 25 and 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.

What a Bunch of Characters: Growing Stage Children’s Theatre will present the holiday favorite “Babes in Toyland” from Nov. 25 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.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time the Chicago Concert Starts? (Actually, We Do): Chicago will be performing its biggest hits during a concert at on Nov. 25 beginning at 8 p.m. In addition to songs like “If You Leave Me Now” and “Saturday in the Park,” the band will also play seasonal favorites. Isabela Nanni is the opening act. Tickets cost $15-$76. 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.

The Celtic Tenors Are Coming to Morristown: The Celtic Tenors will be joined by John McDermott for a Nov. 26 concert at . The show will feature traditional and holiday songs performed in the Tenors’ signature, unconventional style. Tickets cost $42-$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.

Celebrate the Holidays With a Moose: will present its holiday favorite, “Mooseltoe” on Nov. 27 with performances beginning at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. The show features a moose who dreams of flying with Santa’s reindeer. For kids ages 4 to 8. Tickets cost $12-$15. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 2-17. 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 t 26. For more information, including a character breakdown, go to VillagersTheatre.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 visit CentenaryStageCo.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tickets for Tony Bennett, Peter Frampton and Frankie Valli at the Mayo are on sale: The has announced tickets for Tony Bennett's Feb. 2 concert are on sale now. Also on sale are tickets for Peter Frampton's Feb. 8 concert. And a third date, Jan. 19, has been added to Frankie Valli's already-scheduled Jan. 17 and 18 shows. Tickets for all Valli shows are on sale now. 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.

New Home for Playwrights Theatre: has reached an agreement with to host its New Play Development programming in residence on the College at Florham in Madison. Programming will begin with Playwrights’ Forum Reading Series, which consists of concert readings of 19 plays between Nov. 29 and Dec. 18. Full productions of new works will occur during the summer months, with two plays scheduled for June and August 2012. Playwrights Theatre has developed a program that will include majors from FDU’s theater department in all aspects of production, according to a press release issued by the theater. Up until August 2011, Playwrights Theatre was in residence for 25 years at the Green Village Road School in Madison.

Next Year at Somerset Valley Players: has announced its 2012 season, which will begin with “Leader of the Pack: The Elli Greenwich Musical” Jan. 20 through Feb. 5. Next up is Larry Gelbart comedy “Sly Fox” from March 2 to March 18. “Clue the Musical” will take stage April 20 through May 6. Thornton Wilder’s classic “Our Town” will be presented June 8 through June 24. William Glennon’s adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” will be presented July 20 through Aug. 5. The classic musical “Oliver!” will be presented Sept. 7 through Sept. 23. The Frederick Knott thriller classic “Dial M for Murder will be presented Oct. 19 through Nov. 4 before the theater wraps up the year with “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” from Nov. 30 to Dec. 16. For more information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPtheatre.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.

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