A special holiday show of The Night Before Christmas/The Snow Queen will be performed by the Paper Moon Puppet Theatre from Nov 21 to Jan 8 in Atlantic Highlands. Call 732-787-400 for more details.

Suggested age  - kindergarten  through 5th grade

At the State Theatre in New Brunswick, ornaments come to life when Cirque Dreams Holidaze costumed characters perform astonishing feats that celebrate the holiday season with spectacle, imagination, and whimsical dreams. Marvel at gingerbread men flipping through the air, toy soldiers skillfully marching on thin wires, snowmen daringly balancing, icemen sculpting powerfully, penguins spinning, puppets caroling, and reindeer soaring high above a landscape of holiday wonderment.

Performances will be 8 pm Dec. 3, 2 pm and 8 pm Dec. 4, and 2 pm and 7 pm Dec. 5. Tickets range in price from $32 to $57.

On December 12, enjoy festive Polish carols and dances with MAZOWSZE for a special Warsaw Christmas. The family will enjoy the more than 100 MAZOWSZE dancers, singers and musicians. Performances will be 3 pm and 7 pm on December 12. Tickets range in price from $32 to $57.

The American Repertory Ballet brings the perennial classic, The Nutcracker,  to the stage with Tchaikovsky’s music, new and traditional choreography, and a cast of more than 100 performers.

Directed by Company Director Douglas Martin, ARB’s professional company will be joined by students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl and how a mysterious gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.  Whether it’s your first time or part of an annual tradition, The Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family.

Performances will be held at four different theatres: McCarter Theatre in Princeton, the Patriot's Theatre at the War Memorial in Trenton, The State Theatre in New Brunswick, and the TD Bank Arts Center in Sewell. And there will be special Nutcracker Teas (see below) preceding the McCarter Theatre shows.

Shows at the State Theatre December 18, 2010 - 1:00pm December 18, 2010 - 4:30pm December 19, 2010 - 1:00pm December 19, 2010 - 4:30pm

Don't miss A Christmas Carol at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton from Dec 5 - Dec 26 2010.
Run times will be Tue - Fri - 7:30pm; Sat - 2:00pm & 7:30pm; Sun - 1:00pm & 5:30pm and Dec 24th - 12:00pm & 4:00pm.

Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical journey through Christmas past, present, and future, and experience the show that embodies the peace and goodwill of the season. Michael Unger directs McCarter's production of this cherished family tradition, with scenery by the legendary set designer Ming Cho Lee and costumes by Jess Goldstein.

Special performances of this show are as follows:
A Christmas Carol
* American Sign Language Interpreted Performance
      Saturday, Dec 18, 2010 - 2:00 PM
* Audio Described Performance
      Saturday, Dec 18, 2010 - 2:00 PM
* Open Captioned Performance
      Sunday, Dec 19, 2010 - 1:00 PM

Twas the Night Before Christmas also will be showing at the Agonquin Arts Theatre, featuring Algonquin Youth Ensemble. In this story, inspired by the timeless poem, A Visit from Saint Nicholas by Clement Moore, venture into the author's home with his family the day before Christmas and witness a magical tale sure to stir up your holiday spirit. Performances will be 7 pm December 18 and December 19 at 3 pm.

FREE Meet the Dancers Reception featuring gourmet hot cocoas and tasty sweets

New York Theatre Ballet's The Nutcracker will delight audience members of all ages at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan. This holiday favorite exudes the spirit of the holiday, with beautiful costumes, stunning dance, and music of the season and will enchant the whole family.

Performances will be:
Friday, November 26  at 7 pm
Saturday, November 27 at 2pm & 6 pm

Prime Seating $45 - Adults & Seniors $40 - Students $30

The American Repertory Ballet brings the perennial classic, The Nutcracker,  to the stage with Tchaikovsky’s music, new and traditional choreography, and a cast of more than 100 performers.

Directed by Company Director Douglas Martin, ARB’s professional company will be joined by students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl and how a mysterious gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.  Whether it’s your first time or part of an annual tradition, The Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family.

Performances will be held at four different theatres: McCarter Theatre in Princeton, the Patriot's Theatre at the War Memorial in Trenton, The State Theatre in New Brunswick and the TD Bank Arts Center in Sewell. And there will be special Nutcracker Teas (see below) preceding the McCarter Theatre shows.

Performances at the McCarter Theatre,91 University Place Princeton, NJ (609-258-2787) will be:
November 26, 2010 - 1:00pm
November 26, 2010 - 4:30pm
November 27, 2010 - 1:00pm
November 27, 2010 - 4:30pm
November 28, 2010 - 1:00pm

Shows at the TD Bank Arts Centre,519 Hurffville-Cross Keys Rd. Sewell, NJ (856-218-8902) will be:
December 4, 2010 - 1:00pm December 4, 2010 - 4:30pm

Peformances at Patriot's Theatre at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive Trenton, NJ (609-984-8400)will be:
December 11, 2010 - 1:00pm
December 11, 2010 - 4:30pm

Shows at the State Theatre, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 will be: December 18, 2010 - 1:00pm
December 18, 2010 - 4:30pm
December 19, 2010 - 1:00pm
December 19, 2010 - 4:30pm

Also, the American Repertory Ballet is again partnering with the Terra Momo Restaurant Group to extend the Nutcracker experience beyond the theater. All Terra Momo Restaurants will offer 20% off to ticket holders who enjoy a meal before or after a performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker. For more information, and to make reservations at Eno Terra in Kingston or Mediterra and Teresa Caffe, in downtown Princeton, visit the Terra Momo Restaurant Group's website .

The American Repertory Ballet will also hold special Nutcracker Teas this year immediately preceding the 1:00 pm performances on Saturday, November 27th and Sunday, November 28th at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre. Families can enjoy tea, coffee and hot cocoa with a light brunch; have photos taken with costumed dancers from the ballet; and enjoy live music. Children will also receive a special gift. A live reading of the classic tale will help prepare all attendees for the ballet they are about to see. The Nutcracker Teas will be held at 11:00 am in the West Lobby of McCarter Theatre. Reservations are required for this special event. Please contact American Repertory Ballet at 732.249.1254 ext. 25 for more information.

Babes in Toyland
Friday November 26 at 11 am
Friday December 17 at 7 pm
Saturdays November 27, December 4, 11 & 18 - 11 am

at the Pax Amicus Castle Theatre in Budd Lake

$12.00
Times are tough and mean Mr. Scrooge wants to shut down Toyland and foreclose on Old Mother Hubbard's Shoe -putting all the famous nursery-rhymeboys and girls in turmoil … but a surprise hero magically appears to save the day! Babes In Toyland includes fabulous fantasy characters; nursery rhyme favorites and the timeless music of Victor Herbert. Come join us in a joyful celebration of the spirit of giving.
We will be holding a pet food drive during our production of Babes in Toyland. Please help abandoned and needy animals with a donation. Thank you. At this time tickets can NOT be ordered on line. To make reservations please call the box office between 9am & 3pm (973-691-2100)

It's a Wonderful Life
Friday, December 10 at 8 pm
Saturdays, December 4, 11 & 18  at 8 pm
Sundays, December 5 & 12 at 2 pm

at the Pax Amicus Castle Theatre, Budd Lake

$22.00

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." This fine dramatization not only celebrates the faith of the season, but also celebrates the American philosophy of life; that hard work, fair play and the the love and support of one's family and friends will be rewarded.

At this time tickets can NOT be ordered on line. To make reservations please call the box office between 9am & 3pm (973-691-2100)