Here's where to see 'The Nutcracker' in Central Jersey and at the Shore
Each year, nearly a quarter of a million people flock to the State Theatre in New Brunswick to see an array of concerts, comedy shows, musicals, plays, children’s productions and more.
But perhaps none is more beloved than the century-old theater’s showing of American Repertory Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” which has been a staple of the theater’s holiday lineup since 1988.
The two-hour show with one intermission will be presented at the theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17; and 1 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets range from $25 to $65. More information is at stnj.org.
“It was one of the first performances that we had that very first season so it’s near and dear to our hearts,” said Kelly Blithe, director of communications and community engagement. The State Theatre reopened as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988 after a period of neglect following its use as a silent film theater.
“Every few years, the American Repertory Ballet has a new artistic director and a different spin on ‘The Nutcracker,’ " Blithe continued. “It’s just one of those things that has be experienced, but [current artistic director] Ethan Stiefel has put his own little dab of magic on the production. There’s a little extra twinkle.”
Part of that twinkle is the live orchestra and choir at the State Theatre performance. Plus, there’s the set, costumes and choreography that has brought generations of families back again and again.
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“We see some of the same faces, as well as new folks, every year and they’re bringing their kids, grandkids, cousins, aunts and uncles, as it’s something that families can pass down through the generations,” Blithe said. “We’re all kids at heart, and I think ‘The Nutcracker’ brings that out in all of us.”
The State Theatre isn’t the only place to catch “The Nutcracker” in Central Jersey and beyond. Here’s where else you can see Clara, the Mouse King and the Sugarplum Fairy:
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal
"The Nutcracker Rocks" is a reimaging of the holiday classic in "a mixture of high-power music and dance" choreographed by Gabriel Chajnik that transports the Victorian Era show to contemporary times, in collaboration with rockers Alex Rosamilia and Alex Levine of Gaslight Anthem. Axelrod Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Grant Ave., Deal. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4; 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Tickets are $32 to $46, $20 for students. Prices increase on Saturday, Nov. 26. Info: axelrodartscenter.com/nutcracker-rocks.
Centenary Stage Company at Centenary University, Hackettstown
The Centenary Stage Company at Centenary University will present "The Nutcracker" by The New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet, Warren County's only nonprofit ballet company, at the Sitnik Theatre at the Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave., Hackettstown. Showings will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; noon and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $27.50, $17.50 for children. centenarystageco.org/njcyb-the-nutcracker.
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
Company of Dance Arts marks its 36th anniversary presentation of the "The Nutcracker," which features soloists from New York City ballet companies alongside local dancers, at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. Performances are 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9; 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10; and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11. Tickets are $25 to $55, thebasie.org/events/the-nutcracker-2022.
Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor
The Kelsey Theatre at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor will present "The Nutcracker" by The Dance Connection, a Hillsborough kids' dance studio. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16; 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17; and 1 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $14 to $16. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3NHDCJi.
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McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
The McCarter Theatre Center at 91 University Place, Princeton, will present American Repertory Ballet's two-hour "The Nutcracker" at the Matthews Theater at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. Tickets range from $35 to $65. Learn more at mccarter.org.
Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg
The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College, 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, will present "Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet," featuring an international cast celebrating its 30th anniversary tour. One hundred local students of Gotta Dance, which has studios in Basking Ridge, Bridgewater, Martinsville and Warren, will perform alongside professional dancers. Show times are 4 and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. Tickets range from $45 to $60. Learn more at https://rvccarts.org/nutcracker/.
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
The Union County Performing Arts Center will present "The Nutcracker" by the New Jersey Ballet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, for $8 per person. The show is a Sensory Friendly Theatre production, a series of live performances specially designed and adapted for children with autism and similar sensory sensitivity. Learn more at https://ucpac.org/events/.
Looking for more of 'The Nutcracker'?
The Central Jersey Arts Council will display more than 240 hand-painted nutcrackers at the Blazing Star Cultural Arts Center at 63 Carteret Ave. in Carteret from Thanksgiving weekend through December.
The display is the collection of 30-year Carteret resident Sandie Barth, who started collecting nutcrackers when she was 18 after seeing the Christmastime ballet. Her collection includes nutcrackers from as far as Germany and Dubai. Hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.
An open house takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16.
Learn more at centraljerseyartscouncil.org.
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Contact: JIntersimone@Gannett.com or @JIntersimone
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: The Nutcracker plays in Central Jersey and the Jersey Shore
