'Man of La Mancha,' a Dracula ballet and more things to do at the Jersey Shore

Manasquan, it's time to dream the impossible dream.

The classic musical “Man of La Mancha,” which won the Tony for Best Musical in 1966, is back on stage at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan for the first time since 2011.

Inspired by “The Adventures of Don Quixote,” the show boasts a book by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion. The production running at the Algonquin through Sunday reunites the creative team, designers and the majority of the cast from the theater’s last presentation of the show more than a decade ago.

"This really is a special show for many people on the production team, the staff of the theater, and the cast itself,” director Gina Lupi said in a statement. “For many of us, it was the first time we were able to perform on the Algonquin stage, and it is quite literally the production that made this theater our home."

Go: “Man of La Mancha,” through Sunday, Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, starting at $26; algonquinarts.org.

Here are some other things to do this weekend:

'Dracula' comes to Lakewood

The Atlantic City Ballet presents its take on “Dracula” at the historic Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood on Saturday night. Inspired by Bram Stoker’s timeless 1897 novel, the production, choreographed by Phyllis Papa, has become a local favorite over the ballet’s 40 years.

Go: Atlantic City Ballet’s “Dracula,” doors at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Strand Center for the Arts, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, $15 to $35, strand.org.

Spooky donuts to sink your fangs into

Try the "Spooky Box" at Duck Donuts this October (through Halloween), featuring creepy concoctions like the Dirt 'N Worms (with chocolate icing, Oreo cookie pieces and a gummy worm), So Mummy (vanilla icing with shredded coconut and hot fudge drizzle), and Halloween Pumpkin (with pumpkin icing and Halloween sprinkles).

If you're looking for something a little more out-of-the-box (or coffin?) try the Werewolf donut (with maple icing, chopped bacon and raspberry drizzle). Specialty Halloween donuts can be added to any customized order.

Guests can also try the thick and creamy Dirt 'N Worms milkshake or donut sundae.

Go: 101 Route 73 #141, Marlton; 856-267-5330, duckdonuts.com/marlton. Duck Donuts also has other locations across New Jersey.

Violent Femmes play Red Bank

This weekend, the Violent Femmes are Here Daddy Here.

The legendary alt-rockers of “Gone Daddy Gone” and “Blister in the Sun” fame are returning to New Jersey to headline the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Saturday night.

They’ll be joined by Alsarah and the Nubatones for the engagement.

Go: Violent Femmes with Alsarah and the Nubatones, doors at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $30 to $89; thebasie.org/events/violent-femmes.

'The Addams Family' in Middletown

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, and they’ve arrived in Monmouth County.

Join Gomez, Morticia and company for “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” produced by The MAC Players this weekend and next at the Middletown Arts Center.

Directed by Kathy Connolly, the production has musical direction by Nicholas Jupinka and choreography direction by Samantha Amaral.

Go: “The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy,” Friday through Sunday, and Oct. 28 to 30, Middletown Arts Center, 35 Church St., Middletown, $17.50 to $25; middletownarts.org.

'Eden Prairie 1971' in Long Branch

Playwright Mat Smart’s “Eden Prairie 1971” takes the stage at the New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch, with performances starting Thursday and running until Nov. 20.

Directed by Evan Bergman, the production stars Emilio Cuesta, Oriana Lada and Andrea Gallo in a National New Play Network rolling world premiere. The show concerns a young Vietnam-era draft dodger who finds his way back home to the Midwest. Due to the play's adult nature, no attendees younger than 16 will be admitted.

Go: “Eden Prairie 1971,” running Thursday through Nov. 20, New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, $30 to $55; njrep.org.

Dead On Live in Red Bank

Red Bank, it’s time to bring out your Deadheads.

Dead On Live, Monmouth County singer and guitarist Marc Muller’s acclaimed Grateful Dead tribute act, returns to the Count Basie Center for the Arts for one more Saturday night, this time taking the stage at the Vogel on the Basie campus.

Priding themselves on note-perfect recreations of the Dead canon, Muller and Dead On Live will be hosting a 50th anniversary celebration of the Dead’s now-legendary 1972 tour of Western Europe, documented on the landmark “Europe ‘72” live album.

The band’s Red Bank gig is sold out, but area fans have another chance to see them next week when they play Oct. 29 at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Go: Dead On Live, doors at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Vogel, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $25 to $55; thebasie.org.

QSpot Rummage Sale in Asbury Park

Junk in the Trunk, a fall rummage sale, takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at QSpot, 1601 Asbury Ave.

Donate or sell your slightly used stuff and help the LGBTQ Community Center in Asbury Park.

QSpot hosts a number of social groups and special events. Visit the website for more information on upcoming programs.

Go: Junk in the Trunk, fall rummage sale, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, QSpot, 1601 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park; https://qspot.org/.

FanNation returns to the Ocean County Library

Get ready to geek out: “FanNation: The Geekstravaganza” goes down starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library.

The eighth-annual “FanNation” gathering will feature gaming, panel discussions, trivia, crafting, cosplay and an escape room. Young adult novelist Kosoko Jackson will discuss his latest book, “Survive the Dome,” at noon.

Go: “FanNation: The Geekstravaganza,” 10 a.m. Saturday, Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St.; for more info and free registration, visit theoceancountylibrary.org.

Hispanic Heritage exhibit in Long Branch

The Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center hosts a Hispanic heritage exhibit through Nov. 10, with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The arts exhibition’s opening will include live music and flamenco dancers, refreshments and plenty of fun for all ages.

Go: Hispanic Heritage exhibit, through Nov. 10, Long Branch Arts and Cultural Center, 577 Broadway, Long Branch; longbranch.org.

Antonio Sanchez brings the beat to Red Bank

Acclaimed jazz drummer and composer Antonio Sánchez will be in Red Bank on Thursday night to headline the Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts campus.

Sánchez, who recorded and toured with guitarist Pat Matheny for nearly 20 years, is also known as the composer and performer for the score to the Oscar-winning 2014 Michael Keaton vehicle “Birdman,” which earned him a Grammy.

He’s currently on tour in support of his latest album, “Shift (Bad Hombre Vol. II).”

Go: “Shift” – Antonio Sánchez and Bad Hombre with Thana Alexa, Bigyuki and Lex Sadler, 8 p.m. Thursday, Vogel, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $20 to $59; thebasie.org.

Dropkick Murphys celebrate Woody Guthrie in Atlantic City

Boston punk legends Dropkick Murphys want you to have a seat. The hard-charging rockers, whose shows are typically incredibly raucous throwdowns, are on the road for a rare tour of theaters. They’re playing the Circus Maximus at Caesars Atlantic City on Saturday night.

Dropkick is on the road for the “This Machine…Theater Tour” in support of its latest album, “This Machine Still Kills Fascists.” A collection of Woody Guthrie lyrics set to new music, the acoustic album will be performed in full on the tour.

Go: Dropkick Murphys with Jamie Wyatt and Jesse Ahern, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Circus Maximus Theater at Caesars Atlantic City, 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, starting at $59.50; caesars.com.

Kristine W brings the hits to Atlantic City

Atlantic City, we will soon have a diva in our midst.

“Feel What You Want” dancefloor hit-maker Kristine W, a singles chart fixture for nearly 30 years, is on the road in support of her new single, “Can’t Look Back.” She appears 10 p.m. Saturday at the H2Q Nightclub at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.

She’s sharing the spotlight with Johnny Vicious, Hex Hector, Razor, Anthony Acid, Brainbug, Aluv and Manolo.

Go: Kristine W, 10 p.m. Saturday, H2Q Nightclub at Ocean Casino Resort, 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, $25 to $35; theoceanac.com/nightlife/hq2-nightclub

Gabriela Laracca contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore things to do include Dracula ballet, music, theater