Christmas at Kelsey Theatre

Kelsey Theatre presents "A Very Kelsey Christmas."

The show is a Christmas concert set in the style of a 1950's live variety television show. There will be skits, music of all types (including classic Christmas songs and hymns, pop hits, and Broadway classics), and more.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 13. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $14 for students/children.

The show is directed by John Zimmerman and musically directed by Peter de Mets.




Also, the theatre will host multiple free Christmas concerts. There will be a choral concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, a jazz band concert at 8 p.m. on Dec. 8, and a concert by the Mercer County Symphonic Band at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16.

'It's a Wonderful Life' at Kelsey Theatre

M & M Productions' "It's a Wonderful Life" opens at Kelsey Theatre this Friday.

When miserable George Bailey wishes he had never been born, an angel is sent to Earth to make his wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he had never been there. Based on the classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life" is a tale of life, love, and how our lives effect others.

Performances are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays from Nov. 20 to Nov. 29. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for children/students.

The show is directed by Dan Spalluto, and stars Tim Moran as George Bailey, Angela Fasanella as Mary Bailey, Matthew Cassidy as Uncle Billy, Sean McGrath as Clarence, Walter Smyth as Potter, John Cox as Bert, Kevin Hallam as Ernie, David Sullivan as Joe the Senior Angel, Shan Williams III as Frankie the Senior Angel, William Walters as Pop Bailey, Sybil Cooper as Ma Bailey, Nicholas Kianka as Harry Bailey, Noelle Rappleya as Violet, Tristan Takacs as Sam Wainwright, Michaelyn Haley as Annie, Anthony Rita as Young George, Julia Patella as Young Mary, Jeannette Smith as Young Violet, Carolyn Anzuini as Cousin Tilly, David Christoffersen as Mr. Gower, Sawyer Berness as Tommy Bailey, Hudson Waller as Peter Bailey, Isabella Colon as Zuzu, Mia Soleil Spallina as Janie Bailey, Madison Kotnarowski as Cousin Eustace, and Pete Trabucco as Mr. Martini.

'A Tuna Christmas' at Villagers Theatre

Villagers Theatre presents "A Tuna Christmas."

In this hilarious sequel to "Greater Tuna", it's Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest. In other news, voracious Joe Bob Lipsey's production of "A Christmas Carol" is jeopardized by unpaid electric bills. Many colorful Tuna denizens, some you will recognize from "Greater Tuna" and some appearing here for the first time, join in the holiday fun.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Nov. 27 & 28 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 29. Tickets are $15 each. No group rates or discounts are available.

The show is directed by Linda Giordano and stars Bob Chiavaroli and Andy Gordanier. All proceeds from "A Tuna Christmas" go to replacing the theater's HVAC systsem.

Casting Call: 'A Christmas Peter Pan'

Villagers Theatre will old auditions for their production of "A Christmas Peter Pan."

Auditions are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 6. Sides will be provided. Please come prepared to dance. Callbacks are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 7.

Captain Hook is at it again! No longer satisfied with disrupting the peace in Neverland, he has decided to take a "stab" at ruining Christmas. His plan includes preventing Santa from making his deliveries, capturing Peter Pan to keep him from interfering with Part One of the plan, and, for extra-bad measure, scattering all the toys out over the frozen North Pole landscape. Now it's up to Tinker Bell and those darling kids, Wendy, Michael and John (with a little help from the audience), to save the day.

Roles are:

Peter Pan	Male or female, age range 16-20
Snow Fairies	Four people needed; Male or female, age range 10-16
Wendy	Female, age range 16-20
Santa's Elves	Four people needed; Male or female, age range 10-16
John	Male, age range 10-15
Pirates	Three people needed; male or female, age range 10-16
Michael	Male, age range 5-10
My Little Ponies	Two people needed; female, age range 5-10
Nana/Crocodile	Adult
Lost Toys	Five people needed; male or female, adult
Mother	Female, adult
Father	Male, adult
Tinker Bell	Female, age range 10-15
Captain Hook	Male, adult
Smee	Male, adult
Santa Claus	Male, adult

Rehearsals will begin Oct. 8 and end Dec. 11. The show will perform from Dec. 12 to Dec. 20. at noon on Saturdays and Sundays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

The show is directed by Tina Lee, produced by Paul Carver, and stage managed by Melissa Noble.

For further information, please email paul@villagerstheatre.com or call (732) 666-7294.

Casting Call: 'A Christmas Story'

Papermill Playhouse will hold open child auditions for their production of "A Christmas Story."

The theatre is looking for children ages 9 to 13 who sing well and tap dance.

Auditions will be held on Oct. 3 at Pearl Studios in New York City. Sign ups will start at 9 a.m. Bring sheet music, tap and jazz shoes, and a head shot and resume (stapled together). All children will be taught a section of a song from the show that they will then sing for their initial audition. Callbacks will be the same afternoon and will require dancing. You will also sing a song of your own at this point.

Roles are:

Flick/Ensemble	Boy, any ethnicity, to play 10–13. Children’s chorus with chorus part of Flick. He’s the kid who gets his tongue stuck to the pole. In this version, he will sing a song with his tongue “stuck” to a flag pole. Must also carry one or two production numbers. Tough on the outside but a little boy on the inside. He should be funny – has a lot of laugh lines – and he sings a lot. VOICE: Belter (unchanged voice) low B to high C#. Tap skills a plus.
Schwartz/Ensemble	Boy, any ethnicity, to play 10–13. Children’s chorus with chorus part of Schwartz. Seeking a young kid who is comfortable on stage but still real. He’s the kid who “double dog dares” Flick to stick his tongue to the flag pole. Tough on the outside but a little boy on the inside. He should be funny – has a lot of laugh lines – and he sings a lot. VOICE: Belter (unchanged voice) low B to high C#. Tap skills a plus.
Grover Dill/Ensemble	Boy, any ethnicity, to play 10–12. Children’s chorus with chorus part of Grover. Farcus’s sidekick. He is smaller than Scut and has a "Napoleon Complex." He compensates for his shortcomings with extreme meanness. Like Farcus, a bad egg. VOICE: Belter (unchanged voice) low B to high C#. Must be able to tap.
Mary Beth/Ensemble	Girl, any ethnicity to play 9–12. Children’s chorus. Must be a high belter. Sings from a low B to high D#. Must be a strong/engaging performer. Must be able to tap.
Esther Jane/Ensemble	Girl, any ethnicity, to play 9–12. Children’s chorus. Must be a high belter. Sings from a low B to high D#. Must be a strong/engaging performer. Must be able to tap.
Ensemble Girls	Females, all ethnicities, to play 9–12. Children’s chorus. Great voices, engaging performers. Must be able to tap.
Ensemble Boys	Males, all ethnicities, to play 9–12. Children’s chorus. Must have an unchanged voices; engaging performers. Must be able to tap.

Rehearsals begin on Oct. 25 and the show runs from Nov. 25 to Jan. 3. Everyone must be available for all rehearsals and performances.

The show will be directed by Brandon Ivie, choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer, musically directed by Ben Whiteley, and cast by Rachel Hoffman. The show is written by Joseph Robinette and Benj Pasek.

Casting Call: 'A Christmas Carol'

McCarter Theatre will hold open child auditions for their annual production of "A Christmas Carol."

There will be in person sign-ups on September 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the theater. Information about auditions, rehearsals, and performances will be available, and you can ask any questions you have. Parents will then be able to sign up their children for an audition slot. If you can not attend the in person sign-ups, you will have the opportunity to sign up for the remaining slots online beginning September 20. Afterwards, you will receive a call from the theater to verify the time, and then send an email containing the audition material and appointment. No auditions will be given without an appointment. If you have difficulty with this call the theater at (609) 258-6505 and they'll make an appointment.

Fourteen children are needed, ranging from the age of 5 to 13. You must be inside of that age range by the time of the performances in order to audition. The auditions will take place on September 29 & 30, and callbacks are October 3. Rehearsals will begin November 10, and performances begin November 10.

Roles are:

Belinda Cratchit	6-10
Martha Cratchit	10-13
Christmas Pasts 1, 2, and 3	8-13
Ensemble Girls	6-12
Female Fezziwig Dancer	12-13
Tiny Tim	5-8
Boy Scrooge	9-12
Peter Cratchit	11-13
Ensemble Boys	6-13

Here are some tips from the theater to young auditionees, here is the rehearsal schedule, and here are the requirements and guidelines for the auditions.

 If you have any questions or comments, please email casting@mccarter.org.