In town for the holiday season…

Photo by Rich Esteban
November 19
Janet Jackson
State of the World Tour Prudential Center 8:00 pm
The five-time Grammy winner returns to The Rock with an all-new show after her Unbreakable tour. Jackson has sold over 100 million albums in her career, which began in the 1970s as the youngest member of the Jackson clan.
November 22
Get The Led Out
State Theater 8:00 pm
The Led Zeppelin tribute band features a sextet of veteran musicians acclaimed for their spot-on performances of the band’s classic tunes.
November 22 to December 31
Annie
Papermill Playhouse
Little Orphan Annie comes to the Papermill stage for the winter holidays. Check the web site for performances and show times.

Tony Danza: Tony Danza/Facebook
November 25
Tony Danza: Standards & Stories
UCPAC 8:00 pm
Backed by a four-piece band, the beloved actor presents an evening of music, storytelling and schmoozing. Danza performs his favorite American standards along with hits from the Broadway musical Honeymoon in Vegas.
November 26
An American in Paris in Concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
State Theater 3:00 pm
Watch Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron fall in love on the silver screen all over again in the classic 1951 film—while the NJSO performs the score live—in an unforgettable experience for movie and music lovers alike.
December 1
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia: Sleeping Beauty
UCPAC 7:30 pm
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents Sleeping Beauty, under the direction of award-winning Nikolay Anokhin. Fifty-five of Russia’s most talented ballet stars bring to life this Brothers Grimm tale on stage.

State Theater
December 5
The Colors of Christmas
State Theater 8:00 pm
A constellation of stars get into the Christmas spirit at the State Theater. Headliners include Peabo Bryson, Marliyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Ruben Studdard and Jody Watley.
December 7
An Evening with Savion Glover
NJPAC 7:00 pm
Tony-winning tap master Savion Glover—coming off last year’s Broadway triumph—fills NJPAC’s stage with a high-energy choreographed production.
December 16
Forces of Nature Dance Company
NJPAC 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Forces of Nature celebrates Kwanzaa with modern dance, West African movement, ballet, hip-hop and martial arts. Featuring special guest poets Ntozake Shange and Sonia Sanchez.
December 17
The Jazz Club at UCPAC: Reut Regev & Igal Foni
Hamilton Stage 7:00 pm
Rahway’s own world-renowned jazz artists headline a full ensemble in this stylized and energetic concert.
December 30
Michael Carbonaro
NJPAC 7:00 pm
Magician of the Year Michael Carbonaro—star of the truTV series The Carbonaro Effect—blends sharp wit and mind-blowing magic.
December 31
Eaglemania
Hamilton Stage 8:30 pm
The beloved Eagles tribute band is famous for rocking the group’s five-part harmonies, guitar jams and solo hits of Joe Walsh, Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
January 7
Sci-Fi Spectacular: Music from Star Wars, Star Trek & Beyond
State Theater 3:00 pm
Bob Berhnhardt conducts the NJSO in an out-of-this-world musical experience, celebrating the scores from history’s most iconic sci-fi film franchises.
January 18
Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound: After the Curtain
NJPAC 6:00 pm
The Emmy-winning choreographer leads his energetic dance company in an uplifting tale of a man searching for his creative voice after the loss of his one true love.
January 24 to February 18
The Outsider
Papermill Playhouse
The Outsider, a satirical tribute to democracy, makes its East Coast debut at the Papermill Playhouse. Ned Newly learns that, in politics, the less you know the higher you’ll go.
FOR the KIDS
November 24 & 25
Disney Live! Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway to Magic
State Theater
November 30
Mooseltoe
UCPAC 7:00 pm
December 2 & 3 and 9 & 10
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live!
Hamilton Stage
December 6
Garfield Christmas
UCPAC 2:00 pm
December 9
Paw Patrol Live!
NJPAC 10:00 am, 2:00 & 6:00 pm
December 16
The Polar Express
Kean Stage Noon & 3:00 pm
December 18
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
State Theater 3:00 & 6:00 pm
THE NUTCRACKER

State Theatre
November 18
American Repertory Ballet
UCPAC 2:00 pm
December 3
Russian Grand Ballet
Kean Stage 3:00 pm
December 15
The Hip Hop Nutcracker featuring Kurtis Blow
NJPAC 7:00 pm
December 15 to 17
American Repertory Ballet
State Theater
December 16
The State Ballet of Russia
NJPAC 3:00 pm

State Theater
January 24 & 25
The Illusionists
State Theater 8:00 pm
Five incredible, world-class illusionists will astound and dazzle audiences of all ages with feats of levitation, mind-reading, disappearances and grand illusion.

Masterworks Broadway
February 1 to 4
Ain’t Misbehavin’
NJPAC 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
One of the all-time great Broadway musicals comes to Newark for six perform-ances. A celebration of the Harlem Renaissance of the pre-WWII era, the show features the raucous, groundbreaking swing and boogi-woogie works of Fats Waller.

National Broadcasting Co.
February 3
Frankie Avalon
Kean Stage 3:00 & 7:30 pm
Mr. Teen Angel himself takes a trip down memory lane, performing his iconic hits including #1 singles “Venus” and “Why.”
Editor’s Note: This overview of local entertainment, curated by Rachel Stewart, is just a taste of our area’s overall performance picture. For full listings, log onto the following web sites:
Papermill Playhouse • papermill.org
Kean Stage • keanstage.com
State Theater • stnj.org
NJPAC • njpac.org
Prudential Center • prucenter.com
Union Country Performing Arts Center & Hamilton Stage • ucpac.org