For a list of Nutcracker ballet performances around the state, click here.
Elf: The Musical
Dec 2-4: Inspired by the family comedy starring Will Ferrell, this musical version tells the story of Buddy, an orphan mistakenly raised at the North Pole by Santa Claus and the elves despite his human height. Fri, 7:30 pm; Sat, 2 & 7:30 pm; Sun, 1 & 6 pm; $35-$110. State Theatre, New Brunswick
statetheatrenj.org
Scrooge
Dec 2-18: The Spring Lake Theatre Company presents its 34th annual production of the holiday classic. 2 & 7:30 pm; $22-$30. Spring Lake Community House
springlaketheatre.com
Once Upon a Christmas Dream
Dec 2-18: Young Daniel slips into his family member’s dreams on Christmas Eve on a magical adventure. Times and prices vary. Broadway Theatre, Pitman
thebroadwaytheatre.org
Yuletide Tales
Dec 4-10: East Lynne Theater Company’s artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth selects a few tales to present for the holidays in storytelling fashion, without script, but with at least 30 different characters to interpret. 2 & 8 pm; $17-$27. East Lynne Theater, First Presbyterian Church, Cape May
eastlynnetheater.org
A Christmas Carol
Dec 9-31: The classic Charles Dickens tale of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future comes to life at the McCarter Theater. Times and prices vary. Princeton
mccarter.org
Once Upon a Mattress
Dec 10-18: The musical-comedy adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, comes to Axelrod PAC. Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm; $18. Deal Park
axelrodartscenter.com
Something Merry This Way Comes
Dec 12: The members of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey read holiday tales, songs and poems perfect for a wintry evening. 7:30 pm; $40. FM Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, Drew University, Madison shakespearenj.org
A Christmas Carol
Dec 18: Sundog Theatre performs the classic Charles Dickens tale starring Scrooge and Tiny Tim at Bergen PAC. 1 & 4 pm; $15-$29. Englewood
bergenpac.org
A Very Electric Christmas
Dec 27-30: Lightwire Theatre presents an unusual holiday production featuring music, movement and neon lights. 11 am, 1:30 & 4 pm; $15- $20. Two River Theater, Red Bank
tworivertheater.org
The Trial of Abraham Hunt: An American Christmas Story
Dec 28: Theater to Go presents this one act play adapted from the novel of the same name by Michael Davis. On Christmas Day 1776, local businessman Abraham Hunt hosted the occupying Hessian forces for a dinner party. After Washington reclaimed Trenton the following morning, Hunt was put on trial as a traitor. 7:30 pm; $10. The 1867 Santuary, Ewing
1867sanctuary.org
One Christmas Carol
Thru Dec 31: One actor performs 35 different characters from the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, in this seasonal one-man show. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm; Sat & Sun, 3 pm; $18-$53. Cape May Stage, Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Cape May
capemaystage.org
A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Thru Jan 1: After a 13-year hiatus, the Shakeapeare Theatre revives this seasonal production inspired by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s prose work of the same name. Times and prices vary. FM Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, Drew University, Madison
shakespearenj.org