Press Releases

The 1940�s Radio Hour, American Repertory Ballet�s The Nutracker, Newark Boys Chorus, Christmas from the Emerald Isle and A Charlie Brown Christmas All Coming Up This December

MANASQUAN, N.J. (Nov. 11, 2014) - From old-time radio to a classic TV special, and from Newark to Ireland, Algonquin Arts Theatre presents and produces a variety of holiday-themed entertainment this year.

Starting November 29, the Main Street theatre hosts 16 holiday performances including �The 1940�s Radio Hour,� �The Nutcracker,� the Newark Boys Chorus, �A Charlie Brown Christmas,� and �Christmas From the Emerald Isle.�

Tickets for each show are available online at algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by stopping in to the Box Office at 173 Main Street. Tickets are subject to $2 processing fees.

In December the Algonquin also celebrates New Year�s Eve by welcoming �The McCartney Years� for a tribute of Sir Paul McCartney�s greatest hits of the 1960s and 1970s with The Beatles and Wings.

The 1940�s Radio Hour
November 29-December 7
Algonquin Arts Theatre reprises its highly regarded production of �The 1940's Radio Hour,� which in December of 2011 was one of the first Algonquin productions to play to sold out audiences.

A different time is evoked in this marvelously theatrical and winning show, a live broadcast of a The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade from the Hotel Astor's Algonquin Room in December of 1942.

The show captures the spirit of that bygone era when the world was at war, and the music featured in the show was made popular by a who�s who of Big Band music including The Andrews Sisters, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, George Gershwin, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland.

The Big Band takes center stage as the Cavalcade�s harassed producer copes with a rag-tag cast including the drunk lead singer, the delivery boy who wants a chance in front of the mike, the second banana who dreams of singing a ballad, and a trumpet player who chooses a fighter plane over a gig with one of the world�s greatest big bands.

Newark Boys Chorus
December 10 � 10 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.
Newark�s �Musical Ambassadors� return for an annual performance as part of the Algonquin Arts Theatre�s daytime Education Series. Attended by school groups from around the region, tickets for these performances are available to the general public for $12.

This hour long concert features a medley of holiday favorites performed by a chorus that has been heard across the globe. The Newark Boys Chorus perform diversified repertoire that includes traditional classical music, spirituals, folk music, and jazz.

The Nutcracker
December 13 & 14
American Repertory Ballet brings the beloved classic �The Nutcracker� to the stage with Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, stunning sets, thrilling choreography and a massive cast with three performances on December 13 and 14.

Directed by Company Director Douglas Martin, ARB's professional company will be joined by students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl and how a mysterious gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.

Whether it's your first time, an annual tradition, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, ARB's Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for the entire family. American Repertory Ballet first presented �The Nutcracker� in 1956 at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, N.J. In 1963, it became an annual holiday tradition. This season it will be presented in several venues across the state, including for the third consecutive year at Algonquin Arts Theatre.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 19 & 20
The Algonquin Youth Ensemble takes center stage with a production of Charles Schulz�s �A Charlie Brown Christmas� on December 19 & 20.

Based on the classic animated television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the other Peanuts grapple with the real meaning of Christmas.

Enjoy music arrangements of "What Child Is This," "The Christmas Song" and "Christmas is Here" that reflect the spirit and mood of Schulz's work and introduce contemporary jazz to youngsters with grace, charm, and creativity.

A family theatre presentation appropriate for all ages, �A Charlie Brown Christmas� is a joyous and festive meditation for the holiday season. Performances will be Friday, December 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 20 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Demand for this title is high, and all three shows are expected to sell out.

Christmas From The Emerald Isle
December 21 � 3 p.m.
Padraig Allen's McLean Avenue Band and Joanna Barry Connolly's Emerald Fire dance return in 2014 just in time for Christmas in an encore of their sold-out performance last December.

This production fuses the best of traditional Irish music, dance and stories of the season, with magical footwork and an electrifying blend of original rock and bluegrass songs, such as "Christmas on McLean". The entire family will marvel at the �Story of the Wren�, dancing fiddlers, and the choir of angels.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman, and by Manasquan Savings Bank.