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Arts & Entertainment

See Something Spooky, Silly ... or Willie Nelson

Also, now is the perfect time to get involved with the performing arts in North Jersey.

It’s time to fall into the performing arts, whether you want to watch them, act in them or write them.

Plays that have opened, or are close to opening, include “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, “Bug” at Chatham Players and “On Golden Pond” at Somerset Valley Players. There’s plenty of kiddie fare to choose from as well, including a special presentation at Paper Mill Playhouse designed for children with autism.

You can even watch some radio as Pax Amicus Castle Theatre presents an evening of radio dramas based on Alfred Hitchcock movies and Orson Welles’ news-making “War of the World” broadcast.

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Theatres are also seeking performers to appear on the stage: You can get in the holiday spirit with a role in “Babes in Toyland” at The Growing Stage Theatre or sing some doo-wop in “Leader of the Park” at Somerset Valley Players.

And if you’ve got a play in, you have until Jan. 15 to put the final touches on it and submit to the Eighth Annual Premiere Stages Play Festival. So get writing!

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It's all in the "On Stage Scoop," which runs every Tuesday on Patch.

ON STAGE SCOOP:

Giving Plays a Chance: Premiere Stages is seeking submissions to the Eighth Annual Premiere Stages Play Festival. The competition for unproduced scripts offers developmental opportunities to four playwrights born or currently residing in the greater metropolitan area (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut). The winner of the festival will be awarded $2,000 and a full Equity production in Premiere’s 2012 season. The runner-up will receive $750 and an Equity workshop in June. Two other writers will receive staged readings in March and a cash prize of $500. Entries are evaluated by a panel of theater professionals in consultation with the artistic director and resident dramaturge.  Agents may submit full scripts; playwrights may submit a synopsis and script sample directly. Postmark deadline is Jan. 15, 2012. No entry fee. Complete submission guidelines available at Kean.edu/PremiereStages.

Audition Alert, “Babes in Toyland:” The Growing Stage children’s theater in Netcong is holding auditions for “Babes in Toyland” on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Auditions are for young people 18 and over and adults. All auditioning should have a song prepared with printed accompaniment that should be no longer than 16 measures, be expected to learn a dance piece led by the choreographer, and some may be asked to read from the script. The Growing Stage is a professional member of the Association of Actors’ Equity. There will be five roles available for AEA artists, one AEA/ASM, while other roles will be filled by community artists. Performances are Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. For additional information please call 973-347- 4946 or e-mail exdir@growingstage.com.

To Another World: Growing Stage children’s theater in Netcong has opened its 30th anniversary season with Pauline C. Conley’s “The Code Breaker,” on stage through Oct. 23. The futuristic tale tells the story of four teenagers who discover a lost world, which leads to new responsibilities. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. The theater is located at 7 Ledgewood Ave. For tickets and information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

An American Classic:  of New Jersey is presenting “To Kill a Mockingbird” through Nov. 20. Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel tells the story of Atticus Finch and his pursuit of justice in a small town through the eyes of his daughter Scout. Brent Harris, who appeared in the Shakespeare Theatre’s production of “Timon of Athens” plays Atticus, and Emmanuelle Nadeau of Westfield plays Scout. The show is directed by Joseph Discher whose previous credits at the theater include “The Grapes of Wrath,” “The Tempest,” and “Amadeus.” For tickets and information, call 973-408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.

Getting Buggy in Chatham: has kicked off its 90th season with Tracy Letts’ “Bug,” running through Oct. 29. The play focuses on Agnes, a waitress who is abused by her ex-husband and haunted by her child’s kidnapping 10 years ago. She spends her time drinking and drugging in a motel room when a Gulf War veteran named Peter enters her life. The couple’s interest leads to obsession. And let’s just say bugs enter the picture. Tickets cost $20, $18 and under. For information, go to ChathamPlayers.org.

Getting Classical: Centenary Stage Company presents the Boston chamber orchestra A Far Cry on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. at the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Center in Hackettstown. Highlights of the program will include Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances,” Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings in E Major and the Suite from “Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme”  by Jean- Baptiste Lully. Tickets cost $27.50 on the day of performance, $25 in advance ($25/$22.50 for seniors, $20, $17.50 for students). Tickets can be purchased by calling 908-979-0900 or at CentenaryStageCo.org.

Audition Alert, “Leader of the Pack:”  is holding auditions for “Leader of the Pack” on Oct. 19, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Players’ playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road. Find a breakdown of open parts here. Bring with you and be prepared to sing 32 bars of music in the style of the show.  Accompanist will be provided. The Players are seeking a multi-ethnic cast who can sing and dance and represent the classic "girl groups" of the era. For more information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPTheatre.org. 

Singing “On Broadway” on South Street: Jazz great George Benson is coming to  for an Oct. 20 concert, beginning at 8 p.m. The guitarist and singer will be sharing his newest songs as well as hits from his career. Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Prepare for The ALpocalypse: “Weird Al” Yankovic is bringing his ALpocalypse Tour to  on Oct. 21 for a show starting at 8 p.m. The king of music parodies will be sharing his hits that spoof everyone from Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga. Tickets cost $37 to $67. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Silly Old Bear: “Winnie the Pooh” is coming to Pax Amicus Castle Theatre for a kid-friendly show with performances beginning Oct. 22 and continuing through Nov. 11. The play finds the famous bear sharing adventures with Christopher Robin, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Piglet, Rabbit and Eeeyore. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Tickets cost $12. For reservations, call 973-691-2100.

Artistic Expressions: The Tony-winning musical “In the Heights” will take stage at  for an Oct. 22 show, beginning at 8 p.m. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes’ musical shares the story and songs of a Manhattan community that’s on the brink of change. Tickets cost $52-$77. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Rummage Sale at Playwrights Theatre:  is continuing its rummage sale on Oct. 22 and 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theater is leaving its space at 33 Green Village Road in Madison and is selling items that were not included in prior sale dates. No costumes, lighting, sound equipment or theater seats are for sale. Click here. for directions. The theater is not accepting phone calls or e-mail inquiries about sale items. All business must be conducted in person.

American Tunes: Pushcart Players’ “Let Freedom Ring” will be performed at the on Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. The production is part of Paper Mill’s Theatre for Everyone series and features authentic folk songs and vignettes that illustrate moments in the United States’ history. The production is designed in cooperation with Autism New Jersey and The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers, with the theater environment being altered to offer a comfortable, judgment-free space. See here for more details and to buy tickets.  For more information, go to PapermMll.org.

Tiny Dancer:  will host the family show “Angelina Ballerina: The Musical” on Oct. 23, with performances beginning at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Based on the books by Katharine Holabird and illustrator Helen Craig, the show follows Angelina, a dancing mouse who’s determined to share her talents with an audience. For ages 4 to 10. Tickets cost $12 to $15. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Get Scared at the Shakespeare Theatre: It’s Halloween time and the  is bringing back “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” an evening of readings from classic ghost stories and horror tales performed by the theater’s company of actors on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Theremin artist John Hoge will return to provide haunting music and sound effects. The theater is located at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, located at 36 Madison Ave. in Madison. Tickets cost $32. Call 973-408-5600 or go to ShakespeareNJ.org for more information.

Live Jazz at the Bickford:  Jazz Showcase continues Oct. 24 with a performance by Mona’s Hot Four. The group consists of Dennis Lichtman (clarinet), Gordon Webster (piano), Nick Russo (guitar/banjo) and Jared Engel (bass). Tamar Korn sings with them. The concert will begin at 8 p.m., with tickets costing $18, $15 in advance. For tickets, call 973-971-3706.

He’s on the Road Again, and Coming to Morristown: Willie Nelson and Family are coming to the for an Oct. 27 concert, beginning at 8 p.m. Nelson will be performing hits like “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Cowboys,” “Always on My Mind” and many others. Tickets cost $72 to $100. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Radio Plays: Pax Amicus Castle Theatre im Budd Lake will stage live productions of radio drama adaptations of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” and “Sabotage,” and Orson Welles’ famous “War of the Worlds,” Oct. 28 to 30. Shows will feature sound effects, actors playing multiple roles and vintage commercials. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Oct. 28 and 29, and 2 p.m. on Oct. 30. The theater is located at 23 Lake Shore Road in Budd Lake. Tickets cost $15. For reservations, call 973-691-2100.

Feel the Dance: The Centenary Stage Company will host a performance by the New Jersey Ballet on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. in the David and Carol Lackland Center’s Sitnik Theatre in Hackettstown. The company will perform “Ballet with a Latin Beat II,” celebrating the rhythms and culture of Brazil, Cuba and Mexico. Tickets cost $30 at the door, $25 in advance with discounts available for seniors, students and children. Tickets can be purchased by calling 908-979-0900 or at CentenaryStageCo.org.

He’s Got Rhythm: Pianist Hyperion Knight is performing a tribute to George Gershwin at Centenary Stage Company’s David and Carol Lackland Center in Hackettstown on Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $22.50, $17.50 in advance, and can be purchased by calling 908-979-0900 or at CentenaryStageCo.org.

Looking at Love: will present the New Jersey premiere of Geoffrey Nauffts’ “Next Fall,” Oct. 28 through Nov. 30. The Tony-nominated play examines a five-year relationship between Adam and Luke, while exploring faith, commitment and unconditional love. Performances are at the Baird Center, located at 5 Mead St. in South Orange. For information, go to www.dreamcatcherrep.org.

Generation Gap: is presenting "On Golden Pond" at the Somerset Valley Playhouse, located at 689 Amwell Road in Hillsborough, Oct. 28 through Nov. 13. Ernest Thompson’s play is about an older professor and his wife who return to their Maine vacation home for another summer, and see for themselves how the world’s values are changing. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $17, $15 seniors/students. For more information, call 908-369-7469 or go to SVPtheatre.org.

Comedy Star: “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan is coming to  for a night of politically incorrect standup on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. For adults only. Tickets cost $49 to $79. Tickets cost $57 to $97. The Mayo Performing Arts Center is located at 100 South St. in Morristown. For tickets and information, call 973-539-8008 or visit MayoArts.org.

Scout’s Coming to Madison: Academy Award-nominated actress Mary Badham, who played Scout in the 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” will host a program titled “Looking Back with Scout: A Conversation with Mary Badham” on Nov. 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. at 's F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. During the talk, the actress will recall her memories on the set of the movie and discuss the book’s themes of tolerance, justice, and compassion. She will also host a question-and-answer session. The program coincides with the theater’s run of Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation of the novel, running through Nov. 20. Tickets cost $40 to $50 and can be purchased by calling the Shakespeare Theatre box office at 973-408-5600 or visiting ShakespeareNJ.org. The theater is located at 36 Madison Ave. in Madison.

Date Change for Tom Chapin Concert at Growing Stage Theatre: The Tom Chapin Concert originally scheduled to open the Growing Stage Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season has been rescheduled for Nov. 11. The concert was to be part of the company’s ribbon-cutting for the unveiling of a restored front façade at the Palace Theatre, but Hurricane Irene delayed that work. For tickets and information, call 973-347-4946 or go to GrowingStage.com.

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