New Brunswick's theater district has a full holiday calendar this year, from a Broadway musical about a boy and his Red Ryder air rifle to a Nutcracker that has run for more than six decades. Here is what is on stage at State Theatre New Jersey and George Street Playhouse between now and New Year's Eve, with dates, times and starting prices from each venue.

A Christmas Story: The Musical, November 20 to 22

State Theatre New Jersey opens the season with the touring musical based on the 1983 film, set in 1940s Indiana as Ralphie Parker schemes for an official Red Ryder air rifle. The score is by the songwriting team behind Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land and The Greatest Showman, and the show earned three Tony nominations in 2013, including Best Musical. Performances are Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 21 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $52 including fees, and the theater recommends it for ages 5 and up.

The Irish Tenors, November 29

Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Patrick Hyland bring A Family Christmas to the State Theatre on Sunday, November 29 at 7 p.m., mixing Christmas standards with Irish songs and material from their holiday album We Three Kings. Tickets start at $46.

2 Pianos 4 Hands, December 1 to 20

George Street Playhouse runs this two-actor comedy in the Arthur Laurents Theater. Two performers play pianists Richard and Ted from their first lessons through competitions, pushy parents and demanding teachers, playing everything from Bach and Beethoven to Billy Joel live on two pianos. The play is by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt and directed by Tom Frey. Opening night is December 4, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. through December 20. Tickets start at $35. The December 12 matinee is open captioned in English with audio description, the 7:30 p.m. show that night is open captioned in Spanish, and a post-show symposium follows the December 13 matinee.

The Nutcracker, December 17 to 20

American Repertory Ballet's production has run for more than 60 years, and the theater lists it among the longest continuously running Nutcrackers in the country. The State Theatre dates are the company's only performances with a live orchestra and choir, with a cast of more than 100 dancers. Shows are Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 19 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 20 at 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets start at $40.

Salute to Vienna, December 31

The year closes at the State Theatre with a 5 p.m. New Year's Eve concert of Johann Strauss Jr. waltzes, overtures and arias, including the Blue Danube Waltz. The Strauss Symphony of America plays under conductor Imre Kollár, with soprano Katarzyna Dondalska, tenor Martin Piskorski, and dancers from the Budapest Ballet and international champion ballroom dancers. Tickets start at $51.

Getting there and saving

State Theatre New Jersey is at 15 Livingston Avenue, and George Street Playhouse is a short walk away. Both are about ten minutes on foot from the New Brunswick station on NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line. The State Theatre has no parking lot of its own; there is metered street parking nearby and the Civic Square parking deck, and spaces can be reserved through Parkmobile. The State Theatre's holiday sale, with the promo code THANKYOU, runs through November 30. Groups of 10 or more can call State Theatre guest services at 732-246-7469.

Sources