Dim the lights, cue the music, and get ready for the magic of a live performance.   From music concerts to puppets, this January there are a number of great opportunities to see a show.  Below is a highlight of what’s to come this month for all ages.

Jan 3, 4 The Night Before Christmas & The Emperor's New Clothes at Paper Moon Puppet Theatre, Saturdays at 1pm, Sundays at 2:30pm. $10, under 2 free.  A holiday double bill of the famous poem and Hans Andersen's story of the vain emperor who learns that what is inside is more important than what is on the outside. The Night Before Christmas features Chester, the dog, a little mouse with a special Christmas wish and Santa Claus. An interactive pre-show begins the performance and afterwards the audience is invited to see behind the scenes and ask questions.  171 First Avenue, Suite 8 (entrance around the corner on West Garfield), Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, 732-775-0290

Jan 4   Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II at the State Theatre NJ 3 pm – 4:30pm Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II celebrates Looney Tunes and its legendary stars. See Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, and more projected on the big screen while the NJSO performs the original scores live.  15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 732.246.7469

Jan 4 Sing-A-Long Sound of Music at Mayo Performing Arts Center 3:00pm The Hills are alive. Join in on the fun in as you sing along to the classic Julie Andrews Oscar-winning movie musical. Wave your Edelweiss. Dance in the gazebo with Liesl! Bark at Rolf! Boo the Nazis! Partake in earnest choruses of “My Favorite Things!” And come in costume. Don’t worry, all the lyrics are subtitled.  100 South Street, Morristown NJ 07960

Jan 10 WILD KRATTS LIVE at Count Basie Theatre 2 shows 1 pm & 5 pm WILD KRATTS - LIVE! is an all new theatrical stage show based on the hit animated television series Wild Kratts. Martin and Chris Kratt, stars of the Emmy-nominated Wild Kratts step out LIVE ON STAGE to engage the audience in a classic Wild Kratts story.  Starting off in their headquarters the “Tortuga”, the Wild Kratts receive a message of an animal in trouble from a member of their worldwide network of Wild Kratts kids and head off to save the day.  99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 Box Office Phone: 732-842-9000

Jan 11 DANCING WITH THE STARS LIVE! At Count Basie Theatre 2 shows 4 pm & 8 pm  A cast of the television show’s most popular competitors, live on the Basie stage, choreographing brand new never-before-seen numbers and recreating some of the show’s most memorable moments starring MARK BALLAS and WITNEY CARSON.  99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701 Box Office Phone: 732-842-9000

Jan 17, 18 Music at the Museum: Young Artists Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University 2 pm Music at the Museum features a special Saturday concert with the Young Artists Program.  Admission is free, but seating is limited so go early.  71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick NJ 08901 

Jan 19 Apple Circus in Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum 2 shows: 11 AM and 1:30PM Join Dikki Ellis for a day of magic, music, and mayhem.  6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morris Township, NJ 07920 (973) 971-3706

Jan 24 Head to iPlay America at 5 pm for Stand4Change, an anti-bullying concert tour created by Megan Chase and sponsored by Defeat The Label. The tour headlines performances by YouTube and Vine performing artists who have joined together to create critical awareness of bullying issues among middle school and high school aged students. 110 Schnack Road, Freehold, NJ 07728 Phone: 732-577-8200

Jan 24 Ivy + Bean The Musical at SOPAC 2 pm Ivy + Bean, The Musical is the story of an unexpected friendship between two very different second graders and is based on the New York Times best-selling children's books series by author Annie Barrows and Illustrator Sophie Blackhall.   1 SOPAC Way, South Orange NJ 07079 973.313.ARTS(2787)

Jan 25 Pinkalicious the Musical at Mayo Performing Arts Center Shows at 1:30 & 4 PM.  A girl finds herself in a colorful predicament after her indulgence in too many pink cupcakes causes a severe case of Pinkititis!  100 South Street, Morristown NJ 07960