'Santa's Circus' Comes To Avenel Performing Arts Center

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — The Avenel Performing Arts Center just opened in April of this year, and they have a great new show for the holiday season: "Santa's Circus," which will run from Wednesday, December 18 through Monday, December 23.

"Santa's Circus" is the story of an orphaned girl who has stopped believing in Christmas. She takes an extraordinary adventure to the North Pole and learns the spirit of Christmas never disappears for those who believe. She encounters wonderful characters such as snowmen, penguins, angels, reindeer, toy soldiers, gingerbread men and of course Santa himself.

The cast includes over 15 performers including dancers, jugglers, tightrope walkers, contortionists, magicians, comedians, clowns, and trapeze artists all lead by Francisco Santos.

Santos is the eighth generation of a family dedicated to the entertainment business. He won an Emmy award in the category of "Outstanding Non-Fiction Program" for his work in the series “Fire Within.” Since 2002, he has worked with Cirque du Soleil as a co-creator of the show “Varekai,” which has been seen by more than 9 million people around the world. Outside of work, he volunteers with non-profit organizations by creating and implementing workshops to teach young children about the circus arts.

Santos created "Santa's Circus" for his daughter Luna, who also performs in the show, continuing their family’s circus tradition.

“Santa’s Circus is a magical show not to be missed," he said. “It’s a show inspired by my passion for my daughter and the importance to spend quality time with family. Values and tradition seem to be vanishing especially now with electronics toys and devices taking all of the attention of our kids.”

Showtimes are as follows: Wednesday, December 18 at 7 p.m.; Thursday, December 19 and Friday, December 20 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22 at 12 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Monday, December 23 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are: $69.50 for Adults, $66.50 for Senior Citizens (65+)/Active Military and $49.50 for Children 12 & Under. There is a 10% discounted rate for Groups of 10 or more.

The Avenel Performing Art Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel, New Jersey (located within Woodbridge Township). To purchase tickets, visit www.avenelarts.com or contact the Box Office Tuesday-Saturday from 12pm-5pm at (732)314-0500.

As Patch reported, The Avenel Performing Arts Center opened on April 10, 2019. The center hopes to revitalize the Woodbridge area with professional theater, music, comedy and dance performanes. The Avenel Performing Arts Center is also the home of Curtains Bar and Restaurant, which serves bar apps, salads, burgers, pasta and steaks alongside a full-service bar with a seasonal cocktail menu and weekly specials. To make reservations at Curtains Bar and Restaurant call (732)582-4595.

Here's the upcoming 2019/2020 line-up at the Avenel Performing Arts Center:

December 10-11: Celtic Angels Ireland

December 12-15: It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre

December 18-23: Santa’s Circus

January 10-11: One Man Star Wars Trilogy

January 22-26: Big Band Broadway

February 15-16: Erich Bergen Live in Concert

February 25-March 1: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus- Live

March 12-13: When Irish Eyes are Dyin’: An Interactive Murder Mystery

March 20-22: The New York Tenors

April 3-5: Rearview Mirror: Dancing through the 80s

April 17-26: My Big Gay Midlife Crisis

May 27-June 7: My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy

Additional titles will be announced at a later date.