This month, New Jersey stages are filled with both holiday performances and 1990s icons. Get ready to celebrate!
by Jessica Jones-Gorman
TOP OF THE POPS
Prudential Hall at NJPAC will be filled with the sounds of the season on December 15, as the iconic Boston Pops take center stage. Founded in 1885 as a second identity of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), one with typically less formal programming, the Pops tour in spring and during the holidays, and also perform at Symphony Hall in Boston. During the latter decades of legendary conductor Arthur Fiedler’s music directorship from 1930 to 1980, the Pops sold more recordings than any other orchestra, and arguably became the world’s most famous as a result.
Under the direction of Keith Lockhart (his 24th season with the organization), the Pops will present a range of popular seasonal songs, including “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and “Sleigh Ride.” Tickets for the show, which starts at 4 p.m., are priced between $49 and $125. 1 Center Street, Newark, njpac.org
BOLTON AT THE BASIE
Michael Bolton, a multiple-Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter who has sold more than 65 million records, comes to the Count Basie Center for the Arts on December 9 to present “Greatest Hits & Holiday Favorites.” Most recognized for his cover of “When a Man Loves a Woman,” he’s also had nine other number-one singles, including “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and “Said I Loved You…But I Lied.” In addition, he’s written songs recorded by KISS, Kanye West, Jay Z, Barbra Streisand, Cher, and Marc Anthony. The NJ show will focus on classic hits and Christmas flavor, with tickets priced between $35 and $99. 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, thebasie.org
LEGENDS AT PLAY
Pop stars of the 1980s and ’90s, Rick Springfield and Richard Marx have enjoyed close to four decades in the limelight, and will team up on December 13 for an intimate solo acoustic performance at Borgata’s Music Box. Springfield has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, including “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” and “An Affair of the Heart,” while Marx has sold more than 30 million albums, starting with a self-titled debut which spawned four Top 5 singles, including “Hold on to the Nights.” Performing full sets from their songbooks, the boys will also collaborate on several tunes. Tickets range from $89 to $99, and guests can also upgrade to a meet-and-greet package. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, theborgata.com
