(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Symphony will present Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert featuring a screening of the complete film while the musical score is performed live by the orchestra. The concerts will be led by conductor Constantine Kitsopoulos from December 5-8, 2024 with performances in Morristown, Red Bank, Newark, and New Brunswick.
The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story with the help of Rizzo the Rat. The film also features Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim. When the grumpy Scrooge receives Christmas Eve visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, they show him the error of his self-serving ways. Though the miserable old man seems beyond any hope of redemption and happiness, the kind and humble Bob Cratchit, his family and the Spirits open Scrooge's eyes—and his heart—to the true meaning of Christmas.
The original score was composed by Miles Goodman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Shop of Horrors) with songs by Oscar®, Emmy and GRAMMY-winning songwriter Paul Williams (“Rainbow Connection,” “Evergreen”).
Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert is presented by New Jersey Symphony, conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos and will be performed at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Morristown on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 7:30pm, Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:30pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 3:00pm & 7:30pm, and State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3:00pm (presented in collaboration with State Theatre New Jersey). For tickets and further information visit njsymphony.org/muppets.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts.
Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras, choruses, choirs and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ licensed concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live to film” concerts and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts that range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choir. Featuring concerts from the largest movie franchises in the world—from Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Pixar and 20th Century Studios—current titles include the Star Wars Film Concert Series, Toy Story, Aladdin, Disney Princess - The Concert, Coco, The Lion King, Up, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Constantine Kitsopoulos has established himself as a dynamic conductor known for his ability to work in many different genres and settings. He is equally at home with opera, symphonic repertoire, film with live orchestra, music theatre and composition. His work has taken him all over the world where he has conducted the major orchestras of North America, the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Tokyo Philharmonic.
In addition to Kitsopoulos’ engagements as guest conductor, he is music director of the Festival of the Arts Boca and general director of Chatham Opera. He is general director of the New York Grand Opera and is working with the company to bring opera, free and open to the public, back to New York’s Central Park.
Highlights of previous seasons include return engagements with the Dallas Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Vancouver Symphony and New York Philharmonic. Kitsopoulos also conducted Leonard Bernstein’s Candide at Indiana University Opera Theatre.
The Emmy and GRAMMY Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization-all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.
Internationally renowned Chinese American conductor Xian Zhang began her tenure as the New Jersey Symphony’s current music director in 2016. Since her arrival, Zhang has revitalized programming with an industry-leading commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in mainstage concerts. Since 2021, Zhang has worked together with composer, violinist, educator and social-justice advocate Daniel Bernard Roumain, the orchestra's Resident Artistic Catalyst, to offer programming that connects with diverse communities in Newark and throughout New Jersey. In 2024, Allison Loggins-Hull succeeds DBR as the orchestra’s next Resident Artistic Partner.
In the 2024–25 season, the New Jersey Symphony will present Billy Childs’ Diaspora, Allison Loggins-Hull’s Can You See? and Qasim Naqvi’s God Docks at Death Harbor. Classical favorites on the season include Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, “Choral,” Gustav Holst’s The Planets—An HD Odyssey and Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from The Firebird. Artistic partnerships include Nimbus Dance performing with The Firebird and God Docks at Death Harbor; Montclair State University Chorale performing on three programs; as well as Peking University Alumni Chorus and Starry Arts Children’s Chorus appearing on the Lunar New Year Celebration concert with Xian Zhang.
The New Jersey Symphony's programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.
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