UCPAC Main Stage

New Jersey Ballet: The Nutcracker, a beloved annual tradition enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike with splendid dancers and a touch of holiday magic, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score. The Nutcracker tells the magical story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they battle toy soldiers and larger-than-life mice, and travel through a whirlwind of dancing snowflakes to the Land of Sweets. Greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Clara enjoys a suite of brilliant and joyful dances before opening her eyes to the familiar sights of her own home. Was it all a dream?

This performance of The Nutcracker is brought to you by the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Sensory Friendly Theatre (SFT) is a series of live performances specially designed and adapted for children with autism and similar sensory sensitivity. Attendees can expect relaxed lighting and sound along with other adjustments and supportive services during Sensory Friendly performances.

New Jersey Ballet: The Nutcracker is just one of the many Sensory Friendly performances offered at UCPAC each year. Learn more

New Jersey Opera Theater presents Gian Carlo Menotti’s beloved one act opera sung in English. This 45-minute performance is the perfect introduction to the opera for children and newcomers but is sure to be enjoyed by all!

Amahl and his mother are dazzled by the three kings on the way to Bethlehem on the first Christmas Eve. Amahl’s mother welcomes the royal sojourners who rest in the small, bare house where love and faith work miracles during the night.

Amahl and the Night Visitors was commissioned by NBC and first performed by the NBC Opera Theatre on December 24, 1951, in New York City at NBC Studios. It was the first opera specifically composed for television in the United States.

Come witness a Christmas miracle!

To purchase accessible seating, please call UCPAC's Box Office at 732-499-8226.

Mother always taught me, "Never eat singing food."

Join us for UCPAC's annual holiday tradition!

The Muppet Christmas Carol stars Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppet gang, along with Academy Award Winner Michael Caine as Ebeneezer Scrooge. Directed by Brian Henson (Muppet creator Jim Henson's son in his feature directorial debut) and adapted from the 1843 novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the film closely follows Dickens's original beloved tale.

The fourth theatrical film in The Muppets franchise, this holiday classic is the first to be produced following the deaths of the Jim Henson and the performer Richard Hunt (Scooter); the film is dedicated to both. Released on December 11, 1992, it's the first Muppets film to be produced by Walt Disney Pictures.— Wikipedia

The movie will be preceded by an organ concert of holiday favorites played on our "Biggest Little Wurlitzer" one half hour before the movie begins. The classic Max Fleischer cartoon short Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer will be shown before the film. Join us for free popcorn, a visit from Santa, and other seasonal surprises! Don't be a Scrooge - come get in the holiday spirit with Kermit and friends!

Come on and ease on down the road to UCPAC to see The Wiz, starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. During your journey, enjoy free popcorn, sparkly drinks, photo ops, and other surprises!

Based on its namesake 1974 Broadway musical, The Wiz tells the classic story of Dorothy (Ross), the Tin Man (Russell), the Scarecrow (Jackson), and the Cowardly Lion (Ross) with music by Ashford & Simpson, Luther Vandross, Charlie Smalls, and Quincy Jones. The film was directed by Sydney Lumet.

UCPAC’s 35mm Classic Film Series is proud to present this cult classic 1978 film starring legends of stage and screen during Black History Month. 

Bagpipers who Rock!

Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning!

It’s Bagpipes. It’s Rock. It’s Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet Robert Burns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland.

It’s The Red Hot Chilli PIPERS – (NOT the Peppers!) -- a 9-piece ensemble consisting of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers -- who have been rocking the world from New York to Beijing to Melbourne and everywhere in between with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless. The band has four music degrees from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and all the pipers and drummers have played at the top level in bagpiping.

Since they walked away with the top prize on the primetime TV talent show, “When Will I Be Famous” in the U.K. in 2007, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers haven't stopped for a breath, other than to inflate their bagpipes! Formed in 2002, The Chillis have fast become a global phenomenon, taking their signature 'Bagrock' sound to the masses with their unique fusion of rocked up Bagpipes and clever covers of popular songs from all genres. Their trademarked sound is a unique fusion of traditional pipe tunes – like “The Flowers of Scotland”, “The Hills of Argyll”, and “Amazing Grace” (done Chilli-style, of course!) -- and contemporary anthems like Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, “Clocks” by Coldplay, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, “Let Me Entertain You” by Robbie Williams, and a fantastic rock medley of “Deep Purple”, “Smoke on the Water”, and AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck”.

The Chillis have never been more in demand for their infectious style of feel-good music which appeals right across the age range to people all over the world. Here's what some of them had to say:

• “These are my boys!” exclaimed Sir Paul McCartney after rocking out to a Chilli performance.


• “Awesome!” said film star Ewen McGregor after he guested on drums with the Chillis


• “Gotta get me some of that Red Hot Chilli Pipers! I WANT some!” tweeted actor Samuel Jackson after seeing the band perform on NBC in the summer of 2012

There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Feel the Chilli heat: It’s time to come closer to the fire!

To purchase accessible seating, please call UCPAC's Box Office at 732-499-8226.