In the Arts

The Freedom Film Society will host a screening of

The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank is participating in Operation DVD, a statewide DVD and CD collection program to benefit members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Since June, over 100 collection sites have been established in New Jersey. Operation DVD drop boxes allow people to donate new and used DVDs and CDs to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Count Basie has set up two collection boxes for audience members who wish to bring a DVD or CD to donate. VHS tapes of children's programming are also being collected. Those tapes will remain in New Jersey and will be distributed by the National Guard to families of the soldiers. For information on how you can help, contact the theater at (732) 224-8778.

The Performing Arts Center of Brookdale Community College will present a one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" starring Michael Kroll on Friday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre on the Lincroft campus. Kroll, well-known for his portrayal of "Scrooge" in local productions of the musical of the same name, becomes the entire ensemble of unforgettable Dickens characters in an evening that combines the theatrical with the art of storytelling. Sponsored by the Theatre Club. Tickets are $7; $5 for students with valid ID. Proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots. Reservations are recommended for this one-night only production, and may be made by calling the box office at (732) 224-1845.

The Performing Arts Ensemble presents its 25th anniversary season of "The Nutcracker," a beloved holiday tradition. Journey with Clara and her prince from the Victorian Christmas party, through the battle with mice and the Nutcracker, through the frosty snow forest with falling snow, to the Kingdom of the Sweets, the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Performances are Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., at Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank. Also, Saturday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 26, at 3 p.m. at the Strand Theatre, Fourth and Clifton avenues, Lakewood. Call (732) 706-7675 or (732) 671-9655 for tickets and information.

The theme of the December exhibition at the Art Alliance of Monmouth County is "100 Square Inches." Work will be received Wednesday, Nov. 29. Dennis Czund will be the artist featured in the window of the gallery. The show will run through Jan. 3 with an opening reception Saturday, Dec. 2, 6-8 p.m. The Art Alliance gallery is located at 33 Monmouth St. in Red Bank. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. For information, call (732) 842-9403.

Monmouth Players will hold auditions for the February production of "Love Is in the Air - A Night of One Acts" on Dec. 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. at the Navesink Library Theater at the corner of Sears and Monmouth avenues in the Navesink section of Middletown. Needed are men and women of all ages. For more information, call Lori at (732) 291-9211 or visit www.monmouthplayers.org

The Art Society of Monmouth County will hold its third annual holiday brunch Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave. The cost of $12 per person must be received by Dec. 1. The society 's current exhibit, the H&E Luhrs Show, runs until Dec. 27 at Little Silver Borough Hall, 480 Prospect Ave. To make reservations for the brunch, call Lucille Dellert at (732) 229-3377.