Theater Watch: Darlene Love, Ben E. King and Swan Lake

has great shows on tap this week, ready to spread the holiday cheer. Get some Love for the Holidays with Darlene Love and Ben E. King on Tuesday, and on Friday, take in The State Ballet Theater of Russia’s amazing production of Swan Lake.

On Monday the fifth annual Hope Concert came to Count Basie. The Hope Concert is an annual benefit for a local charity by an All Star lineup of Jersey Shore performers under the musical direction of Bobby Bandiera.

Jon Bon Jovi, fresh off a rumor of his untimely demise, appeared at the benefit.

Each year, the Hope Concert raises donations for a specific charity. This year’s beneficiary was The Cancer Institute of NJ. An institute dedicated to prevention, early detection, treatment and high quality care for patients with cancer, The Cancer Institute of NJ is one of only 40 National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation, and the only one located in NJ.

On Wednesday, Dec. 21, Darlene Love and Ben E. King bring Love for the Holidays to the Basie. Love got her start in the 1960’s with her smash hit He’s a Rebel. Her career continued to thrive with a string of hits including Da Doo Ron Ron, He’s Sure the Boy I’m Gonna Marry and Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). In 2011, Love was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ben E. King is an American legend, best known for his hit Stand by Me, which rose to the top of the charts in 1961. The song was eventually nominated for one of the Songs of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America.  King also has numerous other hits, including Spanish Harlem, Save the Last Dance for Me, Don’t Play that Song (You Lied), and This Magic Moment.

On Friday, Dec. 23, the Count Basie presents The State Ballet Theatre of Russia and their production of Swan Lake.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia hails from the city of Voronezh, home to a slew of famous Russian writers, artists and gymnasts. Their work includes work by both classical and modern Russian composers, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Cinderella, among others.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia has toured all over the world, bringing productions of Russian classics to France, Germany, Holland, India, Africa and the United States. Their production of Swan Lake was hailed by the New York Times as “full of enchantment.” This is one ballet that is not to be missed!

Schedule:

Wednesday, Dec.21, 2011: Love for the Holidays featuring Darlene Love & Ben E. King, 8 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 23, 2011: The State Ballet Theatre of Russia Swan Lake, 7:30 p.m.