Shining Stars Christmas Show Set for Friday, Nov. 30th

As the song says "It's the most wonderful time of the year" and what better way to kick off the holiday season, then to join the Shining Stars cast for a night of musical fun, as they take their amazing talents to the stage for their first ever holiday show. The “Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular” will feature special needs individuals and their high school “buddies” from around Union County in a night of singing and dancing to the greatest songs of the season.

The show is set for Friday, November 30, 2018 at the theatre at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains. All tickets are $10 for general admission in advance - $15 at the door, and are available at ShiningStars.booktix.com.

“We are extremely excited to present our first-ever Christmas show,” said Shining Stars Network’s Founder and the show’s Director Sally Curci. “We’ve been thinking about doing this for several years, and adding this event to our very successful “Evening of Shining Stars” talent show will give our expanding cast another chance to shine on stage. We are very excited to present this show at Union Catholic. It will be a great way to start the holiday season.”

“We are incredibly grateful and excited about our Christmas show this year,” added Co-Director Nicole Greene. “All of the performers cannot wait to perform once again. We really are a family, and we can’t wait to start the holiday season with our show.”

In their 7th year, Shining Stars Network (SSN) has produced a yearly spring talent show called “An Evening of Shining Stars” which has grown into one of the area’s must-see events. This past May, over 1,000 audience members watched the “stars” light up the stage at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The Shining Stars are set to return to UCPAC for their 8th annual show on Friday, May 3, 2019.

”We are thrilled that we will be back at the Union County Performing Arts Center for our “Evening of Shining Stars” extravaganza, said Shining Stars Network President Mike Curci. “That was a night we will never forget. Our talented cast and incredible volunteers are looking forward to creating more great memories for everyone in our next two shows. We are very excited about our upcoming holiday show and our new relationship with Union Catholic. They have welcomed us with open arms. It’s a wonderful facility and we’re excited to work with their student group who will be involved in the production.

Union Catholic Assistant Principal Karen Piasecki is also looking forward to a great holiday event.

“Union Catholic High School and its student-run CRAYON Club (Community Raising Autism-Awareness Yielding Opportunities Now) are proud to support the Shining Stars Christmas Show to be held at UC on November 30, 2018 at 7pm, said Piasecki. “Union Catholic's core values include respect, compassion and community, so we see this as a wonderful partnership with Shining Stars Network.”

The shows are produced and presented by Shining Stars Network, a registered 501(c)3 non profit organization that shines the light on the special needs community through the performing arts.

The Shining Stars Ambassadors special needs basketball team will be back in Cranford to take on the Cranford PBA on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7:00 pm. The Ambassadors program creates opportunities for inclusion, friendship and understanding in a fun environment.

For more information on the shows or to learn more about Shining Stars Network, log on to www.shiningstarsnetwork.org.