IN THE ARTS Brookdale Community College invites area actors/singers to audition in December for "Pocket Musical" productions which open this spring. The "Pocket Musicals," each of which involve only twothree characters, are "Tick, Tick . . .Boom!" by Jonathan Larson; "Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story" by Stephen Dolginoff; and "I Do! I Do!" by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. Auditions will be held at the Performing Arts Center, Lincroft campus, Wednesday, 5-8 p.m.; and Monday, Dec. 17, 5-10 p.m. Actors should prepare 16-32 bars of a Broadway rock song and a traditional show song and bring sheet music in their key. Call (732) 224-2411 to schedule an appointment, which is required. See a new film and support the Monmouth County Arts Council Thursday, Dec. 13, at the New Jersey premiere of Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth," a provocative new film about a man on the run during WWII who is forced to choose between his life's work and the great love of his life. The premiere is a fundraiser for MCAC. There will be a reception at Echo, 79 Monmouth St. in Red Bank from 5 - 6:45 p.m. The film begins at 7 p.m. at Clearview Cinema on White Street. For tickets, call MCAC at (732) 212-1890 or visit www.monmouthartscouncil. org. Nancy Scharff Backward Glances has launched a campaign that celebrates the roots of rock 'n' roll while helping New Orleans musicians. The vintage store has designed and produced T-shirts commemorating New Orleans' legendary J & M Music Shop/Recording Studio. All profits generated by the sale of the shirts will be donated to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic (NOMC), a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable health care and social services to New Orleans musicians. From the late 1940s through the mid 1950s, J&M was the studio in New Orleans to record R & B music. In 1949, Dave Bartholomew produced the Fats Domino track "The Fat Man" at J & M. Many music historians consider this to be the first rock 'n' roll record. Other rock 'n' roll pioneers who recorded under proprietor/engineer Cosimo Matassa at J&M include Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Lloyd Price and many more. The T-shirts are available exclusively at Backward Glances, 43 Broad St., in Red Bank, and online at www.backwardglances.com. For more information, contact Cindy Ciullo at (732) 842-9156. Nancy Scharff will perform in concert in "The Joys of Christmas" Saturday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. A talented singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter and composer, Scharff's Christmas concert is for the entire family. Audience participation is a highlight of her concerts. A portion of ticket sales will benefit LOVE, INC - Love in the Name of Christ, the Red Bank-based nonprofit that helps the needy in the community. Those attending the concert are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for immediate assistance to the needy. Tickets are $25 - $15 at the box office, 99 Monmouth St., or (732) 842-9000. Like the generation it defined, doo wop is alive and well and waxing nostalgic at venues like the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank where the Holiday Doo Wop Spectacular will be presented Friday at 7:30 p.m. Appearing in concert will be quintessential doo wop groups The Duprees ("You Belong to Me"), Kenny Vance and the Planotones ("Gloria"), The Cleftones ("Heart and Soul"), Earl Lewis and the Channels ("The Closer You Are") and The Excellents ("Coney Island Baby"). Tickets are $40 - $30 at the box office, 99 Monmouth St. or (732) 842-9000. Holiday fun for families continues at the Monmouth Museum with "Crafts From Around the World" Sunday, 2-3 p.m., at the museum, located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. The program is free for members, and free for nonmembers with the $6 admission. Registration is required by calling the museum at (732) 747-2266. The Monmouth Civic Chorus will present selections from "Messiah" plus "Christmas Pops" Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. Tickets are $40 for premium seating ($35 seniors, $10 students), $25 regular ($22 seniors, $20 groups, $5 students) and $15 economy ($5 students). Call (732) 933-9333 to subscribe, or order online at www.monmouthcivicchorus.org. Jersey Shore chronicler Helen Pike will be signing books at Barnes & Noble in Holmdel Sunday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. to benefit the Monmouth County Arts Council. Pike's work has appeared in a wide variety of publications from the New York Times, to New Jersey Monthly. She is the author of several books including "Greetings from New Jersey." The Brush and Palette Art Guild of Keyport will meet Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the James Cullen Building, Union Avenue, Hazlet. All are welcome. For information, call (732) 264-3853. It's not Dickens, but a wise spirit does visit a family and brings them the holiday spirit in Tom Dudzick's warm comedy "Greetings!" running every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m., through Dec. 22, at First Avenue Playhouse, 123 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands. "Greetings!" is quickly becoming a new holiday standard. What begins as a boy-brings-fiancée-home-to-meet-the-wacky family story evolves into something wider, deeper and richer. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors Thursday evening and Sunday matinees. For information and reservations, call the First Avenue Playhouse at (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse. com. Compiled by Gloria Stravelli