The Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven had to cancel the latter half of its 2012 season following Sandy, including a production of White Christmas. The venue’s seats and carpets sustained significant water damage, but through hard work and some helpful grants, Surflight is ready to mount five full-scale musicals this summer, including the Broadway smash, Les Miserables.
In Long Branch, the New Jersey Repertory Company lost a chunk of its roof to Sandy. “It was so bad you could look up and see part of the sky,” says executive producer Gabor Barabas. New Jersey Rep’s marquee was also a casualty, and floodwaters damaged lighting equipment and carpets. A sizable grant from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and additional funds from the American Theatre Wing, the group behind the Tony Awards, helped compensate for fall box-office losses. Some repairs are yet to be made, but the company plans to operate as usual this summer.
The Ocean City Theatre Company lost an entire show in October, and its scenery shop, filled with one-of-a-kind props and set pieces, was severely damaged. Thanks to some generous donations and a sponsorship program, the nonprofit landed on its feet. It will present a dozen shows from June through August, including two new musicals.
Here’s a look at this summer’s theatrical schedule down the Shore:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
MANASQUAN
A 540-seat venue emphasizing cultural enrichment and arts education. 173 Main St; 732-528-9211; algonquinarts.org
June 10: Click, Clack, Moo
Aug 2-11: The Wizard of Oz
Avalon Players
AVALON
A children’s theater group founded in 1968, specializing in kid-friendly theater. 32nd Street and Ocean Drive; 609-967-7544; avalonplayers.org
Aug 1-4: Annie Jr.
Cape May Stage
CAPE MAY
A professional Equity theater company based in the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. Bank and Lafayette streets; 609-884-1341; capemaystage.com
Thru June 7: How to Make a Rope Swing
June 12-July 26: Lend Me a Tenor
July 31-Sept 13: Boeing Boeing
East Lynne Theater Company
CAPE MAY
This professional Equity theater company is celebrating its 33rd year of quality productions. 500 Hughes St; 609-884-5898; eastlynnetheater.org
June 12-July 20: Lost on the Natchez Trace
July 2: An Evening of Fables
July 24-Aug 31: Legend of Sleepy Hollow
First Avenue Playhouse
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
This nonprofit staple of the Shore theater scene serves coffee and dessert with every performance. 123 First Ave; 732-291-7552; firstavenueplayhouse.com
June: The Curious Savage
July: Leading Ladies
August: Barefoot in the Park
Monmouth University
WEST LONG BRANCH
The Woods Theatre hosts a one-act musical comedy. 400 Cedar Ave; 732-263-6889; monmouth.edu/arts
Jun 27-July 21: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
New Jersey Repertory Company
LONG BRANCH
Nonprofit company focuses on world premieres. 179 Broadway; 732-229-3166; njrep.org
Thru June 30: Happy
July 25-Aug 25: To be announced
Ocean City Theatre Company
OCEAN CITY
There’s something for everyone in the company’s ambitious production schedule. 501 Atlantic Ave; 609-525-9300; oceancitytheatrecompany.com
June 26: Broadway on the Boardwalk IV
July 3, 17, 24 and Aug 7: Sounds of Hollywood
July 7-10: Singing in the Rain
July 8-11: Winnie the Pooh
July 15-20: Jack and the Beanstalk
July 22-27: Dorothy Meets Alice
July 29-Aug 3: Rapunzel
Aug 5 and 7: Uberboy: The Story of a Hero
Aug 9-10: Big Bad: The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf
Aug 14-16: Peter Pan
Aug 21-22: Into the Woods Jr.
Aug 23-24: Grease
Our Gang Players
MANAHAWKIN
Community-run group celebrates its 36th season with two children’s musicals. 1000 McKinley Ave; 609-489-8600
July 12-14: The Wizard of Oz Jr.
Aug 9-18: Seussical the Musical
Surflight Theatre
BEACH HAVEN
Full-scale musical productions on Long Beach Island. Engleside and Beach aves; 609-492-9477; surflight.org)
Thru June 16: The Boy Friend
June 19-July 7: George M!
July 10-28: South Pacific
July 31-Aug 18: Les Miserables
Aug 28-Sept 8: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Two River Theatre Company
RED BANK
The 350-seat venue boasts state-of-the-art acoustics. 21 Bridge Ave; 732-345-1400; trtc.org
June 1-23: Present Laughter
July 20-21: Bolero Red Bank
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