Press Releases

The Wizard of Oz and Groucho Marx Highlight the Algonquin's 75th Summer in Manasquan

IMAGES:
Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx:
- http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/Groucho_CourtesyFrankFerrante.jpg
Cast of Broadway's Next H!T Musical:
- http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/NextHitCast_CourtesyBaylinArtists.jpg
The Devil Makes Three:
- http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/TheDevilMakesThree_CreditAnthonyPidgeon.JPG
The Wizard of Oz Logo:
- http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/OzArtLogo_CreditRonLogan.jpg
Carter Calvert:
- http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/press/CarterCalvert_CourtesyCarterCalvert.jpg

MANASQUAN, N.J. (June 25, 2013) - When the Algonquin Theatre opened in Manasquan in the 1930s, Groucho Marx was a Hollywood comedy star and Dorothy Gale was introduced on the silver screen in The Wizard of Oz.

This summer, 75 years after the Algonquin's opening in 1938, Groucho and Dorothy again take the spotlight, live on stage as "Frank Ferrante in An Evening with Groucho" and "The Wizard of Oz" highlight the theatre's 2013 Summer Series.

Tickets are available online at algonquinarts.org, by phone at 732-528-9211 or at the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street in Manasquan. The Box Office is open 12-6 weekdays and 12-4 on Saturday. All tickets are subject to $2 per ticket processing fees.

More information on each title is available at algonquinarts.org, and video previews of many performances are available on the Algonquin's Facebook page at facebook.com/algonquinarts.

An Evening with Groucho (Friday, July 12, 8 p.m.)

Award-winning actor, director and playwright Frank Ferrante recreates his PBS, New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast paced 90 minutes of hilarity. The two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including "Hooray For Captain Spalding," and "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady."

The audience literally becomes part of the show as Ferrante ad-libs his way throughout the performance in grand Groucho style. Tickets start at $38 for adults and $28 for children for this one-night-only performance on Friday, July 12 at 8 p.m.

"When Frank Ferrante does Groucho Marx, all the shtick-the loping crouch, the rolling eyes, the cigar, the greasepaint mustache-comes back to life. See this man. He is comic genius," raved Seattle Weekly.

Broadway's Next H!T Musical (Saturday, July 20, 8 p.m.)

"Broadway's Next H!T Musical" abandons the same old song and dance on Saturday, July 20, at 8 p.m., to create a brand new, fully improvised musical comedy! Every lyric, melody and pantomime is made up on the spot to create a show called "Hilarious" by The New York Times and "Brilliant" by Theatre Week.

Master improvisers gather made up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a evening of spontaneous music and laughter. The audience votes for their favorite song and watches as the cast turns it into a full blown improvised musical - complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore.

The Devil Makes Three (Wednesday, July 24, Doors at 7:30 p.m.)

From Bonnaroo to Austin City Limits Music Festival and Lollapalooza to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Devil Makes Three tours the top music venues and festivals across the country.

With a slightly punk perspective on vintage American blues, The Devil Makes Three is a breath of fresh musical air. Laced with elements of ragtime, country, folk and rockabilly, the critically praised, drummer-less trio - consisting of guitarist/frontman Pete Bernhard, stand-up bassist Lucia Turino and guitarist Cooper McBean - brings forth a genuine approach to acoustic music that is deeply steeped in rhythm.

Sourcing blues and throwing in fierce finger-picking guitar, a little slide, tenor banjo and rocking upright bass, The Devil Makes Three create a multi-spanned bridge between musical styles. Their vocal harmonies wind tightly around original songs and breathe life into favorite covers. It all pours forth from a timeless pulse that pulls you to the past, flies you to the future and has you dancing in the aisles. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20 at the door.

The Wizard of Oz (August 2-4 & 8-11)

Follow little Dorothy Gale, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and Toto on their adventure down the yellow brick road to see the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's summer extravaganza includes a cast of more than 50 playing characters that have been beloved for generations including merry munchkins, melting witches, menacing monkeys and of course the great and powerful Oz.

Adapted from the classic motion picture, the fantastic score includes the favorites "Over the Rainbow, " "The Merry Old Land of Oz" and "We're Off to see The Wizard (Follow the Yellow Brick Road)." Tickets start at $28 for adults and $18 for students and the schedule includes four matinee performances. "The Wizard of Oz" is sponsored by Dr. John Little/Dr. Mary Russo Family Dentistry.

Carter Calvert & The Roger Cohen Trio (Saturday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m.)

Broadway star Carter Calvert returns to the Algonquin stage in concert on Saturday, August 17 at 8 p.m., after she mesmerized audiences last January in the title role in "Always Patsy Cline" opposite Sally Struthers. Best known for originating her role in the Tony nominated "It Ain't Nothin' But The Blues" on Broadway, "Smokey Joe's Cafe," Grizabella in "Cats," her latest album "Carter Calvert and The Roger Cohen Trio" beat out Sir Paul McCartney when it debuted on the CMJ Jazz chart.

Roger Cohen, who also played the drums for "Always Patsy Cline" at the Algonquin, backs Calvert with his acclaimed trio. The concert will feature Jazz Standards, American Songbook classics, Broadway, Blues and Pop hits, making each song her own with her rich, soulful sound. And of course, there will be a reprise of Patsy Cline's biggest hits. Aside from this timeless music, Ms. Calvert is a master story teller. Her hilarious yet heartfelt take on "making it in the biz" will delight audiences of all ages.

Gotta Dance! Broadway Meets Hollywood (Saturday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.)
Sara Brians, the Resident Choreographer for "Billy Elliot" on Broadway, brings together a group of dancers whose Broadway credits include "42nd Street," "West Side Story," "White Christmas" and "Guys & Dolls" to create a fantastic selection of choreography from both Broadway and Hollywood titles in "Gotta Dance! Broadway Meets Hollywood."

Tickets for this one-night finale for Shore Dance 2013 start at $28 for adults and $18 for students. Lovers of Broadway shows and all varieties of dance won't want to miss this performance that will also include appearances by students from the Shore Dance 2013 Summer Intensive.

In addition to the on stage performances, the Algonquin Performing Arts Academy's Summer Stage program begins on Monday, July 1 offering classes in acting, improvisation, comedy, stage combat, musical theatre and more. More information is available at algonquinarts.org.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and remembering Marialana and her love for children and the arts.