Press Releases

Concert Lineup Includes G. Love, Dan Levinson & His Swing Wing, And A Tribute to John Denver from Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon

Calendar:
Online at algonquinarts.org.

Tickets:
Online: algonquinarts.org.
Box Office: 12-6 p.m. weekdays, 12-4 p.m. Saturdays
By Phone at 732-528-9211 - In Person at 173 Main Street in Manasquan.

MANASQUAN, N.J. (June 15, 2015) - Broadway hits "Hairspray" and "Cabaret" highlight Algonquin Arts Theatre's summer season that also includes concerts and special events in the Main Street venue.

The first of two productions that run for two weekends, "Hairspray" opens on July 17 with six performances through July 26. "Cabaret" follows immediately with seven performances across two weeks from July 31 through August 9.

Three concert events, a vocal competition and one dance performance round out the summer calendar. G. Love brings his alternative hip-hop and blues sound back on July 10 with a solo acoustic show to get the concerts started. On August 16, jazz clarinet virtuoso Dan Levinson - who appeared last year in a tribute to Benny Goodman - returns with his Swing Wing band and vocalist Molly Ryan for an afternoon of 1930s swing. Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon close out the summer concerts on August 29 with "A Tribute to John Denver."

The first special event of the summer will be "Shore Senior Idol," the final round of a vocal competition featuring area seniors on June 27. Later on August 22, Philadelphia's renowned Koresh Dance Company presents "ev�o�lu�tion and other works" at the conclusion of the Algonquin's ShoreDance week.

Tickets and show times for all events are available online at algonquinarts.org, via phone at 732-528-9211 or in person at the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street in Manasquan. The Box Office is open from 12-6 p.m. weekdays and 12-4 on Saturdays. Please note that in addition to the listed ticket prices, all tickets are subject to a $2 per ticket processing fee.

This summer will also be the first with Algonquin Arts Theatre featuring Dining Partners offering discounts or special menus for theatre patrons. Local eateries including Blend on Main, Chocolate Bar, Esposito's, The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, Remington's and Scarborough Fair. Visit algonquinarts.org/dining or call the restaurant for details.

After summer, the Algonquin's programming will continue in late September with an encore production of "Always Patsy Cline" kicking of the 2015-16 season and 2015-16 Broadway Series presented by Manasquan Savings Bank.. Titles and ticket information for the upcoming season will be announced later this summer.

"Shore Senior Idol" - June 27, 3 p.m.
The best senior singers on the Jersey Shore take the stage in this head-to-head vocal competition, as they sing your favorite tunes from yesterday and today! Come cheer on your favorites. "Shore Senior Idol" is produced by Shore Repertory Theatre Company and Algonquin Arts Theatre.

G. Love - July 10, 8 p.m.
Alternative hip-hop and blues artist G. Love returns to Manasquan for a solo set in his fifth appearance at the Algonquin in the last six years. An anticipated event, this concert has sold out during each of his prior appearances here. The beer garden will be open at 7 p.m. and opener Kristy Lee goes on at 8 p.m.

"Hairspray" - July 17-19 & 24-24
"Hairspray," winner of 8 TONY Awards including Best Musical, is a family-friendly (great for ages 8 & up) musical piled bouffant high with laughter, romance, and deliriously tuneful songs.

It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen Tracy Turnblad has only one desire - to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network, all without denting her 'do!

"Hairspray," which ran for more than 2,600 performances on Broadway between 2002 and 2009, is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters. Music is written by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The book is written by Marck O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan.

An Algonquin Arts Theatre production, "Hairspray" is directed by Ian Moore and produced by Julie Nagy. A complete cast list is available online at algonquinarts.org.

"Cabaret" - July 31-August 2 & August 6-9
Set in 1931 Berlin, Cabaret primarily takes place amid the nightlife of the seedy Kit Kat Klub. Life there revolves around the 19-year-old English cabaret performer, Sally Bowles and her relationship with the young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw. Overseeing the action is the mysterious Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub. The club serves as a metaphor for ominous political developments in Germany as the Nazis are rising to power.

The 1966 Broadway production became a huge hit, winning eight Tony awards including Best Musical 1967. Memorable songs from Cabaret include "Willkomen," "Maybe This Time," "Mein Herr," and "Money."

Cabaret is based on the play "I Am A Camera" by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood. The book is written by Joe Masteroff, with John Kander's music and Fred Ebb's lyrics. The Broadway production was directed by Harold Prince, who produced the show for the Broadway Stage. This New Jersey Youth Theatre production is directed by Cynthia Meryl, who also directed past productions of "OKLAHOMA!," "Rent" and "Sweeney Todd" that also took the Algonquin stage.

Most recently, a Broadway production starring Alan Cumming as the emcee and Emma Stone as Sally Bowles closed on March 29, 2015 after nearly 400 performances. Cabaret originally played for 1165 performances on Broadway at the Broadhurst, Imperial and Broadway Theatres and for 336 performances in London at the Palace Theatre. It was revised for Broadway, first in 1987, when it played for 261 performances at the Imperial and Minskoff Theatres, and then in 1998 at Studio 54, where it played for 2,377 performances.

Dan Levinson & His Swing Wing - August 16, 3 p.m.
In-demand reed man Dan Levinson and vocalist Molly Ryan, who appeared last summer with the James Langton New York All-Star Big Band, return with a smaller group with another big 1930s swing concert. Named after bandleader Paul Whiteman's "band within a band" during the 1930s, Dan Levinson and his Swing Wing bring together some of the finest musicians in the New York area.

The repertoire of this seven-piece group includes the music made famous by such pre-eminent Swing Era small bands as Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven, Bob Crosby's Bobcats, the John Kirby Sextet, Bud Freeman's Summa Cum Laude Orchestra, and others, expertly blending written music with free-wheeling improvisation. Molly Ryan's lush, elegant voice adds a dash of spice to the ensemble, recalling the style of the legendary big band singers of the 1930s. Their debut CD, At the Codfish Ball, was released in 2009.

"ev�o�lu�tion and other works" - August 22, 7 p.m.
ShoreDance 2015 culminates with Koresh Dance Company taking the stage to present "ev�o�lu�tion and other works." Ronen Koresh's "ev�o�lu�tion" premiered in 2009 and received resounding praise from critics at its 2014 Philadelphia revival. Gritty and timeless, the piece explores dance as an eternal language that predates spoken language: as a visceral, universal form of physical expression.

Choreography from "ev�o�lu�tion" will be complimented by other highlights from the extensive Koresh repertoire. The evening performance will also include appearances by students from the ShoreDance intensive held during the prior week.

"A Tribute to John Denver" - August 29, 8 p.m.
Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon have toured the country together delighting audiences with their talent, warmth and humor as well as John Denver's hits including "Country Roads," "Annie's Song," "Rocky Mountain High," and more.

Although you may detect some similarities in voice and appearance, Collins brings amazing energy to the stage as an award-winning singer, songwriter and entertainer. Collins and Boulder Canyon are not an impersonation act, but seek to honor John Denver's legacy with fresh energy and musical integrity.

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, and by Manasquan Savings Bank.