Surflight Theatre Getting Ready For Opening Day In July

BEACH HAVEN, NJ - For two years, fans of the Surflight Theater reluctantly resigned themselves to the end of the 66-year-old Beach Haven landmark.

There was a bankruptcy, failed auctions and the eventual shutdown of the theater. But that's history now. The new owner, Broadway producer Al Parinello, signed on the dotted on April 28 and is now the new owner. His offer was accepted for purchase back in early February.

Cleaning, environmental evaluations and other work already began weeks ago to prep for the 2017 summer season and the reopening of the Show Place Ice Cream Parlour, Anderson said.

The theatre management has been in place since February. Former artistic director Steve Steiner, a longtime artistic partner of Parinello, will return as producing artistic director.

Tickets have been on sale since mid-March and are selling well, Anderson said.

Casting for both the theatre season and the famous Show Place singing wait staff is nearly complete..

This season's lineup starts off with Footloose - which will run from June 23 to July 9.

Other productions include:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - - July 11 through July 23.

Disney’s Newsies - July 25 through August 13.

Hairspray - August 15 through August 27.

Million Dollar Quartet - August 29 through September 10.

Home for the Holidays: A Surflight Celebration - December 7 through December 17.

Concerts are still being booked, but will include John Davidson (July 31st), the Coasters, Drifters and Platters (August 7th), and the New Millenium Jazz Band Plays The Sinatra Songbook (November 25th). The Education Division will present Rock of Ages (High School Version) with local students October 20, 21, 22.

To subscribe to the season, arrange groups or for more information, contact the Surflight Box Office at 609-492-9477. The website is www.surflight.org.

The address for ticket orders and donations is Surflight Theatre, P. O. Box 1155, Beach Haven, NJ 08008. Tickets may also be ordered in person at the Box office, 201 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008 .

Image: Surflight Theatre