Sunday, August 14, 2011

SURFLIGHT FALL OFFERINGS



A recent visit to the website of New Jersey’s Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island introduced me to the theatre’s fall offerings.

Here is what I found –

(1) ALL HANDS ON DECK! - Sept 21 - Oct. 2

ALL SINGING! ALL DANCING! ALL BIG BAND! Based on Bob Hope's 1942 USO tour to the troops in the field, ALL HANDS ON DECK! is a new, two-act revue performed by four sparkling singer/dancer/comics and a 9-piece orchestra featuring the songs, dances and laughs that America has loved since the '40s.

ALL HANDS ON DECK! boasts over 40 classic Big Band hits in original arrangements all packaged in a fun-filled, true-to-life reproduction of the kind of USO show Bob Hope and Jack Benny would have taken to the troops: classic humor and great music from those special days of road shows, war-bond drives, and radio broadcasts.

(2) AN EVENING WITH LUCILLE BALL: “THANK YOU FOR ASKING - Oct. 4 – 16

A celebration of the first lady of television, An Evening with Lucille Ball: “Thank You for Asking” is a touching, funny and uplifting one-woman play performed by actress and renowned impressionist, Suzanne LaRusch, and written by Suzanne LaRusch & Lucie Arnaz. Crafted in the spirit of the amusing lectures Lucy enjoyed giving throughout her career, the evening recreates the comic genius and the magic behind the “Queen of Comedy.” Arnaz also directs the piece with her award winning knowledge of the theatre and of her mother!

Lucy guides us through the lifetime of personal memories inspiring her timeless sketches on “I Love Lucy,” her 30-year television career and never-before heard personal recollections about her tempestuous and complicated marriage to Cuban bandleader turned impresario, Desi Arnaz. It’s the Lucy the whole world loved – from "Ricardo" to "Mame" – but, more importantly, it’s an evening with the REAL Lucy, as you’ve never seen her before.

(3) FOREVER PLAID, PLAID TIDINGS
- Nov 25 - Dec 23

Another Surflight premiere! A Special Holiday Edition of the hit musical Forever Plaid, PLAID TIDINGS continues the story of the singing group whose lives were lost in an accident involving a busload of teens en route to see "The Ed Sullivan Show." Encouraged by a heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney, the high-spirited boys of Forever Plaid – Frankie, Sparky, Jinx and Smudge – are transported from the ethereal cosmos to stage a nostalgic holiday extravaganza for world-weary mortals on Earth. Stuffed with such "Plaid-erized" Christmas standards as "Mr. Santa," "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," this PLAID TIDINGS is one holiday treat that is truly heaven-sent.

I would like to see all three – I just have to check my calendar. Maybe I will see you at one of the productions!

Click here for more info and to order tickets.

TTFN

No comments: