(DEAL PARK, NJ) -- The Axelrod Performing Arts Center will reopen in October, after being shut down due to the pandemic for 18 months. They have announced four main-stage musicals: A Bronx Tale, The Bridges of Madison County, Grease, and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. In addition, the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy will present Nickelodeon's The Spongebob Musical.
A Bronx Tale on stage October 29-November 14, 2021. Directed by Broadway veteran Richard H. Blake, one of the musical’s original stars, opening on October 29. Based on Chazz Palminteri’s autobiographical play and film starring Robert De Niro, A Bronx Tale has been described as "Jersey Boys Meets West Side Story," with a Motown/rock-infused score by Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors) and a book by Glenn Slater (Sister Act).
The Bridges of Madison County on stage March 11-27, 2022. Directed by Broadway star Hunter Foster. This musical by Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown contains "a glorious score" that Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco says is "one of the most under-rated musicals of the century." It is based on Robert James Waller’s best-selling novel and the film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood with a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman.
Grease on stage June 3-19, 2022. This was rescheduled from June 2020. The Axelrod’s new production of one of the world’s most successful musicals is being directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens. With a rock and roll score by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease became the longest running Broadway musical in history when it closed in 1980, with 3,388 performances, and the film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John became the highest grossing musical film ever. The show remains one of the most popular of all musicals and has been recorded over 150 times in dozens of languages.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on stage November 5-27, 2022. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, from the most successful writing team in Broadway history, opens November 2022. Based on the 1957 television musical starring Julie Andrews, Cinderella is the most magical princess musical of all time with all the charm and romance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classics The Sound of Music, South Pacific and The King and I. This Broadway version has a fun new book by five-time Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane (Sister Act, Xanadu). The Axelrod production will be directed and choreographed by Todd Labron Underwood.
Nickelodeon(TM) The Spongebob Musical on stage November 27-December 5, 2021. The Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, formed in 2020, presents it first fully staged musical, opening Thanksgiving weekend. The Spongebob Musical, based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg, TV’s number-one kids’ show for over 20 years. The Broadway production—which The New York Times called "brilliant"—was a surprise to children and adults alike. The Axelrod Academy production, directed by Broadway’s original Mrs. Puff, Abby C. Smith, is hilarious family fun. The SpongeBob Musical has an eclectic and entertaining score by such pop artists as David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Sara Bareilles, Yolanda Adams, Aerosmith, Lady Antebellum and more!
Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Avenue in Deal Park, New Jersey.
