![Musical Theatre Returns To The Algonquin With "Starting Here, Starting Now"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2021/StartingHere.jpg "Musical Theatre Returns To The Algonquin With "Starting Here, Starting Now"")
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- After more than 16 months, the return of live musical theatre has to start somewhere. This month at the Algonquin musical theatre is “Starting Here, Starting Now.” Four performances are scheduled from April 16-18.
From first kiss to painful breakup, romantic relationships come full circle in this intimate musical revue that shows off the voices and acting of the three stars of the show. Richard Maltby's wry lyrics combined with David Shire's buoyant music forge a fast-moving, ingratiating look at how love can go right, wrong or nowhere.
Evening performances of “Starting Here, Starting Now” will be April 16 and 17 at 8:00pm. Matinees will be April 17 at 2:00pm and a closing performance on Sunday, April 18 at 3:00pm. Audience members attending will have a Socially Distanced Theatre Experience which includes required mask wearing, distanced seating, limited capacity and enhanced cleaning protocols. Patrons will be treated to a performance by three leading actors that have earned rave reviews in a variety of roles on the Algonquin stage and beyond.
![Musical Theatre Returns To The Algonquin With "Starting Here, Starting Now"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2021/Algonquin-April7a.jpg "Musical Theatre Returns To The Algonquin With "Starting Here, Starting Now"")
Kat Le Fevre returns to the Algonquin stage after a multi-year engagement singing for the Walt Disney Company aboard cruise lines and in theme parks world-wide. She was introduced to the Algonquin audience when she starred as Anna in “The King & I” in 2016 and returned the following summer to reach new heights as Peter in “Peter Pan.”
Rebecca Madeira is one-month shy of graduation from Rutgers with a degree in music. She returns to the Algonquin for the first time since starring as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” More recently, local theatregoers saw her as Johanna in Spring Lake’s production of “Sweeney Todd.”
Michael Morch returns to familiar territory as a leading actor in an Algonquin production. His long list of credits here includes Roger De Bris in “The Producers,” Greg in “A Chorus Line,” Sky Masterson in “Guys & Dolls,” Frederick Fellows in “Noises Off,” Bob Wallace in “White Christmas” and Fred Gailey in “Miracle on 34th Street The Musical.”
“Starting Here, Starting Now” is directed by Gina Lupi with musical direction by Stephen Strouse.
![Musical Theatre Returns To The Algonquin With "Starting Here, Starting Now"](https://www.newjerseystage.com/events2021/Algonquin-April7b.jpg "Musical Theatre Returns To The Algonquin With "Starting Here, Starting Now"")
Tickets are $36 for adults, $33 for seniors and $25 for students. Single tickets and pairs seated together can be purchased online at algonquinarts.org or by phone. Seating for parties of 3 or more must be arranged by phone by calling 732-528-9211 on weekdays from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The theatre’s Box Office is closed to walk-in customers during regular hours, but will open in the theatre lobby 1 hour before each curtain.
About the Socially Distanced Theatre Experience
The Algonquin has been operating live performances will all required safety precautions in place since last November. More than half of patrons that attended March’s production of “Mass Appeal” indicated in a survey that they were already fully vaccinated.
A SOCIALLY DISTANCED THEATRE EXPERIENCE INCLUDES
* Masks are required to be worn.
* Seating capacity is limited to 125 with at least 2 seats or an aisle between every party horizontally, and 1 empty row between parties front to back.
* All seats have direct access to an aisle; no squeezing past or around other patrons.
* The entire facility including seats are disinfected before each performance.
* Restroom capacity will be limited.
* Lines will be managed with floors marked 6-feet of distance between patrons.
* Additional policies are listed on the event pages at algonquinarts.org.
Additionally, all patrons are to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure prior to attending a performance. If a ticket holder has symptoms or was recently exposed, they can call to request a full refund for their party’s tickets.
To avoid the need to remove a mask to eat or drink, bottled water will be the only concession available for sale. Outside food and drink are not permitted into the theatre.
The cast and members of the creative team wore masks and socially distanced throughout the rehearsal process. The first row of the theatre will not be sold so that the actors, who will not be wearing masks on stage, will be distanced from the audience.
About “Starting Here, Starting Now”“Starting Here, Starting Now” is a thrilling and touching musical revue using the songs of Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire. In two dozen songs, “Starting Here, Starting Now” offers a tender-tough inventory of love and the lonesome lack thereof.
Maltby's wry lyrics combined with Shire's buoyant music, forge a fast-moving, ingratiating look at how love can go right, wrong or nowhere. Using songs from their various early musicals (produced or otherwise), this bold journey takes a winsome cast of three through the maze of modern relationships with its heart firmly on its sleeve.
As with all of Maltby and Shire's work, each song is an impeccably crafted story - original, engaging, bursting with character and showcasing the versatility and charisma of its performer.
From tender ballads to hysterical husband-hunting laments, from wry comments on trendy marriages to ecstatic shouting-from-the-rooftop celebration, “Starting Here, Starting Now” has an appealing freshness that has made it a favorite at theatres big and small.
The due of Maltby & Shire began working together as students at Yale. In addition to "Starting Here, Starting Now," they worked together on Broadway shows "Baby" and "Big."
Shire played piano in the pit for the original productions of The Fantasticks and Funny Girl, eventually becoming Barbra Streisand's piano player for several years. He composed for Broadway and film - including "All the President's Men" and parts of "Saturday Night Fever."
Maltby is best known for for two other musical revues that he conceived & directed. His "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Fosse" each won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Among other projects, he was a co-lyricist for the Tony-nominated "Miss Saigon"
About Algonquin Arts Theatre
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501c(3) non-profit center for performing arts, providing cultural enrichment and arts education for residents and visitors of Central New Jersey and the Jersey Shore through high quality performances and programs in theatre, music, dance and film.
Located in Manasquan, N.J., AAT is an integral part of the Shore Region, offering broad access to arts experiences across multiple disciplines. Deeply committed to education, AAT serves students of all ages not only through art and music instruction, but also through the unique communal conversation that exists between audience member and performer. The theatre provides a platform for local and regional performers to showcase their work and offers audiences the opportunity to engage very directly and personally in the arts, fostering gr eater participation and providing an engaging means for exploring personal and societal issues through the world of the stage.
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. Funding is also provided by Hackensack Meridian Health, the PNC Foundation, Mansaquan Bank, the OceanFirst Foundation, the Investors Bank Foundation, the Provident Bank Foundation and the generosity of other businesses and our patrons.
