New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "A Monkey and Me: Stories I Never Told My Mother" at AxelrodPAC


By John Posada

originally published: 06/23/2022

(OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Can a twice divorced songwriter find love and happiness? Maybe a performing monkey from his Las Vegas extravaganza can show him the way. Find out when Jonathan Brielle Holtzman’s semi-autobiographical musical comedy, A Monkey and Me: Stories I Never Told My Mother premieres at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center from June 24-26, starring five-time Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh. Photographer John Posada was hand to take photos of a dress rehearsal.

“It’s a very human story about the problems I had with my mom and dad, and the decisions and compromises we make in order to stay true to ourselves,” said Holtzman, who goes by the professional name Jonathan Brielle. “It’s a very funny show, but the comedy has a lot of truth in it.” 

Brielle has had an interesting and unusual life; As a child, his was the only Jewish family in Brielle, at a time when the local golf club still restricted Jewish members from joining.  

“The only way we were able to buy a house in town is because someone was mad at a council member, so to get even, they sold their house to a Jewish family,” he said. 

The family later moved to Deal. While his mother was often busy performing in community theater, Brielle spent a lot of time alone writing songs and stories. But he turned those stories and songs into a career that eventually led him to Broadway, where he wrote the music and lyrics for Foxfire, as well as for Off Broadway’s Himself and Nora.  




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



The monkey reference comes from a Las Vegas show called Enter the Night, for which Brielle wrote original songs. The show ran for 12-years at the Stardust Hotel. With 62 cast members, the 90-minute extravaganza contained magic, topless dancers, ice skaters, circus performers, tap dancers, female motorcyclists and live music, all with a tongue-in-cheek score. The Las Vegas Journal called it the “Best Show on the Strip.”

When Brielle’s mother was turning 90, his wife suggested he tell her all the crazy things he had been through that she had no idea about. That sparked his creativity and six months later, he had a show ready that he performed for her on her birthday. A Monkey and Me contains humorous tales of his years at Asbury Park High School, wrestling with gangsters, corporate America, two ex-wives, a monkey from his Las Vegas extravaganza and his overbearing, theatrical, Jewish mother. 

“The show starts with me explaining that the monkey is a voice in my head that tells me which way to turn and what to do,” he said. “It goes through the decisions I made in my life while trying to find true love.” 

Tovah Feldshuh (Golda’s Balcony, Lend Me a Tenor) portrays Brielle’s mother and Tony nominee Veanne Cox (An American in Paris, La Cage aux Folles) takes on the part of the monkey. The cast also includes Bruce Sabath (Company), Jennifer Sanchez (On Your Feet), Nancy Ticotin (Damn Yankees) and Kate Marilley (The Prom). Nathan Dame will conduct the eight-piece, hard-swinging band with a horn section. 

“It’s a brilliant cast, and Tovah is absolutely outstanding,” said Brielle. “I’m so excited to be collaborating with the Axelrod.” 

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is located at 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park. Tickets for A Monkey and Me: Stories I Never Told My Mother are available at 732-531-9106, ext. 14 or www.axelrodartscenter.com.  

If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at info@newjerseystage.com.


ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Cape

Cape May Stage presents "Love, Loss, & What I Wore"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents Love, Loss, & What I Wore from July 5-11, 2025. Based on Ilene Beckerman's bestselling book, this tender and witty play weaves together monologues and ensemble pieces to explore the deep connections between clothing and memory, touching on themes like mothers, prom dresses, bras, purses, and the timeless appeal of black clothing. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.



Classic

Classic American Tales presents "The Specialist" and "The Wizard of Oz" this week

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- This week, Classic American Tales presents two different events in two different Cape May locations: The historic Dormer House B&B and Rea's Farm.



East

East Lynne Theater Company presents Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The award-winning, Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) – now in its 45th year–will present its first show of the company's Mainstage Season, Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise," from June 19 to July 12, 2025 with a special performance to honor Veterans on June 27. The heartwarming love story features Liz Mattera, an East Lynne veteran, as Louise, and New York-based actor Xander Furman as Jack, with Mark Edward Lang (ELTC's "Possessing Harriet") directing and lush period costumes by NYC designer Travis Chinick.



Montclair

Montclair Township Declares 'Montclair Theater Day' Ahead of Vanguard Theater's Inaugural Festival

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Known for its vibrant and lively arts scene, the town of Montclair continues to find new and meaningful ways to celebrate creativity within its community. One of the town's newest initiatives includes the inaugural Montclair Theater Festival, presented by Vanguard Theater and The Essex County Board Of Commissioners. This eagerly anticipated event is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Glenfield Park in Montclair's historic Fourth Ward.



Dragonfly

Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" in Metuchen and Plainfield

(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Not long after a revival of Thornton Wilder's play Our Town closed on Broadway, New Jersey audiences will have the chance to see the classic drama close to home. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic play in both Metuchen and Plainfield in July. Directed by Dragonfly's Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux, Our Town invites audiences into the heart of small-town America through the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: Where is Everybody?

Wednesday, July 09, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Wizard of Oz

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: theatre