New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "Grumpy Old Men: The Musical" at Surflight Theatre


By John Posada

originally published: 09/08/2023

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is currently presenting the romantic musical comedy, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, through September 24, 2023. The musical features a book by Dan Remmes, music by Neil Berg, and lyrics by Nick Meglin. Based on the movie of the same name, Grumpy Old Men is the story of two seasoned gentlemen, Max & John, neighbors who’ve been feuding for most of their lives. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

Invigorated by their shared affection for their new neighbor, Max & John face-off as romantic rivals until their hilarious shenanigans finally bring about a resolution to their long-standing differences. Based on the 1993 film starring Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau & Ann-Margret, this stage adaptation captures the lovably crotchety characters through twinkling humor, great songs & the affectionate depiction of a small town that feels like home to all.

Grumpy Old Men: The Musical stars Michael McAssey a favorite on the cabaret scene in NYC and Provincetown (Most recently seen as Maury in Surflight’s Disaster! and Edna Turnblad in Hairspray) as John Gustafson, David Edwards (The Producers and By Jeeves) as Max Goldman, Margaret Shafer (Most recently seen as Shirley in Surflight’s Disaster! and Mrs. Sheila Kelly in Annie Warbucks) as Ariel Truax, Danny Crowe (Most recently seen as Chad in Surflight’s Disaster! and Freddie in Chess) as Jacob Goldman, Larissa Klinger (Most recently seen as Jackie in Surflight’s Disaster! and Baskerville) as Melanie Norton, Alison Nusbaum (Most recently seen as Sister Mary Downy in Surflight’s Disaster! and Commissioner Doyle in Annie Warbucks), and David Sitler as Grandpa Gustafson. The cast will also include Marc Christopher as Chuck Barrels, Ashley Rubin as Punky Olander, Zachary Nelson as Harry, Brian Steinberg as Tim, Daniella Castoria as Unis, Kyle Atkinson as Stan, Rhagan Carter as Fran, Madeline Dunn as Karla, Drew Jacobson as Bo, and Nick Somodi as Lo.

Rick Grossman directs this production. Surflight audiences may recall Grossman's performances in Surflight productions of Hairspray (Wilbur), Cats (Gus/Bustopher Jones), Anything Goes (Moonface), Gypsy (Herbie), Titanic (Edgar Beane) and Man of La Mancha (Sancho) opposite John Davidson. Grossman served as director for Surflight's production of Call Me Madam as well. In a career span of 50 years, he has directed more than 200 productions; most recently Curtains, Moon Over Buffalo, Something Rotten, The Addams Family, Bonnie & Clyde, Titanic, The Diary of Anne Frank, Catch Me If You Can, as well as producing and directing the NY Area premiere of Grumpy Old Men at Long Island's Bayway Arts Center.

Grossman is accompanied by Paula Hammons Sloan as choreographer. Sloan also serves as Surflight’s resident Director and Choreographer, Education Director and General Manager. Her work was recently seen in Surflight’s Something Rotten!, Steel Pier, White Christmas, An American in Paris, Xanadu and The Addams Family. Her work as Director Choreographer has been seen all over the country including The Laguna Playhouse, TUTS Houston, Kansas City Starlight, Galveston Summer Musicals, as well as numerous National Tours.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



The show will also feature Musical Direction by Ricky Pope, Scenic Design by Chris Strangfeld, Sound Design by Ian Wehrle,  Lighting Design by Anthony Marinaro, Costume Design by Jessica McGovern.

Remain performances take place September 10, 12, 17, 19, 24 at 2:00pm; September 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 at 7:30pm. Tickets: Adults/Seniors- $43; Children 12 and Under- $33. Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling (609)492-9477. Group pricing is available.  

Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Surflight Theatre is a professional theatre employing members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Here are more photos from the production.

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.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

New

New Jersey Performing Arts High School Makes History

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Ocean County Vocational Technical School's (OCVTS) Grunin Performing Arts Academy (GPAA) is thrilled to announce that its fall drama production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has been selected to perform at the International Thespian Festival, the world's largest celebration of high school theatre. This prestigious event will take place at Indiana University Bloomington from June 22-27, 2025.



Obvious

Obvious Agency presents World Premiere of "Space Opera" - an interactive theatrical experience blending immersive role-playing, live performance, and collaborative storytelling

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Philadelphia-based and worker-owned Obvious Agency premieres its newest production, Space Opera, a "playable theater" and sci-fi/fantasy game for building empowered community. The groundbreaking interactive theatrical experience blending immersive role-playing, live performance, and collaborative storytelling debuts to audiences and participants Saturday, June 14 and continues on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch St, Philadelphia).



Nutley

Nutley Little Theatre presents "For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday"

(NUTLEY, NJ) -- Nutley Little Theatre presents "For Peter Pan On Her 70th Birthday" by Sarah Ruhl weekends from June 13-28, 2025. When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, particularly when he used to bring her flowers after her performance.



Pig

Pig Iron Theatre Company presents World Premiere of "Franklin's Keys" - Sci-Fi Adventure weaving Philly history, science, discovery, and magic

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Philadelphia- based physical theater company Pig Iron Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Franklin's Key, written by Dan Rothenberg and Robert Quillen Camp. This thrilling, magical, sci-fi theatrical adventure explores Benjamin Franklin's hidden discoveries in a parallel universe and runs from June 3-29, 2025 at Plays & Players Theatre.



Arden

Arden Theatre Company to Close Out 2024-25 Season with "RENT"

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Arden Theatre Company is thrilled to close out its 2024-25 season with the electrifying Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT. Following its Broadway debut in 1996, where it earned four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical, RENT redefined musical theatre by taking audiences on an unforgettable journey of love, loss, hope, and resilience.



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.


Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Thursday, June 26, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Friday, June 27, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 

Girls

Girls Night, The Musical

Saturday, June 28, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Saturday, June 28, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Sunday, June 29, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info