New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

PHOTOS from "The Fields of Ambrosia" at Surflight Theatre


By John Posada

originally published: 09/11/2022

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre is presenting The Fields of Ambrosia now through September 25. Based on the 1970 film The Travelling Executioner the time is 1918 and the place is rural Louisiana in the American deep South. Jonas is a former con-man and carnival hustler whose world is suddenly turned upside-down when he falls head-over-heels for the most alluring and beautiful woman he has ever met. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.

The problem is that Jonas is currently employed by the State as its one and only executioner, and she is the prisoner who is destined to be his next 'client'. What follows is a poignant, funny and surprising musical love story unlike anything you have ever seen.

Having enjoyed generally outstanding reviews from the George Street Playhouse’s production of this show in 1993, and then a less than enthusiastic response on the West End, Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner is thrilled to be revisiting this intriguing piece on the Surflight stage, again for an American audience. Mr. Steiner also happened to have performed in the 1993 production at George Street.

Surflight’s cast of Fields includes familiar and new faces alike. Steve Steiner, Surflight’s Producing Artistic Director, joins the cast as well as Sophia Swannel playing Gretchen. Ms. Swannell can be currently as Svetlana in Chess. Other cast members include Dan Beckmann as Jonas Candide, Danny Crowe, Jerrod Ganesh, Tim Steiner, Ricky Pope, Mike Brennan, Noah Lyon, Nick Somodi, Jack Lynch, Jacob Lill, Jamie Baio, Christa Steiner, Dwan Hayes, Giulia Marolda, Alison Nusbaum, Erinn Dearth, Bridget Gooley.

Remaining performances are September 13-17, 20-24 at 7:30pm and September 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 at 2:00pm. Tickets: Adults- $41.00; Children 12 and Under- $31.00,  To purchase tickets; go to www.surflight.org, or call (609) 492-9477




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



Elizabeth Lucas directs Surflight’s Fields of Ambrosia having just directed her reimagined Chess at Surflight. The creative team also includes Musical Direction by Nick Guerrero, Scenic Design Andy Walmsley, Costume Design by Kaitlynn Farnham, Sound Design by Ian Wehrle, and Lighting Design by Clifford Spulock.

Original show writers Martin Silvestri and Joel Higgins and original cast member Christine Andreas are involved in the mounting of this production. Along with writing the Book and Lyrics, Joel Higgins starred in The Fields of Ambrosia when it premiered at The George Street Playhouse and its subsequent production at the Aldwych Theatre on London’s West End. Martin Silvestri is best known for his work as a composer, arranger and record producer.  On Broadway, Mr. Silvestri has served as conductor, arranger, and supervisor for many companies; most notably, his successful and thorough ‘face-lifting’ of Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber’s score for the original Broadway and subsequent productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  A Grammy nominated arranger and record producer; he co-produced the Original Broadway Cast Recording on the Chrysalis label with Lloyd Weber and Rice. His first major work for the musical theater in collaboration w/Joel Higgins (lyricist) wasThe Fields of Ambrosia.

Here are more photos from the production.

Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey. The mission of Surflight Theatre is to provide high quality professional live theatre to the vacationers of Long Beach Island and the residents of Southern New Jersey, while providing training to young theatre performers and technicians. Our goal is to engage, entertain and foster appreciation of live theatre for adults, teens and children and serve as a community resource. Our Mainstage employs professionals and early career artists for Broadway style productions 7 months of the year. Our Children's Theatre provides entertainment for ages 2-10 to promote a lifelong interest in the performing arts. Our educational program includes Surflight To-Go, a touring educational theatre company.

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.




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



 

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.


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


 

A

A Broadway Tour of America

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 



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