(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
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.
