Surflight Theatre presents "Million Dollar Quartet"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre will open their 75th Season of Broadway at the Beach with Million Dollar Quartet from May 30 through June 16, 2024. If you grew up listening to any of the hitmakers that were discovered by Sam Phillips, you won't want to miss out on seeing Million Dollar Quartet - a musical based on the auspicious meeting between four of the greatest rockers of all time in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis. The men were Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, and for one night only they jammed together.

The show stars several very talented actor/musicians many of whom are veterans of several Million Dollar Quartet productions nationwide including Mike Brennan, Kasie Buono, Alex Burnette, Chris Coffey, Hunter Henrickson, Nathan Roberts, Sage Spiker, and Jack Supan.

Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner directs the production. He has directed numerous productions and tours of Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story as well as performing in the original Broadway company of Buddy. This will be his third produscion of Million Dollar Quartet. Mr Steiner has directed numerous productions at Surflight Theatre, the recent ONCE at The Laguna Playhouse as well as numerous other shows at the Playhouse. He has directed several National Tours and 8 major Regional Productions in Reno and Atlantic City.

The show will also feature Musical Direction by Chris Coffey, Scenic Design by Chris Strangfeld, Sound Design by Justin Thompson,  Lighting Design by Anthony Marinaro, Costume Design by Carla Gant, Wig and hair Design by Christa Steiner, Production Management and Casting Gail Anderson, Production Stage Manager Kathryn Ronan.

Performances take place at 2:00pm on May 30, June 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13 & 16; and at 8:00pm on May 30, 31, June 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 & 15. Tickets: Adults/Seniors- $43; Children 12 and Under- $33 and 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.

About the Cast

Mike Brennan (Sam Phillips) Surflight credits include The Addams Family (Uncle Fester), Escape to Margaritaville (Brick), and Something Rotten (Brother Jeremiah). Other credits include: The Full Monty (Dave), Kinky Boots (Don), and two national tours of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Big Bopper). 

Kasie Buono (Dyanne) Walt Disney World Entertainment, Capital Repertory Theatre (Million Dollar Quartet Christmas), Broadway Palm (ELVIS: A Musical Revolution). Favorite Credits: Young Frankenstein (Inga) Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy Lou) Gilligan’s Island (Mary-Ann) 

Alex Burnette (Jerry Lee Lewis) National Tour: Madagascar the Musical (1st Nat’l), A Charlie Brown Christmas. Select Regional: Tesla Vs. Edison (Center Puppetry Arts). Holland America Cruise Line, Cedar Fair Parks’ Haunt writer/director.

Chris Coffey (Fluke / Music Director) NJ-raised,Brooklyn-based. Select Credits: Angels in America (Redhouse), Bandstand (Summer Lyric AtTulane), MDQ (Riverside Theatre), Once (SpeakEasy), The Buddy Holly Story (North Shore, The Wick), and more.

Hunter Henrickson (Brother Jay) Third Million Dollar Quartet! tour of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story and Hunter has since traveled the US playing instruments and rockin’ out!

Nathan Roberts (Johnny Cash) Recent credits: Million Dollar Quartet Christmas (Capital Repertory Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (Alpine Theatre Project, 6th Street Playhouse, Kincaid Regional Theatre, Historic Palace Theatre), Elvis: A Musical Revolution (Prather Productions).

Sage Spiker (Elvis Presley) Recent credits include Beautiful (Gerry), Kinky Boots (Charlie), and a plethora of Million Dollar Quartets (all as Elvis).

Jack Supan (Carl Perkins) A NYC based actor, singer and guitarist who can be found playing covers at various bars in The City every week. Recent credits include Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Brighter Than The Sun, (Off-Broadway) and Blippi The Musical on London’s West End. (Olivier Award-Nominated).

Surfight Theatre's 2024 Season is sponsored by Bay Magazine and The Cheese Shoppe, Surf City and Beach Haven.

EVENT PREVIEWS

Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2026 Rising Star Awards Nominees

(MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the nominations for adjudicated production categories of the 31st Annual Rising Star Awards for Excellence in New Jersey High School Musical Theater. Often referred to as New Jersey's version of the Tony Awards for high school musical theater, the Rising Star Awards recognize outstanding achievement in performance, direction, design, choreography, music direction, and overall production.

---

The Maplewood Strollers to present a Broadway Karaoke Party on June 12th

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers present a Broadway Karaoke Party on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which serves as a fundraiser for the theater company, begins at 7:30pm.

---

Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.

---

The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on June 13th

(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 4:00pm. The plays include Snapped, The Wind in the Wildflowers, Timmon and the Magic Shoes, and My Tree.

---

Players Guild of Leonia presents The Marshall Playwright Showcase from June 12-14

(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents The Marshall Playwrights Showcase from June 12-14, 2026. Named in honor of their long-time PGL member, Helene Marhsall, the showcase includes five original one-acts making for an unforgettable night! Works are by Keith Whalen, Conor Casey, Michael Gage Costa, and Chris Widney.

---

Studio Players' Reading Series presents "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on June 14th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players' Reading Series presents a Staged Reading of "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. Written by Moises Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, this is a powerful and deeply moving epilogue to the groundbreaking original. The reading is directed by Thomas J. Donohoe II.

---

The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.

---

interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.

---

Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues"

(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues" across two weekends from June 12-20, 2026 at the Navesink Library. A whirlwind tour of a forbidden zone, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning play features personal monologues from women of various ages, races and sexualities.

---

Wharton Community Players present "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Wharton Community Players invite audiences to step into a world of magic, romance, and mischief with their upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Wharton Performing Arts School faculty member Lilli Markey. Performances take place across two weekends from June 12-21, 2026.