(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- With beginnings from the great showman, Joseph P. Hayes, when he started his Surflight Ampitheatre in a very large tent in Beach Haven Crest ( large as in over 2000 seats), Surflight Theatre has been able to stand the test of time and make it to 2024 with their Broadway at the Beach. The theatre will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a season that includes Million Dollar Quartet. South Pacific, Footloose, Titantic, Head Over Heels, Stardust Road, The Great American Trailer Park, Steel Magnolias, Daddy Long Legs, and Miracle on 34th Street. Plus comedy nights, musical concerts, and an assortment of shows for the kids.
A resident stock theatre dedicated to entertaining residents and visitors to LBI and surrounding areas, as well as serving as a training ground for early career talent as well as seasoned professionals, Surflight is thrilled to be bringing a full season of Broadway style musicals, concerts, comedy and the ever popular Children’s’ Theatre series for young audience to Beach Haven for another summer and fall season.
Legions of actors, designers and technicians have passed across the stage, and so many have gone on to major theatrical careers as working professionals, theatre teachers, or become successful professionals in other areas, Surflight is glad to be a part of their past that helped them along their way and proud to be entertaining all of the wonderful people who are in and around LBI and the countless members of retirement communities within a 2 hour radius. Group business is booming, families are finding Surflight for its Children’s shows and very robust arts education programs, new and seasoned vistors to LBI are loving the shows on the stage.
Million Dollar Quartet: 2:00pm on May 30, June 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13 & 16; 8:00pm on May 30, 31, June 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 & 15. 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. The musical Million Dollar Quartet is 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.
South Pacific: 2:00pm on June 20, 23, 25, 30, July 2 & 7; 8:00pm on June 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, July 2, 3, 5 & 6. During World War II, Nellie, a nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a local French estate owner, Emile. Meanwhile, Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent girl with whom he’s fallen in love. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe’s life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness. An iconic song list includes: Some Enchanted Evening, Bali Ha’I, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and many others.
Comedy Nights: June 24 at 8:30pm, July 22 at 8:30pm, and August 12 at 8:30pm. The first comedy night (June 24th) features Host: Joe Bublewicz; Headliner: Jeff Norris; Featured: Meghan Hanley. Lineups for the other nights are to be announced.
Snow White: June 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30 at 6:00pm. Your favorite children’s stories as musicals with our own twist. Fun with Snow White and her friends! Geared for children 3-10.
The Little Mermaid: July 3, 5, 6 & 7; August 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 at 6:00pm. Your favorite children's story with our own twist. Fun with the spirited and adventurous mermaid princess! Geared for children 3-10.
Puppy Pals LIVE: July 1 at 1:00pm & 5:00pm. Puppy Pals is a family fun action-packed show where adopted and rescued dogs perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats. Watch as we lead the puppies and audience through challenging and comical tricks as the pooches show everyone who is really boss! Full of surprises and laugh-out-loud canine comedy this performance appeals to children of all ages.
Footloose: 2:00pm on July 11, 14, 16, 21, 23 & 28; 8:00pm on July 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27. The 40th Anniversary of the beloved movie and the 25th anniversary of the Broadway show, Surflight is thrilled to bring Footloose to the stage this summer. Big-city teenager Ren relocates from Chicago to the small rural town of Bomont, where its inhabitants have imposed an unjust ban on Rock 'n' Roll and dancing. Feeling trapped and confused, Ren tries to fit in; however, he will soon find himself neck-deep in trouble when beautiful Ariel Moore, the preacher's daughter, catches his eye. Now, to convince the city council to lift the ban on dancing, Ren has no choice but to fight prejudice and the community's fire-and-brimstone preacher through dance. But is Ren fighting a losing battle?
Peter Pan: July 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14; August 28, 29, 30, 31 & September 1 at 6:00pm. Your favorite children's story with our own twist. Fearless fun with the carefree little boy who never wants to grow up! Geared for children 3-10.
One Hit Wonderers: July 15 at 5:00pm & 8:00pm. The One Hit Wonderers, the band that plays the hits of the poor souls that went through the rigors of putting a band together, have one hit only to vaporize. They left us with a catalog of great songs that we proudly keep alive, along with our dedicated fans. The band members have played with a Who’s Who of rock royalty from Chuck Berry to the Who’s Roger Daltry; from Loggins and Messina to the First Lady of Soul Aretha Franklin; from Jazz legends Wynton Marsalis, Larry Coryell and Victor Wooten, as well as classical virtuoso Leonard Bernstein among others.
Cinderella: July 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21; August 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25 at 6:00pm. Your favorite children's story with our own twist. Join Cinderella and friends for some wicked good fun! Geared for children 3-10.
Disney’s Frozen JR.: July 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28; August 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 at 6:00pm. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!
Titanic: 2:00pm on August 1, 4, 6, 11, 13 & 18; 8:00pm on July 30, 31, August 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17. Epic and majestic, with moments of heartbreaking intimacy - the musical play examines the causes, the conditions and the characters involved in this ever-fascinating drama. This is the factual story of that ship–of her officers, crew and passengers – and the tragic story of the beautiful ship herself.
Wizard of Oz: July 31, August 1, 2, 3 & 4 at 6:00pm. Your favorite children's story with our own twist. Fun with Dorothy, Toto and friends! Geared for children 3-10.
The Jersey Tenors – A Tribute to Hollywood: August 5 at 5:00pm & 8:00pm. The Jersey Tenors are bringing their sensational new show, “A Tribute to Hollywood” that features the iconic music from Hollywood blockbusters and pays tribute to the fearless and charismatic leading men of the silver screen. Enjoy an evening of the most memorable songs from cinematic masterpieces like The Godfather, Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, and more! Get ready to groove to the beat of Jersey’s greatest hits featuring the songs of Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli and other legendary performers from “The Garden State.” Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event as The Jersey Tenors™ take the stage, raising the roof with their powerful voices.
Taylor Mason – Family Comedy Night: August 12 at 6:00pm. Taylor Mason brings his one-of-a-kind persona to Surflight. Taylor is a ventriloquist, musician, comedy magician and stand-up comedian who blends observational humor, keen musicianship and state-of-the-art ventriloquism. Taylor Mason will present a positive, hilarious, unforgettable program that connects people thru those things that bond us: laughter, music, magic and the shared experience of something special, something original, and something unforgettable. The audience will not be mere spectators; rather they will participate in an interactive experience that will entertain all, from young children to parents and grandparents.
Head Over Heels: 2:00pm on August 22, 25, 27 & September 1; 8:00pm on August 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31. Head Over Heels is the bold new musical comedy from the visionaries that rocked Broadway with Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening. This laugh-out-loud love story is set to the music of the iconic 1980's all-female rock band The Go-Go's, including the hit songs, “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” Belinda Carlisle's “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You.” A modern musical fairy tale where once-upon-a-time is right now, it follows the escapades of a royal family who set out on a journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction. New York Magazine calls it “a clever, delightful, bubbly, exuberant party!”
Mike Marino – New Jersey’s “Bad Boy” Comedian: August 25 at 8:30pm. Affectionately known to millions of his fans worldwide as New Jersey's Bad Boy - is one of the most loved comedians of our time. He has performed in every major comedy club, theatre, casino and event center from New York to Los Angeles and around the world. Mike has also shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business.
The Edwards Twins – Impersonator Variety Show: August 26 at 4:00pm & 8:30pm. Remember all the wonderful variety shows we all grew up on in the 70s & 80s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas' number one impersonators of all time. All your favorite legendary Superstars come alive on stage: Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones and many, many more hosted by The Edwards Twins from Las Vegas. All live vocal. Each star sings their number 1 hits as well as many of your favorite songs.
Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road: 2:00pm on September 5, 8, 10 & 15; 7:30pm on September 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road is a new musical journey that tells the story of six friends and the one man who brought them together. The musical is told completely through the sophisticated music of Hoagy Carmichael. The seven friends weave a story of camaraderie and shifting relationships through four decades in America: the early years of ragtime, jazz and blues; the romance of New York in the 1930’s; the tumultuous and uncertain years of the World War II era; and the post-war Golden Age of Hollywood—all while walking down Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road.
The Great American Trailer Park Musical: 2:00pm on September 19, 22, 24 & 29; 7:30pm on September 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28. At the Armadillo Acres trailer park in Starke, Florida, high school sweethearts Norbert and Jeannie have settled into a loveless marriage, complicated by Jeannie's unwillingness to leave her trailer since the abduction of her son two decades prior. Norbert has purchased tickets for the couple to watch the Ice Capades as a present for their upcoming anniversary, in hopes of coaxing Jeannie out of the trailer. Soon arriving in town is Pippi, a stripper on the run from her abusive boyfriend, hoping the drama at Armadillo Acres will distract everyone else from her plight to allow her to live in peace.
Steel Magnolias: 2:00pm on October 2, 3 & 6; 7:30pm on October 2, 3, 4 & 5. Truvy Jones runs a successful beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies in the neighborhood have a standing Saturday appointment. Along with her anxious and eager assistant, Annelle, Truvy styles the hair of many of the women about town. As the women of Chinquapin make their way over life’s many hurdles together, they find comfort (and a fair amount of verbal ribbing) in one another.
Daddy Long Legs: 2:00pm on October 9, 10 & 13; 7:30pm on October 11 & 12. Jerusha Abbott is the “Oldest Orphan in the John Grier Home” until a mysterious benefactor decides to send her to college to be educated as a writer. Required to write him a letter once a month, she is never to know the benefactor’s identity – so she invents one for him: Daddy Long Legs. It is a “rags-to-riches” tale of newfound love. Features music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist, Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre), and Tony-winning librettist/director, John Caird (Les Misérables).
Comedy Night Fundraiser: November 9 at 7:30pm. Join them for the funniest comedians from far and wide benefiting the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Co. All comedians will be announced closer to show date.
Tosca: November 16 at 7:30pm. Presented by Center Stage Opera Co. In 1889 Puccini, barely 30 years old, set his sights on Sardou’s play, a wrenching melodrama of love and hate, passion and death, set against a backdrop of the Napoleonic wars.
Miracle on 34th Street: 2:00pm on November 30, December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14 & 15; 7:30pm on November 30, December 6, 7, 13 & 14. Single mother, Doris Walker, doesn't want her six-year-old Susan's head filled with romantic notions. Their neighbor, Fred Gailey, tries to woo Doris by charming Susan and taking her to see Santa Claus at Macy's, where Doris works. Doris is not impressed, but when it turns out that Macy's Santa may, in fact, be the real Kris Kringle, a wave of love spreads across New York City that melts even the most cynical hearts. Filled with humor, spectacle and such beloved songs as Pinecones and Hollyberries, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and My State, My Kansas, this joyous, heartwarming musical is pure family entertainment.
New Year’s Eve Bubbly Bash with The Rave-Ons – American Bandstand Hits: December 31 at 5:00pm & 8:00pm. The Rave-Ons return to the Surflight Theatre on New Year’s Eve with a new show - Dick Clark’s Countdown to the 50s and 60s. Your favorite local rock and roll band will pay tribute to artists featured on American Bandstand like Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, The Temptations, CCR and of course - Buddy Holly. They will be joined by special guest Jannah Kenney to pay tribute to great female artists from that era as well, like Patsy Cline, Martha and the Vandellas and Janis Joplin.
Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
