"Once Upon A Time" in New Jersey Opens Today at Surflight

Today marks the first performance of Surflight Theatre's three-week run of Once Upon a Time in Jersey.

The theatre's Press Director Charlie Siedenburg told a Patch reporter that the show, which opens at 2 p.m. today, "is so much fun," and "something the audiences have never seen before." The show will play through Sept. 15.

He said the cast has been hard at work rehearsing for weeks. Many of the cast members also performed in the Sound of Music earlier this summer, and used down time from that show to rehearse for this one.

Described as "The Sopranos meets Happy Days," Once Upon a Time in New Jersey is an Italian-American fairy tale set in 1956 Hoboken. Vinnie LoBianco, an unassuming sandwich-maker, is in love with counter girl Angie Moscato. But Angie's got it bad for Rocco, the local hunk, whose sights are set on sexy dance teacher Celeste. When Rocco runs afoul of Celeste's husband Billy, the result is a series of hilarious misunderstandings and madcap misadventure. 

 Once Upon A Time in New Jersey stars Crystal Kellogg (Celeste), Vincent D’Elia (Billy), Matt Wolfe (Narrator/Ed), Marsha Waterbury (Millie), George Psomas (Vinnie), Alliy Drago (Loretta), Seth Bazacas (Buddy), Melissa Rose Hirsch (Angie), Kristen Marie (Etta), Scott Shaefitz (Tony), Jillian Riley (Conchetta), Mike Longo (Rocco), Colton Pometta, Chris Batek, Jennifer Margulis, Jenavene Bazacas, and Dana Simone. 

Surflight Theatre’s production of Once Upon a Time in New Jersey is directed by Cara Reichel with choreography by Christine O'Grady (associate choreographer, Broadway's Hair). The musical director is James Higgins. Scenic design and lighting design is by Kevin Allen. Sound design is by Alan Douches. Costume design is by Rachel Guifoyle. The production stage manager is Julie Watson and stage manager is Kevin Clutz. 

Once Upon a Time in New Jersey was initially developed at The Muhlenberg Summer Music Theater Festival in Allentown, PA. Following a series of readings at The Director's Company, it played to sold-out houses at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theater in Chicago, the Village Theater in Seattle and the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. Once Upon a Time in New Jersey was one of six musicals selected from across the globe for the Global Search for New Musicals Competition in Cardiff Wales. It received rave reviews at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it was performed by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.  

Performances are scheduled at Surflight for Tuesday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 31 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.,  Friday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m.,  Thursday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $36-$54.  Youth tickets are half price with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket.  Tickets are available online at www.surflight.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Surflight box office, by phone at 609-492-9477. For groups (15 or more) call: 609-492-9477 x201. 

Surflight Theatre’s 2012 season continues with Steel Magnolias (September 19 – October 7), the long-running hit revue I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (October 10 – 21), Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park (October 24 – November 4), and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas(November 23 – December 21).