Eagle Theatre Enlists Regional Talent for SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, Opening 8/2

The Eagle Theatre, located at 208 Vine Street in Hammonton, NJ, has assembled a diverse cast for its upcoming production of Smokey Joe's Café. Despite a reputation of being located in a rural community, five out of the nine cast members commute over the Ben Franklin Bridge to rehearse. Additionally, the stage manager, assistant stage manager and the entire booth crew hail from Philadelphia. The rest of cast comes from Collingswood, Toms River, Vineland and Cherry Hill.

"We couldn't be more thrilled to see such a wealth of regional talent expressing interest in the Eagle Theatre. We're even starting to see more applications of performers from New York, Delaware, Connecticut, and Maryland," says Co-Artistic Director Ed Corsi.

Premiering August 2, Smokey Joe's Café takes the music of legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller and puts them into a musical revue. The show seamlessly transfers between Rock & Roll, R&B and Pop hits of the 50s and 60s, including "Jailhouse Rock," "Love Potion No. 9," and "Yakety Yak."

Unlike most musicals, the performers in this production play themselves, there's virtually no dialogue, and the band accompanies the actors on stage. Franklin Anthony, the show's choreographer, will be in the production as well.

Two of the cast members, Marissa Barnathan and Jessica Johnson, are graduates of the Walnut Street Theatre Apprentice Program and have performed with the Walnut Street Theatre recently.

Smokey Joe's Café is directed by Ed Corsi, and will run at the Eagle Theatre on August 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 at 8 p.m., and 11 and 18 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 for General Admission and $30 for Front Rows. Tickets can be purchased at www.TheEagleTheatre.com. For more information, please contact the box office at (609) 704-5012.