Surflight Theatre to Reopen in Beach Haven for 68th Year

The beloved Surflight Theatre and Show Place Ice Cream Parlour in Beach Haven, N.J. will celebrate a grand reopening on June 23, ushering in the theatre's 68th year. The Surflight Theatre and its five- building compound are under new ownership by Al Parinello Entertainment LLC, a New Jersey business owned by Garden State native and Old Tappan resident, Al Parinello, who has deep experience in the entertainment and radio space.

The beloved theatre was created in 1950 and has won numerous awards as a theater. Its 68th year will begin with new sound and lighting, a newly renovated stage, new curtain and a range of plans for improvements over the next five years. The Surflight Theatre has always been vital to its shore community, representing a wholesome venue for family fun and memories shared by multiple generations. It served as a community hub, a place where aspiring actors got their start, a return to simpler times and the essence of summer 'down the shore for hundreds of thousands of fans.

"We're thrilled to be up and running for the 2017 summer season and in better shape than ever," said Al Parinello, who also owns a home in Brigantine, New Jersey. "The Surflight Theatre is an iconic landmark in Long Beach Island that attracts people from all over New Jersey and beyond for its wholesome, family-friendly performances and entertainment at its ice cream parlour. Indeed, our Surflight Theatre harkens back to a time when life was simple and summer family fun was in abundance. That's what has made the dramatic closure and now return of this theatre so special and very emotional for many -- it is part of so many families' history and memories. The Surflight Theatre is synonymous with warm, wonderful experiences associated with summer, community, pride, family and fun."

"Having the Surflight Theatre and the Show Place Ice Cream Parlour back in business is wonderful for our community," said Mayor Nancy Taggart Davis of Beach Haven. "Beyond our beautiful beaches, these establishments are the lifeblood of our community. These past two years when the Surflight Theatre was dark, our community lost a great deal of spirit. We couldn't be happier having our beloved Surflight Theatre and its Show Place Ice Cream Parlour operating."

"We are so excited to be bringing this integral Beach Haven institution back to life," said Producing Artistic Director Steve Steiner. "Beach Haven is home to many and the Surflight Theatre and its Show Place Ice Cream Parlour define the essence of this beautiful Shore community. My wife Gail and I have raised a family here and are deeply committed to this town and its visitors. The Surflight Theatre will now have a solid succession plan that will survive us all. The Surflight will maintain its legacy as a vital component to Beach Haven and LBI."

The Surflight Theatre expects to host nearly 25,000 guests this season, based on advance ticket sales. Its adjacent Show Place Ice Cream Parlour is expected to bring in sales of $350,000, all of which helps support the Theatre's operations.

For the 2017 season, company and production manager, Gail and Steven Steiner auditioned over 1,300 people for 35 roles in the Surflight's summer show lineup. The 2017 Mainstage summer season schedule offers daily performances of:

June 23 - July 9: Footloose
July 11 - July 23: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
July 25 - August 13: Newsies
August 15 - August 27: Hairspray
August 29 - September 10: Million Dollar Quartet

Surflight Theatre's award-winning Children's Theatre will bring some children's classic to life throughout the summer with productions such as "Cinderella," "Peter Pan," "Snow White," "Wizard of Oz," "Sleeping Beauty," "Jungle Book" and "Winnie the Pooh." Shows for the summer season run from June 28 - September 3 beginning at 6:00PM Wednesday through Sunday.

In addition, the Surflight Theatre will offer a series of concerts from artists including the Coasters, Drifters and Platters to jazz musicians. Comedy shows are also offered at the Theatre.

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About Al Parinello/Al Parinello Entertainment, LLC.

Born in Hoboken and an Old Tappan, New Jersey and Brigantine resident, Al Parinello has over 40-years experience in the media and entertainment industry. Parinello formerly owned WJSE, an Atlantic City-based alternative rock station. He grew the station to become the leading radio station in terms of ad revenue and top rock station in New Jersey. Parinello is also responsible for bringing Howard Stern to New Jersey listeners through WJSE. He has produced Broadway and Off-Broadway shows such as "The Fantasticks," the longest running Off-Broadway show and "The People in the Picture." Parinello has also produced films such as Clear Blue Tuesday and the groundbreaking Love is Strange. Parinello is a graduate of New Jersey City University, where he currently serves on the NJCU Foundation Board.

About Surflight Theatre

Founded by Joseph P. Hayes as a beach-side, outdoor theater in 1950 in Beach Haven, New Jersey, the Surflight Theatre is a venerable institution acclaimed for its excellent quality theatrical productions of Broadway hits. In its sixty-plus years on the Jersey Shore, the non-profit theatre has performed hundreds of musicals productions for adults and children, serving generations of fans from around the world. In addition to its musicals, the Surflight Theatre also offers a series of concerts. The Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven, N.J. 08008. To buy tickets, call 609-492-9477 or visit www.surflight.org.

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