'Pin-Up Girls,' Jim Norton, Tattoo Fest and more things to do at the Jersey Shore
The Tony Awards are Sunday, and theater fans are sure to tune in.
Who will win? We have no idea, but we do know there are two productions opening in Monmouth County.
New Jersey Repertory Company's "The Pin-Up Girls: A Musical Love Letter" is a new show by James Hindman and Jeffrey Lodin, celebrating those who serve our country.
The limited engagement in Long Branch runs through July 10, with shows at 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Featuring music from the Andrews Sisters to Beyoncé, the show is inspired by actual letters from troops overseas, from World War I to Afghanistan. The cast includes Sara Glancy, Brittany Jeffery, AJ Melnick and Phoenix Vaughn.
Tickets can be ordered via phone or online. Orchestra tickets are $60, $35 for full-time students and $45 for active veterans.
Tickets are also available for the NJ Rep Monday Evening Salon Reading series, where scripts are read on stage ($10 for subscribers, $20 for nonsubscribers). Seating is general admission and reservations are encouraged. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and readings begin at 7 p.m., followed by a discussion.
NJ Rep is at 179 Broadway. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 732-229-3166 or visit njrep.org.
Meanwhile, Two River Theater's new translation of "Three Sisters" opens Friday at 7 p.m., with additional shows at 1 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. The run continues through June 26.
The Red Bank theater's playwright-in-residence Madeleine George and director Sara Holdren created this rendition of Anton Chekhov's classic about big souls trapped in tiny boxes. Taking place at the turn of the 20th century, sisters Olga (Anna Ishida), Masha (Annelise Lawson) and Irina (Nemuna Casey) dream of better futures in a changing Russia.
Two River says this production is for you "if you love stories centered on women which explore their complexity, their frustrations, their passions, and their power." Or if "you celebrate the classics and would be excited to see the work of one of theater’s greatest playwrights ... infused with dream ballets, late night benders, and wild intensity."
The show runs 3 hours and 15 minutes (including intermission) and features contemporary pop music from Queen and David Bowie.
Tickets for this weekend range from $30 to $75 ($30 for all patrons 30 and under). Weekday tickets range from $30 to $55.
Two River Theater is at 21 Bridge Ave. All guests, regardless of age or vaccination status, are required to wear masks while inside the building. For more information, call 732-345-1400 or visit tworivertheater.org/whats-on/three-sisters.
Not into theater? No problem. Here are some other things to do this weekend.
Jim Norton at Uncle Vinny's in Point Pleasant
Stand-up comedian, New York Times bestselling author and radio personality Jim Norton is bringing his national standup comedy tour to Uncle Vinny's Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach on Friday and Saturday.
Norton was recently in the Martin Scorsese directed Netflix feature film "The Irishman" with Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. He is also featured in the most recent season of Netflix’s standup series "The Degenerates," and hosts The Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Show SiriusXM Satellite Radio every morning.
He will be doing a 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. show on both days, with tickets for the early shows ranging from $42 to $78; tickets for the late shows range from $42 to $53. To purchase tickets, visit unclevinniescomedyclub.com.
Uncle Vinny's is at 518 Arnold Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the early shows and at 9:30 p.m. for the late shows. For more information on Norton, visit jimnorton.com.
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Ukraine benefit concert at the Middletown Arts Center
The Middletown Arts Center is hosting a benefit featuring soprano Malena Towers on Sunday at 4 p.m. The concert will include works of Vivaldi, Mozart, Puccini and Lloyd Webber.
There will be a reception and silent art auction following the performance. Proceeds go to Ukrainian children and refugees in America and Europe.
General admission tickets are $20 and can be purchased at middletownarts.org or by calling the box office at 732-706-4100. The center is at 36 Church St.
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Bestselling author Steve Berry in Brielle
Manasquan-based bookstore Booktowne will be hosting New York Times and bestselling author Steve Berry on Sunday at the Brielle Public Library to promote his upcoming novel, "The Omega Factor."
Best known as the author of the Cotton Malone novels ("The Bishop's Pawn" and "The Malta Exchange"), Berry will be introducing a new character with this stand-alone thriller. The event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., will be a talk and book signing.
The $31 ticket includes a signed copy of the book.
To learn more about Berry, visit steveberry.org. To purchase tickets for the event, visit eventbrite.com.
Brielle Public Library is at 610 South St. For more information, call 732-722-7255 or visit www.booktowne.com.
Fluke fishing for charity in Barnegat
Sun Harbor Seafood & Grill in Barnegat will be hosting a Fluke Tourney on Saturday, with proceeds of an auction for gift baskets and a 50/50 raffle benefiting David's Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation.
The cost is $200 per boat, with a four-person limit (extra person is $25). First prize is $2,000, second place is $1,500 and third place is $1,000.
During the tournament, there will be live performances by the Rock Lobsters and the Drunken Clams, as well as a pop-up tent with shopping options from Jetty. There also will be $8 Tito's Handmade Vodka drink specials.
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Fishing (anywhere from Manasquan Inlet to Little Egg Harbor Inlet) starts at 5 a.m. until weigh in from 3 to 5 p.m. Auction tickets are $20 per sheet, or three sheets for $50, and raffle tickets are $10 for 10, or $20 for 25.
There will be a "Captains Meeting" on Friday at 7 p.m. to discuss the tournament. Registration closes at the end of the meeting at 8 p.m.
Sun Harbor is at 451 East Bay Ave. For more information, call Janice McCrickard at 732-261-0845.
Leisure Time '50s-Style at the Ocean County Library
The Ocean County Library is hosting tea and food historian Judith Krall-Russo's "Ladies' Luncheons, Cocktail Parties and Backyard Grilling in the 1950s" on Saturday at the Brick branch.
The event will guide attendees through the upwardly-mobile society that emerged post-World War II in the shape of entertaining guests in the home.
New Jersey-native Krall-Russo is a self-taught cook with extensive knowledge of the history and trends surrounding blueberries, Jersey tomatoes and other Garden State agricultural staples. She also has her "Tea Expert" certification from the Tea School of Pomfret, Conn., and New York's Specialty Tea Institute.
This free presentation begins at 2 p.m. and requires registration at theoceancountylibrary.org/events.
The Brick branch is at 301 Chambers Bridge Road; for more information call 732-477-4513 or visit theoceancountylibrary.org.
The Shrewsbury Chorale presents 'Pop's Concert'
The Shrewsbury Chorale will be performing "Pop's Concert" at 4 p.m. on Sunday at St. Dorothea's Church in Eatontown. The show, directed by Fiona Smith Sutherland, will include works by David Childs, Gerald Finzi, Sarah Quartel, Gabriel Faure and more.
Advance tickets can be purchased at a discount price ($20 regular, $17 for seniors and students, $8 for children) from members or online at least two days in advance. Tickets also can be purchased at the door.
St. Dorothea's Church is at 240 Broad St. Attendees are encouraged to be current with COVID vaccinations and to wear masks for the duration of the performance. For more information, visit shrewsburychorale.org.
Daniel H. Turtel at the Asbury Book Co-op
Author Daniel H. Turtel will be reading from his new novel "Greetings from Asbury Park," winner of the Faulkner Society Award for Best Novel, at the Asbury Book Cooperative on Saturday.
Turtel grew up on the Jersey Shore and graduated from Duke University in 2013. He is currently pursuing an MFA at The New School.
The event is from 7 to 9 p.m. A Q&A session follows the reading.
The Asbury Book Cooperative is at 623 Cookman Ave. in Asbury Park. For more information, visit asburybookcoop.org.
Boozy Brunch Bingo at Nip N Tuck in Long Branch
Come for brunch and stay for bingo at Nip N Tuck's Boozy Brunch Bingo, taking place at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Long Branch restaurant.
In honor of Pride Month, a percentage of the day's profits will be donated to The Trevor Project, a crisis intervention organization for young people in the LGBTQ community.
Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
Nip N Tuck is at 23 Norwood Ave.; 732-222-0023, nipntuck.bar.
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Pulse Memorial Benefit show in Asbury Park
The sixth annual Pulse Memorial Benefit show supporting Project REAL happens at 3 p.m. Sunday at Georgie's Bar, 810 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park.
The event will feature music from Pedals, Blaise, Heather Hills, Des and the Swagmatics, and Ryan and Shayne of the Shady Street Show Band. Drag performers Pissi Myles, Lady Celestina, Tastie, Morrigan von Haunt, Queen Biqtch, Demi Gawdess, Anita Sigg and reigning Miss Paradise Crystal Envy will take the stage.
Emcee is Rai Guerra, with tunes from DJ Tall Speedy and DJ Jay Insult. There is a suggested $10 minimum donation at the door.
Asbury Tattoo Fest returns
The Asbury Tattoo Fest happens Friday through Sunday at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park.
In addition to more than 150 artists from across the country, the event will feature burlesque, sideshow and drag performers, and more revelry.
For tickets, $20 per day or $40 for a weekend pass, and more information, visit asburytattoofest.com.
Remembering Ben Feld
“Ben Feld, you gave the best hugs,” said Jennifer Rae Stine when Feld, an Asbury Park scenester, passed away March 26 at the age of 42.
It perhaps best summed up the impact of Feld on the Asbury music world, as he touched a lot of hearts.
Feld was a presence on stage and behind the scenes, too. “A Night Celebrating the Life of Ben Feld” begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Stone Pony on Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park.
Des & the Swagmatics, James Peacock, Geena and Dragster, Iggy Ingoglia, Last Perfect Thing, Colie Brice, The Barbarol, Myndtrick, Rick Barry, Alexa Haring, Captain James & the Pain, and Tony Tedesco’s Full Fathom Family will play.
Tickets are $10. All proceeds will benefit Cabaret For Life.
“God Bless you Ben, wish you could cook for the Crew one last time,” said Kyle Brendel of the Stone Pony.
Dr. Seuss exhibit in Stone Harbor
Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor will be presenting "The Spark of an Icon: An Exhibition of the Concept Drawings of Dr. Seuss," from Saturday through June 26.
There will be two gallery receptions on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Each work featured is an estate-authorized limited edition, adapted and reproduced from Theodor Seuss Geisel's original drawings, paintings or sculptures. Visitors also can explore and acquire works from Dr. Seuss’ best-known children’s books.
You can RSVP for the receptions through Eventbrite.
The gallery, 9618 Third Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more details, visit oceangalleries.com or call 609-368-7777.
Alex Biese, Sarah Griesemer, Chris Jordan and Gabriela L. Laracca contributed to this story.
Intern Pari Walter of Monmouth Beach is a rising junior at the University of Miami.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Tattoo Fest, more things to do in Monmouth and Ocean counties
