Brielle Cotelo of Toms River and Anthony Marone of Freehold star in a revival of “South Pacific,” which is coming to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank and the Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood. A nthony Marone of Freehold will appear as Lt. Joseph Cable in the Phoenix Productions revival of the hit Broadway musical “South Pacific,” coming to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank for two weekends and to the Strand Center for the Arts in Lakewood for one weekend. Performances will begin Sept. 16 and conclude Oct. 1.
According to a press release, Marone recently graduated from Wagner College in New York. He holds a degree in Arts Administration with a combined concentration in art, theater and music. Marone aspires to use his degree to become a talent agent, while continuing his involvement onstage.
In 2010, Marone played Sir Paul Mc- Cartney in his second professional production, a Beatles revue called “Twist and Shout.”
In South Pacific, Marone plays Lt. Joseph Cable, anAmerican serviceman who falls in love with Liat, a Pacific Islander.
“South Pacific” by Rodgers and Hammerstein is considered to be one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time. It is a heartwarming tale of love and romance, war and racial tolerance, and laughter and liveliness.
The score is full of memorable songs such as “Younger Than Springtime,” “There Is Nothing Like a Dame,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair,” “I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”
The Phoenix Productions revival features a cast of 36 local performers led by Samantha Penick of North Brunswick as Nellie Forbush, the “cock-eyed optimist,” and Martin Grubman of Monmouth Beach as Emile de Becque, the charming French man with a dark past.
The supporting cast includes Brielle Cotelo of Toms River as Liat, Todd Aikens of Long Branch as Billis, and Tammy McKillip of West Allenhurst as Bloody Mary. This production also features a complete set, full costumes and a live orchestra.
At the Count Basie Theatre, performances are Sept. 16-18 and the following weekend, Sept. 23-25. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 3 p.m.
At the Strand Center for the Arts, two performances will take place on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets, priced at $20 to $29, can be ordered by phone at 732-747-0014.
Phoenix Productions, founded in 1987, is a nonprofit community theater organization based in Red Bank that has produced more than 100 revivals of hit Broadway musicals. More information is available at www.phoenixredbank.com.