Plays-in-the-Park, the county’s summer outdoor theater program, has launched its 2015 season with “Young Frankenstein,” Mel Brooks’ musical comedy based on the 1974 film.
The production, complete with mad science, a wisecracking hunchback and a tapdancing monster, runs through June 27.
“Plays-in-the-Park is one of the county’s most popular programs, and it’s easy to see why,” Freeholder Kenneth Armwood said. “It exposes so many residents to live theater and music at an affordable price, and fosters an appreciation of the arts from a young age.”
Michael Louis of Middlesex portrays Dr. Frederick Frankenstein alongside Scott Daniels of Metuchen, who plays the Monster. Billy Geltzeiler of Westfield plays Igor, Frankenstein’s hunchback henchman, and Kelliann De Carlo of East Brunswick plays Inga, the lab assistant. The role of Elizabeth, Frankenstein’s fiancée, is played by Ali Gleason of Lanoka Harbor. The cast is led by Director Gary Cohen, with choreography by Michelle Massa and musical direction of Nick DeGregorio.
The musical “Oklahoma!” is the season’s second show, running from July 8-18. The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic tells the story of Curly and Laurey, a cowboy and farm girl.
Closing out the season will be “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It will run from July 29 through August 8.
All three of the summer productions are staged at the Stephen J. Capestro Amphitheater at 1 Pine Drive, Edison, in the heart of Roosevelt Park.
Tickets can only be purchased on the nights of performances. The box office is open 5:30-9 p.m. on the evenings of performances. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and older, and free for children age 12 and under.
All shows begin at 8:30 p.m., excluding the performances of “Oklahoma” from July 13-14, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. There are no performances on Sundays. Audience members must provide their own seating or can rent lawn chairs from the Friends of Plays-in-the-Park.
If a performance is canceled due to inclement weather, tickets may be saved and used to attend any other performance at no additional charge. Ticket stubs are valid up to one year after the canceled performance.
Patrons requiring assistance due to a disability are encouraged to contact Jackie Neill at 732-745-3936 prior to attending a performance so that special needs may be met. Plays-in-the-Park offers an audio-description performance on June 19, an opencaptioned performance on June 22 and a performance with sign-language interpretation on June 24.
For more information, visit www.co.middlesex.nj.us. Plays-in-the-Park can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.