Axelrod Performing Arts Center adds Creative Collaborations
Expands showcases to Asbury Park's House of Independents
Jersey native John Pizzarelli’s over 30 year career led him to collaborations with some of the nation’s greats – from Paul McCartney to James Taylor and Rosemary Clooney.
At 8 p.m. Wednesday, the jazz guitarist and vocalist [at right] will join a roster of talent featured this summer by Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Grant Avenue in the Deal Park section of Ocean Township.
With his trio, Pizzarelli will showcase his homage to Paul McCartney, entitled Midnight McCartney in Concert. Through the years he’s recorded similar tributes to Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holliday.
New this year, are Axelrod’s shows at Asbury Park’s House of Independents on Cookman Avenue. They include this weekend’s
On Friday and Saturday night at the House, Axelrod unites legendary rock guitarist and composer Gary Lucas and Remember Jones with a 15-piece orchestra [at right] to recreate Jeff Buckley’s iconic album ‘Grace.’
The collaboration was born from conversations CEO Jess Levy had with Lucas, who happens to be a huge Buckley fan, theater director Artistic and Resource Development Director Andrew De Prisco said.
“We were thinking the House was a more suitable environment for this avant-rock event,” De Prisco said.
The Friday and Saturday performance are the second in a trio of Axlerod shows at the Asbury Park venue. Last month, they brought the debut Renee Bang Allen’s “54 The Musical” fundraising event, and next weekend they will host An Evening of Stand Up with Judy Gold [at right], following her Thursday night ‘25 Question got a Jewish Mother’ show at the theater.
The Doo-Wop project [below right], featuring stars from Broadway’s ‘Jersey Boys’ and ‘Motown: The Musical’ returns July 14, just one week before the July 21 ‘One Night Only’ concert featuring starts from Axelrod’s sold-out Dreamgirls rendition.
“We try to look at the spectrum of entertainment that we can bring,” De Prisco said. “With only a 500 seat theater, it takes a fair amount of connections and creativity to put things together. We don’t have 1500 seats to sell so we have to find the right fit without needing to charge $150 per seat. Our average ticket price is closer to $35.”
Yet, with those restrictions, the musical theater draws such talents as two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, who will perform in September.
“I think her being here is more about being in the right place at the right time,” De Presco said. “My gut feeling is that she likes to stay connected to her audience, [fitting for the small theater].”
For tickets or more information about Axelrod’s summer showcases, visit their website here.
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