Big plans for Shore Players

By Neil Schulman
West Long Branch — For the first time in nearly three decades, the Shore Players will perform a play for the autumn, “Grandma’s Getting Married.”
It’s part of an ambitious season which includes two springtime events, the musical “Annie Get Your Gun!” and a concert to commemorate Shore Regional High School’s 50th anniversary — and the school would love to welcome back some alumni to perform in that concert.

The Shore Players rehearse for the comedy Grandma’s Getting Married, to be performed in November. This is the first time in nearly 30 years the high school has put on a show during the fall.

Grandma’s Getting Married is a farce, explains Michael McArdle, who plays the character Toad.
In the play, two sisters get a telegraph from their widowed mother, who is on a cruise. It explains that she’s gotten engaged to a Malcolm Witherspoon. Some research leads the girls to believe he is a “British star who is half her age, and they are appalled,” McArdle said.
It leads to an elaborate series of attempts to sabotage the upcoming marriage. McArdle bears the brunt of their schemes.
“It’s absolutely horrible. I get attacked by dogs, sprayed by pesticides,” he said.
Todd Aikens, the director, is a Shore alumnus who started his acting career at the high school, and went on to star in the national tour of “Grease,” among other things. He says Grandma’s Getting Married is straight up comedy, filled with misunderstandings and lies that beget more misunderstandings and lies.
“There’s nothing serious about it. This show is funny. No redeeming values. Nothing to learn from it,” Aikens said.
Grandma’s Getting Married was written by a local playwright, Dennis Driskill, about 15 years ago. Aikens was the original Horny Toad.
“He knew I always wanted to be a heavy metal rock star,” Aikens said.
It’s been performed several times locally, by Phoenix Productions and the First Avenue Playhouse. However, it’s never been printed, something Aikens would like to change.
Grandma’s Getting Married stars McArdle, Sam Elie, Taylor Lopez, Chloe Chalakani, Michael Sweeney, Michael Sweeney, Alec Bluher, Thomas Dougherty and Laura Phillips.
It will be performed Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., and Sundays, Nov. 13 and 20, at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $8 adults, $6 students. (See below for how to order).

Annie Get Your Gun!
Soon after Grandma’s Getting Married concludes, auditions will be held for the spring musical, Annie Get Your Gun!
The musical, telling the tale of sharpshooter Annie Oakley and the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West travelling show, features some classics such as “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better.”
Aikens said that the real Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill’s show have connections to the area. The show’s producer, Nate Salsbury, lived in Long Branch. Seven Presidents Park is built on “The Reservation” that Salsbury had constructed when the show came around locally.
Oakley, after retiring, spent her summers in Long Branch.
Annie Get Your Gun! will be performed March 9-18, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 adult, $10 students.

50th Anniversary Concert
Rehearsals for the musical will be held at the same time as the Shore Players get ready for a one night only concert on March 24, 7 p.m.
It will feature performances not only by current Shore Players, but by many of the alumni who have graduated the school over the last 50 years.
Aikens said that past performers, especially from the 1960s and 1970s, are welcome. Even if they don’t want to perform, they’d be welcome introducing other acts, “so we can have faces for a true 50 years of Shore Players.”
Tickets are $30.

Subscription Plan
Theater-goers can get subscriptions for discounts, and guaranteed orchestra center seating.
A subscription for both plays is $16, a $4 savings. A subscription for Grandma’s Getting Married, Annie Get Your Gun, and the concert is $44, instead of $50.
For tickets or more information contact 732-222-9300 x2550 or e-mail shoreplayerstix@shoreregional.org.

Originally published Oct. 27, 2011