Theater Watch: Musicals, Meatloaf and Marc Cohn

Phoenix Productions returns to Count Basie this week with its rendition of the classic Broadway production Hairspray. The play will run for two weekends at Count Basie, beginning on Friday, July 15th.

Phoenix Productions is a non-profit community theater based in Red Bank that puts on high quality performances with extraordinary actors from the surrounding communities. They have produced more than 100 revivals of Broadway musical over the past two decades.

Hairspray transports us back to the summer of 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, where a plump teenager named Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show, a popular TV dance show. 

After landing a part on the show, Tracy becomes an instant celebrity, a status she eventually uses to try and do her part to bring change to the social injustices she witness first hand.

The original production of Hairspray has been performed over 2500 times on Broadway and has won eight Tony Awards. The production toured throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The London production was nominated for eleven Laurence Olivier Awards and won for Best New Musical.

The Phoenix Productions revival has a cast of 45 performers from local areas. Howell’s Mary DiGangi plays Tracy and Gian Carlo Durland of Long Branch plays Edna. Phoenix Productions shows are extremely professional, featuring full sets, costumes and a live orchestra. 

At Two River Theater this week, the immensely talented Marc Cohn will take the stage on Friday, June 15th for an intimate benefit concert. The 1992 Grammy Award winner for Best New Artist, Cohn is a best known for his folk rock hit Walking in Memphis.

Cohn is described as a “natural storyteller” who is gifted with being able to combine his love of words and passion for music. The result is the soulful and romantic music that comes through on much of his work, most notably the ballad True Companion. 

Count Basie also plays host to the legendary artist Meatloaf on Monday, July 18th as he passes through town on his “Hang Cool” tour.

Meatloaf is one of the best known rock musicians of our time. He is known for his over the top theatrical stage and music performances. His 1977 album Bat Out Of Hell was an immediate classic, with timeless hits such as Paradise by the Dashboard Light, and You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth. The album spent 9 years of the charts and sold over 43 million records worldwide.

In 1994, Meatloaf won a Grammy Award for the hugely popular song I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That). His talent didn’t stop at music either. His acting skills have scored him roles in popular movies such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Wayne’s World and South Park. He has also appeared on the TV shows Saturday Night Live, House and Glee.

For more information or to purchase tickets to any of the above shows, check outhttp://www.countbasietheatre.org

• Friday, July 15th, 2011: Hairspray, 8pm, Count Basie Theater
• Friday, July 15th, 2011: Marc Cohn, 7:30pm, Two River Theater
• Saturday, July 16th, 2011: Hairspray, 8pm, Count Basie Theater
• Sunday, July 17th, 2011: Hairspray, 3pm, Count Basie Theater
• Monday, July 18th, 2011: Meatloaf, 8pm, Count Basie Theater