Physical Therpy For Injuries and Pain in Deal Park, NJ

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Asbury Park Press

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center will mount New Jersey’s first professional production of the Broadway musical "The Prom" beginning Friday and running through May 21.

The show is directed by Broadway actor and director Todd Buonopane, choreographed by Brooke Engen, with music direction by Michael Gilch.

“Not many shows have the ability to make you laugh till it hurts and then cry your eyes out,” Buonopane said. “ 'The Prom' does that. Add in a cast of Broadway vets and exciting up-and-comers, how could we go wrong?"

The story traces the unscripted adventures of a quartet of Broadway has-beens who hop on a tour bus to infiltrate a small-town in Indiana with their New York values. There they meet high school student Emma Nolan, who has been banned from the school dance for wanting to attend with her girlfriend.

Leading the cast as Dee Dee Allen is TV and Broadway star Vicki Lewis. The company also includes Broadway vet John Scherer as Barry Glickman, and New York theater favorites Emily McNamara as Angie Dickinson, Richard E. Waits as Principal Hawkins, and Matt Hill as Trent Oliver.

A special Pride Night cocktail reception kicks off the festivities at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, in conjunction with Garden State Equality. More information is available at axelrodartscenter.com.

Go: "The Prom," Friday through May 21, Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, $32 to $59; 732-531-9106, ext. 14, axelrodartscenter.com.

Drag Queen Visibility Day in Asbury Park

Drag queen story time, a bake sale and karaoke are just some of the events planned as Asbury Park and Paradise nightclub celebrate Drag Queen Visibility Day on Sunday.

Paradise, 101 Asbury Ave., will host events starting at 1 p.m. featuring local drag performers.

The event is being held at a time when anti-drag and anti-transgender laws are being passed in state legislatures across the country. There have been 469 anti-LGBTQ legislative measures introduced in the U.S. in 2023, according to the ACLU.

Sapphira Cristal, Miss Paradise 2023, will host the event, which is split into two acts. More information is at paradisenj.com/pageant.

Go: Drag Queen Visibility Day, beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7, Paradise nightclub, 101 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park; paradisenj.com/pageant.

Produce Pete in Manasquan

How did Pete Napolitano become WNBC's famed "Produce Pete"? How did a small lot by a gas station pave the way for his family's produce store in Bergenfield that stood for nearly 50 years?

Napolitano answers those questions and tells plenty of stories in "They Call Me Produce Pete," written with Asbury Park Press freelancer Susan Bloom.

Napolitano and Bloom will appear from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at BookTowne in Manalapan for a discussion with fans and to sign copies of the book.

More information is at producepete.com.

Go: Produce Pete Napolitano and Susan Bloom book signing, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, BookTowne, 171 Main St., Manalapan; 732-722-7255, booktowne.com.

More:Here's why Bamboozle 2023 canceled, and what you need to know about getting a refund

Old-time baseball weekend in Freehold

Looking to hit a home run this weekend? Take a swing in Freehold.

The “Glory Days: Baseball in Our Hometown” exhibit opens 7 p.m. Friday at Borough Hall. The display is based on the new book, “Baseball is in My DNA: The History of Baseball in Freehold, New Jersey, 1857-1973” by Glenn Cashion. He's a ball player of note and cousin of Bruce Springsteen, no stranger to the borough's playing fields himself.

The exhibit features images and artifacts depicting how deeply intertwined Cashion's family is with his hometown and his favorite sport. There's also a video on the backstory of the Boss' ode to baseball, “Glory Days.”

On Saturday, there will be a home run derby, pie-eating contest, games for children and a baseball game between the Monmouth Furnace and Harrisburg Keystones at Lincoln Field on Lincoln Place. They're playing in vintage 1864 style with 1864 rules. The action starts at 11:30 a.m.

Go: "Glory Days" exhibit," opens 7 p.m. Friday, Freehold Borough Hall, 30 Mechanic St.; freeholdboroughnj.gov. Plus, vintage baseball game, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Lincoln Field, Lincoln Place.

'Hello, Dolly!' at Algonquin

Get ready, Manasquan: Dolly Levi is coming to town.

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Jerry Herman's classic musical "Hello, Dolly!" Saturday through May 21.

Dolly Levi (played by Lynne Truex) is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler — but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself.

Set in New York City at the turn of the century, "Hello Dolly!" is full of humor, romance, big scenes, wonderful songs and great dancing.

Go: "Hello, Dolly!," May 6 to 21, Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, $26 to $43; 732-528-9211, algonquinarts.org.

'Our Shrinking, Shrinking World' in Long Branch

New Jersey Repertory Company presents the world premiere of “Our Shrinking, Shrinking World,” written by Richard Dresser and directed by Joe Cacaci.

Dr. Lyman Hidalgo-Nyquist is a psychotherapist with a climate-induced apocalyptic complex, a loose grasp of therapeutic technique, and a looser grasp of professional ethics. When his long-suffering clients decide to see a new, younger therapist who's just moved to town, Lyman's professional jealousy spikes — along with his fear of losing income.

The play stars Molly Carden, Kaileela Hobby, Kevin O’Rourke and Jeff Rubino. Performances begin Thursday and run through May 27.

Go: "Our Shrinking, Shrinking World," through May 27, NJ Rep, 179 Broadway, Long Branch, $40 to $60; 732-229-3166, njrep.org.

Raritan River Music Festival

Raritan River Music Festival will present a series of four concerts throughout May. Laura Oltman, co-founding director of Raritan River Music, explained the “Tributes” theme in a news release.

“We are the product of those who came before us, set the stage, laid the foundation for creating the music and culture of today," she said. "This year, we honor the founders of musical organizations that have been influential in our lives, providing the legacy upon which Raritan River Music has grown to become an integral part of the community.”

The festival will present ensembles and soloists in concert, in addition to online video streaming provided by The Animal Farm music production studio. Performers include the Bergamot String Quartet, the Four Nations Ensemble, the Mohawk Trail Piano Trio, Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo, and soloists Clare Hoffman, flute; Martha Mooke, electric viola; and Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica.

All concerts take place inside historic venues in scenic settings throughout western New Jersey. The venues are fully accessible for people using wheelchairs and walkers. There will be four concerts on Saturday evenings in May, and then recorded concert broadcasts through YouTube Premieres on Sunday through Wednesday following each concert.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, Four Nations Ensemble presents “Les Grands: French Baroque Music from Court & Concert” at Clinton Presbyterian Church, 91 Center St., Clinton. Step back in time as the group – with harpsichord, lute, flute, voice, violin and cello – brings to life music by François Couperin and his grand colleagues composing and performing at the Palace of Versailles, and at salons and concert halls around Paris in the early 1700s.

Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door (if available).

Go: Four Nations Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, Clinton Presbyterian Church, 91 Center St., Clinton, $25, $30 at the door. Raritan River Fest runs May 6 to May 27; 908-213-1100; RaritanRiverMusic.org.

Beer, pizza collaboration in Bradley Beach

The restaurant at Main Street and Evergreen Avenue in Bradley Beach has long been known as Vic's Italian Restaurant. But when Vittorio “Vic” Giunco first opened the place in 1933, he called it Vic's Tap Room.

The nearby Bradley Brew Project is paying homage to that history with its new brew, Vic's Tap Room Pilsner. The beer, a collaboration between the two, will be released Monday, May 8. It is a 5.8% Italian-style Pilsner that will be available in cans and on draft.

"Celebrating 90 years of Vic's Tap Room, this collaboration with our local community friends at Vic's is brewed with intercontinental hops and malt for a crisp, clean and deeply aromatic experience," reads a news release from the brewery.

Go: Vic's Tap Room Pilsner collaboration, 714 Main St., Bradley Beach; 732-455-8047, bradleybrew.com.

NEW JERSEY — Are you hungry yet?

April 7 is National Burrito Day, and several burrito-serving eateries located throughout the Garden State are prepared to celebrate. Popular national chains like Chipotle and Moe's Southwest Grill are offering unique deals and surprises.

According to the nationaldaystoday.com website, National Burrito Day didn’t get started until 2017. The website says this tortilla-wrapped goodness traces back to about 10,000 B.C., to Mesoamerican people of Mexico.

Burrito means “little donkey” in Spanish, and that has led to some speculation that the stuffed tortilla resembles the bedrolls and bundles often carried by burros, used as pack animals, according to Merriam-Webster.

Another legend says food vendor Juan Mendez used a donkey to carry his food in the Mexican Revolution (1910-20), and rolled it in a flour tortilla to keep it warm.

Find out what's happening in Asbury Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“People looking for Mendez's tasty offerings would say that they were looking for the ‘burrito,’ or rather the donkey with the food,” Merriam-Webster explains. “The legend certainly connects the donkey to the burrito, but the story lacks documented evidence.”

Another national day curation site, nationaltoday.com, says burritos appeared U.S. menus in the 1930s. More recent versions of burritos contain different kinds of meat, vegetables, rice and beans, dressed up with cheeses and dollops of sour cream and guacamole.

Below are some of the National Burrito Day deals. As always, availability may vary by location:

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill: People who sign up for the chain’s reward deal will get 50 bonus points that can be used to discount a Chicken Baja Burrito.

California Tortilla: People who order a burrito or bowl get a golden ticket redeemable for a discount on the next visit.

Chipotle Mexican Grill: On National Burrito Day, the chain plans to launch the Chipotle Burrito Builder on Roblox, billed as “a new stimulation experience that will challenge players to roll burritos in the metaverse to earn Burrito Bucks.”

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Customers who have signed up for Moe’s Rewards through the app can get burritos and bowls for $5.99.

Ask anyone familiar with Asbury Park's dining scene to name someone who has made a bigger impact than Marilyn Schlossbach and they would be hard-pressed to find an answer.

But fans have only a few more days to eat, drink and party at one of her best known restaurants: Langosta Lounge will close on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The restaurant, along with adjoining Salt Water Market, Asbury Park Yacht Club and Pop's Garage, will be taken over by BarCo Brands, run by Andrea Pappas, Greg Bartz and Phil Villapiano.

Since 2008, Schlossbach and her husband, Scott Szegeski, have been behind some of the city's most popular restaurants. From Langosta Lounge, Pop's Garage and Asbury Yacht Club on the boardwalk to Dauphin Grille at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, and Trinity and the Pope on Mattison Avenue, they have cooked internationally inspired food, Mexican cuisine, and Creole and Cajun dishes — and provided spaces for people to enjoy live music.

There was also Labrador Lounge, Tini's Fish House and Pop's Garage in Normandy Beach, a third Pop's Garage in Shrewsbury, European bistro Russell & Bette's in Rumson, and The Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch.

They rebuilt after superstorm Sandy, and weathered the COVID-19 pandemic by helping feed people in need.

More:Can this group save ‘a completely trusted space’ in Asbury Park that fell into disrepair?

But the couple's time in Asbury Park is coming to an end (only professionally; they live in the city). The Marilyn Schlossbach Group announced this week that Langosta Lounge will close Saturday, Feb. 4.

Pappas, Bartz and Villapiano opened Deal Lake Bar + Co. in Loch Arbour in 2017, and are currently developing Baseline Social, a restaurant, bar, lounge and entertainment venue at Fort Monmouth's former commissary building.

“To take over a space from Marilyn Schlossbach, such an Asbury Park icon and pioneer, and a woman who has done so much for the community and the hospitality industry, feels very special to me and is truly a dream come true.” Pappas said in a news release.

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BarCo plans to "continue to operate with only brief closures for training and cosmetic changes to the interior" of Langosta Lounge, according to a news release from the company.

The restaurant will close for a full renovation between November 2023 and March 2024, with a grand opening planned for April 2024.

“We have all been enthusiastic customers of (Langosta Lounge/Asbury Park Yacht Club) over the years," Villapiano said. "While the name will be changing, we plan on maintaining the vibe when we redesign that space. And just as we have done at Deal Lake Bar + Co., we plan on continuing the commitment to enhance the local music scene."

Schlossbach, also known for her philanthropic and community work, plans to turn her attention to The Whitechapel Projects, a restaurant, brewery and creative venue that opened in 2018. She became a partner there in 2020.

Some will be surprised to learn that Schlossbach, a former chairwoman of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association, never trained as a chef. As she told The New York Times in 2010, she started in the industry as a waitress at the now-closed restaurant Oshin in Avon. One day in 1985, the chef quit, and Schlossbach had to take over in the kitchen.

“I love the feeling of making people happy through food,” she told the Times, 25 years later. “It’s very comforting.”

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com.

Frances Micklow/The Star-Ledger

A bitter dispute over a license for additional racing dates at Monmouth Park has shut down talks to privatize the racetrack, jeopardizing its future and the jobs of several thousand employees.

As a result, developer Morris Bailey today indicated through his attorney that he wants out of the deal to lease Monmouth Park.

“Mr. Bailey is very disappointed the transaction could not be closed,” said attorney Ronald Riccio. When asked if the Monmouth Park deal is dead, Riccio said, “I never say never,” but also said he would be surprised if it could be revived.

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association is also considering going to court to force the state to honor the agreement it struck to transfer a racing license to the association.

Michael Schottland, attorney for the horsemen’s association, said the conflict arose last Friday, three days before state officials were set to close deals leasing Monmouth Park to Bailey and the Meadowlands Racetrack to developer Jeffrey Gural as part of Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to privatize the two facilities and end casino subsidies to horse racing.

Related coverage:

• Morris Bailey, now in control of Monmouth Park, is the future of New Jersey horse racing

Schottland said the state reneged on its June 21 deal to transfer to the association a license to run thoroughbred races — usually held at Monmouth Park — at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The association wants the license to allow it to increase the number of thoroughbred horse racing dates in New Jersey beyond the 71 meets in Bailey’s agreement, Schottland said.

But if off-track wagering is eventually allowed at the Meadowlands, that license would also give the horsemen’s association a cut of proceeds, something Schottland said Gural unknowingly gave up in the June 21 deal.

“We saw this (off-track wagering) coming and that’s why we made it part of the negotiations,” Schottland said. “Because we out-negotiated them, they’re now crying foul.”

Gural did not respond to requests for comment today.

Monmouth Park employees are on the state payroll until Dec. 23. Bailey was expected to take over after that but now their future is uncertain, association president John Forbes said. Although the live racing season doesn’t begin until May, Monmouth Park has simulcast races seven days a week, which could be in jeopardy if Christie follows through on his threat to shut the facility, he said.

Schottland and Forbes said state officials assured them this summer the New Jersey Racing Commission was on board with the agreement and that it would sign off on the lease transfer at a Dec. 20 meeting.

They said state officials on Friday told the thoroughbred horsemen there would be no license transfer after all and threatened to close Monmouth Park if they couldn’t reach a new agreement by Monday. Forbes said Christie’s administration cut off negotiations before the organization could bring a proposal to its board, and Christie’s negotiators only said the state Attorney General’s Office “was uncomfortable with it.”

“At some point they realized this permit had some value and said ‘we gotta get it away from these guys,’ ” Forbes said.

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak would not discuss details of the events, but said in an e-mail, “All I can tell you is that Mr. Forbes’ story is not at all an accurate characterization of events.”

In another wrinkle, Dennis Drazin, former president of the thoroughbred horsemen’s association, abruptly resigned as chairman of the racing commission last Thursday, the day before the deal fell through. Drazin, who would have been required to recuse himself from voting on the leases, declined to comment.

Christie announced a year ago he wanted the state out of the horse-racing industry and was seeking operators of the two racetracks. Frustrated at the slow pace of sealing the deal, Bailey, who has been running Monmouth Park on a memorandum of understanding since June 24, sent a letter to the state in September declaring the memorandum void.

Staff writer Tom Luicci contributed to this report.

MaryAnn Spoto: mspoto@starledger.com

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ASBURY PARK -- Some nights they played to virtually no one. Other nights the dance floor was packed.

Some nights they went on at 6 p.m., other nights not until midnight.

But for 12 weeks last summer -- 12 Sundays -- resolute rockers Deal Casino took the weathered stage at The Saint in Asbury Park, initiating themselves into the state's most vigorous rock scene.

"We would go home, the night of or the next morning and watch the show all the way through and take notes and overanalyze every little step we took," says singer Joe Parella. "It helped a lot, it's a way of looking at yourself in the mirror."

The rollicking foursome, originally of Sparta, moved to Asbury Park in early 2014 and have since become one of the area's tireless rock factions.

Between local shows at the shore and in the revamped New Brunswick basement circuit, Deal Casino has averaged a show a week since their formation in 2013.

The band named after the well-known Jersey beach club released their third EP, "Heck," (named after the Asbury street) in December, a confident four-track best reflects the group's buoyant stage performances.

"Before, we were trying to do things we thought were supposed to do," Parella says. "'Heck' is what we actually sound like, live at a show."

Deal Casino headlines the "Scenes Collide" show, a conglomeration of eight Asbury Park and New Brunswick bands at The Stone Pony March 20.

Vocals/guitar -- Joe Parella, 21, Sparta*

Guitar -- Jozii Cowell, 23, Sparta*

Bass guitar -- Jon Rodney, 21, Sparta*

Drums -- Mike Linardi, 21, Sparta*

* Moved to Asbury Park in 2014

"We are trying to write pop songs, but sound like a band, not a computer," Parella says. That assessment is fair enough.

The group's new EP is clearly influenced by pop-rockers Neon Trees and Parella's tone is comparable to Trees singer Tyler Glenn. But there is no synth. There's no digital overlay. The tunes simply possess catchy, bare-bones hooks from a four-piece Jersey Shore rock group -- just two guitars, bass and drums.

Which is not to say that Deal Casino sounds like every other rock band trying to plant themselves within the scene. Their style is especially polished -- a product of all those shows -- and reveals bit of flamboyance in their songwriting. The new groove "FortyFive" details a tryst with a boss's middle-aged wife. It's self-assured and fun, without the hubris a band of 21-year-olds might typically exude.

Neon Trees, Kings of Leon, Young the Giant

Not to belabor the pun, but the guys in Deal Casino are all in on this band. Two of them work at the recording studio where they practice. The other two work in restaurants. All four of them moved 90 minutes south to live and work in the scene. They have played more than 100 shows in two years. They expect to play about 30 more by June. They are recording a new EP, set for Spring release.

This is their livelihood. They are clawing for a chance to make it their full-time profession. "The top of the top" is where they'd like to end up, says Parella. They surely have the work ethic for such success, and their sound seems to be catching up.

March 14: Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park, with Nemes

March 17: Dive, Sea Bright, with Monterey and Atlas Bloom

March 20: The Stone Pony, Asbury Park

March 26: Boot & Saddle, Philadelphia with Verite