Professional Theater at the Jersey Shore!
Five minutes from downtown Asbury Park!
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2021-2022 TICKETS ON SALE NOW
(see our seating chart)
*performance dates & times subject to change*
Dancing in the Dark
October 30 2 & 7 p.m. and
October 31 2 & 5 p.m.
All tickets are $35
Presented by the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater at The Theater at BELL WORKS
A BRONX TALE, The Musical
October 29-November 14, 2021
Book by Chazz Palminteri
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Based on the Play by Chazz Palminteri
Directed by Richard H. Blake
A Bronx Tale, based on Chazz Palminteri’s autobiographical play, is set in an Italian-American neighborhood in the racially charged 1960s. The film and Broadway original was directed by Robert De Niro. A Bronx Tale, with a Motown/early rock-inflected score by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors), is the captivating story of an Italian-American kid torn between following the working-class family values as instilled in him by his father and the compelling world of organized crime, introduced to him by the mob boss who becomes his father figure. A Bronx Tale is being directed by Richard H. Blake, star of the original Broadway production as well as Jersey Boys, Rent, Wicked and Legally Blonde.
The Manhattan Transfer
Saturday, November 20, 2021 – 8 PM
Theater at Bell Works
101 Crawfords Corner Rd, Holmdel, NJ
Winners of over ten Grammy Awards, The Manhattan Transfer tops the charts as one the world’s most successful vocal groups, having released over two dozen albums over the course of their half century in the music business. Whether jazz, swing, rhythm and blues or pop, the quartet’s vocal stamp is unmistakable. Today’s group includes Cheryl Bentyne, Trist Curless, Alan Paul and Janis Siegel.
Nickelodeon™
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
November 27-December 5, 2021
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg
Directed by Abby C. Smith
Music Direction by Jason Cohen
Book by Kyle Jarro
Original Songs by
Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I. And Songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley Additional
Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton
Additional Music by Tom Kitt
Musical Production Conceived by Tina Landau
Presented by the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, The SpongeBob Musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg, TV’s number-one kids’ show for over 20 years. The Broadway production—which The New York Times called “brilliant”—was a surprise to children and adults alike! This production, directed by Broadway’s original Mrs. Puff, Abby C. Smith, takes place in Bikini Bottom where SpongeBob and his undersea cohorts face imminent annihilation. Thanks to the power of optimism (and musicals!), a new hero arises and the world is saved. With a score by some of the great pop songwriters of the past 50 years, The SpongeBob Musical is the hippest kids’ musical to ever open on Broadway.
The Nutcracker Rocks!
December 11-19, 2021
A magical reimagining of a family holiday classic! The Nutcracker Rocks is a mixture of high-power music and dance that will transport you to a land of brave toy soldiers and sweet sugar plum fairies. Based on Hoffman’s original story, choreographer Gabriel Chajnik translates the Victorian-era Nutcracker from the bustles and ruffles of the 1890s to contemporary times. The beloved Tchaikovsky score is reimagined in collaboration with renowned rockers Alex Rosamilia and Alex Levine, members of The Gaslight Anthem.
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
March 11-27, 2022
Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown
Book by Marsha Norman
Based on the novel by Robert James Waller
Directed by Hunter Foster
Based on one of the bestselling books of the 20th century and the 1995 film that starred Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood, The Bridges of Madison County boasts a truly glorious score by Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and a book by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. If you’re not one of the 50 million Americans who read the book, Bridges is the story of an Italian woman named Francesca who lives in the American Midwest in the 1960s. The story takes off when she starts an affair with a National Geographic photographer focused on covered bridges in the area. What begins as an innocent friendship quickly unravels into a steamy affair, which produces heart-breaking repercussions on both their lives. The Axelrod production is being directed by Broadway star Hunter Foster, from the original company of Bridges as well as Urinetown, The Producers and Million Dollar Quartet.
GREASE
June 3-19, 2022 (Reschedules from June 2020)
The source for the greatest movie musical of all time, Grease continues to be the favorite of audiences of all ages. Revisit Danny Zuko, the head greaser, and his love interest, good girl Sandy Dumbrowski along with the Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys of Rydell High. This 1950s singing and dance extravaganza includes stage and film favorites including “Greased Lightnin’, “Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re the One that I Want.”
Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA
November 5-27, 2022
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
New Book by Douglas Carter Beane
Original Book by Oscar Hammerstein II
Directed & Choreographed by Todd LaBron Underwood
From the most successful writing team in Broadway history, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella became a Broadway stage musical a half century after the original television production starring Julie Andrews. Magical and transformative, it was worth the wait! With all the charm and romance of the creators’ musicals The Sound of Music, South Pacific and The King and I, Cinderella delights audiences of all ages with its surprisingly contemporary take on the classic fairy tale and its timeless score, with such Rodgers and Hammerstein favorites as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible” and “Ten Minutes Ago.” The Axelrod production is being directed and choreographed by Todd LaBron Underwood.
GROUP SALES
Groups of 10 or more are welcome to experience professional musicals and concerts at the beautiful Axelrod theater. The Axelrod PAC is the newest professional theater in New Jersey, and our patrons rave over the value of seeing the best musical-theater productions on the Jersey Shore at reasonable prices. The Group ticket prices simply cannot be beaten!
Adult Group Tickets start as low as $40. Certain shows offer Student Group Tickets as low as $28. Groups that book early receive the best possible seats in the house.
Call or email Lauryn Herchakowski to arrange your group's next performance date at lauryn@axelrodartscenter.org or (732) 757-1185
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the cost of a ticket?
Ticket prices vary from show to show, though the Axelrod PAC works very hard to keep the price of tickets as low as possible. For comparable professional musical theater, the Axelrod PAC prices are significantly less than other NJ theatres. As with all things in life, prices are subject to change.
Are there fees attached to purchasing tickets?
May I bring my toddler with me to the theater?
The Axelrod PAC does not permit children under four years old in the theater (unless it’s a children’s show). Toddlers or infants may not sit on the laps of their parents.
What are the box office hours?
The Axelrod Performing Arts Center box office will resume in-person hours after Labor Day. Check back for new hours!
What is the exchange or refund policy of the theater?
For patrons who cannot attend a show for which they’ve purchased tickets, exchanges are always available for a future show credit. Exchanges must be arranged prior to the performance for which patron has purchased tickets. No exchanges are granted after scheduled show date. There are no charges for exchanges. All sales are final. Ticket purchased cannot be refunded.
What should I do if I’ve misplaced my ticket or forgotten to print it out at home?
The box office staff will be happy to reprint your ticket. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID.
Will the show be cancelled due to snow or bad weather?
As the old adage says, “The show must go on!” The Axelrod PAC will do everything possible not to cancel performances. If you are fearful of weathering a storm to get to the show, call the box office prior to the show and arrange an exchange. Remember, exchanges after a show date are not possible.
Is there a theater dress code?
Patrons should dress neat casual: comfortable but tidy. Gala concerts are a bit more fancy, of course.
May I take photos or videos during a show?
Photography and videography are strictly prohibited at all performances.
Dare I ask about theater etiquette?