‘Broadway Meets the Beach’ Returns to Seaside Heights With Stars, Tributes, ‘A Bronx Tale’

Broadway Meets the Beach. (Credit: Seaside Heights BID)

Seaside Heights will, once again, play host to Broadway stars this summer, with the first of three, free performances starting this month.

Broadway Meets the Beach has become a tradition in town since it debuted several seasons ago, the brainchild of local event organizer Dee Pellegrino and Broadway producer John Brunetti. The program brings current cast members of Broadway shows to the boardwalk for special performances, backed by a theme or tribute to a genre of theater.

This year’s lineup includes several notable names, as well as a tribute to actor Chazz Palminteri with a heavy emphasis on the beloved classic, “A Bronx Tale.” All of the shows are held at the Franklin Avenue Stage along the boardwalk.

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The first performance is scheduled for Friday, July 12 at 6:30 p.m., when the cast will perform “A Tribute Night to Glen Slater,” who has notably been the recipient of a Tony, Grammy and Emmy award over his career. Performing will be stars such as Christy Altomare (Anastasia, Mamma Mia, Spring Awakening, Carrie) and John Cudia, the only actor to play the Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera,” plus Jean Val Jean of Les Miserables fame.

Next will be a Friday, Aug. 2 performance, “Tribute Night to Chazz Palminteri,” the Academy Award-nominated star and writer of the classic film “A Bronx Tale” who is also known for “Bullets Over Broadway,” “The Usual Suspects,” and the hit television show Modern Family. Members of the original cast of The Bronx Tale will perform. The show begins at 6:30 p.m.

The third event of the summer, set for Friday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m., will be a “Tribute Night to Lynn Ahrens,” the Emmy and Tony award-winning writer of such megahits as “Ragtime,” “Once on This Island,” “Suessical,” “Rocky,” “Anastasia,” “A Christmas Carol,” and the famed Saturday morning cartoons “Schoolhouse Rock.” Broadway stars will appear alongside notable names from television’s “America’s Got Talent.”

“Get there early and bring a folding chair to snag the best seats for this year’s free shows,” said Brunetti.