A gem not even the Broadway critic for BWW knows about…read more Long Branch is a hike from the city--90 minutes each way on New Jersey transit--but well worth it. I went to see my friend in the F Theory last night and was deeply impressed with everything about this beautiful and quite plush theater. As a reviewer mostly of off-off Broadway in New York, this theater struck me as wildly luxurious. It's more off-Broadway-like than off-off. The New Jersey Rep is celebrating 30 years in business but 20 years free and clear in the current location on, wait for it, Broadway (street or avenue). Long Branch is an old New Jersey town, relatively desolate except for a half-dozen taquerias, a dollar store, and various small businesses (like Boost Mobile). The theater has a giant parking lot behind the theater, where you enter. It story is worth looking up on the website. The theater produces ONLY new works. As such it's unique and important. I agree with Ames A: "Producing new works for the American theater is vital." This October there will be a festival of 28 or so plays to celebrate the purchase of a 30,000 square foot facility they hope to make into a theater arts center, complete with rooftop bar, two theaters, and I think classes. If you're in Essex, Monmouth, or Ocean County, become a subscriber and support American theater. And go see Megan Loughran and Alex Trow in the F Theory.

The most fabulous theater you will experience in New jersey. One off plays that are…read morethought-provoking, funny, demanding, intriguing and coupled with great set designs in a small intimate theater setting.

this small, nonprofit theater shows films as well as stages theatre productions, and there is a…read moretheater academy here, of which i know nothing. as a cinema, it seems promising because they do tend to show independent and/or arthouse films, as well as old classics and occasionally an oscar-nominated film. example: i saw "argo" here, as well as "searching for sugarman," disney's "alice in wonderland" (1951), and "nebraska," to name a few. you might encounter technical difficulties, but give them a break, they're the only ones around showing most of these movies. they also have hosted some really cool events like screenings followed by Q&A with the directors. you should have a thick skin to deal with the clientele though. this place is definitely a community institution, with a somewhat cliquish mentality among the patrons - everyone seems to know each other and you might have to deal with tittering and chitchatting during films, as well as people feeling free to get up during a film. they seem to come for the company, not the films.

This is strictly a concert review (not bowling). A few…read morefriends and I attended a PJ Morton show. Great venue for a concert, standing room only (not really my first preference these days), parking is available but goes fast (early arrival gives the best opportunity). We did not have the food. The service as far as entering the venue, showing your tickets, etcetera was seamless. Again, there's no vip seating or box seats, it's a bowling alley turned concert venue so general admission/first come first serve rules apply. My only gripe would be how cold it was inside. Of course, the more crowded, the less chilly. But still, you could feel a draft whenever the doors opened. Overall, we had a wonderful time. I'd go again!

Quaint little bowling alley, you can wear your own shoes. Ample paid parking. Right next to the…read morebeach. You can order food from the diner. Drinks were good and you can't beat the price. 13.00 dollars for 2 hours. They do only have 6 lanes so reservations are recommended.

Went there the other day to see Rock of Ages. Love the theater. Small, comfortable seats and you…read morecan see from any location. The acoustics were very good, especially with a live band. Not too loud! Staff very receptive. They now have a concession where you can get cold drinks, hot coffee, popcorn and candy. All in all, a very nice experience.

As a supporter of the arts I traveled almost 3 hours to see the incredible production of Evita…read moreyesterday. I bought 3 tickets however one friend couldn't make it. When I went to the admin desk ..and explained I had a no show, before I could finish my sentence the woman barked NO REFUNDS! I was going to offer my ticket back to house in the event the show sold out (which it didn't - but should have). It felt insulting and unappreciative. Learn to listen before you speak.

My grandchildren enjoyed all the productions here every aspect if the production was so much fun !read more

This is a company that puts on a variety of puppet shows through out the year. We just saw "The…read moreWizard Of OZ," and my family had a great time. As soon as you enter the theatre a couple of the Marionette puppeteers greets the audience/kids with some puppets while everyone is finding their seats. The kids are encouraged to sit on the floor to watch the show on the puppet stage. The Wizard of OZ was great. It is not the complete story you would see as in the movies, as there is no visual effects and time constraints. It's a concise adaptation and everything is left to your imagination. It's definitely a great experience to go do with your kids. It's very affordable and your kids will have fun! The puppeteers are great as they are very friendly and interactive with the kids before and after the show. After the show, the kids can walk up to the small stage and touch the puppets and the puppeteers will answer questions and show how some of the puppets work. You can buy puppets there from finger puppets to the larger Marionette puppets. It's recommended you call to reserve tickets rather than just show up because it's a very small theatre. There is ample free street parking. They have shows in the 1st and 4th Sunday's of the month. Occasionally they will have weekday showings. They are great at responding to my emailed questions.

Came to this festival for the first time this year. We arrived when it was opening around 11:00am…read moreon Saturday and we were able to find parking on a nearby side street and then just walk down down Ocean Ave to the festival. Unfortunately in was kind of chilly outside and was windy, cloudy and raining a little bit. Fortunately they were just passing showers. We walked around the lake a bit and checked out the vendors to see what they were selling. There was a lot of jewelry and crafty things and some clothes and toys. For the food of course tons of everything Seafood. After checking out the selections we each decided what we wanted split up to get in line and then met up at the tables they have set up to eat our lunch. I personally decided on an order of crabmeat nachos 10.00 from one vendor and a lobster tail/ peel and eat shrimp combo 14.00 from another. Some other selections we had were a crab leg cluster 8.00 and clams at .75 each. Also a crab cake and fries combo 15.00, and some seafood gumbo (forgot how much that cost). My food was ok it was just hard to enjoy it outside with the wind blowing and since it was cold out the food was instantly cold as well. After we walked around a little more we decided to just pick up some dessert and eat it while walking back to the car. We got a brownie waffle with ice cream 8.00, and I got a regular waffle with cannoli cream 6.00 I thought it was pretty good and something I hadn't seen before. When walking back around 2:00 we noticed it was getting a lot more crowded and there were many cars circling to find a spot. So in all I thought it was a nice quick trip to get something to eat. Typical food vendor prices. I just wish the weather was nicer but that's the luck of the draw with an outdoor event.

Overly crowded and only cash accepted at most places. But pretty good food at most places!read more

First time coming here. And it is a nice place to come for a play. This is a place you can come see…read morea good play for a low cost. The lobby looks like it was from an old movie theater. The snacks are very few that were available. Small bag of chips and some chocolate. This would be a great place for a date night play, or just taking yourself out for a little quiet time after a long week. They have a few plays I already see they will be having that seem like fun. So I shall be back

I don't know if the Middletown Arts Center has been in existence that long, but I'm sure it's…read moregreatly needed for the communities in Monmouth County. I went to a radio show which is titled classic radio roadshow in which live actors perform well known radio classics in front of a live audience with all the Foley sound effects. Look that up, it's interesting. If you close your eyes during the performance you can imagine watching a radio from times of yore. Classic shows were performed, some were Abbott and Costello, the Shadow, Gunsmoke etc. all the performers were well-seasoned. Obviously this is a period before TV and my upbringing, but I certainly appreciated the show. The funniest were the comedic skits. There are other types of theatre presentations throughout the year. Check online.

This is a great concert and show venue. It is actually a school auditorium. However, the seats…read moreare comfortable and the site lines offer unobstructed views from everywhere. There is plenty of free parking in the school lot. It was smart of the school board to build a multi-use auditorium that can be used for public shows.

Attended my nieces dance recital here. Went expecting to see a school auditorium but lo and behold,…read morethis place is pretty nice. Stadium seating. A nice size stage. Pretty impressed.