FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: August 1, 2008

FROM: The Guild Theatreworks and the Jersey Shore Arts Center

Ocean Grove, New Jersey

CONTACT: Mary Anne Ridoux 732-920-3305 SerMar10@aol.com

NEW MUSICAL COMEDY PORTRAYS REAL LIFE STRUGGLE TO SAVE AMERICAN’S BEACH BOARDWALK AMUSEMENT PIERS

It’s been described as “Grease meets Happy Days with a Peppermint Twist.” A new musical comedy, set to have a New Jersey premier starting September 19^th at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, mimics the real life struggle to keep for future generations America’s boardwalk amusement piers, which has been recently chronicled in local and national news stories. Over the Boardwalk, is the second musical for transplanted Jersey shore native, Lou Ann K. Behan, who collaborated with her brother, Monmouth County musician, Gary Cuccurullo, on some of the show’s music.

The story, which takes place in 1963 in the summer before JFK is shot, sets a smarmy, ruthless developer against three generations of women who are trying to keep their Jersey family-owned boardwalk amusement pier out of his hands.

Carol Hill Albert, the current owner of Astroland in Coney Island, has been battling Thor Equities for the past several years over that company’s move to replace the boardwalk amusements with hotels, condos and retail space. Albert has met with Behan to discuss the show, and plans to attend.

Sixties recording star, Joey Dee, of Joey Dee and the Starliters, (“The Peppermint Twist”), has taken a personal interest in Over The Boardwalk, since the plot has Dee and the Starliters-unseen-coming to the aid of the beleaguered boardwalk owners, and also because Dee has performed with Cuccurullo. Dee gave Behan a copy of his original recording of “The Peppermint Twist,” and remains interested in the production.

Normand Kurtz of Dartmouth Management, Inc. in New York City, is mentoring Behan. Kurtz is optimistic about the show’s future, saying, “It has baby boomer appeal and relevance particularly given the recent news coming out of Coney Island.” Kurtz is well known for his successful affiliations with Rupert Holmes (“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and the Tony-winning “Curtains”), as well as his work with recording stars Christina Aquilera and Jim Morrison/Doors. Kurtz introduced Behan to Rob Urbinati, the Artistic Director for The Queens Theatre in the Park, an equity theater, which would like to mount the show with a co-producing partner. The N.J. production of Over The Boardwalk is to be a backer’s showcase for potential co-producing partners and interested investors.