New Theatre Group Partners With Area Restaurants

As the old saying goes, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Ocean County's newest theatre group is certainly hoping that rings true for audiences as well.

When the Ocean Professional Theatre Group begins its shows at the state of the art Bengal Theatre at Barnegat High School next month, they've made arrangements with area restaurants to offer meal packages for a set price. Managing Director Ruth Blankemeyer says "we offer a package to groups of fifteen or more where they can combine a matinee with a lunch, a matinee with a dinner or a dinner with an evening show."

Blankemeyer says they were very strategic in selecting restaurants on or near the Route 9 corridor as far south as West Creek to as far north as Lanoka Harbor. She says they're hoping the arrangement not only attracts large groups from long distances but serves as an economic engine for the area as well. "By bringing the people into the area that have never been here before, we're generating revenue not only for our theatre, not only for the restaurants but for the shopping areas and all the business in the area."

Blankemeyer says she and Artistic Director Steve Steiner learned from a former theatre group that the group business is a huge boon to the theatre. "By adding a lunch or dinner to a theatre ticket it makes it much easier for the groups to come and much more attractive for the groups to come." She says they offer some of the best group prices in the area too with packages ranging anywhere from $42.95 to 49.95.

Steiner says they chose twelve restaurants from six towns because "We wanted to provide a variety of choices and experiences for our theatre fans."

He says participating so far are: Antoinetta's (Cedar Run), Calloway's (West Creek) Bella Christina's Trattoria, LA's Steak and Seafood, Stafford Restaurant, Villagio (Manahawkin), Kristy's (Waretown), Spiaggio de Luna, Sweet Jenny's, Lefty's Tavern (Barnegat) and Captain's Inn, Il Giardino (Forked River). Also, will be Combination Boat/Dinner/Show cruises with The River Lady, Toms River; and a specialized Seaport Activity/catered lunch/Show with Tuckerton Seaport.

The theatre's season begins with Nunset Boulevard on May 8th to the 13th.

Get Group Information by emailing Ruth at ruth@oceantheatre.org or 609-312-8306 or oceantheatre.org