Joe Sernio and The Asbury Park Boardwalk Shine Light on BRIGHTNESS

July 24, 2012 - PRLog -- Contact Susan Belfer
for Media Inquiries and Interviews
732-239-1559 or sbelfer@belfercom.com

Asbury Park, NJ (July 24, 2012) -The Asbury Park arts experience will continue to grow as APBoardwalk begins a focused initiative to bring even more original and engaging art, in all forms, to the Asbury Park Waterfront. APBoardwalk announces the opening of "Brightness", a party-play, on Thursday, August 9, 2012 with a limited engagement running through August 26. Paratroupe, the producer of "Brightness", is a theater company that's the brainchild of a group of creative, young New York-based actors and writers aiming to make immersive theatre and to create experiences that could never be simulated on a screen.

"Brightness" is an original, interactive and engaging experience that descends from the Italian craft of Commedia dell'Arte. It will make you laugh, make you think, and stretch your imagination, all in unexpected ways. It's a house party with rules, but the rules aren't anything like what you might expect. You'll be a guest at the party and experience what it's like to join a crazy world of eccentric but understandable characters. And every performance will feature some of Asbury Park's great local musicians and performers. Brightness is written and directed by Alice Quinnett.

For the past five years, APBoardwalk has been a major supporter of the arts as well as a significant force in the music scene, producing over 200 shows a year in five renowned venues, including the Stone Pony, Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater. Pasqualina DeLucia, APBoardwalk's marketing director, says that "this brilliant new production of "Brightness" by Paratroupe kicks off an expanded and forward thinking approach to the arts. APBoardwalk will be taking exciting original works, which may be street art, a play, a light installation, fashion show or opera (just to name a few) and place them in unexpected locations - the balcony of the Paramount Theatre, an open storefront, a hidden wing of Convention Hall or even the Boardwalk waterpark. "Brightness", for example, is transforming a white-boxed tenant space into a dynamic immersive set for this party-play."

These "popup" cultural events are a chance to experiment and reinvent in untraditional locations, redefining the experience of art. It's also a great use of space, and the Asbury Park Waterfront has some truly unique and amazing locations to choose from.

One of the soon to come additions to this fast-moving and innovative art movement involves contributions from television and film star Joe Sernio, who intends to present stage readings, filmmaker forums and original theatre pieces. Over the years, Joe, who has worked extensively with cast members from the Sopranos, including Vincent Pastore, has been passionate about growing the Asbury art scene and has received industry accolades for his efforts. APBoardwalk has also been in discussions with influential movie industry players who are supportive of an effort to bring more motion picture productions to Asbury, and APBoardwalk is committed to work toward building an infrastructure to make this happen.

Performances of "Brightness" run from August 9th through August 26th, Thursday through Sunday at 8pm located at 1200 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (in the 5th Avenue Pavilion). Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased at either at the Experience Asbury store located in the 4th Avenue Pavilion on the Boardwalk or The Bodega store located in Convention Hall's Grand Arcade. Tickets can also be purchased on the night of show at the performance space (subject to availability).

Visit http://www.paratroupe.com or call 732.897.6500 for more information about "Brightness".

ABOUT THE ASBURY PARK BOARDWALK:
The Asbury Park Boardwalk has undergone a remarkable transformation. It is a mix of modern amenities and soulful authenticity that transcends today's perception of the Jersey shore. The New York Times describes it as a place where "the past stands vigil over the present" and declared that "Black and white, gay and straight, child-ridden and child-free: there's a little of everything and everyone seems to feel at home." A legendary vibrant music scene as well as award winning restaurants, shops, lounges and beaches is just a part of what has recently made the Asbury Park Boardwalk one of the most critically acclaimed destinations in the U.S. For more information, please visit http://www.APBoardwalk.com