THE STRAND THEATER LAKEWOOD REVISITED and EAGLEMANIA SAT MAY 7 bY Calvin Schwartz May 4th 2016

I’ve got a solid five-year history of warm affectation with The Strand, so I figured a few moments ago, to revisit one of my earlier explorations (of which there were many) and do the salient features bit here at NJ Discover website, a few days before their special show this Saturday May 7^th EAGLEMANIA-The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band. More on the show to follow.

The Strand was built in 1922. What a wonderful venue to listen to music, dream, drift back to the future for a few moments. Yes, I love the Strand. I also love when the message gets out to the world embraced by NJ Discover to get off your sedentary sofas and take full advantage of all that New Jersey has to offer, i.e. The Strand.

The splendor of The Strand

Some four years ago, I really discovered The Strand in Lakewood; this magical, beautiful, historic place of theater, music, comedy and acoustical wizardry. Three years ago I attended the Strand’s 90th Gala and walked away meeting people who have influenced and changed the course of my life. That Gala event was followed by so many other events I attended at The Strand; from Sandy relief concerts, to intimate and memorable ‘Backstage Pass’ events to great music and endearing holiday shows.

A few months ago I got the chance to spend some time with Anthony D’Amato (known on stage as ‘Remember Jones’) He was named the new producing artistic director of the Strand. His responsibilities include working closely with management, giving input in production and show prospects, producing his own theatrical and music events and probably a myriad of other job descriptions.  His persona was electric, dynamic, indefatigable and youthful. Actually he is very young.  I asked Anthony about his history. “I used to usher here when I was 12 years old. I would pick up trash in the aisles. From there, I became a performer then a director and recently put on my own music events here. In the past I’ve been able to turn small theaters-outdated- into something with a social scene. That’s my goal for here. The artistic vision for me is NOT to put on musicals and plays yet, but first we need to establish this area again as some sort of social scene; a hang-out for all ages to be comfortable which is not easy.”

with Tara-Jean Vitale, NJ Discover TV co-host and Anthony D-Amato

I also spoke to Chris Everett (not the tennis player) who’s the technical wizard at The Strand. “We want to insure this beautiful building continues to be a center for artistic endeavors…. Everything technical that happens here is my job; staging, lighting, sound, making people fly, all the fun stuff. If no one notices us, we did our job right because that is the magic of theater…. It was designed to be a Broadway theater…. In the 20’s and 30’s Lakewood was a vacation destination…literally it is a replica of a New York City theater.  We can do all these Broadway shows right here; One of the top four acoustically designed buildings in America.”

I love shout outs; To The Strand  ‘family’ for keeping me informed and enamored with the theater. Scott McFadden, Lori Gilmore, Fran Whitney, Dina Warren and Jesse Warren.

http://www.strand.org/

https://eaglemaniaband.wordpress.com/

EAGLEMANIA

And now show information for EAGLEMANIA-The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band.

May 7, 2016 at 8:00 PM

Strand Center for the Arts

Lakewood, NJ

Get Directions

Doors open 6:30 PM

BUY TICKETS ONLINE  http://www.strand.org/

James D’Amico Productions & Tommy’s House Present:

EAGLEMANIA-The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band. That isn’t their slogan by mistake. EagleMania has dedicated itself to faithfully reproducing the sound of The Eagles for the past three years. Since their inception, EagleMania has been thrilling audiences all over the East Coast with their stunning five part harmonies and their uncanny ability to emulate The Eagles note by note. Their show consists of all of the Eagles greatest hits, as well as some of the solo work of many of the individual members such as Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh.
Tickets $40 Orchestra & Loge, $35 Mezzanine, $25 Tier (Plus $5 fee per ticket).

Music : Genre: Classic Rock