In the Arts

Beginning this weekend, audiences can revisit the summer of 1776 when the nation was ready to declare independence ... if only the founding fathers could agree to do it! The musical "1776" being presented by Phoenix Productions follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

"1776" will be performed at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St. in Red Bank, on Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 4, 10, 11, at 8 p.m., and Sundays, Nov. 5 and 12, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $22-$26, with discounts for seniors and groups. For tickets, call (732) 842-9000 or (732) 747-0014.

The Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center will host "Trash to Treasure," an appraisal party, Saturday, Nov. 4, 5 to 9 p.m. Attendees can bring items for verbal appraisals and a presentation on restoring and repairing valuables. Artists are being asked to donate a custom-designed, decorated or remodeled chair for a "Chair-ish the Museum Auction." Tickets are $75 and include cocktails, light fare and the opportunity for appraisals. All proceeds will benefit the museum's educational programs. Call (732) 747-2266 for reservations and information.

Monica McIntyre The Monmouth Museum is located on the Brookdale Community College campus, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, at parking lot 1.

The Red Bank Music Community will hold its third annual open house Tuesday, Nov. 7, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. The evening will focus on a new way to build, grow and develop music. The RBMC is a community of musicians, writers and enthusiasts centered in Red Bank. The group provides opportunities for artists, writers and musicians to get gigs and network. For more information, call (732) 915-9821 or e-mail to eric@RedBankMusicCommunity.org.

The Fall 2006 Visiting Writers Series at Brookdale Community College will present a reading by poets Matt Hart and Timothy Lui Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Navesink III Room of the Warner Student Life Center. A $3 donation for the English Club is requested at the door. Lui is the author of six books of poems, the most recent is "For Dust Thou Art." Hart is the editor of Forklift Ohio: A Journal of Poetry, Cooking and Light Industrial Safety. His work has appeared in many print and online journals.

Brookdale's Performing Arts Center (PAC) will present "Beyond Therapy" by Christopher Durang, a mature adult comedy featuring a cast of student and local actors, at 8 p.m. Nov. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and Sunday matinees Nov. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. Performances will be held in the Black Box Experimental Theater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (62+) and $5 for BCC students with current ID. Call the box office at (732) 224-2411 for information and tickets.

"Driving Miss Daisy" by Alfred Uhry opens at First Avenue Playhouse, 123 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, Friday. Performances will be every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m. through Nov. 25, with two Sunday matinees on Nov. 12 and 19 at 2:30 p.m. Playhouse doors open at 8 p.m. for complimentary dessert and coffee before the show starts promptly at 8:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee door opens at 2 p.m. with a 2:30 p.m. start. Tickets are $20; $15 for seniors for Thursday evening and Sunday matinees only.

For information and reservations, call (732) 291-7552 or visit www.firstavenueplayhouse.com.

The Art Alliance of Monmouth County, 33 Monmouth St. in Red Bank, will present its 20th annual Statewide Juried Exhibition during November. An opening reception will be held Saturday 6-8 p.m. Adrian Sudhalter, a curatorial assistant in the Department of Painting and Sculpture of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, is the juror. The exhibit will run through Nov. 28 at the gallery, where hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Two River Film Festival is partnering with Monmouth University on the TRFF Children's Film Festival, which will take place Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children with their parents are invited to attend the day-long festival of specially selected films, geared for children ages 4-14. There will be no charge to attend any of the films to be shown at Pollack Theatre, 200 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch. For more information, contact Erica Gelbard, TRFF coordinator, at (732) 923-4751.

The Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts will host the second concert in the Black Box of Asbury Park's Music of Invention series Thursday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. "Monica McIntyre and Friends" will feature the Philadelphia-based cellist/vocalist/songwriter, and her sister and frequent collaborator, Marcia McIntyre, on violin. The performance will be held at SICA, 20 Third Ave., Long Branch. Admission is $12 in advance, $15 at the door. For tickets, call (732) 263-1121 or visit www.sica.org.