IN THE ARTS

Monmouth University Children's Theatre presents "Treasure Island," performed by Running Rabbit Family Theatre, Monday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m. at Pollak Theatre, West Long Branch. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. For reservations and information, call the box office at (732) 263-6889.Adapted from Robert Lewis Stevenson's thrilling novel with some added twists to the story, "Treasure Island" is a swashbuckling journey appropriate for all ages. This production is performed with the entire acting troupe using spoken word and signing American Sign Language throughout to tell the story. For additional information, or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at (732) 263-6889.

Asbury Park filmmaker Susan Pellegrini presents "The Violet Glow" soiree, another of her "color" series of fundraising events to support the production of her documentary film on Stephen Crane and Asbury Park, at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, Fifth and Ocean avenues, Asbury Park. The evening will include food and live music and a staged reading of a newly adapted Stephen Crane story. Donation: $50. RSVP by Thursday to scranedoc@optonline.net. For more information, visit www.synergyproductions. net or call (848) 219-5727.

Monmouth University's Performing Arts Series at Pollak Theatre will present "An Evening with Groucho" on Saturday, April 19, at 8 p.m. Frank Ferrante doesn't just play Groucho Marx, he becomes him as he delights and mesmerizes his audience into the hilarious thrall of the master comedian's classic routines, zany songs, reflections on life and ad-libbing genius. This award-winning show was named by National Public Radio as one of the nation's top five solo acts. Don't miss a day with the Marx Brothers, featuring classic films, on Saturday,April 12, at Monmouth University. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, via telephone at (732) 263-6889, or online at www.Monmouth. edu/arts. Pollak Theatre is located at 400 Cedar Ave. in West Long Branch .

Two River Theater Company (TRTC) in Red Bank presents "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams. This timeless classic with original music will run through April 13. Set in 1930s St. Louis, "The Glass Menagerie" is a memory play that examines impossible family relationships, born of abandonment and viewed through the shifting prism of time, distance and lost hopes.

In conjunction with the show, "Memory Lane," an exhibit displayed in the lobby throughout the run, will provide a glimpse into the memories of artists and neighbors of the community. Examine the writers' process of putting personal experience on the stage in B4 Play, free, preshow discussion series is scheduled 45 minutes prior to every performance. Tickets are $20-$56 and are available by calling the TRTC box office at (732) 345- 1400, online at www.trtc.org or by visiting the box office at 21 Bridge Ave.

The Monmouth Museum's new series of one-person exhibitions continues with works in handmade paper by Marie Sturken. "N.J. Emerging Artists Series: Marie Sturken - Handmade Paper" opened March 21 and will run through April 20 at the museum, located on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. Tickets: $7; Brookdale staff and students with a valid I.D. and children under 2 are free. For more information, call (732) 747-2266 or e-mail info@monmouthmuseum.org.

The Brush and Palette Art Guild will offer watercolor classes with Dennis Magee April 1, 8 and 15 from 7-9 p.m. at Cullen Center, 1776 Union Ave., Hazlet. All levels of experience are welcome; cost is $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members. Membership is $10 a year and new members are welcome. For more information, call Irene at (732) 888-0993 or visit www.BrushandPalette.org.

Brookdale Community College's Performing Arts Center will present the musical

"I Do! I Do!" Shows are scheduled for April 3 and 4 at 8 p.m., and April 5 and 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The loving story of Michael and Agnes begins on their wedding day and traces their lives together over a period of 50 years. Framed by the tunes of a charming score, including the standard, "My Cup Runneth Over," the elderly couple ultimately leaves their home to another pair of newlyweds. Ticket prices are $10, $5 for Brookdale students with ID with a limit of two tickets purchased at the box office only. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (732) 224-2411.

The Shrewsbury Players will present Neil Simon's "The Dinner Party" on Friday and Saturday evenings, March 28 and 29 and April 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees April 6 and 13 at 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church House, 352 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury. Admission is $20, $16 for students and senior citizens. For reservations and other information, call (732) 224-8882 or (732) 389-5648.

The April exhibition at the Art Alliance of Monmouth County in Red Bank will consist of jury-selected work from members. The themes of the show are "Under the Influence (of Seurat)" and "Fauna." An opening reception will be held Saturday, April 5, 6-8 p.m. The exhibit will run through April 30 at the gallery at 33 Monmouth St. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. For information, call (732) 842-9403 or visit www.artallianceofmonmouth.org.

The Spotlight Players community theater group in Matawan will present the musical "Hello Dolly!" April 5, 6, 12, 13, at 3 p.m. and April 5, 11, 12, at 8 p.m. Race around New York at the turn of the 20th century with Dolly Levy, America's most beloved matchmaker. Performances are at the First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, Route 34 and Franklin Street (three blocks north of Main Street). Tickets are $18 for general admission and $15 for students and seniors. For more information, call (732) 583-7874 or visit www.spotlightplayers. org.

The Art Society of Monmouth County meets April 16 at Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave. A half-hour social begins at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., Jackson artist Barbara Grena will give a demonstration of painting with oils. Grena has exhibited widely and her work will be included in the 2008 Monmouth Festival of the Arts, April 5-9, at Reform Temple in Tinton Falls . The Art Society meets the third Wednesday of each month.

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will appear at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Friday, April 18, at 8 p.m. The leading female rock vocalist of the 1980s, Pat Benatar is a certified rock 'n' roll superstar, an eight-time Grammy nominee with an unprecedented four Grammies in a row for Best Rock Performance (female), six platinum and four gold albums to her credit. With now-husband Neil Giraldo on guitar, she will perform hit singles such as "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and "Love Is a Battlefield," which became anthems for a new attitude. Tickets are $100-$42 at the box office, 99 Monmouth St., (732) 842-9000 or www.countbasietheatre.org.

Auditions will be held for a male role in the new Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore comic thriller, "Wrong Window!," Wednesday, April 23, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. The open role is NYPD Detective Doyle Thomas, a been-there, done-that cop, at 40-50 years old, 6 feet tall, balding and smart. Actors should send a picture and résumé to P.O. Box 775, Lincroft 07738. Sides will be provided at the audition. The play will rehearse Monday through Thursday evenings and weekend days, May 3 through May 21. Performances begin May 23 and run through June 1. For further information, call (732) 224-2411.

- Compiled by Gloria Stravelli - Designed by Eileen Russell Gerber