New Theatre Gives Brick Children's Community Troupe A Home

BRICK, NJ — The Mantoloking Road Playhouse opens its doors this weekend celebrating community theater in Brick.

The new theater provides a permanent home for the Brick Children's Community Theatre troupe, which kicks off its 33rd season of performances with "Frozen Jr." followed later in March by a grand opening gala featuring troupe alumnus and Brick native Remember Jones.

The theatre company, which got its start in the home of a theatre-loving Brick resident and director Heather Campagno, has been through many transitions over the years, including moving its operation outdoors with its Theatre in the Park series during the coronavirus pandemic.

The venue was the passion project of the Zarrilli family, who have been involved with the Brick Children's Community Theatre group for 15 years. Kendra Zarrilli (now the group's president) and Anthony Zarrilli (who owns Zarrilli Homes) became involved when their then 3-year-old daughter wanted to take her love for family room performing to the next level and participate in "a real performance," and was soon joined by her twin sister.

The theatre group long dreamed of having a permanent home, but the need became a necessity after the pandemic when Brick Children's Community Theatre could no longer use its prior venue, the group said. They went through "quite a few venues," Kendra Zarrilli said, but struggled with distance and scheduling hurdles.

For the Zarrillis, it was the perfect way to give back to the community theatre group that has become such a big part of their lives, she said.

A former boatyard at 266 Mantoloking Road has been transformed into the theatre venue. It has seating for 120 patrons to easily view the stage and combines the experience of a larger theater in a smaller, more intimate space. The theatre has 20-foot ceilings, a 20-foot by 40-foot stage, high-tech LED stage lighting and projections, and acoustics designed to maximize the experience. The Zarrillis invested $2.4 million into the transformation, according to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.

The building also provides space for the theatre group's entire operations, including classes, set construction and storage for the extensive collection of props and costumes. In the past, the props and costumes were stored wherever they could find space. Kendra Zarrilli shared in 2023 how the props and puppets for "Finding Nemo Jr." took over her in garage. That show led to a viral TikTok that was shared and dueted thousands of times. Read more: 'Where's My Dad?' TikTok Trend Spawned By Brick Theatre Group's 'Finding Nemo Jr.' Promo

The Mantoloking Road Playhouse also will be open for other performing arts groups and performances, such as music shows, small recitals and stand-up comedians.

"In the past, many of Brick’s arts performances had to be pushed to other venues in neighboring towns. With the Playhouse around, they no longer have to do this," Kendra Zarrilli said.

Kendra Zarrilli said "Frozen Jr." is sold out, but tickets are still available for the Grand Opening Gala on March 21 at 7 p.m. Gala tickets can be purchased online.

The Brick Children's Community Theatre, which has performed more than 90 shows over its years, has several other performances on its 2025 slate, including "Beetlejuice Jr." and "Finding Nemo Jr." in May, "Aladdin Jr." in August (scheduled for the Grunin Center for Performing Arts at Ocean County College in Toms River), and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr." set for December.

Those interested in renting the venue or performing can send an email to info@mantolokingroadplayhouse.com.