Celebrate Valentine's Day Early With Love Songs on the Music Pier

"As Valentine’s Day rolls around, it can’t be denied — love is in the air! Love can be expressed in so many ways, but one of the best is through song," the says. 

"Come celebrate love with some of the most enchanting, unforgettable and lovey-dovey songs to ever grace the stage. Bring that special someone, your family, a friend or simply let Broadway be your Valentine this year!"

Performers from the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company’s Professional Broadway Series return to the at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, for a performance of "I Love New York: A Cabaret of Broadway Love Songs."

The show includes a casual, entertaining and intimate cabaret of favorites from the Great White Way. 

The evening begins with a pre-show dessert reception at 7:15 p.m. in the Solarium of the Music Pier that will feature a medley of sweets from local eateries, two chocolate fondue fountains and hot beverages from Starbucks Coffee of Somers Point.

Evening entertainment will include songs from Les Miserables, Showboat, Aida, South Pacific, and more.  OCTC’s Junior Company will make a guest appearance with an encore performance of “Day By Day” from their summer production Godspell. A highlight of the evening will be the special full cast performance of the new Broadway song “It Gets Better.”

Broadway composer Jay Kuo has granted OCTC the right to perform the song that was originally made famous by more than 25 Broadway stars joining together to stand up to bullying.

“Performing this song will be the ultimate expression of love and acceptance. This is a true honor and opportunity for OCTC,” said OCTC Artistic Director Michael Hartman. 

Tickets purchased before 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9 are $15 per person. Tickets will be $18 thereafter. All tickets include the dessert reception and show. Purchase your tickets on the web at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice, in City Hall or by calling 609-525-9300. Reservations strongly recommended.

All proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Greater Ocean City Theatre Company. Besides desserts and outstanding performances, the evening will also feature the official announcement of OCTC’s 2012 Sponsors of the Year and winners of the 2011 “Mikey Awards”.

Created to recognize outstanding performances in each season, the “Mikey Awards” are Ocean City’s version of the famous Tony Awards. OCTC audiences voted for their favorite actor, actress and youth performers from the very memorable 2011 season.

This production is sponsored by the Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation, which provided a $1,500 grant to help produce the show.

“This grant gives us the opportunity to bring professional theatre experiences to area residents for a fraction of the cost of a New York show ticket,” Hartman said.  “Moreover, the proceeds from this cabaret event will help support our future productions and educational programs, doubling the impact of the Ocean City Home Charitable Foundation’s generous donation.”

The $1,500 grant awarded to the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company was one of 21 grants presented to area nonprofit organizations at the Charitable Foundation’s awards reception in December 2011.  The Foundation presented a total of $50,000 in grants at the reception, bringing the organization’s seven-year donation total to more than $690,000.

— News releases from the Ocean City Theatre Company and Ocean City Home Bank