Place: Algonquin Arts Theatre

First Performance: Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 pm

Algonquin Arts Box Office: 732-528-9211

Manasquan, NJ - Led by conductor Father Alphonse Stephenson, The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea will be opening their eighth season at Algonquin Arts this year with their performance, Cooking for Columbus, featuring a variety of classic Italian pieces, on Saturday, October 24th at 8 pm.

Also scheduled in their residency this season is Viennese New Year's 2010 on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 3 pm and My Fair Lady – Concert Version on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 8 pm.

Father Alphonse’s first orchestra was formed in New York’s Theatre District while he served at St. Malachy’s, the Actor’s Chapel. His conducting debut was with bass soloist Paul Plishka of the Metropolitan Opera. In 1980, he was engaged as Conductor and Music Director of the Broadway smash hit A Chorus Line, which he led for more than 3,000 performances. He has been guest conductor of the Fresno Philharmonic, Delaware Valley Philharmonic, Metro Lyric Opera, the Greater Palm Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Key West Pops Orchestra. Father Alphonse is also the founder and conductor of the Festival of the Atlantic in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey’s largest outdoor music festival.

To purchase tickets or obtain more information, contact the box office at 732-528-9211 or boxoffice@algonquinarts.org. Tickets can also be purchased 24/7 at the Algonquin Arts website, www.algonquinarts.org. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Algonquin Arts is located at 173 Main Street in downtown Manasquan, NJ.Algonquin Arts was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for the residents of New Jersey’s central region. Programming of Algonquin Arts is made possible as a result of the continued philanthropic support of private citizens and organizations such as New Jersey State Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, PNC Foundation, Manasquan Savings Bank, Woman’s Club of Brielle, Investors Savings Bank Charitable Fund, Verizon Foundation, Janice Blanton Plangere & Jules Plangere III, as well as many generous individuals and local businesses.