Spectacular Show Takes Place In Parking Garage of the Noyes
By Steffen Klenk & Dina Guzzardo
Inside the parking complex of Atlantic City’s Noyes Arts Garage awaits an immersive art experience unlike anything that has been seen before. Cruise: An Artistic Drive Thru Experience blends live performances with local art.
Taking place at the Noyes Arts Garage (2200 Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, 08401), there are two different shows to pick from: the matinee and the evening show. The matinee takes place from 11am – 7pm and features art installations, serenades by Broadway and local performers, and a bubble tunnel. The evening show takes place from 7pm – 11pm and features the same experiences as the matinee show but with an amazing laser and light show.
Antoinette DiPietropolo and Charles Ford are the co-producers of this first of its kind project. With many events and shows placed on hold over the past year, the timing is perfect. “Many artists that are usually on tour, have been stuck at home and are excited to perform” says Ford.
Featured singers include Broadway’s Gina Milo whose resume boasts Eponine in Les Miserables, Lily St. Regis in Annie, Tanya in Mamma Mia!, and many more. Gina will be singing some of her most coveted hits from the many productions she has performed in, and there is even the option of being serenaded for those who opt for the VIP Gold Package.
Also performing and returning to Atlantic City is the immensely talented Gabrielle Reid who has starred in off-Broadway productions of Hairspray and Beautiful The Musical, which were previously brought to Atlantic City. Reid says she “cannot wait to be able to sing in front of a live audience again” and that there is “an absolute electricity that is found nowhere else except for live theatre.” With these top performers ready to bring their A-game, this is most definitely an experience you do not want to miss out on.
Upon entering the Wave Garage, the journey will begin with a 60 foot section of origami pieces created by students in over 25 Atlantic City schools. Each piece represents a person in each child’s life who was lost over the past year. According to DiPietropolo, the installation has created healing during a time of separation. “This piece was able to bring a community together which made us very happy.” Various displays from local artists will also be on display, with the goal of inspiring others to find their individuality.
In each section of the parking garage, guests will notice changing themes. The next floor of the experience represents dreams. With themed areas featuring displays from Miss New Jersey and the Philadelphia Flyers, the aim is to inspire young girls and boys to dream big.
As you continue the drive, you will enjoy a section filled with music and entertainment. During the day, drivers and passengers can groove to the sounds of disco music. Renowned saxophone player Adrian Crutchfield, who has performed with Bette Midler and Prince, performs as part of the nightly drive-thru event.
Digital art displays will fascinate with a mix of spoken words and poetry, inspiring others to find their voice. Live graffiti artists will use their expressive voices to create unique displays. And, at the top of the Arts Garage, an astounding light and laser show will dazzle all who attend.
As drivers make their descent through the parking garage, guests will enjoy performances from Broadway singers such as Xavier McKinnon from the cast of Disnery’s Aladdin, Gina Milo from Les Miserable and Gabrielle Reed from Carole King’s Beautiful, just to name a few. The last part of the journey includes a section filled with thousands of bubbles. Guests are encouraged to drive through, or safely park and step out for a photo-op to enjoy the spectacle. DiPiertropolo describes this portion of the exhibit. “Each bubble represents life’s memories, and how fast life goes by.”
Cruise is a mesmerizing sight and sound experience that provides the perfect mix of art, culture, music and expression, With Spring Break just around the corner, this event provides a much-needed opportunity for everyone to enjoy a fun, entertaining, and safe experience that everyone, no matter what age, will enjoy.
Cruise: An Artistic Drive Thru Experience can be seen now through Monday, April 5th at the Noyes Arts Garage at Stockton University. Daytime shows open at 11am, with a special nighttime show running from 7-11pm. Tickets and more information can be found at cruisethruevents.com. You can also purchase a donation ticket to support local non-profit organizations, and get special deals on area shops, restaurants and attractions.
As you will be required to stay in your car the entire time, the organizers will be using an app called Audio-fetch so you can listen to the performers. Once you arrive and connect to their WiFi system, the app will see all of the music and performance areas, and you will be able to hear the sounds from each area as you approach each performance.
The show runs March 19 thru April 5 and tickets must be purchased online before attending. The daytime show tickets are $27.50 and the night tickets are $47.50. That’s the price PER CAR, so whether it is just you or the entire family, the price is the same. There is also the option to buy Silver ($100) or Gold ($250) VIP packages. The Silver package includes private parking space to watch the Broadway singers performance up close and priority access to the show. The Gold involves the same but with the added benefit of having a Broadway singer sing the song of your choice to you and your loved one, with part of the proceeds going directly to supporting the performers. All standard size cars/SUVs/trucks are permitted to enter, so I recommend getting the whole family involved for this one. The slots can be purchased to begin every 10 min from the time they open and then you can leisurely make your way through the show at your own pace. This event is 100% family friendly and can be enjoyed by all ages.
They are also running a promotional offer where everyone who purchases a ticket receives a free coupon book for the Tanger Outlets AND a $25 voucher towards a visit to ACJokes. The organizers are also committed to helping the community and ensuring everyone that wants to go has the opportunity to. That is why there is the option to purchase a donation ticket for $27.50 which will go directly to a local child for them to experience the magic. The Schultz-Hill Foundation who is also an avid supporter of the local arts is also a proud sponsor of this event and has actively supported the local arts scene for many years.
This is a great way to support local artists and performers whilst experiencing world class entertainment from the comfort of your own car. Be sure to book soon though as tickets are limited!
