What’s Happening in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Dick Richards, Ocean City resident, named to Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame.
Ocean City resident, Dick Richards, will be inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio on Sat. April, 14. Richards will be honored along with other original members of Bill Haley’s Comets, the talented musicians led by Haley who jump started Rock ‘n Roll, with Rock Around the Clock and Shake, Rattle and Roll.
Rock Around the Clock sold 25 million copies, an unprecedented number of records for the time. Haley’s group toured the nation and the world with future Super Stars like Elvis Presley opening for the band.
Following Haley’s premature death and the break-up of the band, Dick Richards, AKA Dick Boccelli, played with spin-offs of the Comets and also enjoyed a successful acting career on Broadway and in the movies.
Now 88, the durable drummer is touring Germany with a new edition of the Comets who are immensely popular in that Country.
Richards will be back at his home in Ocean City a few days prior to flying to Cleveland for the induction ceremony. The City plans to give Richards a royal send-off and perhaps honor him again this summer. This will take some scheduling magic as the energetic entertainer is on the road most of the year.
Richards will be inducted into the R&R Hall of fame the same day that Ocean City holds its 27th annual Doo Dah Parade. The Doo Dah Weekend features an array of humorous events and honors legendary comedians and performers. A proclamation from Mayor Jay Gillian will be read honoring Richards at the Reviewing Stand following the Parade.
Richards’ daughter was Betsey Young, a beloved music teacher at the Ocean City Intermediate School, who passed away recently after a long bout with cancer.
Note: Dick Richards can be seen on YouTube performing drum solos with amazing energy for a man of any age.
What’s Happening at Ocean City Free Public Library:
A Re-creation of the Marx Brotheres lost comedy show, Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel, will be held from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Main Lecture Room, N110 on Thur., March 15. This hilarious comedy routine introduced the Marx Brothers in 1932 on NBC Radio. The show features a cast of professionals including Ron and Rachel MacCloskey, Michael Jarmus and Michael Townsend Wright, several of whom are Broadway actors and is produced by Scott Perrin. This show is currently touring the East and has received outstanding reviews. Mac Closkey and Wright are professional comedians who also appear in Ocean City during Doo Dah Weekend, April 13-14.
The Ocean City High School Drama Guild Presents Legally Blonde, the Musical at the Hughes Performing Arts Center on March 29th & 30th at 7:30pm and March 31st at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for Seniors and Students and $12 General Admission. For tickets and information, call 609-399-1290 ext 1442.
Craft Fair Coming: The Holiday Celebration of Fine Crafts will be held (March 31-April 1) at the Music Pier from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Free parking. Outstanding crafters from throughout the East Coast will exhibit and sell their one- of – a kind offerings. The event is presented by the South Jersey Artisans Guild. A $3 contribution supports local charities. For information, call 1-800-822-4112.
Addition to Easter Events: Living Last Supper, Leonardo daVinci’s painting brought to life by local actors. Directed by Carol Lothian. Set for 7 p.m., April 5-6 at the Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave. Call (609) 399-1915 or visit OCTabernacle.org.
The Ocean City Tabernacle is offering a second trip to Lancaster to see the world famous Sight and Sound Presentation of Jonah. The first trip sold out in a few weeks. The additional date is Thurs., April 26. The bus leaves the Tabernacle, 5th and Wesley Ave. at 9:30 a.m. and returns about 9:15 p.m. Cost is $115 and includes coach bus, smorgasbord lunch, admission and gratuities. Call (609) 399-1915 or access OCTabernacle.org.
Local Legends, a fascinating new book by historians Fred and Susan Miller, will be available in late April at Sun Rose Words and Music and other area book stores. The book features profiles and photos of Ocean City movers and shakers since 1879. Fred and Susan have written numerous best selling histories about Ocean City.