Shenandoah, which runs June 1-19, is the first production of the Surflight's 2005 season of "Broadway at the Beach" in Long Beach Island, NJ. Davidson will star as widowed patriarch Charlie Anderson, and Davidson's daughter, Ashleigh Davidson, will play Jenny with Carrie Tillis as Anne. The Surflight's resident company will comprise the remainder of the cast.

Directed by Steve Steiner, the creative team also features Ted LeFevre (scenic design) and Eileen Smitheimer (lighting design). Gail Anderson is the production supervisor.

Shenandoah, according to production notes, "tells the story of how a father tries to keep his family unaffected as Civil War breaks out. When his youngest son is taken prisoner, Charlie leads most of his family on a rescue mission."

Shenandoah features music by Gary Geld, lyrics by Peter Udell and a Tony-winning book by James Lee Barrett, Peter Udell and Philip Rose. John Cullum starred in the original Broadway production, winning a 1975 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical for his performance. Based on the film of the same name, song titles include "Raise the Flag," "Why Am I Me?," "Violets and Silverbells," "The Pickers Are Comin'," "Papa's Gonna Make It Alright," "Next to Lovin' (I Like Fightin')," "It's a Boy," "Over the Hill," "Freedom," "Pass the Cross," "We Make a Beautiful Pair," "Meditation (This Land Don't Belong to Virginia)" and "I've Heard It All Before."

John Davidson starred as Abel Frake in the 1996 Broadway production of State Fair, which marked his return to the Broadway stage 30 years after making his debut in Foxy with Bert Lahr. Perhaps best known to TV viewers from many variety and game shows, Davidson began his career starring in such musicals as Oklahoma! Camelot, Li'l Abner, Paint Your Wagon, The Fantasticks, I Do! I Do! and The Music Man. Visit www.surflight.org for more information.