Published on July 12, 2006, in The Star Ledger

By Brook Tarabour
Correspondent

LAVALLETTE — I had a headache by the time we got to The Music Man. Eric and Taylor were 14 now, they kept reminding
me from the back seat. Didn't I know they were way too cool for a singing waiter show? And what if these corny people came up to them and tried to make them do something -- like dance?

They complained even louder when a 7-foot-tall costumed character with a red top hat and tails waved at us when we pulled up in front. It reminded me of when they were 6 and 8 at Disney World and Mickey tried to shake hands, they bolted off the teacups. Oy, this was going to be a long night.

All I wanted was some kid company while I drove to Lavallette and visited owner Aggie Roberts at his "singing ice cream shoppe." Whatever happened to those sweet little boys who just loved to be with me?

After glaring at the character, they walked into The Music Man loaded for bear. I walked in looking for Aggie and some Advil.
Turns out we were all wrong. Within an hour, my son Eric and my favorite rented kid Taylor sang, cheered, clapped and maybe even shuffled their feet a little to the music when they thought no one was looking. The ice cream was more than a bonus -- it was exceptional. The staff wasn't corny; they were tremendously
talented. The show was great fun, the kids -- of all ages -- in the audience seemed to love it, and somewhere along the way, my headache miraculously disappeared.

If you're at the Shore with your family this summer, this is a great way to spend some time in the evenings. From now through Labor Day, Music Man's cabaret shows start at 6 p.m. and run once an hour till midnight. There are eight staff/performers and seven are musical theater majors in college or have just graduated. The eighth is Roberts, whose real name is Robert Agliata, but who goes by his stage name, and prefers just
plain Aggie.

Before show time, we had a chance to chat, but the first thing on our minds was ice cream. My one rule was that we all had to order something different so we could test the product, and you'd think that would have proved easy with 40 sundaes on the menu. But Taylor spoke up first, and he chose the Birthday Cake
Sundae ($6.50), three scoops of cake batter ice cream topped with hot caramel and marshmallow topping and rainbow jimmies. Taylor, if you're lucky enough to find someone who'll make you this dessert again, then celebrate your birthday every day.

Of course, that was Eric's first choice, too. So his first fallback was the Doughboy ($6.50), chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with hot fudge, marshmallow topping and banana wheels. Then it was the Dusty Roads ($6.50), with chocolate and coffee ice cream topped with chocolate sauce and marshmallow topping dusted with malt powder. Then it was the Emerald City ($6.50), with mint chocolate chip ice cream, hot fudge and wet walnuts. Or was it the Crackerjack ($5.75), with peanut butter ice cream topped with hot fudge and hot caramel?

At this point, I really can't remember what he ordered, because I was having a tough time, too. "Can I make one up?," I asked Carolyn Kimmel, our server and terrific singer. "How about cherry vanilla ice cream with dry walnuts, hot fudge -- not too much -- banana wheels and whipped cream?"

By the way, I didn't have to ask for whipped cream -- every sundae comes with a mountain of it and a cherry, just in case you were worried. The menu is Americana all the way. There's a Frankly Scarlet sundae ($5.75, "You will give a 'darn' when you taste this delight."), with strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce
and marshmallow topping. Or how about the Gold Rush ($6.50), with butter pecan ice cream topped with hot caramel, a splash of chocolate sauce and banana wheels.

The Chubby Checker ($6.75) is a homemade buttermilk waffle with two scoops of vanilla ice cream smothered in hot fudge with a "beehive" of whipped cream and a cherry. Get it? It's a "chubby
checkerboard."

There are lots more sundaes, strawberry shortcakes, half cantaloupes filled with ice cream and smaller dishes for smaller kids. If you'd rather drink your ice cream, try a shake like a Creamsicle (vanilla ice cream and orange sorbet) or the All Shook Up (peanut butter and banana ice cream). You can also choose egg creams, malts, ice cream sodas, black cows, floats and lime rickeys.

Fudge fondue can be shared by two for $15, the American Dream sundae ($26) feeds two to four, and if you come in with nine friends, for $75, you get 30 scoops of ice cream and every topping The Music Man offers.

As we were loving our own treats, the show began. We know that because the lights dimmed, the applause prompter flashed and startlingly great voices began to sing. For about 20-25 minutes, we were charmed, delighted and well entertained.

That's all I'm going to tell you about the cabaret, except to say every show is different. There's some Broadway, some pop, some laughs and lots of fun. What I can tell you about are the Children's Fairy Tale Series, which are ticketed shows that include story times, princess tea parties and puppet theaters. These weekday events are selling out, so call ahead for tickets and schedules. Or go to the Web site for more information.

Did I mention there's a fudge shop out back, just in case you have any room left? Between ice cream, fudge, singing, dancing, fairy tales, tea parties and puppets, there seems to be something for everyone at The Music Man.

Only I suggest not telling your teenagers what's in store till they order ice cream first. That'll get'em hooked. Once the singing starts, they'll be tapping their feet in no time. At least when no one's looking.

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