Legislation signed into law last year by Gov. Phil Murphy will enable nonprofit theaters and arts centers to serve alcohol, albeit on a limited basis.

Until last year, such venues with more than 1,000 seats could serve alcoholic beverages. But the new law will enable theaters with less than 1,000 to do the same, and this would include the 450-seat Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven.

“Nonprofit theaters provide a world of good to our communities, but like so many other industries they have been faced with challenges, particularly since the pandemic,” said…