Comedian Mike Marino can’t help but look back and laugh when reminiscing about the first time he played the Paramount Theatre.

“Back in 2006, the theater was pretty much condemned,” Marino said while calling from Bermuda. “When you parked in Asbury Park back then it was free. All those meters were busted. The hotels were in bad shape. But so much has changed since then in Asbury Park. The hotels are beautiful. It’s $25 to park and they did a great job rehabbing the Paramount. Asbury Park has had a nice makeover.”