The famed Surflight Theater and Show Place singing ice cream parlor in Beach Haven has been auctioned off for $2 million.

The 55-year-old theater filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February and sold off many of its contents to pay off debt.

Crowds of the theater's supporters gathered outside the auction Thursday hoping the theater would be bought by people who would restore the famed attraction.

"It's devastating actually to know that someone besides [a person] who owns a theater company is owning it now," says local actor Hannah Skimmons, 14.

Only bidders with $100,000 bank checks were permitted inside the auction. Greg Russo, of West Orange, and his partner from Florida won the bid.

When asked what he planned on doing with the property, Russo responded "It's all under advisement. Our group is going to speak and talk to the town and take it from there...We're going to keep our options open."

The deal must be approved by the bankruptcy court before it is finalized.