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Broadway

Steve Lawrence, Crooner Who Helped Open NJ's First Casino, Dies At 88 Steve Lawrence, Crooner Who Helped Open NJ's First Casino, Dies At 88
Steve Lawrence, Crooner Who Helped Open NJ's First Casino, Dies At 88 Steve Lawrence, an iconic crooner who helped open New Jersey's first casino, has died, according to reports. Lawrence died on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 88 years old. A family spokesperson said the singer's cause of death was complications from Alzheimer's disease, according to Variety. Lawrence and his wife Eydie Gormé sang in the pop vocal duo called "Steve and Eydie". The couple toured together from 1954 to 2009, and Gormé died in 2013. Lawrence was known for hits like "Go Away Little Girl",  "Pretty Blue Eyes", and "Footsteps". He was also an actor, a comedian, and a Broadway p…
RESCHEDULED: Ali Stroker Returns Home For North Jersey Book Signing After All RESCHEDULED: Ali Stroker Returns Home For North Jersey Book Signing After All
Rescheduled: Ali Stroker Returns Home For North Jersey Book Signing After All Ali Stroker, the Tony Award winning actress and Bergen County native, is going back to where it all started. The Nov. 18, 2023 signing of her new children's book "Cut Loose" at Bookends in Ridgewood — where Stroker was born and raised — was canceled, but has been rescheduled for Sunday, Jan. 21. In "Cut Loose," Nat faces the prospect of being not only the new kid in school, but the new kid in a wheelchair, according to a synopsis.  While things start off slowly, she eventually makes a new best friend, gets a boyfriend, and takes part in a theatre competition as she aims to live o…
Broadway Productions Of 'Lion King, Beetlejuice' Seeking Actors Broadway Productions Of 'Lion King, Beetlejuice' Seeking Actors
Broadway Productions Of 'Lion King, Beetlejuice' Seeking Actors The Actors' Equity Association is casting actors for two popular Broadway shows. Recent casting calls are seeking actors for "The Lion King" and "Beetlejuice." Both are paid gigs with actors earning approximately $1,165 a week for "Beetlejuice" and $2,439 for "The Lion King." "The Lion King" is being produced by Disney Theatrical Productions while "Beetlejuice" is produced by Beetlejuice First National Tour LLC. Auditions for "Beetlejuice" are Nov. 30 and auditions for "The Lion King" are Nov. 28. Click here to see the roles for "The Lion King" and here for "Beetlejuice."
Ali Stroker Comes Home For Book Signing Ali Stroker Comes Home For Book Signing
Ali Stroker Comes Home For Book Signing Ali Stroker, the Tony Award winning actress and Bergen County native, is having a homecoming. Stroker, is signing copies of her new children's book "Cut Loose" at Bookends in Ridgewood, the village where she was born and raised, on Saturday, Nov. 18.. In "Cut Loose," Nat faces the prospect of being not only the new kid in school, but the new kid in a wheelchair, according to a synopsis. While things start off slowly, she eventually makes a new best friend, gets a boyfriend, and takes part in a theatre competition as she aims to live out her dream of performing on Broadway, according to a syn…
North Jersey Teen TikToker Wows Off-Broadway North Jersey Teen TikToker Wows Off-Broadway
North Jersey Teen TikToker Wows Off-Broadway Performing at a well known cabaret venue in Manhattan without a soundcheck would be nerve-wracking.  For 16-year-old Echo Picone, of Warren County, it was just another night on stage. The teen recently performed at 54 Below, as part of their "54 Sings Olivia Rodrigo" night.  Echo, a die-hard Livvy, sang "Favorite Crime," as part of a musical revue with well known Broadway performers and actors. The Warren Hills High School junior had to miss soundcheck for a very good reason — she was at school. "I was super excited," Echo, who lives in Washington and has been performing since she was fi…
John Stamos Appearing In North Jersey John Stamos Appearing In North Jersey
John Stamos Appearing In North Jersey Have mercy! Uncle Jesse is coming to Bergen County. John Stamos will be appearing at Books and Greetings in Northvale on Monday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. to sign copies of his new memoir "If You Would Have Told Me."  In "If You Would Have Told Me", Stamos chronicles his rise to fame and becoming a teen idol on "General Hospital" to his runs on "Full House," "ER" and playing with the Beach Boys and starring on Broadway, according to a synopsis.  Stamos also talks about his struggles, including battling depression and going through a divorce, according to a synopsis. 
Bergen County's Chloe Troast Joins 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Bergen County's Chloe Troast Joins 'Saturday Night Live' Cast
Bergen County's Chloe Troast Joins 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Live from New York, it's Chloe Troast. The Ho-Ho-Kus native was named the newest cast member of "Saturday Night Live," joining the venerable comedy show  as a featured player. "SNL" kicks off its 49th season on Saturday, Oct. 14 with Pete Davidson as host. View this post on Instagram A post shared by chloe troast (@chloe_troast) Troast is a regular in New York's comedy scene and has worked with Please Don't Destroy.  A graduate of NYU, she sang at her graduation.  @jamie.linn.watson @caloetrust and I are wearing Dior’s homegoods coll…
NJ Native Who Was Broadway's First Wheelchair Bound Actor Expecting First Baby NJ Native Who Was Broadway's First Wheelchair Bound Actor Expecting First Baby
NJ Native Who Was Broadway's First Wheelchair Bound Actor Expecting First Baby It's another first for New Jersey's Ali Stroker. The Ridgewood native, who became Broadway's first wheelchair-bound actor in 2015, is expecting her first child with husband David Perlow. The couple made the announcement on their first wedding anniversary on Instagram, calling it a "dream come true." "We are having a baby!!! The newest member of the team is arriving in November! A dream come true!!" the post reads. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali Stroker (@alistroker) Stroker grew up in New Jersey and became paralyzed at tw…
Tips Thief Caught After Slugging Restaurant Manager Who Tried To Stop Her: Elmwood Park PD Tips Thief Caught After Slugging Restaurant Manager Who Tried To Stop Her: Elmwood Park PD
Tips Thief Caught After Slugging Restaurant Manager Who Tried To Stop Her: Elmwood Park PD A restaurant manager in Elmwood Park was punched in the face when he tried to stop a woman who'd just snatched $10 from the tip jar, authorities said. Darcea Collins, 37, of Paterson had actually been to the Hook & Reel at the Elmwood Park Shopping Center earlier Monday and skipped out without paying, Police Chief Michael Foligno said. She returned around 7 p.m. and was headed toward the front door with the cash when the 30-year-old manager tried to lock it, Foligno said. Security video shows Collins then belting the manager and fleeing toward Broadway, the chief said. Responding offi…
Omicron: Highly Transmissible Variant Expected To Cause 'Viral Blizzard,' Experts Say Omicron: Highly Transmissible Variant Expected To Cause 'Viral Blizzard,' Experts Say
Omicron: Highly Transmissible Variant Expected To Cause 'Viral Blizzard,' Experts Say Just when you think you've dodged the coronavirus, up pops a new variant: Omicron.  The good news is that the new COVID-19 variant is milder than the Delta variant, but chances of reinfection are nearly five times higher, according to a recent study by the Imperial College London. Experts say that a "viral blizzard" could be upon us in the coming weeks, all thanks to Omicron. That means that Omicron might actually be helpful in achieving herd immunity faster. Officials are still urging everyone to get vaccinated, which can prevent life-threatening symptoms of the COVID-…
Police: Repeat Offender Assaults Fair Lawn Liquor Store Manager, Arrested After Returning Police: Repeat Offender Assaults Fair Lawn Liquor Store Manager, Arrested After Returning
Police: Repeat Offender Assaults Fair Lawn Liquor Store Manager, Arrested After Returning A repeat offender from Norwood was arrested after assaulting a Fair Lawn liquor store manager who caught him shoplifting, authorities said. Matthew Savinovich, 27, had fled the ShopRite Liquors but returned to the Broadway store to retrieve a bag that he dropped while tangling with the manager on Thursday, Police Sgt. Sean Macys said. Police were waiting. Inside the bag, Macys said, were six bottles of shoplifted Patron tequila, Savinovich's cellphone -- and four used bags of heroin, along with a glass pipe. Detectives at headquarters matched Savinovich to an alert issued by Northvale pol…
THE RISING: Springsteen Reopens Broadway THE RISING: Springsteen Reopens Broadway
THE Rising: Springsteen Reopens Broadway Bruce Springsteen will reopen Broadway this summer, it was announced Monday. The autobiographical “Springsteen on Broadway” -- which sold $113 million in tickets during its original run -- will be the first show to open on the Great White Way since the March 2020 COVID pandemic shutdown. It will have a limited run at the St. James Theater (246 W. 44th Street) beginning Saturday, June 26, through Sept. 4, when more theaters are expected to have reopened. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, June 10, at noon through SeatGeek. GO TO: Springsteen On Broadway (TICKETS) Opening nig…
HEROES: Elmwood Park Firefighters Find Missing Girl, 11 HEROES: Elmwood Park Firefighters Find Missing Girl, 11
Heroes: Elmwood Park Firefighters Find Missing Girl, 11 FOUND! A search for a missing 11-year-old Elmwood Park girl ended Thursday afternoon when a trio of volunteer firefighters found her safe and sound in a shopping center sandwich shop. Police pinged Janiah Townes's cellphone to the Elmwood Park Shopping Center on Broadway around 3:30 p.m., then "flooded the area with volunteer firefighters and officers," Police Chief Michael Foligno said. A short time later, Firefighters Alexian Cruz, Mohammed Makanast and Scott Karcz found little Janiah at the Blimpie's -- a little over two hours after she was reported missing.  "It was an all-ha…
HEROES: Elmwood Park Firefighters Find Missing Girl, 11 HEROES: Elmwood Park Firefighters Find Missing Girl, 11
Heroes: Elmwood Park Firefighters Find Missing Girl, 11 FOUND! A search for a missing 11-year-old Elmwood Park girl ended Thursday afternoon when a trio of volunteer firefighters found her safe and sound in a shopping center sandwich shop. Police pinged Janiah Townes's cellphone to the Elmwood Park Shopping Center on Broadway around 3:30 p.m., then "flooded the area with volunteer firefighters and officers," Police Chief Michael Foligno said. A short time later, Firefighters Alexian Cruz, Mohammed Makanast and Scott Karcz found little Janiah at the Blimpie's -- a little over two hours after she was reported missing.  "It was an all-ha…
Fire Destroys Parish House Of Historic Jersey Shore Church Fire Destroys Parish House Of Historic Jersey Shore Church
Fire Destroys Parish House Of Historic Jersey Shore Church A fire destroyed the parish house of a historic Long Branch church, injured one firefighter and displaced five residents Easter Sunday. Flames erupted on the first floor of the Broadway facility -- originally the First Reformed Church of Long Branch --  and spread to the second level, NJ.com reports. The blaze was reported by neighbors around 6:25 p.m., bringing approximately 50 firefighters to the scene. The parsonage was evacuated as firefighters worked to prevent the blaze from spreading to the church next door, which dates back to 1867, the outlet said. Tour 4 operated at a 2nd A…
White Castle Run: Paterson PD Seize 2 Handguns, Driver, Two Passengers White Castle Run: Paterson PD Seize 2 Handguns, Driver, Two Passengers
White Castle Run: Paterson PD Seize 2 Handguns, Driver, Two Passengers Paterson police responding to a call of armed suspects at the White Castle early Saturday nabbed three men and seized a pair of 9mm handguns. Officers carefully approached a gray Acura with tinted windows and a temporary license plate in the parking lot of the Broadway fast-food restaurant shortly after 7:30 a.m., city Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. The doors popped open and two of the occupants got out and ran, Speziale said. One of them – identified as Javier Atiliano, 21 – tossed a loaded Smith & Wesson as he ran before he was captured on Broadway, the director said. T…
New Jersey Talent Agent Shirley Grant Who Launched Jonas Brothers, Other Celebs Dies New Jersey Talent Agent Shirley Grant Who Launched Jonas Brothers, Other Celebs Dies
New Jersey Talent Agent Shirley Grant Who Launched Jonas Brothers, Other Celebs Dies Shirley Grant, the talent agent credited for launching The Jonas Brothers, Christina Ricci and other stars, died in her native New Jersey on Dec. 15.  A "golden woman" in the entertainment industry, Grant was a "dedicated and brilliant light for young and emerging artists getting started out in show business for more than 42 years, talent agent and former employee Dave McKeown said on social media. Grant was born in Jersey City and worked as a Teaneck-based personal manager.  Some of her "kids" included Christina Ricci, Allison Smith, JD Roth, Keshia Knight and the Jonas Brothers. She lov…
Mishap At Fair Lawn Auto Dealership Sends Driver To Hospital Mishap At Fair Lawn Auto Dealership Sends Driver To Hospital
Mishap At Fair Lawn Auto Dealership Sends Driver To Hospital A brand-new hatchback sustained serious damage after it crashed in a service garage at a Fair Lawn dealership Wednesday afternoon. A male driver walked to a Hackensack University Medical Center ambulance under his own power following the mishap at the Jack Daniels Kia dealership on Broadway. His injury wasn't considered serious, responders said. The 2020 Kia Rio was driven from the area of the crash and parked in an exterior lot. It wasn't immediately clear whether any other vehicles were damaged.Boyd A. Loving
COVID-19 Claims First Hollywood Celeb: Tom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson Test Positive COVID-19 Claims First Hollywood Celeb: Tom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson Test Positive
Covid-19 Claims First Hollywood Celeb: Tom Hanks, Wife Rita Wilson Test Positive Tom Hanks tweeted Wednesday night that both he and his wife, Rita Wilson, tested positive for the coronavirus. The couple, both 63, are in Queensland, Australia filming an Elvis Presley biography in which Hanks portrays Col. Tom Parker, "The King" of rock and roll's infamous manager. "We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches," Hanks's post says. "Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. "To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive. "Well, now. What to do next? The Medical…
W. Orange Middle School Student's 'Lesbians' Shirt Draws Punishment, Praise W. Orange Middle School Student's 'Lesbians' Shirt Draws Punishment, Praise
W. Orange Middle School Student's 'Lesbians' Shirt Draws Punishment, Praise An eighth-grader from West Orange caused a stir when she wore a shirt proclaiming "We're All Lesbians" to class at Liberty Middle School -- but the school district is now praising the girl's gesture for prompting a healthy dialogue about tolerance.  Justice Cillo-Smith, who identifies as lesbian, was told by a guidance counselor that the shirt violates school district policy prohibiting clothing containing sexual innuendo or inappropriate language, her mother, Gwen Wu, wrote on Facebook.  Wu added that the school's principal said officials were trying to prevent the girl from becoming a tar…
Verona Native Cast In Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Remake Verona Native Cast In Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Remake
Verona Native Cast In Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Remake An Essex County woman has joined the sprawling ensemble cast for "West Side Story," Steven Spielberg's remake of the 1961 musical.  Adriana Pierce will join part of the chorus for the Jets, one of two warring New York street gangs in the film, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  Pierce, who studied at the American School of Ballet and performed with the Miami City Ballet for seven seasons, was most recently in Carousel on Broadway, MyVerona.com reports.  Other cast members include David Alvarez as Bernardo, head of the rival street gang the Sharks, and Dear Eva…
SHE SAID YES: Watch Oakland Police Officer's Onstage 'Pretty Woman' Proposal SHE SAID YES: Watch Oakland Police Officer's Onstage 'Pretty Woman' Proposal
SHE Said YES: Watch Oakland Police Officer's Onstage 'Pretty Woman' Proposal Oakland Police Officer Gary Fiore landed himself a pretty woman -- one that he surprised with an onstage wedding proposal. Belinda Hoffmann thought she and her now-fiance were called to the stage after Tuesday's performance of "Pretty Woman" as part of a lottery-like game that Broadway's Nederlander Theater occasionally plays, Theater Mania reports. But then star Andy Karl (Edward) asked Fiore if he had anything he'd like to say as far as winning. "I'd like to ask her if she would marry me," he responded, pulling a ring from his pants pocket and dropping to a knee. Hof…
Bergen County's Philip Bosco, Tony Award-Winning Actor, Dead At 88 Bergen County's Philip Bosco, Tony Award-Winning Actor, Dead At 88
Bergen County's Philip Bosco, Tony Award-Winning Actor, Dead At 88 Tony Award-winning actor Philip Bosco died Monday night at his home in Haworth. He was 88 years old. His daughter Celia Bosco said the cause was complications of dementia, multiple news outlets report. The Jersey City native was a Broadway veteran, also well-known from films such as The Savages and Working Girl. He won his Tony Award in 1989 for his performance as the general manager of a Cleveland opera company in the Ken Ludwig farce Lend Me a Tenor. Bosco was also nominated for his performances in “The Rape of the Belt,” ''Heartbreak House," ''You Never Can Tell" and “Moon Over Buf…
North Jersey Native Stars In New Christmas Movie North Jersey Native Stars In New Christmas Movie
North Jersey Native Stars In New Christmas Movie Bergen County native Kirrilee Berger is starring in a new Christmas movie. The 19-year-old, who hails from Teaneck, will play Stephanie in "I'll Be Next Door for Christmas," in theaters Dec. 4. Berger is also the voice of Poppy in a brand-new Nick Jr. animated series, "Butterbeans Cafe. The teen will star alongside MADtv's Nicole Sullivan -- who she's admired for as long as she can remember. "When I was a little girl I saw Nicole Sullivan on MADtv," Berger said on Instagram.  "I looked at my parents and told them that’s what I wanted to do one day. Fast Foward 12 years later and her…
WATCH: Paralyzed Ridgewood Actress Stars On Comedy Central WATCH: Paralyzed Ridgewood Actress Stars On Comedy Central
Watch: Paralyzed Ridgewood Actress Stars On Comedy Central Ali Stroker of Ridgewood appeared on Comedy Central's "Drunk History" Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 10 p.m. Based on the popular web series, "Drunk History" is the liquored-up narration of our nation's history.  Stroker, 30 -- who was paralyzed in a car accident when she was 2 -- will be portraying disability rights activist Judy Huemann. The show's all-star cast includes includes Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Connie Britton, Michael Cera, Bill Hader, Kevin Nealon, Bob Odenkirk and Winona Ryder. Figures such as Teddy Roosevelt, Patty Hearst, Billy the Kid, Al Capone, and Lewis and Cla…