Broadway in Ridgewood: National, Local Theater Stars Performing at B.F. to Help Homeless Youth

The following is a press release by the Covenant House New Jersey, an organization with the goal to help Bergen County's homeless youth. The group is throwing a theater production featuring Broadway stars and local talent–many from Ridgewood–on Monday night at B.F.

It’s not your typical Monday night in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Sure, there will be lacrosse and soccer and softball games all over town. But on April 25^th, a very exciting first time musical event –  A Night of FUTURE Broadway Stars – will be bursting out of the windows of Ben Franklin Middle School beginning at 7:30 pm.

Shining stars from high schools around Bergen County will be performing show stopping tunes alongside Broadway Stars Sally Ann Tumas Skoric, Ciaran Sheehan, Rita Harvey, and Christy and Mark McVey to benefit Covenant House New Jersey. The evening will be hosted by renowned lyricist and composer Neil Berg, creator and co-producer of “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway”.

“As soon as I heard about the event, I wanted to jump in and get involved”, exclaimed Sally Ann Tumas Skoric, a Broadway performer and Ridgewood mother.

“What a beautiful opportunity for all of us to make a difference while doing what we love. We even have Delaney Moro from the original cast of “13”, and Luke Trevisan from “Billy Elliot” joining in on April 25^th. What an amazing night this is going to be!”

Students from Art of Motion, Stage Right, Ridgewood Performing Arts Center, McBrayer Vocal Studio, and the Maroon Men will also be there sharing their talents and their passions to help homeless youth.

“I am so excited to be a part of this and so are all my friends. I hope we raise lots of money for Covenant House,” said Allison Marra, a senior at Ridgewood High School who will be singing “Home” from The Wiz.

Several young men and women from Covenant House will share their inspirational stories and be singing in the finale, including Jeremy Washington who will be performing his original song “I Cried”. “There won’t be a dry eye in the house,” said Gail McCarthy a committee member who heard Jeremy sing at a recent Covenant House event. “He is so talented and inspiring and full of determination to follow his dreams.”

“Anyone who loves Broadway and supports the arts, you have to come,” said Carroll Highet who has been working with student volunteers behind the scenes through the RHS Interact Club and BF Social Service REACT Club. “It’s a true community event that you won’t want to miss. We have students putting posters all over town, helping with lighting and stage management, and ushering the night of the event. I am so proud of all these young people who are stepping up to make the night a success.”

“Each of our homeless kids comes to us with their own story, and we don’t turn any away. We are so grateful to all of these performers and volunteers, young and old, who are making it possible for us to keep our doors open for the young people who need us”, says Marcia Mann, Development Manager for Covenant House.

Covenant House New Jersey serves homeless young men and women between the ages of 18 and 21 at crisis centers and transitional housing in Newark, Montclair, Elizabeth, and Atlantic City.

Morgan Stanley presents A Night of FUTURE Broadway Stars, April 25, 7:30 pm at Ben Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood, NJ. Tickets are $20, General Admission, and can be purchased at Bookends and P Smith in Ridgewood or on-line at www.firstgiving.com/futurestars-19329f . For more information, contact Marcia Mann at mmann@covenanthouse.org. , 973-286-3433.