Broadway veterans to star in Vanguard’s February production of ‘Passing Strange’

Broadway veterans to star in Vanguard’s February production of ‘Passing Strange’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Broadway veterans Dwayne Clark, of South Orange, and Brandi Chavonne Massey, of Montclair, will play Narrator and Mother in Vanguard Theater’s upcoming production of “Passing Strange,” joining Jason Tyler Smith, Newark’s Lawrence Dandridge, Amanda Rose Gross, A’ja Desormeau and J’royce Jata. Clark, Massey, and Dandridge appear courtesy of Actors Equity Association. Clark […]

County distributes $5.8M in CDBG funding to towns, organizations

County distributes $5.8M in CDBG funding to towns, organizations

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced Jan. 19 that $5.88 million will be distributed to 10 Essex County municipalities and 28 community organizations through the Community Development Block Grant and the Emergency Solutions Grant programs. The CDBG and ESG programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and […]

Three original one-acts about desire, deceit, delusion to premier in Montclair

Three original one-acts about desire, deceit, delusion to premier in Montclair

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Writer and director Francesco Paladino, of Bloomfield, will present the premier production of his three original one-acts at the Montclair Women’s Club, 82 Union St. in Montclair, on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 8 p.m. A modern-day mix of Hitchcock, Lynch and Fellini, the show is an immersive experience featuring three actors in […]

DiVincenzo presents 2023 Essex County budget of $885.4M

DiVincenzo presents 2023 Essex County budget of $885.4M

NEWARK, NJ — On Wednesday, Jan. 11, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. presented a 2023 county budget of $885.4 million that includes a 1.5-percent property increase and addresses the challenges incurred by the ongoing national economic conditions and rising costs due to inflation, according to a press release from the county. DiVincenzo has […]

Vanguard’s ‘A Chorus Line’ is a singular sensation

Vanguard’s ‘A Chorus Line’ is a singular sensation

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The cast of Vanguard Theater Co.’s production of “A Chorus Line” certainly scored well, with dance: 10; looks: 10; and vocals: 11. The production is part of Vanguard’s Dream VTC initiative, a rigorous, by audition, preprofessional performance program for high school and college students. Though the performers were young, they amazed, eliciting […]

MSU Galleries to open two new exhibitions this spring

MSU Galleries to open two new exhibitions this spring

MONTCLAIR, NJ –– This spring, Montclair State University Galleries will open two new exhibitions on Jan. 31: Caroline Garcia’s “Dancing on Axes and Spears” in the Segal Gallery and “Case Studies 2: Justin Cloud – The Garden” in the Kasser Theater lobby, on view through April 21 and July 31, respectively. The exhibitions are curated […]

Biden signs legislation that makes Rahway River flood mitigation a priority

Biden signs legislation that makes Rahway River flood mitigation a priority

WASHINGTON, DC — President Joe Biden signed federal legislation on Dec. 28 that includes provisions to make the Rahway River flood mitigation study a national priority. Through the efforts of Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, and U.S. Reps. Donald M. Payne Jr. and Tom Malinowski — as well as through the consistent work of […]

Vanguard Theater’s Dream VTC to stage ‘A Chorus Line’

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Nearly 50 years ago, “A Chorus Line” was a Broadway hit, receiving nine Tony Awards, the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It also has the honor of being one of the longest-running musicals in Broadway history. The show comes to Vanguard Theater for nine […]