I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Sunday Scoop Week of 526/17 - What's Happening This Week of Coming Up Soon

Now at the Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA

Xtreme Bugs


Saturday and Sunday May 26-27 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Opening Weekend

Come face-to-feet with nearly 20 massive, colorful, moving bugs! From a fluttering oversized monarch butterfly and a fluffy tri-colored bumblebee to a gigantic Madagascar hissing cockroach and a blood-sucking bed bug, these towering animatronics tell a rarely seen story of the behaviors and intricacies of extreme bugs.

Get a bug’s-eye view of the world, explore critter calls, dig for ancient arthropods and play an Xtreme bug facts game.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://ansp.org/exhibits/xtreme-bugs.
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Upcoming at Feinsteins/54 Below
254 W. 54th St.
Cellar
New York, New York


Monday May 28, 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM
Broadway Loves Gwen Stefani

Tuesday May 29, 7:00 PM
Rachel Ulanet

Tuesday May 29, 9:30 PM
I Hate New York: A Love Story, by Emily Esposito

Wednesday May 30 & Monday June 3,  7:00 PM
Luann De Lesseps: Countness and Friends

Wednesday May 30, 9:30 PM
Kelly Hall Tompkins: The Fiddler from Fiddler on the Roof

Thursday May 31, 7:00 PM
George Salazar and Joe Iconis: Two Player Game

Friday June 1, 7:00 PM
Saturday June 2, 7:00 PM
Tony Danza

Friday June 1, 9:30 PM
Aaron Blake

Saturday June 2, 9:30 PM
Anais Reno

Saturday June 2, 11:30 PM
Tyler Conroy's Broadway Baeverisary

Sunday June 3, 9:30 PM
Back to Before: Former Broadway Kids Return to the Stage

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://54below.com/
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Stars in the Alley
Schubert Alley
Between Broadway and 8th Ave. and
44th and 45th St.
New York, NY

Featuring Performances and Appearances
From Over 20 Broadway Shows,

Including Katharine McPheeMelissa Benoist, and Tyler Glenn
Plus 2018 Tony Award® nominees!

Friday June 1, 1:00 PM
Rain or Shine

The Broadway League is proud to announce that Alex Newell, currently starring as Asaka in Once On This Island, will host this year’s STARS IN THE ALLEY® free outdoor concert. Stars in the Alley will take place on Friday June 1, 2018 in Shubert Alley, between Broadway and 8th Avenue and 44th and 45th Streets.

While Alex Newell hosts this year’s festivities on stage in Shubert Alley, Alex Boniello, currently starring as Connor Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen, will serve as backstage correspondent. He will be on hand to cover the event live on The Broadway League’s Twitter (@BroadwayLeague) and Instagram(@BroadwayLeague), bringing fans both exclusive backstage access and a unique perspective on all that’s happening on stage and in the audience this year.

The celebration will also include scheduled performances and appearances by Katharine McPhee, currently starring as Jenna in WaitressMelissa Benoist (“Supergirl”), slated to play the title role in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical; and Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees), currently starring as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots.

In addition, there will be performances and appearances by 2018 Tony Award-nominated performers including: Anthony Boyle (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two), Joshua Henry (Carousel), Hailey Kilgore (Once On This Island), Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls), and Ari’el Stachel (The Band’s Visit), as well as performances from 2018 Tony Award-nominated musicals including: FrozenSpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.

The event will consist of performances from over 20 musicals, including shows from this past season as well as numbers from current long-running shows, all accompanied by a 12-piece live orchestra.

PARTICIPATING MUSICALS* INCLUDE:
Aladdin
Anastasia
The Band’s Visit
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical
Carousel
Chicago
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
Escape to Margaritaville
Frozen
Kinky Boots
Mean Girls
Once On This Island
The Phantom of the Opera
School of Rock The Musical
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical
Waitress
Wicked

WITH ADDITIONAL APPEARANCES* FROM:
Angels in America
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two
The Play That Goes Wrong
Saint Joan
*(subject to change)


For more details about Stars in the Alley or for Broadway information in NYC as well as for shows on tour across North America and internationally, visit 
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Upcoming at Kelsey Theatre
1200 Old Trenton Rd.
West Windsor, NJ

The Cat in the Hat

Saturday June 2, 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://tickets.vendini.com/ticket-software.html.
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MARK FISHER FITNESS 
Fundraising Initiatives for 
Broadway Bares: Game Night

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES INCLUDING A
UNICORNS UNPLUGGED CABARET, SPECIAL CLASSES, A COOKING COMPETITION, BINGO, AND A
DEDICATED DIGITAL FUNDRAISING TEAM


  • The Unicorns Unplugged cabaret on Saturday, June 9th at 7pm at The Green Room 42 (570 Tenth Avenue).  Hosted by Geoffrey “Mr. Wonderful” HemingwayUnicorns Unplugged will feature MFF staff members past and present (and perhaps a few special guests!) screlting their hearts out in the name of a great cause.  Tickets are $35-60 and available at OvationTix.com.

  • Broadway Bares Bingo with Geoffrey “Mr. Wonderful” Hemingway on Saturday, June 2 at 6pm at MFF Bowery (161 Bowery).  Mr. Wonderful is back with another bitchin’ night of Bingo on a mission to lend his handsome face to an excellent cause. Neat!  One $20 non-refundable donation will get you a Bingo card that will last you the whole night. You can buy an unlimited number of cards upon arrival and try your  luck for a chance to win some awesome prizes!  Sign up on MINDBODY.

MFF has also formed a digital fundraising team, Snatched Game, with prizes like free membership, a private group class, and tickets to the coveted midnight performance of Broadway Bares, available for the top fundraisers. 

For more information on all of MFF’s initiatives, please visit 
MarkFisherFitness.com/Bares.  Broadway Bares: Game Night is Sunday, June 17th at 9.30pm and midnight at Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34thStreet).  For tickets, visit BroadwayCares.org.
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Upcoming at Merkin Concert Hall
Kaufman Music Center
129 W. 67th St.
New York, NY

Nashir! The Rottenberg Chorale

Sunday June 3, 7:00 PM

Conducted by Benjamin Gruder and part of Lucy Moses School'sAdult Division, The Rottenberg Chorale is dedicated to performing Jewish music spanning centuries and continents.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 
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Upcoming at State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ

E.T. The Extraterrestrial
in Concert with NJSO
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Sunday June 3, 3:00 PM

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
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PR Firm Roundup

News from Karen Greco PR

What's On at the Wild Project

Now – June 30
SUMMERWORKS 
Produced by Clubbed Thumb
Festival Passes: $60

Clubbed Thumb’s annual summer festival of new theater, now in its 23rd season, returns to The Wild Project.

Now – Tuesday, May 29
TIN CAT SHOES 
written by Trish Harnetiauxm directed by Knud Adams
With Kyle Beltran, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, David Greenspan, Emily Cass McDonnell, and Pete Simpson
Schedule: MondayTuesday, Thursday – Sunday at 8 PM
Tickets: $25

Blessed with the can-do American spirit, a troop of dedicated shoe store workers embarks on a madcap odyssey of personal (employer-mandated) expansion.

Monday, June 4 – Thursday, June 14
WILDER GONE 
written by Angela Hanks, directed by Margot Bordelon
With Toni Ann DeNoble, Jessica Frances Dukes, Washington Kirk, Nicole Lewis, Christopher Livingston, Hubert Point-Du Jour and Markita Prescott
Schedule: Monday – Saturday at 8 PM
Tickets: $25
 
Mabel, Thalia and Peanut Brittle have ambitions (some of a spiritual nature), a few secrets, and some unfinished business. Whose vision, for the land uncultivated, will prevail?
 
All performances are at The Wild Project (195 E. 3rd Street, between Avenues A & B).
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.thewildproject.com.

The Box Office opens one hour prior to curtain.
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News from Lincoln Center Press

Tuesday, May 29 – FREE – at 1:00 pmLincoln Center Moments
Canellakis-Brown Duo
Renowned cellist Nick Canellakis and performer-composer Michael Brown come together to perform a selection of modern classics and their own compositions and arrangements.
This free performance-based program is specially designed for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Performances are followed by art, music and movement workshops, led by teaching artists.
Presented in collaboration with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, 165 West 65th Street, 10th Floor
This program is free of charge, but registration is required. Contact access@lincolncenter.org or 212.875.5375.

Tuesday, May 29– FREE –  at 7:30 pm
Atrium 360°
Telling Care Cafe: Veterans’ Journeys Home
Presented by Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, in partnership with The Telling Project 
What does it mean to come home after military service? Does military service and war change the idea of home forever? This storytelling event presents a poignant exploration of these and other questions that resonate with many veterans. In addition to a talk by Dr. Max Rayneard, co-creator of The Telling Project, veterans share their military experiences—whether in Vietnam, Iraq, or on the home front—and how their service continues to shape them. The discussions will include issues ranging from mental health to raising families to finding one's purpose. 
This event is part of Wurzweiler’s Care Café series, a free, traveling, psycho-educational community resource program which support individuals and families seeking help and information around issues of concern. Through presentations on a variety of topics, Care Café aims to educate, motivate, empower, and nurture hope around pressing psychosocial challenges and solutions. 
David Rubenstein Atrium, Frieda and Roy Furman Stage (Broadway bet. 62nd & 63rd St.)
FREE Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, including program updates, visit LincolnCenter.org/Atrium.

Thursday, May 31 – FREE –  at 7:30 pm
Atrium 360°
Zeshan B
Tempestuous soul arias, urban love dramas, Memphis blues, and civil-rights anthems are interpreted with an Indo-Pakistani feel during this evening of music by Zeshan B. Born to Muslim Indian immigrants in Chicago, Zeshan uses his powerful voice—singing in English, Urdu, and Punjabi—to tell tales of instability, ambiguity, loss, injustice, unrequited love, urban despair, and youthful ecstasy. His debut album Vetted, produced by legendary soul arranger Lester Snell and recorded in Memphis with a wrecking crew of Stax Records sidemen, was released in 2017. He has opened for Mos Def, A Tribe Called Quest, and Rakim, and performed at venues across the world, including the White House at the invitation of President Obama.
David Rubenstein Atrium, Frieda and Roy Furman Stage (Broadway bet. 62nd & 63rd St.)
FREE Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, including program updates, visit LincolnCenter.org/Atrium.

Saturday, June 2 at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Sunday, June 3 at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
LC Kids presents
Grass
Look down. What are you standing on? Explore the ground and all of its wriggly inhabitants in this quirky dance show for young children. Featuring worms, slugs, snails, and spontaneous outbreaks of ant dancing, Grass uses performance, puppetry, and projections to inspire children to look closely at the world around them, get mucky, and play!
Recommended for ages 2–5
Sign up at Kids.LincolnCenter.org for more information about family events at Lincoln Center.
Clark Studio Theater, 165 West 65th St., Samuel B. and David Rose Building, 7th Floor
TICKETS: Available at the Alice Tully Hall and David Geffen Hall Box Offices, by calling CenterCharge at 212.721.6500, or visiting Kids.LincolnCenter.org.
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News from Michelle Tabnick PR

BALLET HISPÁNICO
School of Dance
2018 ChoreoLaB
Video Auditions Deadline Extended

Ballet Hispánico, the nation's premier Latino dance organization, is accepting video auditions through June 1, 2018 for this year's ChoreoLaB.

The Ballet Hispánico School of Dance is a leading center of excellence in dance education accessible to the community at large. Located at 167 W. 89thStreet, NYC, the School offers classes for students of all ages.

ChoreoLaB June 18 - 29, 2018 | Ages 18+
An immersive, career-building program that places rising professional dancers in an intimate studio experience with distinguished choreographers and seasoned artistic staff.Artists in today's dance world must be more than just technicians. Beyond demonstrating skilled technique, dancers are frequently expected to contribute thoughtfully to a choreographic process, transition seamlessly between varied styles of repertoire, and possess strong partnering ability. Dancers can face challenges getting hired if they lack the business skills to communicate professionally with artistic directors, or create supporting application materials that best demonstrate their artistic strengths. ChoreoLaB hones both artistic skills and professional excellence through a holistic program, which shapes hirable, competitive in-demand dancers ready to advance their careers. 
During the intimate two-week studio experience, participants will:


  • Work with renowned guest choreographers Mario Alberto Zambrano, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Carlos Pons Guerra as well as former artists from Batsheva, Ballet Frankfurt, Nederlands Dans Theater,and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
  • Learn excerpts of Ballet Hispánico's repertory from Company dancers and artistic staff
  • Attend forums, networking events and Q&A sessions with artists in the field
  • Audition in an open call for Ballet Hispánico's second company BHdos
  • Receive constructive feedback and guidance from artistic leaders in the field, and more! 


Audition by scheduling an appointment to take Company Class, or submit a video audition by June 1, 2018. For further details, visit www.ballethispanico.org/classes/choreolab.
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ComedySportz New York City
at the Broadway Comedy Club

ComedySportz New York City announces upcoming shows on Saturdays at6pm at the Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W. 53rd Street, NYC. Tickets are $20 ($15 special online price, $25 for general admission plus two sodas, $35 for general admission plus any two items) and are available athttp://csznewyork.com/info-and-tickets/tickets/.

ComedySportz® is fast-paced, family-friendly improvisational comedy, played as a sport. Two teams take turns making up scenes, playing games and singing songs - and the audience votes on which team they like the best. It's all presided over by a referee, who keeps things moving, calls the ComedySportz® fouls and takes suggestions shouted out by the audience before each game.

Since 2004, ComedySportz® New York City has been entertaining fans with the fastest and funniest form of improv comedy in the Big Apple. Two teams of improvisers vie for points in a hilarious competition by playing a series of improv games, similar to what you may have seen on TV's Whose Line Is It Anyway? A referee governs the action, calling fouls and keeping the match moving at a blistering pace. The audience is always a part of the interactive show, and audience volunteers sometimes even wind up on stage!

Because everything is improvised, it's never the same show twice. And it's clean-appropriate for all ages. Every ComedySportz® match is a unique and unforgettable event-laughs guaranteed! Come see why so many people come back to see us again and again.

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PS 132's 14th Annual KITE FESTIVAL
Sunday, June 3, 2018
12pm - 5pm
East River State Park
(N. 8th Street & Kent Avenue)

PS 132 is proud to announce the 14th annual Kite Festival, taking place onSunday, June 3rd at East River State Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The fun starts at noon, with field day activities, entertainment, delicious food, and kites, kites, kites! Come support our local elementary school while enjoying a beautiful day on the waterfront.

Just want to come fly a kite? There will be a pre-made selection available for sale in their store and supplies for kids to decorate their own.

This year they will host a fun field day for the kids, with nostalgic relay races an obstacle course, and great games and activities. It will be an exciting day filled with fun, fitness, and friends!

Music provided by DJ Big Brooklyn with a live performance by the PS 132 Band!

This is a free event and is open to the general public. All proceeds from activities, merchandise, and general donations will go towards enrichment programs for the students of PS 132.


***Rain Date: June 10th***

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News from Polk and Co.

BROADWAY RECORDS Artist 
KELLY HALL-TOMPKINS 
Feinstein's/54 Below Solo Debut May 30

Acclaimed “Fiddler/Violin Soloist” Kelly Hall-Tompkins will make her Feinstein’s/54 Below solo debut on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 9:30pm. For tickets, please visit 54Below.com.

Kelly Hall-Tompkins brings an entire evening of all new solo arrangements from the beloved musical, Fiddler on the Roof and her new album The Fiddler Expanding Tradition, recently released through Broadway Records. The album is currently available in stores and at www.BroadwayRecords.com.

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Skintight
Directed by DANIEL AUKIN

                             With                                      
WILL BRITTAIN, STEPHEN CARRASCO, ELI GELB, CYNTHIA MACE, IDINA MENZEL, JOHN NOBLE

Peformances begin May 31, 2018
Oficial opening June 21, 2018
Limited engagement through August 26, 2018
Off Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre
in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre

Skintight will begin preview performances Off-Broadway on May 31, 2018, and open officially on June 21, 2018 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). This will be a limited engagement through August 26, 2018.

Tony Award winner Idina Menzel returns to the New York theater stage following her Tony nominated performance in If/Then. Menzel makes her Roundabout Theatre Company debut in Skintight; she has been a part of the development process with playwright Joshua Harmon since the first reading in January 2015.

Roundabout reunites writer Joshua Harmon (Bad JewsSignificant Other) and director Daniel Aukin (Bad Jews) for Skintighta scorching examination of beauty, youth and sexReeling from her ex-husband’s engagement to a much younger woman, Jodi Isaac (Menzel) turns to her famous fashion-designer dad for support. Instead, she finds him wrapped up in his West Village townhouse with Trey. Who’s 20. And not necessarily gay. But probably an adult film star. At least, according to Jodi’s son. Who’s also 20. And definitely gay. Skintight assays the nature of love, the power of attraction, and the ways in which a superficial culture persists in teaching its children that all that matters is what’s on the inside.

TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for Skintight are available by calling 212.719.1300, online at roundabouttheatre.org, in person at any Roundabout box office: American Airlines Theatre Box office (227 West 42nd Street); The Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 W 46th Street) and Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street); or by visiting StubHub, The Premier Secondary Ticketing Partner of Roundabout. Ticket prices range from $99-109. For groups of 10 or more please call 212-719-9393 x 365 or emailgroupsales@roundabouttheatre.org.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Skintight plays Tuesday through Saturday evening at 7:30PM with Wednesday, Saturday matinees at 2:00PM and Sunday matinees at 3:00PM.

For more information, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org
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News from Richard Hillman PR

HALF TIME
A NEW MUSICAL

PERFORMANCES BEGIN MAY 31, 2018
LIMITED ENGAGEMENT THROUGH JULY 1, 2018
AT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

OPENING NIGHT IS TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2018, AT 7:30PM

Half Time begins performances Thursday, May 31, 2018, for a limited engagement through Sunday, July 1, 2018, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive) in Millburn, NJ.  Opening Night is set for Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

From the director/choreographer of Kinky Boots comes the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major basketball team. They have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60. Only after making the cut do they learn they won’t be dancing tap, salsa or swing—instead, they will bring down the house with a style that is entirely new to them: hip-hop. Take the uplifting journey with these dreamers—and the young coaches who inspire them along the way—as they battle self-doubt, stereotypes and even each other for a chance to bust a move at center court in front of 20,000 screaming fans. Together they remind us that in life, when the odds are stacked against you and the challenges seem too great to overcome, it’s not the end of the game—it’s Half Time.

Half Time will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm.

Tickets are on sale now starting at $34. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online atwww.PaperMill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Students may order $23 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on the day of the performance. 

For additional information, please visit www.papermill.org
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The Civilians’ Launch 
The Michael Friedman Legacy Fund
with benefit concert The Song Makes A Space,
on Monday, June 4th, 2018

The Civilians, the celebrated Off-Broadway theatre company, will host a benefit concert at Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St.) on Monday, June 4th, 2018 at 7pm. This one-night-only event will celebrate the life and legacy of founding Associate Artist, the late composer and lyricist Michael Friedman, and will raise funds for the newly created Michael Friedman Legacy Fund. The evening will include a special concert of select songs from Michael’s prolific catalogue – including songs from his musicals BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON, PRETTY FILTHY, GONE MISSING, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST and FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE -- with performances by Civilians’ artists:

Marsha Stephanie Blake, Aysan Celik, Cindy Cheung, Michael Esper, Brad Heberlee, Nina Hellman, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Nedra McClyde, Jennifer R. Morris,  Stephen Plunkett, Maria Elena Ramirez, Alison Weller, and Colleen Werthmann

Also appearing will be special guests:
John Ellison Conlee, Greg Hildreth, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kristolyn Lloyd, Kevin Mambo, Luba Mason, Jessica Phillips, Britton Smith, Jill Sobule, Mary Testa, and Juson Williams;

And speakers will include The New Yorker’s Sarah Larson, among others.* 

Monday, June 4, 2018
Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY

*guest line-up subject to change.

The June 4 event will benefit the Michael Friedman Legacy Fund, which will archive Mr. Friedman’s work, record and release cast albums of his previously unrecorded music, and help fund The Civilians’ ongoing commitment to creating adventuresome new works for the stage. 

A beloved figure in the theater community – from downtown to Broadway and across the country – Michael Friedman died at the age of 41 in September 2017.
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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for this month's Monthly Mashup.

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