Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Broadway, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Broadway, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Broadway, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
Kimberly Akimbo, a heartfelt new Broadway musical, is putting New Jersey in the spotlight. Not since Jersey Boys has a theatrical production brought so much attention to the Garden State.The musical, set largely in Bergen County, is a frontrunner to win best musical at the Tony Awards on June 11. Nominated for best new musical, it stars Victoria Clark, who plays Kimberly and was nominated for best leading actress in a musical. (Justin Cooley, a 19-year-old actor making his Broadway debut, was nominated for best featu...
Kimberly Akimbo, a heartfelt new Broadway musical, is putting New Jersey in the spotlight. Not since Jersey Boys has a theatrical production brought so much attention to the Garden State.
The musical, set largely in Bergen County, is a frontrunner to win best musical at the Tony Awards on June 11. Nominated for best new musical, it stars Victoria Clark, who plays Kimberly and was nominated for best leading actress in a musical. (Justin Cooley, a 19-year-old actor making his Broadway debut, was nominated for best featured actor in a musical. Bonnie Milligan, who gets a lot of laughs in the play, was nominated for best featured actress in a musical. Jessica Stone was nominated for best direction of a musical, and David Lindsay-Abaire, interviewed below, was nominated for best book of a musical. The musical was also nominated for best original score—music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Lindsay-Abaire—and best orchestrations.)
The show, a real crowd-pleaser, tells the story of a lonely teenage girl from New Jersey named Kimberly Levaco, who has a health condition that causes her to age rapidly, giving her the appearance of a woman in her early 70s. Since the average lifespan for people who suffer from the condition is 16 years, Kimberly is determined to find happiness in a world where time is running out for her.
The musical is based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s 2001 comedy of the same name.
Kimberly Akimbo opens with Kimberly about to celebrate her 16th birthday alone at an ice skating rink in Bergen County. The cast sings about Paramus, Ho-Ho-Kus, West Orange and Bayonne. Kimberly’s family refers to something bad that happened when they lived in Lodi, forcing them to move.
“It’s Friday night in Bergen County, and there are parties everywhere,” the opening number begins.
Eventually, Kimberly makes some friends, including Delia, a girl played by South Jersey native Olivia Elease Hardy, making her Broadway debut. Hardy grew up in Sicklerville in Gloucester Township and is the only cast member from New Jersey.
“Since I’m from down south, I didn’t understand the Bergen County jokes,” says Hardy, 24, with a laugh. “Everybody was like, ‘You know about Lodi, right?’ But I didn’t know anything about it.”
She believes New Jersey works well as a setting for the play because it’s one of the most culturally diverse states in the country, so there’s something for nearly everyone to relate to.
Hardy says it’s fun to hear the reaction of the audience, especially when it’s obvious they come from one of the towns being mentioned. “I guess being from New Jersey, I’m always in on the joke,” she says. “I’ve had the best time. I couldn’t ask for a better cast, creative team, script and story. I think the show is important, especially right now, since conversations about death and loss have been so prevalent. It’s so important to remind people that you have the option to live life the way you want to live.”
Audience member Josie Harris especially enjoyed a scene about a big competition between Kimberly’s school and her own hometown of West Orange. “I found it very entertaining—I went in not knowing what to expect,” she says.
Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus
Lindsay-Abaire received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007 for his play Rabbit Hole and has been nominated for several Tony Awards. He also wrote the book for the musicals High Fidelity, Shrek the Musical and Good People.
Lindsay-Abaire, who grew up in South Boston and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife, says the working class Bergen County town in the musical mirrors his own childhood hometown. He spoke with New Jersey Monthly.
How did you come up with the idea for this musical? It was a play 20 years before it was a musical. And the play came about when I asked a friend about his new baby niece, and he said, “She’s amazing. She’s like this little old woman trapped in a baby’s body,” and that was the seed of the play. As I thought about it, the baby protagonist became a teenager, and I thought, What a great a role for an older actress, to play a character who was dealing with typical teen concerns like crushes and a dysfunctional family, while simultaneously contending with her own mortality.
Many years later, the composer Jeanine Tesori and I were working on Shrek the Musical together, and there were so many people involved on that show and so many producers giving notes, and I said to her, “I’d love to write another musical with you, but I wish we could do it the way I write a play, where there’s no one else involved until we’re ready to share it.” And she loved that idea. So Jeanine was the one who pulled Kimberly off a shelf and said, “I think there’s a musical in here.”
I read that you wanted to set it in Boston, but ended up setting it in New Jersey instead. Can you talk about why you set it in New Jersey? Honestly, while the play isn’t strictly autobiographical, there is a lot of personal stuff that I channeled into the play, including bits about my family, and I wanted to distance myself from the material to fool myself (and maybe my family members) into thinking I wasn’t writing about my family.
So instead of setting it in South Boston, where I’m from, I set the play in a working class New Jersey neighborhood that felt like South Boston. My friends from Jersey are so similar to the people I grew up with—they’re honest and funny and often prickly on the surface, but have big hearts and gooey centers, and those are the people I wanted in my story. So Jersey is just Southie in disguise.
New Jersey figures prominently in this play—especially towns in Bergen County. Were you already familiar with those towns? How did you come to use them in the play?Yeah, I have lots of friends and family who are from Jersey or who have lived in Jersey, so I’m pretty familiar with it, especially Bergen County. Plus, we have several Jersey folks on the Kimberly team, both onstage and behind the scenes, who were there to keep me honest if something didn’t feel quite right to them. If I ever had a question, I had several experts on hand. And as a writer, the more specific I could be, the more truthful and authentic the story would feel, so that’s how all the Jersey details got sprinkled in.
Audience members from New Jersey have told Kimberly Akimbo‘s creator, David Lindsay-Abaire, that the show “feels like home.” Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus
Have you had feedback from Jersey residents who attend the play? Were they excited to hear their towns mentioned? One of the most gratifying things to me as a writer on this show is when someone from Jersey tells me that the show feels like home to them. They love the town shout-outs and the various locations mentioned. Although we deliberately don’t mention exactly where in Bergen County Kimberly lives, I’ve had several audience members tell me that they know precisely which ice skating rink is being referenced in the show. Then another audience member will say, “No, it’s another rink,” and they argue with each other. I love that.
Did you think it would be funny to set it in New Jersey?I understand that, to a lot of people, Jersey can be a punchline, but I was never interested in making fun of Jersey or having a laugh at Jersey’s expense. So it’s always surprising to me when people say, “There are so many Jersey jokes in the show!” There actually aren’t.
There are lots of Jersey references and towns mentioned, and sometimes the audience will laugh at that, but I think that’s more because they’ve been conditioned to believe that Jersey [is a] laugh line. But as the writer, I’m not usually trying to get a laugh in those moments; I’m just telling the audience where we are. And sure, some of the teenage characters complain about their town and wanting to escape it, but that’s a universal experience. It’s exactly what I felt growing up in Southie, and what friends of mine felt. Their longing to be somewhere else isn’t about New Jersey; it’s about teenagers dreaming of a different life. Who doesn’t want to escape where they’re from?
No one knows New Jersey like we do. Sign up for one of our free newsletters here. Want a print magazine mailed to you? Purchase an issue from our online store.
New Jersey Theatre Alliance ("the Alliance") hosted its annual Curtain Call celebration on April 17 at Kean University. This year's focus was on staff, volunteers, and board members of Alliance member theatres, who were instrumental in helping their theatre navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The night honored John J. Wooten, Producing Artistic Director at Premiere Stages at Kean University with the Star Award and Dr. Stuart Weiss, Founder of Intelligent Crowd...
New Jersey Theatre Alliance ("the Alliance") hosted its annual Curtain Call celebration on April 17 at Kean University. This year's focus was on staff, volunteers, and board members of Alliance member theatres, who were instrumental in helping their theatre navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The night honored John J. Wooten, Producing Artistic Director at Premiere Stages at Kean University with the Star Award and Dr. Stuart Weiss, Founder of Intelligent Crowd Solutions, with the Beacon Award.
See photos below!
Over 200 guests, representing the Alliance's member theatres, arts supporters, and community partners gathered to celebrate the first in-person Curtain Call celebration since 2019. The event raised $62,000 to support the work of New Jersey Theatre Alliance as they unite, promote, and strengthen professional theatres in the state and region.
"This celebration was a wonderful way to recognize the many individuals who have been leaders and innovators in the survival of our amazing theatre community," says John McEwen, Executive Director of New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
Star Award recipient and Producing Artistic Director at Premiere Stages at Kean University, John J. Wooten says, "Serving on the Board of the Theatre Alliance has been one of the highlights of my career. Being recognized alongside the extraordinary staff of New Jersey theatres, who accomplished incredible feats navigating their companies through the challenges of the past few years, makes this honor particularly special."
Dr. Stuart Weiss, Beacon Award recipient and Founder of Intelligent Crowd Solutions proclaimed in his speech, "It is with humility and pride that I accept this award. I'm glad that I was able to be a beacon to guide you through the pandemic. Not a single theatre closed in the state of New Jersey and we managed to keep the arts and theatre going and kept it a part of our lives to get through the dark times."
Twenty-eight individuals were honored with an Award of Excellence. Awardees, each from a different Alliance member theatre, ranged from staff members, to trustees, to technicians, to performers. "All of us at the theatres have someone we'd like to express our gratitude to, someone who really went the extra mile creatively to sustain us during the months and years we were separated from our audiences and each other. And this event is a beautiful opportunity to publicly thank these special people," says Laura Ekstrand, Chair of the Alliance Board of Trustees and Artistic Director of Vivid Stage
"Curtain Call" is the essential celebration for New Jersey theatre world as we honor outstanding individuals - John J. Wooten and Dr. Weiss. Both gentlemen discovered engaging and innovative ways to navigate the Covid crisis. When most other theatres on the country were focused on streaming during the pandemic, John had Premiere Stages staging shows outside. And Dr. Weiss was the critical element that provided coherent and sound medical advice so our theatres could re-open safely. In addition, each member theatre has selected the person that performed herculean tasks during the Covid-19 period," explains Marshall Jones III, President of the Alliance Board of Trustees and Associate Dean for Equity, Associate Professor - theatre, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers, the state university of NJ.
The evening of celebration featured performances by actor and singer/songwriter Kena Anae, who's albums are distributed by Universal Music Italy. His theatre credits include Premiere Stages: Certain Aspects of Conflict in the Negro Family. Baltimore Center Stage: Marley the Musical. Film/TV: Begin Again, Lola vs., Kinyarwanda, The View.
Proceeds from Curtain Call will enable the Alliance to continue its work uniting theatres in a collaborative network, and providing a wide range of services and resources to help ensure each of our member theatres is on the path to full recovery.
Photo credit: Ian Alfano
New Jersey Theatre Community celebrates Curtain Call 2023
Connie Alexis-Laona, John J. Wooten, John McEwen, Pat Barksdale
Michael Stotts, Dr. Stuart Weiss, John McEwen
State Theatre New Jersey Presents Dave Mason, June 5
The fully renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents Dave Mason: Endangered Species Tour 2023 on Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30pm. Opening for Dave Mason is Southern rock group, The Georgia Thunderbolts. Tickets range from $29-$79.
Palisades Virtuosi to Present BLUE SKIES - GREEN MEADOWS at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
The critically-acclaimed Palisades Virtuosi flute, clarinet and piano trio, 2022 winner of The American Prize - Ernst Bacon Award for their performances of American music, will be in concert on Sunday, June 4 at 3:00 PM, performing Blue Skies - Green Meadows at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood.
Eden Espinosa, Hiram Delgado & More to Star in TWO SISTERS AND A PIANO at Two River Theater
Two River Theater will conclude their 2022/2023 season with Two Sisters and a Piano, a passionate tale of revolution, art, and dreams written and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nilo Cruz. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!
State Theatre New Jersey presents Tom Jones
The fully renovated State Theatre New Jersey presents Tom Jones – Ages & Stages Tour on Monday, May 22 at 7:30pm.
3-minute readThe Vanguard Theater may be the best-kept secret in Montclair.Case in point: Their current production, the Tony-award-winning musical "Passing Strange," about a Black musician’s quest for identity, is getting rave reviews.It stars three Broadway actors including veteran Dwayne Clark, who dashes to Vanguard’s stage after rehearsing at the Nederlan...
The Vanguard Theater may be the best-kept secret in Montclair.
Case in point: Their current production, the Tony-award-winning musical "Passing Strange," about a Black musician’s quest for identity, is getting rave reviews.
It stars three Broadway actors including veteran Dwayne Clark, who dashes to Vanguard’s stage after rehearsing at the Nederlander Theater in New York City for "Shucked," opening on the Great White Way on March 8.
“Dwayne has the most ridiculous schedule,” said Vanguard’s founder Janeece Freeman Clark of her husband (they met in the Broadway cast of "Urinetown.") “He’s singing all day. But when the curtain comes down at 11 p.m., he hasn’t missed a beat.”
Another Broadway veteran, Montclair resident Brandi Chavonne Massey, who played the first Black Elphaba on Broadway in "Wicked," has a prominent role, along with Montclair High School graduate and resident Jason Tyler Smith, fresh off the national tour of "Rent."
Ticket prices are $20 to $40, less than the price of transportation into New York City.
Yet in a recent post on a Montclair Facebook page, one attendee, who called the show “amazing,” lamented that there were empty seats in the small theater on the first of only two weekends. ("Passing Strange" closes March 5). Another poster didn’t seem to know Montclair had a theater. “Where is it?” he asked.
Vanguard’s location, in a renovated ballroom dance hall in Montclair’s 4th Ward, the town’s historically Black neighborhood, is slightly off the town’s beaten path. But that’s by design, said Freeman Clark, who founded the company to address a "lack of true diversity in theater” − in casting training, producing, creative teams and audiences.
In the last two years, the company has been putting its principles into practice with productions of "Rent," "Spitfire Grill," "Next to Normal" and "A Portrait of Ray," about Ray Charles, written by Freeman Clark and her husband.
In "Next to Normal," for instance, the lead was played by a Black actor, opening up a conversation about mental health issues specific to the Black community. Community partners, such as Integrated Care Concepts, spoke to audiences on the topic and how to get help. For "Rent," Vanguard partnered with Out Montclair and the AIDS-advocacy nonprofit Hyacinth to discuss issues around HIV AIDs and marginalized communities.
“Color-conscious casting can really change the narrative,” Freeman Clark said.
Previous coverage:Montclair's newest theater company, Vanguard, set to open
Also central to Vanguard’s mission is education, said Freeman Clark, who teaches musical theater at the Manhattan School of Music, is a professor of theater at Seton Hall and formerly directed youth in NJPAC's musical theater program. At a three-week summer stock sleepaway camp in West Milford, kids produce shows and one-act-play festivals and attend workshops on singing, dancing and acting with the guidance of Broadway actors.
The price is a fraction of what other theater camps cost, and Vanguard gives out more than $50,000 in financial aid, Freeman Clark said. “We strongly believe in access to a quality arts education regardless of zip code or what the family’s financial situation is,” she said. “When you bring people of different backgrounds together who have a shared love of theater, the stereotypes and barriers come down.”
Other youth programs at the theater such at VTC Kids and VTC Next have those as young as three working with mentors on all aspects of theater, from writing to costume design to choreography to music; Broadway veterans, and older kids are mentors. A recent performance of "Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure" featured a band completely comprised of musicians under age 14.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve ever walked onto a stage before,” Freeman Clark said. “We create a safe space where kids feel free to be themselves unapologetically so they can really create.”
The economics of running a theater in Montclair are daunting. In 1990, the Whole Theater, run by Olympia Dukkakis for 17 years, closed after government budget cuts; the Luna Stage moved to West Orange in 2010 and 12 Miles West moved to Bloomfield in 2015. (It’s now in Rutherford.)
Freeman Clark hopes to beat the odds. So far, government funds have helped. During the pandemic COVID grants from that state helped with HVAC and bathroom upgrades to the old proscenium theater at 180 Bloomfield Ave.
Then and now, Lin Manuel-Miranda's family foundation, TeeRico, has been a big supporter and this month, the Michael Jordan Foundation announced that Vanguard is one of two theater companies in the country receiving a donation from the Jordan Brand’s Community Grant Program, an initiative of its Black Community Commitment supporting grassroots, non-profits that are improving Black lives in their neighborhoods.
And while ticket prices don't come close to covering costs, "getting butts in seats" is crucial, Freeman Clark said. It often leads to individual donations, when people "are blown away and ask how they can help."
"The more notice we get in the community, the better," she said.
To illustrate Vanguard's plight, Freeman Clark referenced a scene in Seussical, where "people living on this little flower in another universe shout out, ‘We are here,'" she said.
"That’s our inside joke. We just need people to know we are here. Because everyone who comes says, ‘Oh my goodness, how did we not know you're here? We will be back.'”
Julia Martin covers Montclair for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, a long-time Yankees fans, brought his son to the kid’s first baseball game on Sunday — and ducked into the visiting clubhouse — and the Minnesota Twins (understan...
Lin-Manuel Miranda, a long-time Yankees fans, brought his son to the kid’s first baseball game on Sunday — and ducked into the visiting clubhouse — and the Minnesota Twins (understandably) made a song and dance about it.
Miranda, composer of the Broadway musical mega-hit “Hamilton” and other productions, is a cousin of Twins’ infielder Jose Miranda. Ever since Jose Miranda arrived in the big leagues last season, teammates — like reliever Emilio — have been bugging him for an introduction. They got it Sunday. The Mirandas had tried a reunion at Yankee Stadium last year, but the game was rained out.
BUY YANKEES TICKETS:STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS,TICKETMASTER
“I know he was here to see Jose and show his son around, but I had to say hi. I had to,” Pagán told the Star-Tribune. “My older brother Javier is in theater, and he played the Lin-Manuel role in ‘In The Heights’ in a show back home in South Carolina. I told him that, and I told him my daughters absolutely love his movies, ‘Vivo’ and ‘Encanto.’ I said I can’t wait for the next one.”
Jose Miranda chuckled at the star-struck Twins: “Everyone was super excited, like, ‘Wow, he’s here,’” he said. “Some guys took pictures. Yeah, it was fun.”
The Broadway superstar, whose “New York, New York” adaptation opens later this month, said he (and all of the Mirandas) have been proudly watching his cousin’s major-league ascent. After batting .268 with 15 homers and 66 RBIs last season, Miranda is hitting .237 this season with six RBIs.
“It’s been really lovely to watch his rise,” he said. “He’s just so gifted and a lovely, humble guy,” Lin-Manuel Miranda said. “Our whole family is so proud. The entire cousin network is always on high alert when he’s at bat.”
MORE SPORTS:
Hottest hitter in baseball is a former Mets’ No. 1 pick (who was quickly traded for a bust)
Why Yankees announcer Michael Kay says, ‘Everybody sucks. I’m telling you, they really do’
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
The extended run of “Funny Girl” is coming to an end this September.Lea Michele will take her final bow as Fanny Brice on the Broadway stage on Sept. 3.“Funny Girl” will then embark on a nationwide tour, where they will stop in more than 30 North American cities.If you want to see the semi-autobiographical stor...
The extended run of “Funny Girl” is coming to an end this September.
Lea Michele will take her final bow as Fanny Brice on the Broadway stage on Sept. 3.
“Funny Girl” will then embark on a nationwide tour, where they will stop in more than 30 North American cities.
If you want to see the semi-autobiographical story of famed comedienne Fanny Brice, there are still several tickets available on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketNetwork, TicketCity and Ticketmaster.
At the time of publication, fans of the hit musical can find tickets as low as $74 on StubHub.
Lea Michele officially replaced Beanie Feldstein in the Fanny Brice role on Sept. 6, 2022. According to Variety, critics have applauded Michele for taking ownership of her role and differentiating herself from Barbara Streisand’s version.
A complete calendar of “Funny Girl” shows, including show dates, start times and links to buy tickets are available here.
Other huge musicals on Broadway
There are a variety of musicals and plays that are worth seeing on Broadway this year.
Here are five must-see musicals you won’t want to miss live.
RELATED STORIES ABOUT LIVE EVENTS:
Bruce Springsteen tickets are under $60 for just-added N.J. concert
Sebastian Maniscalco Atlantic City comedy shows: Where to find the cheapest tickets
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler announce 2nd N.J. show: How to buy tickets
Bruce Springsteen tickets are under $60 for just-added N.J. concert
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Nicole Iuzzolino can be reached at nj.com/tips.
