(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- On Sunday, October 3 at 7:00pm, artists from Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud will open the first event of Vanguard Theater Company’s season, “Broadway on Bloomfield!” Just weeks before Ain’t Too Proud re-opens on Broadway, New Jersey natives Jelani Remy and Joshua Morgan, return to the Garden State to perform at The Vanguard in a cabaret style performance including a post show talk back. Seats are limited to 100, and assigned seating is available online. (Tickets will not be sold at the door)
Jelani Remy plays Eddie Kendricks, one of the co-founders of the Temptations, in ATP. Other credits include Simba in Disney’s The Lion King (Broadway), Disney’s High School Musical (Chad), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Off Broadway), The Apple Boys (Jack), ANJOU, Chita Rivera Award Nominee @itsjelaniremy
Joshua Morgan originated the role of Shelly Berger, the manager of the Temptations. Other credits include Les Misérables (Broadway). Stiff (Broadway). Regional credits include: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Theatre Under the Stars, Folger Theatre, Triad Stage, Olney Theatre Center, amongst many others. TV: “FBI” (NBC), “Lincoln” (NBC), “Law & Order: SVU,” “Paterno” (HBO). BFA: University of North Carolina School of the Arts. @jmorganarts
In addition to Broadway on Bloomfield, Vanguard’s season includes Next to Normal, Into the Woods, Rent, A Portrait of Ray, and more “Broadway on Bloomfield” evenings with performers from Phantom of the Opera, Beautiful on Broadway, Hamilton, Frozen, Once Upon a One More Time, and more.
Vanguard’s season is made possible, in part, by a $92,000 grant by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, as part of the largest appropriation the Council has ever received: $31.9 million as part of the New Jersey State budget approved by Governor Murphy last month.
Secretary of State Tahesha Way addressed attendees at the meeting announcing the award, commending the creativity and resiliency of arts organizations during the pandemic. "The innovation New Jersey’s arts community has shown over these last 16 months is absolutely awe-inspiring,” said Secretary Way.
“We are grateful to Governor Murphy and the legislature for this monumental increase in funding and for recognizing the need for robust public support of the arts right now,” said Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson. “This funding is not only vital to ensuring the arts can continue to move forward and innovate, but will support important work to foster a more equitable and inclusive arts community. We know there is still much work to be done, and we look forward to working alongside our partners and colleagues in the field as we embark on a new chapter together.”
Vanguard Theater Company congratulates the other NJ grant recipients, especially sister arts organizations in Montclair, and is honored to be in their company:
Vanguard Theater Company is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit producing original, collaborative and re-imagined works of theater. Committed to changing the narrative through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship, Vanguard is committed to color-conscious casting, and professional artistic mentorship. Vanguard Theater Company's year-round programming is made possible through generous support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, TeeRico by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Investors Bank, collaborations with Montclair Film and other community partners, and the generosity of many individual donors.
