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LINCROFT: BARD BIRTHDAY BASH AT BCC

BCC Shakespeare-GroupLocal actors stage a performance of William Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at Brookdale Community College in 2013. The school’s Performing Arts Center is inviting everyone to get into the act, during the sixth annual Shakespeare Read-A-Thon in April.

Press release from Brookdale Community College

On Thursday, April 21, Brookdale Community College will celebrate the 452nd birthday of William Shakespeare, with the sixth annual Shakespeare Read-A-Thon at the Lincroft campus.

Between 6 to 8 p.m., residents of all ages are invited to dress as their favorite Shakespearean character and join friends, family and fellow community members in a collaborative reading from the Bard’s works, held inside BCC’s Performing Arts Center.

This year’s program will celebrate the women of Shakespeare, shining a spotlight on the most memorable moments involving female characters such as Lady Macbeth, Rosalind, Juliet, Miranda and Desdemona. Individual and group readings of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets are encouraged. Spectators are welcome as well.

“This annual celebration encourages people to try out their reading and acting skills, but more so to conquer their apprehension over Shakespeare’s language,” said Brookdale English Professor James Cody. “It shows that Shakespeare can be fun.”

Refreshments will be served during the April 21 event, for which parking in Lot 1 is recommended. For more information, contact Professor James Cody at jcody@brookdalecc.edu or call (732)224-2681.

LINCROFT: MUSICAL MILESTONE FOR BCC BAND

BBB-30-years-1Top-tier jazz bassist and Fair Haven resident Gary Mazzaroppi (below) is among the sought-after players helping the Brookdale Big Band celebrate its 30th anniversary, with an 8 pm concert this Saturday, November 14.

From press materials furnished by Brookdale Community College

garymazzaroppi_242x350It was founded by faculty members of Brookdale Community College in 1985, as a crowd-pleasing vehicle that showcased the talents of a revolving lineup of acclaimed jazz and swing musicians from Monmouth County and across New Jersey. Thirty years later, The Brookdale Big Band is still in full swing — and this Saturday, November 14, the BBB celebrates three decades of high-energy entertainment with a special anniversary concert in the BCC Performing Arts Center on the Lincroft campus.

Scheduled for 8 pm, the concert promises a program of jazz standards from the great organizations of the 1940s and 50s (Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and Red Bank’s own Count Basie); delivered by a top-notch collection of 18 area players that includes longtime BBB vocalist Barbara Baron, renowned Broadway trumpeter Joe Mosello, and a sought-after musician’s musician whose standup bass has walked with legends — Fair Haven’s Gary Mazzaroppi.

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LINCROFT: FAMILIES INVITED TO DIG A SHOW

DiggingWhole3Brookdale Community College student actors Adam von Pier of Fair Haven, Emily King of Colts Neck, Marissa Williams of Red Bank and Frank Mendoza of Middletown rehearse DIGGING THE WHOLE, the interactive family musical opening at BCC’s Performing Arts Center on February 27. 

Press release from Brookdale Community College

Beginning on the morning of Friday, February 27 and continuing through March 8, the Performing Arts Center at Brookdale Community College will present the interactive, family friendly musical Digging the Whole.

Written by Mark Schaeffer and featuring music and lyrics by Rita Z. Asch, the 1988 play tells the story of Slag Heap, a soda-drinking, TV-watching character who builds a new home for himself in the middle of the woods. One evening Slag Heap is visited by Raccoon, Deer, Owl and Oak Tree, who put him on trial for littering, disturbing the peace, attempted murder and other crimes against nature.

While the woodland creatures serve as judge, prosecutor, bailiff and court clerk, the audience is recruited to serve as jury. At the conclusion of the play, audience members must decide whether Slag Heap is innocent or guilty.

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