“Sopranos” creator David Chase, was inducted into the 2023 New Jersey Hall of Fame with cast members from the hit HBO series including Al Sapienza (Mikey Palmice), Aida Turturro (Janice Soprano), Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano), Federico Castelluccio (Furio Giunta), Vincent Curatola (Johnny Sack) and Jeffrey Marchetti (Peter “Bissell” LaRosa) there to celebrate him.

T2C talked to Mr. Chase and then captured Steven Van Zandt introducing him and Mr. Chase’s acceptance speech.

But before that interviews with the cast of The Sopranos, Tiki Barber, Sue Wicks and finally a picture with the cast of The Sopranos.

Video’s by Magda Katz

Because everyone needs a hero, the New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions to society, the State of New Jersey and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has hosted 14 ceremonies for more than 200 notable individuals and groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The NJHOF endeavors to present school children with significant and impactful role models to show that they can, and should, strive for excellence. The NJHOF is thankful for the support of its many sponsors, like Hackensack Meridian Health, without which none of our endeavors would be possible.

This year’s induction ceremony was held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and celebrated the achievements of the aforementioned Unsung Heroes alongside the newest class of inductees, which includes a wide array of notables from various walks of life. The Hall of Fame class of 2023 includes  Gloria Gaynor, Tiki Barber, Sue Wicks, David Chase, Tony Orlando, Patti Scialfa, Finn Wentworth, Josh Weston, Steve Adubato, Sr., Charles Edison, George Shultz, George Segal, and Dorothy Porter Wesley.

Born into a musical household in Newark, New Jersey, Gloria Gaynor has been singing for as long as she can remember. She had many disco era hits, including “I Will Survive” (1978), “Let Me Know (I Have a Right)” (1979), and “I Am What I Am” (1983).

Gloria entertained with a fabulous rendition of “I Will Survive” and got the audience on it’s feet.

Click the link to see the performance.

Video by Magda Katz

David Chase (The creator of The Soprano’s) Tony Orlando, Tiki Barber, Danny DeVito, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Patti Scialfa of the E Street Band, The Smithereens, basketball star Sue Wicks and more were all at the New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2023 induction ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

T2c’s Magda Katz and Suzanna Bowling were there to interview and attend the ceremony. Up first Tony Orlando who was introduced by the legendary Dionne Warwick.

Video shot by Magda Katz.

Tony Award winners Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster to Star in Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Tveit and Foster begin performances on Friday, February 9, 2024, for 12 weeks only. Their final performance will be Sunday, May 5, 2024. As previously announced, Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford will play their final performance as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett on Sunday, January 14, 2024.

Broadway is a family! And last night, the six Queens from Broadway’s musical hit SIX invited their newest neighbor on West 47^thStreet, the six Harmonists from the new musical Harmony to their stage to welcome them to Broadway.

On the stage of the Lena Horne Theatre, the Queens Hailee Kaleem Wright, ZoeJensen, Marilyn Caserta, Aubrey Matalon, Holli’ Conway and Taylor Iman Jones presented each of the Harmonists with a Union Jack bag celebrating their British roots containing a bottle of Hayman’s London Dry Gin. The Harmonists, Sean Bell, DannyKornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey, honored their Jewish roots with a reciprocal gift of Junior’s traditional rugelach to each.

Six, the Tony-Award® winning musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is playing at the Lena Horne Theatre (256 West 47^th Street) and Harmony, the new musical by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, is currently in previews at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47^th Street) in advance of a November 13^th opening night.

Based on an unbelievable true story, Harmony tells the tale of the most successful entertainers you’ve never heard of. . . until now. In the 1920s and 30s, The Comedian Harmonists sold millions of records, made dozens of films, and sold-out the biggest theaters around the world.  Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the Six wives of Henry VIIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into Euphoric Celebration of 21st Century girl power! The new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their heads over.

Lempicka, the sweeping new musical portrait celebrating the gripping true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka, will open on Broadway this spring at the Longacre Theatre (220 W 48^th St). Eden Espinosa, who originated the titular role in critically acclaimed performances at Williamstown Theatre Festival and La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the production. Performances begin on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 ahead of an official opening night on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Tickets are now on sale at telecharge.com.

Directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, Lempicka features book, lyrics, and original concept by Carson Kreitzer, book and music by Matt Gould, and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.

Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.

Marisa de Lempicka, President of Tamara de Lempicka Estate, LLC stated, “When I first saw this show inspired by the life and times of Tamara de Lempicka, my great-grandmother, I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes. The music, the story, the choreography, the set, and the incredibly talented cast, directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, were truly moving. We feel so happy and proud that Tamara’s art and life story keep inspiring new generations, almost one hundred years later, and that her resilience and iconic creativity are being portrayed in this extraordinary production.”

“Tamara de Lempicka’s life spanned some of the most consequential eras in modern history, and her deep and complex story is an ideal subject for exactly the kind of show I love to both see and create: one that is simultaneously intimate and epic,” stated director Rachel Chavkin. “I think Carson and Matt are visionary storytellers — Carson is an under-recognized leader in the new play field, known for exquisite sparseness and thematic density, and Matt is a wild heart whose music fuses contemporary vibes with classical musical theater…and simply makes your heart swell. How lucky for all of us to have this piece brought to life by a performer as dynamic and brilliant as Eden Espinosa.”

Following its world premiere at Williamstown Theatre Festival, the production played at La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director).

By Magda Katz: EGOT winner orchestrator Jonathan Tunick joined Sardi’s Wall of Fame.

Jonathan Tunick

Tunick’s orchestrations can be heard in 3 productions this season, Here We Are, Merrily We Roll Along and Sweeney Todd. Casts and creatives from Mr. Tunick’s productions were in attendance to salute the famed orchestrator.

David Hyde Pierce

On hand were:  Josh Groban, Judy Collins, Micaela Diamond. Jonathan Groff, Maria Friedman, Rachel Bay Jones, Amber Gray, David Hyde Pierce and more

Jonathan Tunick and Leigh Berry

Jonathan Tunick, Max Klimavicius

Jonathan Tunick, Cast of Here We Are

Josh Groban Judith Lurman

Jonathan Tunick, Jonathan Groff

Judy Collins, Maria Friedman and Jonathan Tunick

Lee Roy Reams returned to 54 Below by popular demand. Lee Roy is not only a great showman, but also  one of the greatest story teller in show business.  He shared many of his great stories from childhood to performing with great stars on Broadway. He held nothing back and was very open about his life.