PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School graduate Melody Lieberman is starring in “Minnie’s Boys” (the former Broadway show about Minnie Marx, the mother of The Marx Brothers) at a regional theater in Florida.
Melody Lieberman is starring in “Minnie’s Boys” (the former Broadway show about Minnie Marx, the mother of The Marx Brothers.
She was also a very active member in the Rotary Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills. During 2009-2010 she served as secretary. While attending Parsippany High School she was a Musical Advisor/Instructional Aide.
She received her Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Studies degree from Montclair State University in 2005.
Minnie’s Boys is the Broadway musical that captures the Jewish immigrant experience with warmth and laughter. Minnie’s absolute love and belief in her sons took them from tenements of the the lower East Side, and brought them into international stardom as the beloved Marx brothers. This is her story of triumph, and her steadfast belief in the American Dream.
Melody Lieberman performs in Minnie's Boys
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Photos courtesy of George Wentzler
Photos courtesy of George Wentzler
Photos courtesy of George Wentzler
Featuring the break out hit, “Mama, A Rainbow,” Minnie’s Boys captures a great time in our history, and shows how a mother’s love and determination are timeless.
The cast’s strong voices carry much of the show, thanks in part to the leadership of musical director David Nagy working with superb brassy multi-leveled recorded music by Manny Schvartzman.
Parsippany’s Melody Lieberman throws herself unreservedly into the role of the formidable Minnie and she has clarion voice to trumpet the score – far better than La Winters could have done.
Minnie’s Boys plays through August 6 at the Broward Stage Door Theatre, 8036 W. Sample Road, Margate, Florida. Performances are 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Running time is two hours twenty minutes with a fifteen-minute intermission. Tickets are $48.00. Call (954) 344-7765 or click here.
Melany also sang the National Anthem Melody for New York Mets vs. Yankees on August 2, 2016.
BOONTON TOWNSHIP — Boonton Township is celebrating its 150th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 15.
The events start at 3:00 p.m. with Raging Grace performing at the Rockaway Valley Aerodrome, Rockaway Valley Aerodrome Fields. There will be a number of food trucks, wagon rides and inflatables. At 5:00 p.m. Skeeters Pants will perform and at 7:00 p.m. the West Point Band. Then a fireworks display will follow.
The West Point Band is the oldest continuously serving Army band, and the oldest unit at West Point. The band traces its lineage back to a single drummer and fifer left to maintain the tradition of military music at West Point after the Revolutionary War. Over the next two centuries, the band evolved into one of the most capable and versatile professional performing groups in the world. Today, the band consists of multiple elements that perform styles ranging from traditional drum and fife music to the pop, country, and rock hits of today. Its standards of excellence, like those of the Academy, continue to be a source of pride to the Army and the nation. The West Point Band will perform American and patriotic fare featuring music of Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, George M. Cohan, John Philip Sousa, and more.
Rockaway Valley Aerodrome is located at 353 Powerville Road, Boonton Township.
Skeeters Pants
Skeeter Pants is a Bona Fide and Highly Entertaining Country Band Performing New, Old and Original Country Music. With great musicianship and Style. Fun Entertaining professional musicians with touring, recording and album credits. Bona Fide Twangy Chickin picking country.
Raging Gracefully is a four piece classic rock band.
Utilizing drums, guitar, bass, keys and an occasional flute, they cover some of your favorite hits/groups from the 50’s-70’s (and beyond) including The Beatles, Rolling Stones, CCR, The Band, Santana, Procol Harem, the Animals, Jethro Tull and many more.
Frontman and bassist, Steve Cinque, is the musical director and lead vocalist for the group.
Steve drives the band with powerful vocals and solid bass lines and even throws in a few flute solos.
Possessing a substantial vocal range, Steve can handle anything from a soulful ballad by the Eagles to a gut-wrenching rock tune by Bob Seger. A true veteran of the music industry, Steve has played throughout the Eastern U.S. and Internationally over his extensive career. A native of NYC, Steve now makes his home in New Haven, Connecticut.
Drummer, Mike Bimonte, keeps everyone on track with his tight beats and adds his vocals to a few songs. Mike has more than 25 years experience working as a percussionist in Community Theatre and has worked in more than 100 productions. Over his career, Mike has opened for Tower of Power, Alexa Ray Joel, Mavis Staples and Frank Zappa’s Project Object Band and has played in some high-profile venues including the Shubert theater, Woolsey Hall and the New Haven Music & Arts Festival. Mike calls East Haven, Connecticut his home.
George Leka, on keys, provides those classic piano, organ and string accompaniments that identified so many songs from that era and picks up some vocals along the way, also. The brother of the late performer/producer/song writer Paul Leka (most notably Na, Na, Hey, Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye – Steam and Green Tambourine-The Lemon Pipers), George was destined to be a musician. George really “struts his stuff” on classic songs like Whiter Shade Of Pale (Procol Harem), Locomotive Breath (Jethro Tull) and House Of The Rising Sun (Animals).
George and Steve have collaborated on several other musical projects over the years. Trumbull, Connecticut is where George hangs his hat.
Guitarist, Ron Jovanelly, brings a fourth vocal to the mix and adds the signature sounds of groups like Santana, CCR and The Hollies. Another veteran of the music scene, Ron and Steve have also collaborated on projects together over the years. Ron has the uncanny ability to capture the “feel” of artists like Carlos Santana, John Fogarty and Stevie Ray Vaughn which really adds to the musical experience. Ron is a resident of Milford, Connecticut.
PARSIPPANY — It is not too late to sign up for Parsippany Soccer Club summer camps being held in Parsippany the weeks of July 10, July 17 or July 24.
The 2017 Summer Camp is designed for all children ages and abilities. It’s for all male or female campers between the ages of 6-14 years old (8th grade). The focus of the camp is on technical development, while providing a fun atmosphere. Each day of camp focuses on a different technique in the morning followed by games in the afternoon.
Parsippany Soccer Club is to help develop and improve each camper’s technical ability and understanding of the game while also creating a competitive, fun environment that he/she can look forward to each day. They have assembled a staff of outstanding coaches who will train the campers to increase their soccer awareness, sharpen their skills, and increase their fitness. The coaches teach the game, but they do not over coach the game. Instead of trying to program a player’s every move on the field, our staff allows a player to play the game and make corrections with the hope that the player will learn to think out the game on his/her own.
Click here for brochure or click here to visit Parsippany Soccer Club website to register.
PARISPPANY — Brundage Park Playhouse performances of “The Lion King, Jr.” will be held on Friday, July 14 and Friday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m.
Performances will also be held Saturday, July 8, Sunday; July 9, Saturday; Saturday, July 15; Sunday, July 16; Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.
You’ll have ‘no worries for the rest of your day’ when the young performers bring The Lion King, Jr. to Brundage Park Playhouse. Enjoy the heartwarming tale of Simba, the young lion who must face his deepest fears to avenge the murder of his father, Mufasa, and return to Pride Rock to claim his rightful place in ‘The Circle of Life’.
“The Lion King, Jr.” is directed by Mark Carovale. Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice. Additional Music and Lyrics by Will Van Dyke, Lebo M., Mark Mancina, and Jay Rifkin
Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi. Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor.
CAST
RAFIKI: Clare Capuzzi, Morris Plains
MUFASA: Christopher Simon, Mendham
SARABI: Kaitlyn Franck, Basking Ridge
ZAZU: Isabella Dimichino, Randolph
SCAR: Tobin “Toby” Todd, Randolph
YOUNG SIMBA: Steven George, Hoptcong
ADULT SIMBA: Tim Rocca, Mendham
YOUNG NALA: Aisha Rehan, Parsippany
ADULT NALA: Hope Keil, Randolph
SARAFINA: Kristin Ware, Newton
BANZAI: Zachary Sussman, Randolph
SHENZI: Brigid Cavanagh, Wharton
ED: Collin Ware, Newton
TIMON: Nicholas Profito, Chester
PUMBAA: Jacob Marsh, Chester
ENSEMBLE:
James Degenaars, Rockaway
Michael Luciano, Randolph
Arthav Naidu, Randolph
Elizabeth Pietrucha, Randolph
Sophia Rehan, Parsippany
Lloyd Silikovitz, Randolph
Abby Simon, Mendham
Charlotte Sussman, Randolph
Lillian Walker, Randolph
Mary Young, Chester
Alexa Yudoff, Succasunna
Ticket prices are $25.00 for Adults and $20.00 for Seniors, Children under 12, and Military Personnel.
Brundage Park Playhouse has moved to an online ticket purchasing system. Tickets can be purchased online at Randolph Community Pass. All seats are general admission and there is no assigned seating. Each patron must have a ticket. Children sitting on parents laps must have a ticket and no babes in arms.
For further information please contact Brundage Park Playhouse at (973) 989-7092.
Brundage Park Playhouse is located at 502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrol Officer C. Konysz and S. Ferguson responded to the area of West Hanover Avenue and Koch Avenue for a vehicle that had gone off the roadway into the grass on Saturday, July 1. Officers from Morristown and Morris Township Police Department were already on the scene with the vehicle upon their arrival.
After a brief investigation, Nozuko Ndlovu, 27, a female from Roxbury, was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.
She was subsequently transported to Police Headquarters for processing.
She was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving.
She was released on her own recognizance pending her court appearance.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Patrol Officer J. Mendez and Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad responded to 100 Vail Road, for a person who may be passed out near one of the buildings at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29.
Michael McClain, 61, Denville, was located laying down in front of a dumpster by Patrol Officer Jamie Mendez.
Near Mr. McClain was his 2003 Toyota Highlander that was still running.
After speaking to Mr. McClain and conducting a brief investigation he was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.
He was transported to Saint Clares Hospital in Denville for medical treatment.
Mr. McClain was issued a summons for Driving While Intoxicated in a School Zone, Driving While Intoxicated and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Passenger Vehicle.
He was released on his own recognizance pending his court appearance.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 presented Stacey Bock with the “Chief’s Trumpet Plaque
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 presented Stacey Bock with the “Chief’s Trumpet Plaque,” at a recent meeting. This prestigious award was presented in honor of Chief Raymond Bock, who passed away on Friday, January 27, at his home. He was 64.
Ray was a Life Member of Parsippany-Troy Hills District 6 Fire Association where he previously served as chief and president.
Ray was born in Newark and grew up in Parsippany before moving to Chatham Township in 1998. He worked for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills as a Pump Operator for the Water Department for over the past 30 years.
He was also a member of the Green Village Fire Department where he served as Sergeant at Arms.
Ray has two sons, Raymond D. Bock, Jr. and his fiancée, Shannon Fluke of Stanhope and Andrew T. Bock and his fiancée, Karey Hornbaker of Morris Plains; his daughter, Kelly A. Bock of Hackettstown and two grandchildren.
Parsippany main coverage area of Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 is Lake Intervale, Druid Hill, Hills of Troy, Greenhill, Mazdabrook, Eastbrook, Normandy Village, Lord Stirling and Sunset.
For more information on Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6 click here.
Stacey L. Bock with her son Andrew
Stacey L. Bock holding the chiefs trumpet plaque
Members of Fire District 6
Joseph Chumra presenting Stacey L. Bock with the chiefs trumpet plaque in honor of Chief Bock’s memory
PARSIPPANY — A series of motor vehicles were stolen in Parsippany from Thursday, June 29 to Tuesday, July 4.
The first vehicle stolen was from a Camden Road resident between 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 and 6:03 a.m. on Friday, June 30. The vehicle was a 2014 Nissan Rogue. It was subsequently recovered by Newark Police Department on Thursday, July 6.
The second vehicle was 2013 Subaru Legacy and was stolen from a residence on Rainbow Trail between 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 and 6:10 a.m. on Friday, June 30. It was subsequently recovered by Newark Police Department on Thursday, July 6.
Then during the early morning of Sunday, July 2, multiple suspects shattered the front door of Zoom Auto Group, 3519 Route 46 and made entry into the building.
They removed multiple sets of keys and stole five vehicles.
Three 2011 BMW 328 (Two were recovered by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office: One on Tuesday, July 4 and one on Thursday, July 6)
Also stolen was a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 and a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK500. These vehicles haven’t been located at this time.
Detective J. Pledger and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office CIS unit responded to the scene to investigate the incident. This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
PARSIPPANY — Morning rains flooded Route 46 West, across from Troy Hills Shopping Center.
According to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department Route 46 West has been reopened. The water is slowly receding on other roadways. Please use caution.
Multiple roadways are flooding due to the rain. Do not drive through deep water.
HANOVER — The owner of a purported business consulting firm was arrested for operating a $1.1 million scheme that artificially inflated the stock price of a publicly traded company he controlled, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick.
James Farinella, 46, Springfield, is charged by complaint with one count of securities fraud. He will make his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leda D. Wettre in Newark federal court.
According to the complaint from June through December 2012, Farinella and others allegedly operated a “pump-and-dump” stock manipulation scheme to fraudulently inflate the prices of Pazoo Inc. (PZOO). Pazoo had little or no real business operations, and when it started trading in June 2012, Farinella controlled 98 percent of the free-trading shares in Pazoo.
Farinella and other conspirators allegedly “pumped” the price of those shares by orchestrating a series of trades between accounts they controlled to create the appearance that Pazoo stock was rising in price and heavily traded. In order to further inflate the prices, Farinella and his conspirators also disseminated misleading promotional materials to lure investors to purchase the stocks, including touting Pazoo as a leading provider of nutritional supplements for people and their pets.
After pumping the stocks, Farinella and his conspirators “dumped” them by selling large volumes of the stock to investors at artificially inflated prices. The companies’ stock prices then dropped, causing victims of the scheme to suffer losses. The alleged stock manipulation scheme generated approximately $1.1 million in gross trading proceeds.
The securities fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of twenty years in prison and a $5 million fine.
The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is filing a civil complaint against Farinella.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation. He also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office, under the direction of Andrew Calamari, for its assistance in this matter.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin S. Herring of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
