Mahwah Student Sings With Broadway Stars To Fight Homelessness

A Mahwah student was one of the "future Broadway stars" who teamed up with current Broadway actors at Village Theater in Ridgewood Monday night to raise funds for charity to prevent homelessness.

sold-out performance was hosted by lauded lyricist and composer Neil Berg, creator and co-producer of “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway” and producer of "Grumpy Old Men." 

The evening featured special guest performances by Broadway heavy hitters Rita Harvey (Fiddler on the Roof), David Turner (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever), and Sally Ann Tumas Skoric (Victor/Victoria).

The professionals were joined by burgeoning young singing talent from high schools across Bergen. senior Sam Waxenbaum was one of the featured vocalists at the event.

"After last year’s show, I wouldn’t have missed being a part of this exciting event this year,” Skoric, a Ridgewood resident and mother, said in a news release. She called it "a beautiful opportunity for all of us to make a difference while doing what we love. I continue to be so inspired by the young people at Covenant House who push on against all odds. I feel they are helping me more than I am helping them." 

Covenant House New Jersey serves New Jersey's homeless between the ages of 18 and 21 at crisis centers and transitional housing in Newark, Montclair, Elizabeth and Atlantic City.

Three of the youth were on stage Monday, telling the audience how their journey led them to the stage in Ridgewood Monday night. Covenenant House beneficiary Rachel sang the finale, "Home," with her young son Darryl watching nearby.

"Each of our homeless kids comes to us with their own story, and we don’t turn any away," said Marcia Mann, development director for the charity, in a news release prior to the show. "We are so grateful to all of these performers and volunteers, young and old, who are making it possible for us to keep our doors open for the young people who need us."