Governor Kean Gets A Broadway Birthday Bash April 21 in Newark

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Governor Kean

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark will host a Broadway Birthday Bash for Governor Thomas H. Kean on April 21 when he hits 90. The 48th Governor of our great state served two scandal-free terms from 1982 to 1990. It is interesting to note that he is a descendant of our very first Governor, William Livingston, elected in 1776, and who led the state’s militia during the Revolutionary War. Livingston served—get this!—13 single-year terms as Governor until he died in office in 1790.

“New Jersey has been blessed to have a passionate and committed advocate for the arts in Governor Kean, who has always believed that everyone in New Jersey deserves the opportunity to experience and benefit from the arts,” says John Schreiber, NJPAC’s President and CEO. “We couldn’t be more grateful to the Governor for inventing and supporting the Arts Center, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this landmark occasion with him.”

Participating artists include Christy Altomare from Mamma Mia, Nicholas Christopher who portrayed George Washington in Hamilton, Mandy Gonzalez from Wicked and Zach Piser from Dear Evan Hansen. Proceeds of the evening will benefit arts education programs that reach 50,000+ kids, offering 200+ free events per year in Newark.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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