On December 6, 2004 we successfully piloted our Musicals In The Making Festival with the world premiere reading of PERFUME. The reading took place at The Hackensack Cultural Arts Center and included the talents of several Broadway vets including Kenneth Garner*. Also featured in the reading were local talents, Priscila (from Hackensack) and Jill Gureasko* (Cliffside Park). Other standouts from New York City were Michael Mahler*, Carson Church*, and John Tedeschi*.

*members of Actors' Equity Association

left to right: Brother Augustine Towey, C.M., Charles Strouse, Bob McGrath, ASTC Founder Patrick Riviere

Fundraiser and Awards Event Wonderful Success at Cafe Boulevard! Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Charles Strouse and Sesame Street veteran Bob McGrath receive our first awards - The Musical Theatre Master Award and The Children and Art Award

SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES
We were honored to have two very special guests to pay tribute to our award recipients. Broadway actress Michele Ragusa (URINETOWN, RAGTIME, TITANIC), sang a sizzling rendition of "Blame it on the Summer Night," from Strouse's RAGS.

left to right: Priscilla and Michele Ragusa

16-year-old rising recording artist Priscila, wowed the crowd with her single, "Listen to the Young," as tribute to Bob McGrath.

P.I.E. Story Theatre also performed in tribute to Bob, and Founder Patrick Riviere sang a number from the new Rock-Opera Thriller PERFUME, in honor of Charles.

In addition to the awards presentation, guests were greeted with glasses of champagne and wine, a sumptuous buffet, and a silent auction that featured signed sports items, dinner theatre packages, gifts and the centerpiece item, a signed original watercolor by renowned artist Giovanni Bellia.

Our first cabaret brunch was a huge success as we presented six performances at Cafe Boulevard in Fort Lee, NJ on Sundays in July. Founder Patrick Riviere co-starred with two time Drama Circle Critic Award winner Kellie Johnson as patrons heard about the trials, tribulations and successes of these two veteran NYC performers.

The focus was of course the music and both performers were in strong voice as they sang songs from some of Broadway's most beloved musicals like: Man of LaMancha, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Grease, and Little Shop of Horrors.