Tony Award Nominee Stephanie J. Block Returns to Montclair State University to Headline Benefit for Autism New Jersey

MONTCLAIR, NJ— Tony award nominee, Stephanie J. Block, will be returning to Montclair State University to headline its fifth annual concert to benefit Autism New Jersey, which is set for Monday, April 11.  The event will again be held in the university’s Memorial Auditorium and run from 7:30-9:30 pm.  Don Ciccone, who sang the hit 60’s classic, “Mr. Dyingly Sad” and later joined The Four Seasons to sing “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” is also headlining, along with comedian Sunda Croonquist.  Proceeds from the event will go directly to Autism New Jersey.

Seventh grade musical prodigy Jodi DiPiazza, and students from Montclair State’s Musical Theater program fill out the program.  Hosting the show will be students from the Montclair State Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. 

Block received the 2013 Tony Award and Drama Desk nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood in the Roundabout Theatre’s production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.”  Other credits include the role of Reno Sweeney in the 2011 revival of “Anything Goes,” and “9 to 5: The Musical,” which earned Block a Drama Desk nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.   She created the roles of Grace O’Malley in “The Pirate Queen” and Liza Minelli in “The Boy From Oz” (opposite Hugh Jackman).    Block is probably best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway company of “Wicked.” 

Ciccone became the proverbial rock star when he wrote and sang lead for the mid-sixties rock group, The Critters, recording what WCBS-FM radio described as one of the top 100 love songs of the 1960s – “Mr. Dyingly Sad.”  In addition, the group had a hit with “Younger Girl.”  Later, Ciccone joined the Four Seasons and also sang lead vocals on “Who Loves You.”  After his stint with the Four Seasons, he joined Tommy James and the Shondells.        

Croonquist has headlined the previous Montclair State Autism New Jersey benefit events.  She can be seen every Wednesday night on JLTV’s “James and Sunda.”  She also hosts “Mother-tainment” on Radio Titans.com.  Additional credits include: “Law and Order,” “The Today Show”, “The Doctors” and Oprah’s OWN. She hosts Hollywood’s “All Star Comedy” at the World Famous Laugh Factory every Saturday night.

Jodi DiPiazza is a seventh grader at Midland School in Rochelle Park.  This year marks the fourth year she has participated in the PRSSA event.  She sang with actress Moira Kelly in the 2013 Autism NJ fundraiser, 2014 with Laura Benanti, and performed with Stephanie J. Block at last year’s benefit. DiPiazza performed with Katy Perry during the Comedy Central’s “Night of Too Many Stars” in 2012, and she most recently performed with Weird Al Yankovic on Comedy Central.

Autism New Jersey is the largest statewide network of parents and professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism and their families.   The nonprofit organization is committed to ensuring safe and fulfilling lives for individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them. Through awareness, credible information, education, and public policy initiatives, Autism New Jersey leads the way to lifelong individualized services provided with skill and compassion.

The Centers for Disease Control released a report showing 1 in 68 children nationally has an Autism Spectrum Disorder.  This newest estimate is based on the CDC’s evaluation of health and educational records of all 8-year-old children in 2010 in 11 states, including New Jersey.  New Jersey has the highest rates, with 1 in 45, 1 in 28 boys. The national rate marks an increase of 30% from the previous 1 in 88 statistic. 

The show will run from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-jersey-stars-performers-for-a-purpose-tickets-21460573152 for $15.  Montclair students, both current and alumni, can purchase tickets in advance through the School’s Office in Morehead Hall for $10, or purchase them at the door, with a student ID. 

The event is planned and promoted by the Montclair State University Public Relations Student Society of America, which won the 2006 United States Postal Service Executive Public Relations Challenge competition, performed public relations for 2006 and 2007 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, Lorena Ochoa, the fifth annual Andy Kaufman Award in 2010, the Curtain Call Award, and Hackensack University Medical Cancer Center.