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From the Morristown High School Theatre Program:

The award-winning Morristown High School Theatre Program is proud to present its spring musical production, Mary Poppins, a whimsical, family-favorite tale, with four performances running March 22 – 24, 2024.

Set in London, England, in 1910, Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible storytelling, unforgettable songs, and breathtaking dance numbers. Jane and Michael Banks scare off another nanny with their spoiled and impudent behavior, leaving their parents utterly hopeless. When the mysterious Mary Poppins arrives at the doorstep of the dysfunctional and disconnected Banks family seeking to be their new nanny, a magical journey of wonder, mayhem, and wit ensues.

Mary, with the help of a few friends, soon teaches everyone that with a spoonful of sugar, anything can happen if you let it. Don’t miss this SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS extravaganza!

MHS video promo for Mary Poppins:

Throughout the story of Mary Poppins, Mary also encourages the Banks children to appreciate everything in life, and she reminds them to look beyond themselves and care for others. The song Feed the Birds, in particular, emphasizes the importance of protecting and caring for birds and others in need.

In this spirit, MHS Theatre will partner this weekend with the Raptor Trust, a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization whose mission is to “provide free care and assistance to injured, sick, or orphaned wild birds… educate people about wild birds… and provide a humane example for others.”

As a part of this partnership, we will be collecting donations in the lobby at every show to benefit The Raptor Trust.

Here is a list of much needed supplies that their volunteers use daily with the animals that help to accomplish their mission.

You can also visit their Chewy Wish List or Amazon Wish List for easy and direct donations. If you are interested in learning more about The Raptor Trust or additional ways to support their mission, click here.

The play will feature two evening shows and two matinees:

? Friday, March 22 at 7:00 pm ? Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 pm ? Saturday, March 23 at 7:00 pm ? Sunday, March 24 at 2:00 pm

Tickets are $8 to $15 and can be purchased here.

“Laden with important life lessons, there’s something magical about Mary Poppins that brings a smile to all who experience her optimism for life,” shares Morristown High School Musical Director Stephanie Rubin.

“Mary Poppins’ magical and eccentric ways, like sliding up banisters, visiting talking shops, and conversing with animals, transforms the Banks family and makes them see the world in a whole new light. In addition, Mary Poppins is always there to help those in need, no matter the age, she teaches people how to be kind and helpful, and to always look out for others…a timeless message that is a good reminder for us all.”

Featured at Saturday and Sunday Matinees:

“A Spoonful of Sugar” Children’s Party with Mary Poppins and Bert!

From noon to 1pm Saturday and Sunday, young theater-goers can join the party and enjoy “Tea and Biscuits” while making kites and other fun activities. Photo opportunities will be available with select cast members. There is a $5 fee per child. Reserve your spot during checkout of your ticket purchase!

The Mary Poppins student cast, in order of appearance, includes:

Bert – Elliott Eck George Banks – Jackson Miller Winifred Banks – Allison Miller Jane Banks – Josie Gulisano Michael Banks – Ameila Corcoran Katie Nanna – Sajna Vel Policeman – Noah Potian Miss Lark – Sonia Meli* Admiral Boom – Joshua Crean Mrs. Brill – Abby Higgins Robertson Ay – Kevin Clark Mary Poppins – Julia Cama Park Keeper – Quincy Robinson* Neleus – Naina Slaughter* Queen Victoria – Felicity Sulkin* Bank Chairman – Ryan Snyder* Miss Smythe – Haven McGuinn* Von Hussler – Illan Onigman Northbrook – William Quiceno Bird Woman – Charlotte Cama* Mrs. Corry – Elizabeth Gillen* Fannie – Nina Gringeri* Annie – Brooks Seibold Valentine – Chris Miners Teddy Bear – Tessa Niznik Miss Punch – Selah Raphael Doll – Heather Sambrowski* Miss Andrew – Maggie McDermott Messenger – Johannes Dohl Doorman – Jack Garzon

Ensemble: Bridgette Nolan*, Brooks Seibold, Charlotte Cama*, Chris Miners, Davnette McNamara, Felicity Sulkin*, Haven McGuinn, Heather Sambrowski, Ilan Onigman, Jack Garzon, Johannes Dohl, Joshua Crean, Mila Elms, Miles Gorman, Naina Slaughter*, Naja Spence, Nina Gringeri*, Noah Potian, Quincy Robinson*, Ryan Snyder, Sanjna Vel*, Selah Raphael, Sonia Meli*, Tessa Niznik, William Quiceno *Denotes Featured Dancers

Pit Orchestra: Ben Furman, Chase Hancock, Derrick Delson, Elias Diringer, Elise Hinrichs, Garret Gregor, Hannah Cochran, Jonathan Crysler, Matthew Bozza, Matthew Collins, Nina Guastavsen, Olivia Gustavsen, Pedro Guillen, Sofia Rodriguez Caussade, Skye Romano, Samantha Seibold, Vivienne MacBain

The musical also features a student-run crew that has transformed the stage into an elaborate London-themed set. The costume team will help outfit over 30 roles with multiple costume changes, a hair and makeup team that works with the full cast, including chimney ashes, and a front-of-the-house team that helps to get theatergoers excited to experience the magical adventure.

About the Morristown High School Theatre Program:

The Morristown High School Theatre Program is an award-winning program that prides itself on engaging students in all aspects of the theatrical production process. As a student-run production, Mary Poppins highlights the students’ talents, including cast performers, instrumentalists, scenic art, build crew, lighting, sound, costumes, hair and makeup, publicity, and direction.

Recent recognition for the Morristown High School Theatre Program includes:

? 2023 Bergen PAC High School Musical Awards for Cinderella – Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Orchestral Performance, Outstanding Ensemble ? 2023 Bergen PAC High School Musical Awards Nomination for Cinderella – Outstanding Overall Musical ? 2023 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Nomination for Cinderella – Outstanding Performance by a Featured Ensemble Member, Charlotte Cama; Student Achievement Award for Student Director, Ava Zappulla; Educational Impact and Theatre for Everyone Inclusion and Access, Charlotte Eriksen ? 2023 Montclair State’s Theatre Night Nominations for She Kills Monsters – Outstanding Achievement by a Student Costume Technician, Natalie Rosenthal; Outstanding Achievement in Stage Combat, Mr. George LaVigne; Outstanding Achievement By An Actress In a Sci-Fi Play, Shannon Burns; Outstanding Achievement By An Acting Ensemble In A Sci-Fi Play, Mr. George LaVigne; Outstanding Production Of A Sci-Fi Play – Mr. George LaVigne ? 2023 Montclair State’s Theatre Night Winner for Something Rotten– The Jo Anne Fox Award Newcomer Director, Ms. Stephanie Rubin ? 2023 Montclair State’s Theatre Night Nominations for Something Rotten – Outstanding Achievement by an Actor in a Period Musical, Johnny Mustion; Outstanding Achievement by an Actress in a Period Musical, Julia Cama; Outstanding Production of a Period Musical; Outstanding Achievement in Direction of a Musical, Ms. Stephanie Rubin ? 2022 Paper Mill Playhouse Student Achievement Awards for Something Rotten ? 2022 MHS Theatre Student and Directors recognized with 11 Rising Star Award Nominations for Something Rotten ? NJ State Theatre Foxy Award Nominations for Harvey including The Jo Anne Fox Award, Best Actor & Actress in a Period Comedy, Best Acting Ensemble Period Comedy, Best Overall production of Period Comedy

MORRISTOWN, NJ - The New Jersey School Counselor Association has honored Morristown High School Counselor Monica Tate-Melendez as the 2024 Counselor of the County for Morris County.

"I am honored to be selected for this prestigious recognition, however I view this as an acknowledgment of the collective work of our department", said Tate-Melendez. "As a School Counselor at Morristown High School, it is my belief to meet students where they are while encouraging them to think about what is next. Our students are constantly creating and innovating, so to support their growth and initiatives makes each day rewarding."

Candidates are selected for the Counselor of the County Award at their county level school counselor associations. According to the NJSCA, the counselors were selected because of their "ability to deliver an effective school counseling program which focuses on academic development, career counseling and personal/social support. They further distinguish themselves by proving to be leaders of systemic change, advocates for students and collaborative professionals who seek the success of the whole student in school and in life".

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Reflecting on her job at MHS, Tate-Melendez said, "the best part of my job is collaborating with my colleagues to bring our programs to life".

On of those programs is the "Be the First" program which is designed to empower First-Generation College Students to step outside their comfort zone and own the steps in their college/career search. According to Tate-Melendez, each week, School Counselors present a variety of topics from creating a college list to how to explore career goals.

"Working in this environment means opportunities for each of us to grow while supporting the needs of our students", she stated.

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3-minute read

Morristown's downtown district has been transformed by development in recent years, from the M Station residential and commercial complex to a new Valley National Bank headquarters.

On Tuesday, the 1 million-square-foot office, retail and hotel center that still functions as the town's largest single taxpayer announced its own makeover. That complex, long known as Headquarters Plaza, announced it was shortening its name to HQ Plaza, as the owners unveiled a $7 million renovation of its mall concourse and other portions of a property first opened in 1982.

New York-based Fisher Development Associates partnered with the Olnick Organization to build the plaza four decades ago. The two companies still jointly own the property and will team with the Morristown architectural firm Gensler for the latest renovations.

"We’re proud to work with Gensler to invigorate HQ Plaza as we apply a modern, energetic aesthetic to the development,” Fisher Associates principal partner Brian Fisher said during the presentation, held in a Hyatt ballroom. “The new design centers around providing our tenants with access to contemporary workspaces, thoughtfully-curated hospitality, entertainment and the finest dining that Morris County has to offer."

The plan follows an already completed $25 million in renovations at the property, mainly at the 256-room Hyatt Regency hotel.

"HQ Plaza is a centerpiece of one of the most desirable suburban downtowns in the state,” added Olnick President Seth Schochet.

HQ Plaza revamp focuses on mall

Described by the principals as an "office, hospitality and retail complex," the plaza currently includes 650,000 square feet of Class A office space in three towers, 100,000 square feet of retail space, the Hyatt Regency Morristown, a 40,000-square-foot Crunch health club, a 10-screen AMC theater and several restaurants, all atop a 3,000-space parking garage.

Most aspects of the plaza have been successful, but the mall, hidden from public view within the complex, never took off.

"It was just kind of there," Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty said. "Times change. Morristown has changed. Now Fisher and Olnick are stepping up to renovate the inside of this mall. It's exciting to see the organization investing in Morristown."

A new "open-concept area" in the mall concourse with brighter lighting, wood flooring and carpeting, conference rooms and seating areas for guests are all part of the renovation. Exteriors along the ground floor will get a facelift as well.

The new HQ Plaza will be "infused with daylight," Gensler project director Rene Cruz said of the mall-space makeover. "The space will become a destination with a host of amenities and offerings that can support a variety of events and space for collaboration."

The 50,000-square-foot outdoor Pioneer Plaza has already been upgraded and now includes a stage platform for live music and other events.

More:Morristown Onstage fundraiser returns Feb. 29. See the finalists for annual Mayo PAC show

New 'restaurant row'

The owners said the renovations have already attracted 14 new tenants who have leased 100,000 square feet of space in the last year.

HQ Plaza also has new leases with three restaurants: Sushi Lounge, Parkside Tavern and Masseria by Joe Cetrulo. These eateries will occupy HQ Plaza's retail space located along Speedwell Avenue, creating a new downtown "restaurant row," according to the owners.

“The abundance of forthcoming restaurant and retail offerings will continue to enhance this stretch of Speedwell Avenue, bolstering Morristown’s profile while also facilitating convenience for our office tenants," Schochet said.

Urban renewal project

Before becoming the centerpiece of redevelopment for a previous generation in Morristown, the Headquarters Plaza property was earmarked for an urban renewal project that began in 1968.

Demolition of the former buildings there began in 1970, but when the original developer went bankrupt, the lot was little more than a hole in the ground for years before the principals of Headquarters Plaza stepped in with a new plan.

“The evolution of this development is a foundational part of our strategy to elevate Morristown as a premier corporate and residential destination," Dougherty said.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Redevelopment continues at a brisk pace in Morristown. The latest milestone arrived this week as developers celebrated the "topping out" of the final phase of construction at the M Station project in the downtown area.

A lynchpin of Morristown's ongoing redevelopment plan − which brought a new Valley National Bank headquarters to town last year − M Station consists of two buildings on Morris Street, about a block from the Morristown Green and near the New Jersey Transit station.

Professional services company Deloitte currently occupies the 6-story M Station East, which was completed in July 2022. The accounting firm brought almost 1,500 employees from its previous location in Parsippany. Pharma giant Sanofi, meanwhile, has signed a lease to occupy the seven-story M Station West and move 1,900 employees from its Bridgewater offices when construction is completed in the first quarter of 2025.

On Thursday, M Station builder SJP Properties, in partnership with Scotto Properties, announced the "topping out" of M Station West, referring to the completion of the building's steel infrastructure

"The topping out of M Station West is a landmark moment in redefining the modern workplace across New Jersey,” said Steve Pozycki, CEO of Parsippany-based SJP. “State-of-the-art, vertically integrated buildings are attracting the most influential corporations in the world. Sanofi joins Deloitte and Valley Bank, which celebrated its grand opening at our new Speedwell Avenue property this fall."

Sanofi moved "from a sprawling, multi-building suburban campus," the announcement said. Valley National Bank, meanwhile, traded in its longtime home in Wayne for a building near the Morristown Green that features retail shops on the ground level, with the bank's 660 employees occupying the five floors above.

"These tenants are turning to SJP for property solutions in amenity-rich locations with unrivaled aesthetics and the most advanced infrastructures ever built in the state,” said Pozycki.

Parsippany's $1.2M view:Drone video shows big development with luxury villas taking shape

When completed, the M Station complex will include a 1,000-car parking structure with EV stations, a landscaped rooftop with wellness areas for yoga and outdoor movement classes and ground-floor retail and dining, according to the developers.

Both M Station buildings are set back 45 feet from Morris Street, creating a 10,000-square-foot landscaped promenade and two public plazas with seating.

The project is a piece of the town's redevelopment master plan. Town officials said that once completed, the area should generate about $1 million in annual tax revenue, about 4½ times more than what the owners currently pay. The new complex replaced the Midtown Shopping Center, displacing businesses such as Burger King, Cluck-U-Chicken and the Morris Pizzeria. Cluck-U-Chicken has since relocated to South Street.

As part of the M Station plan, Morristown also constructed a roundabout to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Morris and Spring streets between M Station and the Morristown Green. Redevelopment area bonds were issued to cover the $3.5 million cost, Morristown Administrator Jillian Barrick said in 2022, when construction began.

"I am thrilled to welcome Sanofi to its new headquarters in Morristown," Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty said in Wednesday's announcement. "SJP and Scotto Properties have successfully executed our vision of a project, which would invigorate our business district, attract leading-edge companies and reinforce our position as one of the top towns in the country to live and work.”

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

When the people who wanted to build the new entertainment venue called The Backyard approached Morristown officials, they described it as a restaurant, not a nightclub.

The Walsh family, who owns several entertainment venues in the area, proposed a two-story restaurant with seasonal dining in the backyard and a heated front patio that would serve as a meeting place and a fun dining spot.

“It’s to create an environment that feels like a comfortable outdoor backyard,” with barbecues, cornhole games, birthday parties and other special events, Walsh said.

According to Morristown Green, residents of Morristown are not so sure.

"The Backyard" Morristown's newest establishment proposal, is planned for39 South St.

Morristown's official Instagram describes it like this:

"Picture this: a sprawling haven reminiscent of your favorite backyard gatherings, from food trucks, to outdoor games, to happy hours and more."

It’s slated to be an upscale downstairs bar and an upstairs sanctuary under a retractable roof.

Great for stargazing as well as for enjoying sunny New Jersey days. Sounds amazing, right? Some residents aren’t so thrilled. The town meets tonight to give their stamp of approval/disapproval.

It remains to be seen how the residents of Morristown will feel about the new place.

Reactions vary from “Oh come on!!! another bar??”

To “We NEED something like this to liven up the place!”

I think a lot of places are having to reinvent themselves to be relevant. Morristown has lost so many retail establishments that whatever works rather than a vacant space sounds like a good idea.

The Backyard looks to me to be a great spot for finding entertainment in Morristown. But then again, I don’t live there.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco only.

You can now listen to Dennis & Judi — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite best friends anytime, anywhere and any day of the week. Download the Dennis & Judi show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.