Author: Jennifer Jones

Jennifer Jones is an award-winning performer recognized worldwide for her groundbreaking accomplishments and equal rights advocacy in the arts. She's part of an exclusive, legendary group of inspirational trailblazers who've transcended racial barriers, a unique honor that comes along once every generation. In 1987, Jennifer Jones became the first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette, making her the first black female performer since the New York City troupe’s 1932 establishment to be honored with the distinction. Her RCMH Rockette national debut was in 1988 during the Super Bowl XXII Halftime Show. Jones' revolutionary milestone abolished a longstanding Radio City Music Hall policy against hiring African Americans for its Rockettes' chorus line so as not to distract from its hallmark of perfectly synchronized precision and rigid color uniformity. By transcending the racial barrier, Jones ushered-in a transformative, modern era for the RCMH Rockettes, among others: in 1989, she was crowned Miss Morris County Pageant Queen in her native New Jersey as its first African American champion. During her penultimate year rostering at the RCMH Rockettes, she performed in the ensemble of the 2001 Broadway revival of 42nd Street, which won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. As a Tony Award-winning performer, Jones’ courageous, defiant legacy has continued to inspire noble causes. In 2016, she was honored by the Harlem School of the Arts with a world premiere tribute written and directed by Aubrey Lynch II. The Harlem City Music Hall Dance Spectacular was an emblematic parable of how Jones overcame adversity through pure determination, bravery, hard work, and talent. Jones is currently writing a memoir in an ongoing commitment to share her milestones with a broad global community. As one of this era's most inspirational figures, she's also written a children’s book that will be released by HarperCollins in the fall of 2022. Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden has also acknowledged her revolutionary feat in February of 2021. Jones is also a colorectal cancer survivor. She speaks openly and publicly about her cancer battle. She an staunch advocate for colon screenings, which are now at the age of 45 and early detection.
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Review: Pitch-Perfect Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” at Paper Mill Playhouse

(Above: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Belinda Allyn as Belle. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade) Millburn, New Jersey---Disney's adored, unforgettable tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast, opened on Sunday night at Paper Mill Playhouse in a triple-threat of enchantment, charm, and polish. If you missed my photo recap from the evening, …

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Q&A with Actress Tatiana Wechsler

(Photo: Sub/Urban Photography, Makeup/Hair: Alex Rivera) Meet Tatiana Wechsler! She’s a talented, charismatic actress who commands the stage with great personality, and melds into her roles with naturalistic charm and grace, a megawatt smile, and a lovely voice! I recently discovered her at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, where she’s currently performing as …

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Let Love In: Benny & Joon’s (& Sam’s) Big-Hearted East Coast Premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse

(Above: Benny & Joon at Paper Mill Playhouse; Bryce Pinkham as Sam; photo by Jerry Dalia.) Millburn, New Jersey -- Knock, knock! Who's there? Sam! Sam who? Sam person who knocked on the door last time! Listen up: if Sam comes knocking, let him in! (Above: Benny & Joon: Hannah Elless as Joon and Bryce …

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Fighting Colon Cancer Through Awareness: March Fourth 5K and Family Fitness Day

This morning, as a survivor of colon cancer, I participated in the second annual March Fourth 5K and Family Fitness Day . At the event, I chatted with reporter Hilary Lane for News 12 New Jersey. Watch the video here! In addition to activities that recognize March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, the event …

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