Tony Award Nominee Stephanie J. Block To Headline Montclair State University Benefit For Autism New Jersey

Joins Comedian Sunda Croonquist, Mentalist Manlow, Musical Prodigy Jodi DiPiazza, and MSU Musical Theater Students in Fourth Annual PRSSA Event. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) April 09, 2015 - MONTCLAIR, NJ - Tony award nominee Stephanie J. Block will headline Montclair State University's fourth annual concert to benefit Autism New Jersey, set to take place in Memorial Auditorium on Monday, May 4. The event will also star comic Sunda Croonquist, 12-year-old musical prodigy Jodi DiPiazza, mentalist Manlow, and students from Montclair State's Musical Theater program. Hosting the show will be students from the Montclair State and Fairleigh Dickinson Public Relations Student Society of America chapters. The money raised from the evening will help Autism New Jersey provide education and support for teachers and other professionals responsible for educating and caring for children and adults with autism.

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."

Ms. Block is also an accomplished soloist. She has sung with numerous symphony orchestras including the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, Boston Pops, National Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Marvin Hamlisch), Dallas Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Charlotte Symphony and the Cleveland Pops among many others. Her solo concert has been critically acclaimed and continues to sell out throughout the US and in London.

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.

Mentalist Manlow has been performing for 30 years, appearing on the "Regis and Kathy Lee Show," "That's Incredible," and "PM Magazine" to name a few. He has performed in nightclubs and organizations, and his memory enhancement seminars have been offered to thousands of university students around the country.

Jodi DiPiazza is a seventh grader at Midland School in Rochelle Park. This year marks the third year she has participated in the PRSSA event. She sang with actress Moira Kelly in the 2013 Autism NJ fundraiser and performed with Laura Benanti last year. 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://performersforapurpose.eventbrite.com for $15. Montclair students, both current and alumni, can purchase tickets in advance through the Communication 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. The Fairleigh Dickinson University PRSSA was chartered in 2012. It cohosted the first Autism New Jersey benefit event in 2012. The Fairleigh Dickinson PRSSA chapter was created in 2012.

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