Christine Ebersol and Lisa Lert of Furry Hearts Rescue
The first Annual Broadway FurBall starring Maplewood’s very own Christine Ebersole was held Monday night, November 10, at The Woodland.
The evening raised funds to benefit Furry Hearts Rescue, a Maplewood-based 510(c)3 non-profit organization that has implemented a TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) program — with the support of the Maplewood Township Committee — to reduce the town’s feral cat population.
Furry Hearts also provides medical care and food to abandoned and homeless cats and dogs and has found foster and permanent homes for neglected animals.
The organization relies solely on donations and the generous support of its volunteers. Furry Hearts accepts donations of crates, pet food, litter or monetary gifts. All donations are tax deductible.
Mayor DeLuca, Deputy Mayor Kathy Leventhal and Board of Health President and Committeewoman India Larrier were in attendance. Also on hand: Rose Reina Rosenbaum the President of the Coalition for Animals.
Broadway stars who live right here in Maplewood and South Orange performed to help the cause. Two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole was the headliner. The emcee for the night was comedian Erin Maguire who kept the audience laughing throughout. Accompanist Brandon Magid provided music for all of the stars who each sang a song that they would sing to — or about — their pets.
Performing that evening were:
- Becky Gulsvig, currently starring in Cinderella off Broadway, started the night off singing, “You’ve Got a Friend”
- Richard Todd Adams (Phantom of the Opera)
- Natalie Joy Johnson (Kinky Boots)
- Stephen Zinnato (Law and Order)
- Emily Rozek ((Wicked),
- Jim Ferris (The Lion King)
- Beth McCourt and Sean McCourt (Mary Poppins)
- Adrienne McKeown (Phantom of the Opera)
- Robert DuSold (Les Mis)
- Stephanie Kurtzuba (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Catering was provided by Cedar Ridge Cafe & Bakery.
All of the pets in the photos are available for adoption, including Tux the little white dog in several photos with Lisa Lert, the owner of Puppy Love and president of Furry Hearts.
Click on any photo to enjoy a slideshow of images from the event:
