Be More Chill faves back at Two River; Cabaret for Life announces season

"Be More Chill" is coming home — with some new works in tow.

Joe Iconis and friends will headline a benefit at Two River Theater in Red Bank next month.

Iconis wrote "Be More Chill" with Joe Tracz, and its cast recording has been streamed more than 90 million times since the show premiered at Two River in 2015.

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"Be More Chill" will play a limited run off-Broadway this summer, producers announced last week. Previews begin at Pershing Square Signature Center on July 26. Visit bemorechillmusical.com for more information.

Iconis and Tracz are working on a new musical as a Two River commission. Iconis' other works include the hit song "Broadway, Here I Come" from "Smash" and the musicals "Love in Hate Nation," "Broadway Bounty Hunter" and "Bloodsong of Love."

The benefit promises "a combination of rock ‘n’ roll jamboree and musical cabaret" and will include classic songs, new works and works in progress. It will feature performances by some of Iconis' closest collaborators, including Liz Lark Brown, Alexandra Ferrara, Danielle Gimbal, Eric William Morris, George Salazar and Lauren Marcus (original cast members of "Be More Chill" who will appear in the off-Broadway run), Jared Weiss and Jason SweetTooth Williams, among other guests to be announced.

The evening is directed by John Simpkins,

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The evening, set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, benefits Two River's programs for the development of new musical theater.

Tickets, $60 to $250, are on sale now. Call 732-345-1400 or visit tworivertheater.org. $90 tickets include a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. for patrons older than 21. $250 tickets include the reception and dinner following the performance.

Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. Contact Katie Benson at 732-345-1400, ext. 1817, or kbenson@trtc.org.

CFL 2018 Season Schedule

Cabaret for Life has announced its 2018 season lineup, kicking off with a collaborative concert of Leonard Bernstein favorites at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal.

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Cabaret for Life is a non-profit dedicated to supporting service organizations that help people coping with life-threatening diseases, especially HIV/AIDS and cancer, through the production of musical theater.

"A Time For Us: The Leonard Bernstein Centennial" features the Monmouth Civic Chorus and a full orchestra, plus CFL Heather Varley, Ken Wasser, Jenna Bitow, Jake Shatsky, Zach Miller and Mason Kugelman and four guest artists, countertenor Logan Tanner, tenor Jordan Pitts Weatherston and sopranos Andrea Del Guidice and Claire Leyden.

The concert is set 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, and 4 p.m. Sunday, April 22. CFL is offering center section seats for $50, with 100 percent of the ticket price going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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CFL is marking its 10th season of performances at Tim McLoone's Supper Club in Asbury Park. The lineup includes:

June 13 - Jarrod Scott & Friends, to benefit The Center in Asbury Park

June 28 - Bethe Burns singing the Peggy Lee Songbook, to benefit Kick Cancer Overboard

July 18 & 26 - Felix Truex in his 10th annual show, to benefit JSUMC Children's Hospital

Aug. 22 & 29 - "Housewives of Monmouth County, Season 9" to support the Valerie Center at Monmouth Medical Center

Sept. 6 - Samantha Saya & Friends, to support our CFL's John C. Rodriguez Scholarship. The JCR Scholarship is available to all high school seniors going to college for the arts; applications due May 25. Visit the CFL website for details.

Tickets for the Axelrod concert and McLoone's Supper Club shows are on sale now. Call 877-235-8587 for tickets, or visit cabaretforlife.org for more information.

Whole Foods supports local arts

Whole Foods locations in Wall and Middletown will donate 5 percent of their net sales on Thursday, April 19, to the FilmOneFest and Atlantic Highlands Arts Council.

The FilmOneFest, a production of the Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, is a free festival that this year will be from 6 to 11 p.m. on July 21 on the great lawn of the Atlantic Highlands Marina. In addition to more than 45 short films, it also includes family-friendly entertainment, live music, and arts and food vendors.

In addition to its ongoing support for the FilmOneFest, Whole Foods helps support "free summer art classes, Teen Open Studio and exhibitions promoting student talent from local schools."

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In a new partnership with Monmouth University, FilmOneFest will be offering free events for filmmakers, including the 24-hour Film Slam competition and the popular FilmYoungFest, an 18-and-under student film festival.

“We are pleased to be working so closely with Whole Foods Market these past years,” said FilmOneFest Managing Director Corinna Thuss. “They are community-focused and enthusiastic partners in supporting local events like ours.”

Blankets and beach chairs are encouraged at the film fest, as well as food pantry donations. For more details, visit filmonefest.org, or like FilmOneFest on Facebook.

Have a fundraiser or event coming up that relates to the stage? Tell us about it. Email ikeller@gannettnj.com, call 732-643-4260 or connect on Twitter @ilanakeller