SAYREVILLE — A special event on July 24 will honor a man whose impact on the borough’s Main Street Theatre Company will live on.
“Vic Morosco: A Celebration of Life” will highlight the many ways that Vic Morosco transformed the theater, from roles he played on stage to his role off stage as founder and director of the Main Street Theatre Academy, an educational theater program for children. Morosco passed away April 26 at the age of 74.
Morosco was a seasoned actor, having been active in theater for a quarter century. Throughout his theater career, Morosco took on roles in a variety of shows, most notably “Anything Goes,” “1776,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Sugar Babies.”
“He just had a natural way about the stage,” Main Street company member Kevin Gunther said.
Morosco had spent the last 17 years with Main Street, which he had called “the bestkept secret in Sayreville.” He was a founding member of the theater, and at the time of his passing he was serving as its artistic director. Morosco also was a huge promoter of the theater, Gunther said.
According to his obituary, Morosco also did commercial modeling and appeared on “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” a television show on A&E. He also won, among other awards, the 2006 NJ ACT Lifetime Achievement Award.
As founder and director of the Main Street Academy, Gunther said, Morosco was able to pass on his theater knowledge to a new generation of performers — youngsters. “Vic was big into education,” Gunther said. “He liked to share that knowledge with others.”
“Vic Morosco: A Celebration of Life,” which will run between an hour and a half and two hours, will feature video, pictures, inspirational poetry and performances, Gunther said.
A special part of the show will feature a unique duet — a recording of Morosco singing an original song by Gunther called “Once anAngel” with Main Street company member Maggie Bera, who will be singing live, Gunther said.
In addition, Gunther said he anticipates the show will feature a scene from “Once on This Island Jr.,” because Morosco had been slated to direct the children’s performance. Local performer Patsy Palma also will be singing various standards. However, Gunther added, details were still being finalized for the show, so various elements are subject to change.
While the performances for the show have yet to be finalized, the evening promises to be a special way to remember a man who was a colleague to some, a teacher to others, and a friend to many. “He considered the theater a family,” Gunther said.
Tickets to “Vic Morosco: A Celebration of Life” are free, but reservations are required by calling 732-553-1153. The theater is located at 3018 Bordentown Ave. Donations also are being accepted for the Vic Morosco Fund.