METUCHEN — Actor and writer Andrew McCarthy will be coming to Metuchen for a meet-and-greet and author presentation on March 3 at the Forum Theatre, 314 Main St.
Readers may remember McCarthy as the preppy heartthrob Blane McDonnagh in “Pretty in Pink,” but these days, the New Jersey native is better known for writing words than acting them out.
He is an editor-at-large at National Geographic Traveler magazine, and has written for The Atlantic, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and others. He is a recipient of awards from both the Society of American Travel Writers and North American Travel Journalists Association, and has been cited three times for notable work in the “Best American Travel Writing” series.
McCarthy will read from his travel memoir, “The Longest Way Home: One Man’s Quest for the Courage to Settle Down,” which reveals his personal relationships and experiences through his trip to some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic places.
The meet-and-greet will begin at 1 p.m., when guests can speak personally with the author, enjoy hors d’oeuvres courtesy of LaRosa’s Pizzeria and purchase a copy of the book to be autographed.
The presentation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., and will include McCarthy reading from his book, as well as a video of his travels, a question-and-answer session, a talk about his experiences and a book signing. Books will be available for purchase at the theater.
Tickets are $12 for the presentation only, $40 for one ticket to the presentation and meet-and-greet, and $75 for two tickets to both events. Tickets can be purchased online at FOTML.org, or in person at Marafiki Fair Trade, 20 New St., Metuchen, or the Metuchen Public Library, 40 Middlesex Ave., both of which have copies of Mc- Carthy’s book for sale. If available, tickets will also be sold at the Forum Theatre on March 3.
While the Forum Theatre is the confirmed venue for the author presentation, it is only the tentative venue for the meet-andgreet. Registrants will be contacted in advance to confirm.
The events were organized by the Friends of the Metuchen Library (FOTML), with sponsorship from Optique Unique, Marafiki Fair Trade, Metuchen Travel and the Metuchen Branch YMCA. The YMCA has donated a full-family membership that will be raffled off at the author presentation.
All proceeds from the events will benefit the Metuchen Public Library, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Since its founding, the FOTML has raised more than $300,000 for the library. FOTML membership dues continue to be $5 per individual and $10 per family; the group also accepts donations in any amount.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the FOTML or supporting its fundraising efforts can stop by the front desk of the library, visit fotml.org or enter through the link on the town’s home page at metuchennj.org/library_ friends.html. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly toward supporting the Metuchen Public Library.