METUCHEN — The March 3 event featuring actor and writer Andrew McCarthy will be at the First Presbyterian Church, 270 Woodbridge Ave., instead of at the Forum Theatre, where it was originally slated.
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 McCarthy’s book for sale.