LUIS FERRA
AARON LAZAR
A few days into rehearsals for the 2022 run of the musical “The Bridges of Madison County” at The Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal, leading man Aaron Lazar found out he had been diagnosed with the progressive neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. He told his co-star Kate Baldwin, who was an old friend, and director Hunter Foster, but others working on the show, and those attending performances, knew nothing about it.
Since then, the Cherry Hill native has not just gone public with his struggle, but has started a video podcast series, “Impossible Dreams,” which features “meaningful conversations about resilience, healing, and the human spirit,” according to a description on adamlazar.com. He also has released a Grammy-nominated album, Impossible Dream, devoted to inspirational songs and featuring guests such as Baldwin, Josh Groban, Sting, Kelli O’Hara, Neil Patrick Harris and Leslie Odom Jr.; proceeds benefit The ALS Network.
On Aug. 31, Baldwin will host “Extraordinary: Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar,” a benefit concert at The Bell Theater at Bell Works in Holmdel, with Foster directing and Nate Patten serving as musical director. Participants will include Norbert Leo Butz, Miguel Cervantes, Victoria Clark, Katie Rose Clarke, Mandy Gonzalez, Marc Kudisch, Kara Lindsay, Michael Minarik, Christiane Noll, Jessica Phillips, Bryce Pinkham, Scarlett Strallen and Tony Yazbeck. Also, the Axelrod cast of “The Bridges of Madison County” will reunite.
Tickets will go on sale July 24 at 10 a.m.; visit axelrodarts.org. There will also be information on the web site about how fans can stream the concert, and donate.
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