Millburn Short Hills September 2025 by Wainscot Media

Millburn & Short Hills

MAKING FITNESS FUN FOR ALL AGES

GREATEST HITS ROCKTOBERFEST IS BACK

Cody Braverman

STARS IN HOUSE OF MCQUEEN

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Ready to Rocktoberfest

Going on a decade now, Millburn’s fan-favorite local music festival is gearing up for another year of food, fun, and of course, fantastic music.

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AFALL IN FOCUS

AS THE AIR starts to take on that morning crispness and the leaves begin to glimmer with the rich colors ahead, we bid farewell to summer with our September issue. As always, we are thrilled to bring you a collection of inspiring stories.

We hope you enjoy our look back at the heyday of local dinner clubs such as Chanticler in Millburn and The Arch in Short Hills, both of which conjure a time of glamour, live entertainment, martinis, and a social scene that was as much about the show as it was about

the food. Who doesn’t pine for a bit of that enchanting old-world vibe?

We delve further into history as we shine a light on the charming Far Brook School campus and mission, which have occupied a unique place in the town’s educational landscape for more than 75 years.

It is an honor to feature the talented Cody Braverman on our cover. Cody is taking on an exciting new role as the young Alexander McQueen in a new off-Broadway production titled House of McQueen, which is sure to take audiences through the many layers of the designer’s life.

As we savor the last days of good weather, don’t miss our feature on this year’s Rocktoberfest, celebrating its tenth anniversary and set to rock the community with show-stopping acts and local favorites.

Thank you for being part of our journey and allowing us to be part of yours. Every story idea you send is greatly appreciated, so please keep them coming. We’re looking forward to a fabulous fall!

Reach out to us anytime at marylima@ millburnandshorthills.com and editor@ millburnandshorthills.com.

Warm regards,

Mary Lima Publisher

Millburn & Short Hills

MAGAZINE

Publisher

Mary Lima

Editor and Lead Writer

Eve Golden

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Art Director

Rosemary O’Connell

Executive Editor

Elaine Paoloni Quilici

Associate Editor

Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Millburn & Short Hills magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Millburn and Short Hills, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Many Hands Make Light Work

BY STEVE GRILLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EXPLORE MILLBURN-SHORT HILLS

AS WE EMBARK on our sixth year of operation, the Explore team is proud to recognize the incredible network of volunteers and partner organizations that help us serve the community. Their time, talents, and collaboration are the foundation of everything we do.

It all begins with our Board of Directors and Advisory Committee—an inspiring group of business and property owners, community leaders, and residents who help guide our mission. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our work would quite literally not be possible without these dedicated individuals who help shape our plans, bring our events to life, and evaluate our service portfolio.

Beyond our leadership, we’re fortunate

to work with many volunteers on special events and unique projects throughout the year. Whether it’s Girls Night Out, public art installations, or Town Hall Plaza, our partners and volunteers bring energy and creativity to every initiative. A small, but important example of this is a placemaking effort at Short Hills Station. Explore worked with the Millburn for Climate Action for the Environment and installed six planters with native pollinators. These planters are a beautiful and functional part of the township’s pollinator program.

In 2024, we spearheaded our largest community partnership to date: Millwheels 2024, a public art project that brought together more than a dozen local

organizations. Each group created its own unique design for decorative millwheels, now installed throughout town, including in the Millburn Art Alley. Participants included the Korean Parents Organization (KPO) & Millburn Korean School, Millburn Short Hills Desi Club, Chinese Association of Millburn-Short Hills, Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary, Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, The Neighbors of MSH, Muslims of Millburn and Short Hills (MoMaSH), and Neighborhood House Nursery School. Additionally, Chris Kurzyna, co-owner of Goldberg’s World Famous Deli has volunteered his time and skills to develop new art pieces in the Art Alley including the new piece for 2025, “When We Choose Love.”

We also rely on community members to help promote local businesses and champion our mission. Our Executive Director volunteers his time as a board member of the Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce, and we partner with them on a frequent basis. We also collaborate with groups like Millburn Mamas and Minis and the Millburn Autism Alliance to build meaningful partnerships and business promotions.

Looking ahead, Explore is working with Paper Mill Playhouse on an exciting digital marketing campaign aimed at attracting New York theatergoers to Millburn and spotlighting our local businesses. We’re

also collaborating with the Cultural Engagement, Diversity and the Arts Committee (CEDA) and the MillburnShort Hills Historical Society as the township prepares to celebrate both the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Every project we undertake is made stronger through partnership, and we are so grateful to everyone who contributes to our mission. With your continued support, we look forward to another year of community building, creative placemaking, and making Millburn-Short Hills an even better place to live, work, and visit.

Explore Millburn-Short Hills is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization established to support and promote the businesses throughout the five areas of the Special Improvement District that was established in 2020. Explore organizes numerous events, musical performances, educational programs, and networking events. The organization is also responsible for various public art and streetscaping projects in the town including the Millburn Art Alley and Town Hall Plaza.

Opposite page: New installations in the Millburn Art Alley in Downtown: a poem and millwheels.

Above: Millburn for Climate Action received funding from Explore Millburn-Short Hills to install six planters near the Short Hills Train Station. Photograph courtesy of Radhika Iyengar.

The Night the Music Never Stopped

A toast to timeless elegance: Remembering Chanticler and The Arch restaurants.

BY EVE GOLDEN

IT’S 1935, AND your Packard’s headlights sweep across the circular drive of Chanticler as you arrive for an evening that promises to stretch well past midnight. The eager valet takes your keys—he’s seen you here before—drawn back to this magical place at 500 Millburn Ave. where every night feels like New Year’s Eve. William E. Naue built more than a restaurant when he transformed the old Wellington-Campbell house into “The Ultimate in Supper Clubs.” He created a world where time moved differently, where the weight of the Depression lifted the moment you stepped through the doors and heard Frank Crum’s Orchestra tuning up for another unforgettable evening.

Opposite page: The Golden Era at Chanticler: A 1960s wedding; This page, top: (January 1975): Vice President Nelson Rockefeller greets guests in a receiving line at a fundraising dinner; Bottom:

DANCING UNDER THE STARS

Postcards of the day read: “When you are passing, drop in and ask for ‘Werner’, our head waiter, who will be glad to show you CHANTICLER. We’ll be looking for you,” Naue would say, and he meant every word. This was the era when hospitality was personal, when Werner knew exactly how you liked your gin fizz and could spot your favorite table from across the room. The Serpentine Bar, unveiled on Halloween 1934, became the stuff of legend. Modernist curves gleaming in red and gold, several hundred guests packed elbowto-elbow during the inaugural cocktail hour from 2 to 6 p.m. The jazz age might have been waning, but at Chanticler, the party was just getting started.

By December 1935, Naue had purchased the entire six-acre estate, expanding Chanticler into something extraordinary. The new dance room could hold 600 people, but somehow it never felt crowded. This was where Gloria Swanson swept across the dance floor and where future Governor Nelson Rockefeller held court at private receptions. The beauty was that it didn’t feel exclusive in a cold, untouchable way. For $5.75, you could order the finest filet mignon and feel like royalty yourself.

guests arrive to white-glove valet service.

LOCAL TASTES

RETRO REFRESHMENT

Gin Fizz

An excerpt from Chanticler’s “A Recipe Guide of Famous Cocktails,” 1935 by WM. E. Naue

One jigger gin

Half spoon sugar

Juice of one lemon

Three ice cubes

Strain into bar glass

Fill up with Vichy

Sloe Gin may be added for Gin

Add white of egg for Silver Fizz

Add yolk of egg for Golden Fizz

Add a whole egg for Royal Fizz

MID-CENTURY MODERN MAGIC

By Dec. 30, 1956. The Eisenhower era was at its peak, and Millburn-Short Hills was ready for something new. The Arch opened its doors on Morris Turnpike with all the optimism of postwar America, promising to be “the last word in restaurants.” Silvio Orlando, who had learned the hospitality trade at Chanticler, now managed the new venue; the name itself told the story— built just east of the Old Stone Arch where Morris Turnpike passed beneath the Lackawanna Railroad, it was a bridge between the romantic past and the sophisticated future.

Architect Emil A. Schmidlin, who would later create the futuristic 1964 Formica World’s Fair House, poured his vision into The Arch’s 10,000 square feet. The $250,000 investment created “the most exclusive rendezvous yet to be devised for the whole area”—a subterranean escape where diners sipped martinis beneath vaulted ceilings, relaxed in an expansive

lounge with an intimate side bar, all while trains rumbled overhead. The stunning indoor gardens made you forget where you were, transporting you to a sleek hideaway.

THE LAST DANCE

By April 1976, the world had changed. The Arch transferred its liquor license to Benihana, and suddenly, continental cuisine gave way to tableside hibachi shows. Not necessarily better or worse—just different, marking the end of an era when dinner was theater and every meal was a production. As we scroll through restaurant apps and debate between takeout options, it’s worth remembering Chanticler and The Arch. These weren’t just places to eat—they were stages where life’s most beautiful moments played out, where the music never stopped, and where Werner was always looking for you, ready to show you to your table and serve up an evening you’d never forget.

Top and middle: Eames-era Style at The Arch: (1963), interior and exterior restaurant postcards; Bottom: A matchbook cover.

The Wonder Years

At Far Brook School, progressive education meets the living world, inspiring curiosity, and a love for learning.

WWITH AN INCREASING obsession with test scores and college acceptance rates, Far Brook School in Short Hills is seeing modern education through a different, refreshing lens. Amy Ziebarth, Head of School for 15 years, fully realizes that traditional learning methods might just be a thing of the past. The school holistically prepares students to be resilient and thoughtful in an anxietyfilled society where childhoods are increasingly digitized and AI challenges the value of diplomas.

THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

Tucked away on 9.5 acres of wooded tranquility, school feels less like a traditional educational institution

BY EVE GOLDEN

and more like a vibrant ecosystem of curiosity. Here, students dart between quaint, sunlit classrooms connected by tree-lined pathways.

“We’re nurturing future leaders who will need to navigate complexity, think creatively, and above all, remain fundamentally good people in an increasingly challenging world,” Ziebarth shares. Redefining what it means to prepare students not just for high school and college, but for life, Far Brook’s philosophy—rooted in wonder, equity, and experiential learning— offers a radical blueprint for nurturing resilient, empathetic humans.

RETHINKING CHILDHOOD

Going back to the basics drives Far

Brook’s departure from conventional education. Instead of rushing students through an ever-expanding curriculum, the school has chosen to go “deeper rather than broader,” creating what Ziebarth calls an “unhurried childhood” where wonder takes precedence over worksheets. The difference is immediately visible. Rather than sterile hallways, the intentional design features a series of one-room schoolhouses. Students spend significant time outdoors, whether collecting soil samples for science, building wooden signs in the woodshop to identify campus trees, or simply breathing fresh air between classes, echoing the school’s ideology: “There’s no such thing as bad weather

Top: Head of School Amy Ziebarth. “We’re inspiring our students to know they can make a difference in the world.” Bottom: Far Brook features intentional design with a series of one-room schoolhouses.

at Far Brook, just bad clothing choices.”

This outdoor emphasis reflects one of Far Brook’s four foundational Pillars: “Grounded in Nature.” The campus itself becomes curriculum, transforming abstract concepts into tangible experiences. When students study ecosystems, they don’t just read about them—they observe, measure, and interact with the living laboratory surrounding them.

The school’s approach recognizes that children learn differently. Some are

Top: The campus functions as an extension of the classroom, converting theoretical ideas into concrete learning.

Bottom: Students explore art, woodshop, sports, and performing arts to discover their strengths and develop a broad range of skills.

visual processors, others auditory or kinesthetic, and by nature, need movement to thrive. The constant migration between buildings keeps students engaged and energized.

“Dynamic learning requires dynamic environments,” Ziebarth says. “We’re catering to how each individual child actually learns.”

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Far Brook’s first Pillar, “Centered on Experience,” ensures that hands-on

learning extends from three-yearolds through eighth graders. Students don’t memorize facts about ancient Greece—they perform Greek tragedies. History comes alive through immersive projects that parallel real-world events. “We’re teaching children the creative process; to uncover knowledge through discovery, mistakes, and curiosity,” Ziebarth explains.

This experiential approach extends to every aspect of school life. “Every student participates in everything,” Ziebarth shares. With a dynamic curriculum that engages the whole child, all Far Brook students participate in experiences that go beyond the classroom—painting, woodshop, team building, team sports, and performing arts. These well-rounded experiences help children discover their passions while developing multiple intelligences.

SEEDS OF CHANGE

The school’s third Pillar, “Focused on Social Justice,” creates an intentionally diverse community that ensures students see themselves represented while gaining perspectives into experiences different from their own. Simple conversations about fairness among younger students evolve into sophisticated discussions about justice and changemaking with upper grades. “We’re inspiring our students

to know they can make a difference in the world,” Ziebarth says. “That requires both strong identity and deep empathy.”

The fourth Pillar, “Immersed in the Arts,” treats creative expression as essential as academic subjects. As founding director Winifred Moore wrote, “Children are capable of responses that are far more profound than generally believed.” This core value led to the development of an innovative curriculum that introduced children to the arts and timeless literature, based on the belief that even the youngest learners could enjoy and embrace sophisticated language and concepts.

As technology inevitably evolves and reshapes society, Far Brook School focuses on developing the uniquely human capacities that no algorithm will ever replicate: creativity, empathy, critical thinking, and the ability to ask meaningful questions.

“In a world where information is instantly accessible, memorizing facts becomes less important than understanding how to evaluate,

synthesize, and apply knowledge ethically,” Ziebarth shares. Schools like Far Brook remain a rare exception in today’s educational landscape, preparing children for jobs that don’t exist yet in a world we can’t fully imagine.

Far Brook’s fourth Pillar, “Immersed in the Arts,” treats creative expression as essential as academic subjects.

Ready to Rocktoberfest

A decade ago, Short Hills residents Joanna ParkerLentz and Micole Cohen Richter turned a casual living room brainstorm into a powerhouse festival that has become a highlight of our town’s calendar.

BY EVE GOLDEN

CCOMMUNITY CATALYSTS

As two of Rocktoberfest’s original cofounders, they outlasted the early crew. By year three, everyone else had moved on, but Joanna and Micole stayed committed to rallying the community around music, the arts, and food while supporting the Millburn Education Foundation (MEF). In 2015, what began as a teen “Battle of the Bands” idea evolved during a pivotal MEF planning session. They rebranded the event

as the Grateful Ed Foundation for Rocktoberfest, even running a student logo contest for the debut. Building on past fundraisers like the high school’s Fall Fest and the galastyle Millburn Schools Rock, Joanna and Micole aimed for something different—a “friend-raiser” that pulled in all ages for music, shopping, the arts, and eats, all tied to philanthropy.

Inspired by local events like Maplewoodstock, they saw

Opposite page: Taking center stage, Fix You, the ultimate Coldplay tribute band, will deliver the day’s can’t-miss performance.

This page: Rocktoberfest cofounders Joanna ParkerLentz and Micole Cohen Richter.

untapped potential in Millburn’s creatives, family bands, and festival fans. “This was our dream,” they say now, having attended countless events themselves. Ten years later, they’re mapping out the next decade.

Rocktoberfest’s breakout moment came in 2021, post-COVID and right after Hurricane Ida flooded the town. With only two months to plan and after disaster struck just weeks earlier, Joanna and Micole redirected volunteers to cleanup efforts. The community stepped up, channeling that energy into the festival.

“It was exactly what we needed after the pandemic and floods,” they recall. Proceeds doubled compared with previous years, aid went to the victims, and the event delivered a much-needed dose of joy through tunes, art, and food.

A SKY FULL OF STARS

Rocktoberfest celebrates its 10th anniversary on Sept. 13 (rain date: Sept. 20), from noon to 10:00 p.m.

The Bauer Main Stage will be headlined by Fix You, a top-tier Coldplay tribute band that channels the British rockers’ anthems—

from “Yellow” and “Clocks” to the emotional punch of their namesake track, “Fix You.” They’ve become a go-to for fans craving stadium-level energy without the jet lag. They’ve packed venues like Montclair’s Wellmont Theater, and their appearance on E!’s “Clash of the Cover Bands” sealed the deal. “They’re the icing on the cake,” the co-founders say.

The rest of the lineup keeps the momentum across three additional stages: Riverside for an eclectic lineup of teen bands and dancers; the Low Sensory Stage (indoors) for quieter sets; and Boxcar Bar & Restaurant for all-day music leading into the after-party. With a genre mash-up of rock, pop, Bollywood, and beyond, there’s something for every ear.

GREATEST HITS

Staples like the Kid Zone keep drawing crowds, with rides like the Spinner now running until sundown due to demand—families love sticking around all day. Visitors can also browse artisan and retail vendors and enjoy a food court featuring tasty treats from a wide variety of cuisines.

Newer additions—like last year’s hit, the Silent Disco—get a bigger footprint, with themed music and props. An upgraded Special Olympics New Jersey obstacle course joins the mix. The Inclusivity Zone, launched two years ago, offers acoustic music, quiet activities, and sensoryfriendly options, and it has grown into a welcoming hub. “It’s encouraging how it’s expanded,” Joanna and Micole add. “We hope to include everyone in this event, even those for whom loud sounds can be intimidating.”

ROCK ON

Rocktoberfest has grown thanks to incredible community support—from township employees (the business administrator, police, fire department, Department of Public Works, and more) and community volunteers to the new team of more than 40 dedicated student interns from both public and private schools. “It is truly a team effort!” the co-founders share.

“When we introduce ourselves around town and Rocktoberfest comes up, we often hear stories about it being the official kickoff event of the school year,” they share. “We aspire to a time when attendees show up to claim their seats in front of the stage, and we think that’s a realistic goal.” For now, families have made it a beloved tradition—and that’s a win worth celebrating.

Check out www.rocktoberfest. millburnedfoundation.org for the full lineup.

Opposite page: The fun, the bites, the beats—your fall kickoff returns Sept. 13. This page: Featuring artists that span rock, pop, Bollywood, and more, a diverse lineup guarantees something for everyone.

Fitness at Any Age

Two fitness studios, one endgame: Just Be Strong and Holla Studio embody the enduring benefits of moving with purpose.

BY EVE GOLDEN

JUST BE STRONG

750 Morris Turnpike

In the fitness industry, the over 40 demographic often finds itself underserved. Beth Geller, founder of Just Be Strong, is reshaping what fitness means for this group. Her approach zeroes in on strength, balance, and flexibility—essential elements frequently overlooked.

“People over 40 need personalized workouts that truly respect their unique challenges and goals,” Beth emphasizes. With her training studio housed at Zoom Fitness in Short Hills, she encourages clients to make simple lifestyle changes, like walking more and taking the stairs. For those with injuries or chronic pain, Beth

creates routines that build muscle without straining joints. It’s a philosophy of maximizing benefits while minimizing risks.

“I meet clients where they are,” Beth says. Whether it’s an 80-year-old balancing on a Bosu or a 60-year-old needing extra support with stability, her approach is tailored to individual capabilities.

Success is defined by real-life achievements—be it rising from a low chair, managing heavy doors, or improving bone density. Each program is designed to meet these personal milestones. In addressing hormonal changes like perimenopause or declining testosterone, Beth opts for heavier weights with fewer reps, guided by her extensive certifications

from NASM and AFAA. Her commitment to ongoing education ensures that she remains at the forefront of aging and exercise science. Inspired by her 86-year-old father’s dedication to fitness, Beth is passionate about keeping others active and healthy. “The healthiest people are those who keep moving,” she says. Through one-on-one training, she delivers personalized attention, though she remains open to small group sessions for similar needs. Small victories are also celebrated. “Even if they can’t do something as they used to, improvements matter.” Beyond physical transformation, it’s about fostering a mindset of resilience and empowerment. The ultimate mission is to empower the 40+ demographic to

HOLLA STUDIO

308 Millburn Avenue

Dave and Saemi Fleming are changing how we think about fitness and movement. As co-owners of Holla Studio, they’ve created a unique space where K-pop meets bootcamp, serving diverse age groups from kids to adults. “We bring the world of dance to life for kids and teens ages 6 to 18,” explains Saemi, whose Korean heritage and college dance degree bring authenticity to their trending K-pop classes. The studio specializes in K-pop, hip-hop, and Afro dance, creating “classes packed with high-energy moves, global beats and creativity that inspires confidence and self-expression.”

Dave’s background tells a different story—four years of military school followed by over a decade of personal training. Together, their diverse

experiences create programming that serves everyone from complete beginners to advanced dancers. “Our personal definition of fitness is being physically and mentally prepared for whatever life throws at you,” Dave explains. This philosophy shapes their approach to tailored workouts, where they reject industry noise about the “one right way” to train. “The only ‘one right way’ is loving and being passionate about what you do.”

Their dance-as-fitness approach addresses gaps in traditional training. “Traditional fitness often misses the varied muscle engagement that occurs during dynamic, full-body movement,” Saemi notes. “Dance covers all the different types of fitness modalities—endurance, strength, mobility, flexibility—and can be tailored to different fitness goals.” The mental health benefits are equally compelling. “The feedback received

from past and current members is improvement in sleep, mood, focus, and social engagement,” Dave shares. With members ranging from ages 6 to 70, the Flemings carefully structure classes by age and skill level. For their youngest strength training clients starting at seven years old, “[o]ur program focuses on skill development—this lays a safe and strong foundation, not muscle size or heavy lifting,” Dave shares.

For hesitant beginners in any age group, Saemi has a proven method: “I begin with minimal movements that I know they have the ability to do and connect those movements to the choreography, which builds confidence in their abilities.” Whether your child is just starting out or loves to move, Holla Studio creates a fun, supportive environment where dancers can thrive, socialize, and discover the joy of movement.

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Designed & Built By

House of McQueen

Short Hills’ Cody Braverman delivers a moving portrayal as Young Alexander McQueen in this off-Broadway production that traces the designer’s ascent from working-class London to the height of haute couture.

BY EVE GOLDEN

INTERVIEW WITH CODY BRAVERMAN

How does your role as young Alexander McQueen fit into the larger narrative of the designer’s life and legacy?

I play Young Lee, which is the younger version of Lee Alexander McQueen. Everybody has a beginning, and for Lee, his life was never easy. I think it is important for the audience to understand the early challenges he faced, but to also see the innate creative spirit and brilliance he had.

What has been your approach to understanding and portraying someone who has gone through many struggles, especially given the complex themes of the play?

Understanding Alexander McQueen is not the easiest task, but Sam Helfrich, our director, has done an incredible job of having us dig deep every step of the way. And Darrah Cloud, the playwright, has given us the roadmap. I personally have spent a lot of time watching videos and interview clips of McQueen because I wanted to hear his voice and try to gain a firsthand understanding of where he had been.

page, left:

What has it been like working with Luke Newton (“Bridgerton”) and Emily Skinner, and how have they influenced your performance?

I am always trying to learn, and watching Luke and Emily is no exception. Luke specifically, I try to pay really close attention to his voice— how he sounds and says certain words. I want to emulate his accent in the most authentic way possible. Emily plays my mom in the show, and she makes that relationship very easy by being so good to me. McQueen was very close to his mother, so that needs to come across.

The Mansion at Hudson Yards is a brandnew venue. How does it feel being part of its theatrical debut? It is super exciting! Being part of any original cast is incredible—and being part of a new production at a new theatre with a new cast feels like it might be once in a lifetime!

The play will incorporate projection mapping and holograms. How do these technologies enhance your experience as a performer, and how will they elevate the audience’s experience?

Being in a new theatre with this kind of technology is going to be incredible! Everyone knows what a Broadway theatre looks and feels like, but this will be so unique and extraordinary—the only way to put Alexander McQueen’s life on display. And to top it all off, there will be an entire exhibit of his original designs right inside the theatre, valued at over $2 million. It’s going to be unlike anything audiences have seen before.

What are some of the most powerful scenes for you, and how do they resonate with the audience?

For me, the end of the show is the most powerful. I honestly get a little teary every time we do it, and I don’t want to give anything away, so you will just have to come see it. But I promise it will move you.

How do you prepare for scenes that address intense themes like bullying and depression?

Every child can relate in some way to someone being unkind or someone being sad. It is all a question of degree. For me, I try to imagine what it would be like to be treated a certain way or feeling a certain way. When I was three years old, I told my mom I wanted to take dance classes instead of playing sports. And, I was the only boy. All I wanted to do was sing and perform. Finding the center of Young Lee isn’t so far off when you can come from the place of understanding not being able to pull away from something creative you love.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being part of a production that explores such important social issues?

There are so many reactions and different impacts that a piece of theatre can have on its audience. This

Opposite

Power Duo: Cody Braverman (right) and co-star Matthew Eby rehearse the role of Young Lee. Right: The Making of McQueen: Cody with Luke Newton (“Bridgerton”), who stars as Alexander McQueen. This page: Between Takes: The show is a bold exploration of sensitive themes, with the cast and crew committed to honoring the nuances of McQueen and his inner circle. Photographs by Thomas Hedges.

particular show has been so rewarding to work on because we are telling the story of someone who cannot tell their own story anymore. It feels like a giant responsibility, and one we need to be careful handling. Sharing this with the world and letting them know about McQueen’s struggles—bringing that conversation to the forefront and making hard topics, like depression and suicide, topics that should be discussed feels so important. I’m really proud to be part of a show that doesn’t just tell a story, but also helps to make a difference.

What has it been like working under the creative direction of Gary James McQueen?

Having McQueen’s nephew involved as a creative in this production only makes our work that much more authentic and important. He helps keep us grounded in the truth of who McQueen was and holds us to that truth in the best possible way.

How do you balance the emotional weight of the play with your life outside the theater?

I am still a kid, and I go to school and see friends and have a whole regular life. I try to be present wherever I am, so if I am doing an intense scene that is where I am, but if I am running around with my little brother or catching up on my summer reading or dreaming about Universal Studios, then that is

where I am. Trying to always live in the moment.

After this journey through McQueen’s life, what’s next for you?

My mom would say that we live life in pencil. I never know what tomorrow will bring, which is both nervewracking and exhilarating, but that is the world of a performer. Whenever this chapter closes, I know I will leave it inspired to create. I carry that feeling wherever I go every day, and living in the world of McQueen has only continued to ingrain that in me.

House of McQueen opens Sept. 9 at The Mansion at Hudson Yards, New York City.

Opposite page: Lady Gaga is often described as Alexander McQueen’s unofficial muse. She frequently wore his designs, including the iconic Armadillo boots featured in her “Bad Romance” music video. This page, left: Alexander McQueen backstage at one of his fashion shows, known for high drama and theatrical shock, blurring the line between fashion and performance art.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

6:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M. Edgewood Country Club River Vale, NJ

PHOTO OP

TOUR DE MILLBURN CELEBRATES

FIVE YEARS OF COMMUNITY

Bike chains are clicking into gear, and families are gathering with helmets in hand. It can only mean one thing: Tour de Millburn is back! Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, as this beloved community event returns for another year of pedal-powered fun.

WHAT STARTED AS an ambitious idea among five neighbors has grown into an annual tradition that draws hundreds of participants. After a January 2020 New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition conference, Jorge Mastropietro and Jennifer Duckworth joined with other Millburn and Short Hills volunteers—Priya Patel, Lillian Cho, and Joe Esposito—to form the TdM Steering Committee. When Covid struck, Millburn Township embraced TdM as a family-friendly, community-building bike ride that promotes safe cycling in Millburn-Short Hills. Dedicated township staff from the Millburn Recreation Department, the Millburn Police Department, the Millburn Department of Public Works, and the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad support the event each year, along with community volunteers.

TdM has something for everyone with three ride options:

2-Mile: For families with children and individuals new to organized bike courses. (9:00 a.m.)

7-Mile: For experienced cyclists ages 10 and older comfortable with longer distances. (8:30 a.m.)

15-Mile: For advanced cyclists ages 16 and older who can handle long distances and varying elevation changes. (8:00 a.m.)

Join the Movement

Find all the details—from registration to volunteer opportunities—at twp.millburn.nj.us/543/Tour-deMillburn.

Have a great image for Photo Op?

Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@millburn andshorthills.com.