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Eatery sign touts Broadway

Eatery sign touts Broadway
By Nathan Duke

One of Astoria’s most popular and well-reviewed eateries unveiled a large billboard above the restaurant last week that advertises a program to teach borough students about performing on Broadway.

Trattoria L’Incontro, at 21-76 31st St. at the corner of Ditmars Boulevard, has placed a permanent sign on its rooftop to bring attention to Inside Broadway, which is offered to 85 schools citywide including 15 sites in Queens.

L’Incontro’s owners, Jack Brucculeri and Rocco Sacromone, said they wanted to encourage borough students to take part in arts programs.

“I see the good work they do, so we hope to be able to continue to contribute,” Brucculeri said. “We want to bring Broadway to Astoria. I think all of us have movies, art and music in us to help get away from everyday life.”

Inside Broadway teaches students how to perform in Broadway shows. The program is currently touring city schools with Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” through June as well as offering “Build A Musical,” which will be a 30-minute musical revue completely produced by city students.

“Kids get to experience theater in their own school building,” said Paul King, spokesman for the city Department of Education. “They get to see great troupes of actors working together.”

The sign recognizes a number of Queens elected officials for their contributions to the program, including western Queens Council members Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) as well as state Sen. George Onorato (D-Astoria) and state Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria).

“In difficult times, it’s not always easy to keep important programs like this going,” Gianaris said. “So this is a very special day.”

Inside Broadway was established in 1982 as an effort to create a student ticket program for city schools. Its programs are funded by the Council, the city Cultural Affairs Department and the state Parks Department.

Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.