Broadway Actor John Cardoza Recounts Being Robbed on Easter Before Performing Matinee of “The Notebook”
Actor John Cardoza, who went on to perform the Broadway show later in the day, recounted the robbery on Instagram
John Cardoza, star of Broadway’s The Notebook, is speaking out about being robbed in New York City.
Cardoza wrote on his Instagram Story that on Easter Sunday not long before a matinee performance of The Notebook, he “was held at gunpoint in the Dunkin Donuts on the corner of 145th and Saint Nicholas Ave.”
The 30-year-old actor wrote that his assailant was a “middle aged black man, about 5’10’’, in a green camouflage hoodie and black sweatpants - for those in the area trying to keep an eye out.” The incident “started out with him just asking for a dollar” before “it escalated from there very quickly,” according to Cardoza.
The New York Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that Cardoza was “approached by an unidentified individual who simulated a firearm and grabbed his wallet and personal items.” The investigation remains ongoing following the incident, which involved no reported injuries, authorities said.
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“I am fine,” said Cardoza, writing to his Instagram followers. “It makes me sad to think people are as desperate as this - and it makes me sad to feel a need [to] alert anyone to this kind of activity. But it’s the world we’re living in, and if you’re like me, you already are careful and you don’t think it’s going to happen to you until it’s staring you in the face.”
In a follow-up Instagram post, the Broadway star thanked fans for their outpouring of support. He added that after the incident, “this man made multiple attempts to use my credit card” at stores in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood.
Cardoza proceeded to perform the Easter matinee show of The Notebook, PEOPLE can confirm. “I was grateful to have a place to head immediately after” the robbery, he continued on Instagram, “full of people I love, to do work that I love. So I’ve been in good hands.”
Related: Here Are All of the Broadway Musicals Based on Books Playing This Spring
The Boston Conservatory of Music–trained Cardoza made his Broadway debut in the chorus of the Alanis Morissette musical Jagged Little Pill in 2019.
He plays lead role Young Noah in singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson's Broadway adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's 1996 romance novel, which was also the basis for the 2004 movie starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.
Previews for The Notebook began at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Feb. 6 before opening night March 14. Dorian Harewood and Ryan Vasquez also play lead character Noah, while Maryann Plunkett, Jordan Tyson and Joy Woods all play his love interest Allie.
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