Ah, the scene of the crime. Figuratively speaking, that is. The place where Joe Pantoliano first realized he was going to be an actor. The auditorium of Cliffside Park High School. Where he has now returned, 53 years after he graduated.

"All I remember is how much fun it was," said Pantoliano, leaning back among the orchestra seats where his first audience was wowed by his performance in "Up the Down Staircase." Senior class play. February, 1970. "The other thing I remember is, this was the only time I was ever told I could do something well," he said. "The only time I ever got a compliment."