A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, March 30, 2000 Page 21 Arts & Entertainment Kirkpatrick Choir to Perform The Dining Table In Mid-Day Musicales Concert WESTFIELD – The First Con- orchestral masterworks. The fea- gregational Church of Westfield, tured work on their Westfield 125 Elmer Street in Westfield, has program will be the Bach motet, JOSE TEJAS announced the continuation of “Jesu Meine Freude.” 700 US HIGHWAY NO. 1, ISELIN, (908) 283-3883 their Mid-Day Musicales series Following the concert, a soup of free, half-hour concerts with a and sandwich luncheon will be program by Rutgers University’s available in the church social hall By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN and burgers. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Kirkpatrick Choir at noon on for $4.50. Parents are encouraged Caribbean Shrimp, Crawfish Wednesday, April 5. not to bring children under the ISELIN – A bright turquoise Popcorn and Shrimp en Brochette The Kirkpatrick Choir, under age of 5 to these programs. neon sign reading “EAT” beams are just some of the amazing the direction of Dr. Patrick Funding for these concerts has along Route No. 1, beckoning appetizers Gardner, is a select ensemble of been made possible in part by lovers of Creole offered. The fare into a terra 50 students, comprised primarily the New Jersey State Council on RATING: seasoning in of music majors at the Mason the Arts, Department of State, cotta hued res- all of these Gross School of the Arts. through a grant administered by taurant speckled appetizers is Their repertoire ranges from the Union County Division of Members of the Guys & Dolls ensemble with multi-col- never over Renaissance motets to choral- Cultural and Heritage Affairs. ored Christmas the top or lights. Highest Possible Rating: 4 chef hats scorching to Answering the the tongue – Guys & Dolls Performance call with burning ™ simply per- POPCORN appetites, diners at Jose Tejas in fect and reasonably priced, with Iselin always come away satiated the highest being about $6. Mission To On Tap at Union Catholic and longing for more spicy food Perhaps you’re looking to en- upon their next return. joy something a little lighter in- Never Gets Off The Ground SCOTCH PLAINS – Guys and Powell, Sabina Sabados, Kim Beyond festive, Jose Tejas is stead of a main dish. Jose Tejas Dolls, the Damon Runyon musi- Deo, Melissa Gregory, Catherine decorated with more Christmas showcases eight salads from as By Michael S. Goldberger cal fable of Broadway, will be Burns, Ryan Price, Ninou lights, strands of jalapeno pep- One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent Mesquite Grilled Tuna Salad performed at Union Catholic High Hardaker, Leanne Kaczur, Takara pers, and Mexican hats. You will ($6.99) with tuna steak and black- 1 popcorn Compounding the script’s guile, it School for two weekends, April Kaczowski, Samantha Large, be serenaded by the suave ened corn, tomatoes, red on- Exciting. Fun. Adventurous. Inspir- seems Jim and Maggie weren’t the 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. in the Leslie Montferret and Deena sounds of South of the Border ions, cheeses and other spices to only married duo on NASA’s payroll. ing. Suspenseful. One would expect a high school’s auditorium. Zack. melodies which appropriately Cajun Cornflake Chicken Salad movie about a mission to Mars to There’s also Woody and Terri (Connie The cast of 52 members in- Last year, Union Catholic High blend into the dining experience. conjure at least some, if not all, of the Nielsen), eager to join Jim on mission ($5.99) with green peppers, to- above descriptions. But it’s no such No. 2 after the numero uno errand cludes Rick Flynn as Sky School’s spring musical received A vast seating area with com- matoes, lettuce and chicken fried luck for director ’s goes awry. Quick question, though: Masterson, Laura Bowman as Sa- five nominations, including Best fortable wooden chairs makes with cornflakes. Mission To Mars. Playing more like Did these folks meet before they joined rah Brown and Dan Korner as Play, Best Director, Best Actor, up the main room, while a gener- Shrimp and Crawfish Caesar just another hard day at the office, this up? Because if they didn’t, then maybe Nathan Detroit. Sarah Mugavero, Best Supporting Actress and Best ous bar area accommodates NASA could bolster its coffers by dou- Salad ($6.99) is simply stellar. A mundane misfire might as well be couples and small groups of renamed “Mission Unaccomplished.” bling as a matchmaking service. the PaperMill Playhouse 1999 Ris- Hair and Make-Up Design. Cajun zinger to the average Cae- The red planet was never so drab. Naturally, the big trip ultimately ing Star Award winner for Best Maryann C. Carolan with Assis- friends hoping to sip a frosty sar salad packs punches with Mr. De Palma’s circa 2020 adventure leads to pretentiously vast discoveries Supporting Actress, will play Miss tant Director Tracy L. Trukowski margarita before being escorted refreshing spices and bounties about the origins of life. (No sense about a rescue effort to Mars after the Adelaide. Along with her Hot spearhead the play. Larry to their tables. of delectable gulf shrimp. first manned mission winds up going all the way to Mars if that doesn’t Box Girls, she will perform “A Rothweiler is the Musical Direc- Waiters and waitresses are shrouded in mysterious catastrophe happen, right?) Hint: There’s a Sphinx- Seasoned smoke trails emanat- has virtually no soul of its own. An like structure sitting in the red dessert, Bushel and A Peck” and “Take tor and Ed Bontempo is the Cho- adorned in clean white uniforms, ing from the tempting fajita dishes astonishingly derived script by Lowell and...drum roll, please... something Back Your Mink.” reographer. always polite and ready to please. that pass your table may make Cannon and Jim Thomas sees to that. may be in it. Now, that’s a new one, The Hot Box Girls Chorus in- Ticket prices are $9 for adults I have never encountered an un- you want to follow the aroma. But the film’s biggest sin is the huh? cludes Leila Apuzzio, Lauren and $7 for students. All seats are pleasant member of Jose Tejas’ De Palma fashions these revelatory Also reasonably priced, fajita commission of sci-fi heresy by ripping wait staff. off Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space scenes with all the subtlety of a tent Biddulph, Toni Bottone, Cory reserved and may be reserved by dishes range from $7.99 to $15.95. Odyssey (1968). Although the director revival. The only thing missing is Frank Cassidy, Jamie Fargnoli, Amy calling (908) 889-1600. A bowl brimming with lightly Filet Mignon may be found in the may see it as an homage, the discom- Morgan (The Wizard of Oz) calling the Grillo, Nicole Gryzwacz, salted tostada chips with tangy Cadillac Fajitas, while scrump- shots behind the curtain. fort is palpable when the spacecraft’s Stephanie Heil, Amanda Hudziak, salsa for dipping is immediately tious blackened and boneless onboard computer sounds a bit too Rather curiously, the accomplished Leanne Kaczur, Phyllis LaPelusa, brought to your table as you much like the former movie’s nefari- helmer of Dressed To Kill (1980) and Duo Pianists chicken breast accompanies the ous HAL 9000. Carrie (1976) seems to be directing by Jen Montferret, Leslie Sanchez, select from an abundant menu Rio Grande fajita selection. With its blatant copying of mood omission. The risk-free result is sadly Katie Schurtz, Sheena Sikat, Continued from Pg. 22 featuring appetizers, salads, I cannot tout enough the Craw- and temper forcing comparison, even without novelty and oddly unevent- Rachel Vieni, Nicole Wilkens and fajitas, Mexican specialties, Cajun fish Etouffee at Jose Tejas. About the special effects here fall shamefully ful. Those are good qualities in an Yavonia Wise. favorites, mesquite grilled fare short of the classic’s pre-computer accountant, but hardly a recommen- said of Mr. Pierce’s performances, four years ago, I paid my first visuals. dation for a science fiction film. Other cast members include visit to this establishment, leery As if to make up for its failed action Roger Brace as Nicely-Nicely “The American pianist, Joshua The tip off that this outer space Pierce, is an expressive artist of any shellfish but clams, shrimp excursion is doomed to failure comes angle, Mission To Mars attempts some Johnson, Michael Volt as Ben and crab. However, my dining rather ineffectual tugging at the whose vigorous playing style in the very first scene. At a barbecue Southstreet, Bryan Hughes as Editorial partner at the time, urged me to held at the home of Luke Graham heartstrings. First, there’s the manipu- Arvide Abernathy, Brian Reagan showed outstanding and skilled (Don Cheadle) and his wife (Elise lative, soap opera-like handling of playing…a wide degree of capri- Continued from Pg. 22 try crawfish. I was never sorry Jim’s widower status. And then there’s as Big Jule, Oscar Vieni as Harry Neal), the astronaut banters and chides cious nuances and expressive and I’ve been going back to Jose playfully with his two best NASA bud- the equally mawkish depiction of the Horse, Nick Krauss as Lieu- differences…captivating his au- Tejas time and again for the fla- dies, Jim McConnell () and Connie and Woody’s cutting edge tenant Brannigan and Zeena it is always important to re- vors that can only be found in Woody Blake (). love affair, the constellations for a Koda as General Mathilda B. dience with brilliant articulation When each tells the other why he backdrop, the limitless universe as supporting pure and intelligible member that these boys-to-men their dish. should be chosen for the title mission, their cave of Tristan and Isolde. Cartright. do have lives of their own. In Rich and savory, the blend of But, try as the filmmaker might to The gangster chorus includes sounds as well as delicate dy- the expository conversation is embar- namics and supple melodic fact, two of the BSB members vegetables and spices blazes rassingly obvious and painfully with- make their momentous dance of Tim Advani, Tino Cerimele, Mark through a gravy that cannot be weightlessness seem like the pinnacle lines….his interpretation empha- are getting hitched. Although out style. i.e: “You should be the first DeOliviera, Michaelson duplicated. I’m convinced of its one on Mars. You’ve wanted it ever of romanticism, odds are your Aunt Ferdinand, Dan Ferraro, Michael sizing the dramatic role of the this has brought some fans to since you were six.” Ida and Uncle Sid made a more con- piano…” uniqueness. The tiny crawfish, vincing showing at the last bar mitzvah Filo, Tom Simpson and Kevin drenching their pillows with “No,” says the fellow spaceman, Mr. Pierce has given many re- always perfectly cooked and “you’ve wanted it ever since you were reception. Apuzzio as the Hot Box Club MC. tears, the reality is that as much citals, performed with various never chewy, swim happily five. It should be you.” Taking a cue from the rest of the More memorable songs will in- as these boy bands adore their through this sauce. And who Of course, in Beau Geste fashion film, the acting performances manage clude “Adelaide’s Lament,” “If I chamber and contemporary en- fans, they also love other people they both then turn to widower to be perfectly mediocre. In fact, most sembles and has concertized with wouldn’t? McConnell and agree that, since being of the cast projects only two emotions: Were A Bell,” “I’ve Never Been In too. The menu at Jose Tejas speaks consternation and relief. Love Before,” “Sue Me,” “Marry some of the world’s leading or- the first on Mars was a dream he chestras including the Royal Phil- So, when your daughter volumes, so I can’t reproduce the cherished with his wife (Kim Delaney Mr. Sinise does, however, manage The Man Today,” and “Sit Down, entire selection here. However, in flashback and on video), it should to add a wincing smile to his relief harmonic, London Philharmonia, stands on a long line waiting You’re Rockin’ The Boat.” for the latest BSB CD, or insists you will never be bored by what be him. Problem is, Jim has had a mode, evincing a shard of ebullience The Mission Band Chorus fea- Luxembourg Radio Symphony, cloud of uncertainty hovering over in one supposedly uplifting scene. But Chicago Sinfonietta, Utah Sym- on wallpapering her room with is offered at this upbeat, festive even an Academy Award performance tures Christine Gottlieb, Liz him ever since his loss. phony, San Antonio Symphony, restaurant. Armin Mueller-Stahl as the crusty couldn’t save this film. Possessing no pin-ups of Justin Timberlake, Czech National Symphony Or- remember those four men, you Let the EAT sign lure you into flight chief, the world’s weight on his significant character of its own and Jose Tejas or a tantalizing, siz- shoulders, sadly promulgates the no- uncertain of its destination, Mission To chestra, the Slovak Philharmonic probably screamed about when tion that Jim’s best years are now Mars wobbles out of orbit, crashes, and Slovak Radio Symphony, the zling and spicy experience you behind him. Do we smell a tale of and burns. Craft Market you were her age: John, Paul, are sure to remember and want Moscow State Philharmonic and George and Ringo. redemption? * * * * * Continued from Pg. 22 the State Symphony Orchestra of to relive. Such uneasy plot contrivances and Rated PG, Mission To Mars is a self-conscious dialogue provide a re- Columbia Pictures and Universal Pic- Russia at Tchaikovsky Hall in newed respect for the hokey Ed Wood tures release directed by Brian De Jewelry Designers David A. Moscow. era of science fiction, when a space- Palma and stars Gary Sinise, Tim Nugent and Cynthia L. Marble com- Mr. Pierce discovered John ship made of aluminum foil wrapped Robbins and Connie Nielsen. Running Cage in the 1970’s and has be- around a cardboard tube was honest time: 120 minutes. prise “Evensong” jewelry in Actor Robert John Buckley in comparison. Hinsdale, N.H. come one of the most renowned “My work is jewelry in fine metal and skilled interpreters of his Westfield HS Chorale to Join and precious and semi-precious music today. His landmark series Helps Deerfield School Actors stones. With competition from a of recordings of Cage’s music on perfect early spring weekend the the Wergo label has earned him In Sunday Serenade Series customers chose us and came out unanimous acclaim worldwide. MOUNTAINSIDE – Deerfield acting were also explored during and had a delightful time,” Mr. For example, Fanfare maga- School in the three- zine stated; “…Joshua Pierce is Mountainside hour work- WESTFIELD – The Westfield sopranos Marina Powell, Dara Nugent told The Westfield Leader and The Times. the greatest living exponent of held its first shop. High School Chorale, under the Weinberg, Melanie Zachariades; the (Cage) Sonatas and Inter- Drama Workshop Mr. direction of William R. Matthews, altos Lyndsay Ruotolo, Kristi Wil- “They appreciated the artists as they always do and they were not ludes” and Étude Revue (Paris) with actor Rob- Buckley, an will appear in concert in the Sanc- liams, Jennifer Wilson; tenors, Ryan said “Pierce’s interpretations is a ert John Buckley acting vet- tuary at The Presbyterian Church in Buntain, David Connor, Kevin shy about using their credit cards,” he continued. “A fine spring show, mixture of virtuosity, strength, on March 4 in eran of film Westfield on Sunday, April 2, at 4 Johnson; and basses Samuel Fleder poetry and beautiful harmonies.” preparation for television, p.m. and Yari Sigal. wonderfully run by Richard and Joann, and a pleasure to be in Many of these John Cage compo- the school’s up- and regional An ensemble of 28 singers, the In addition, the concert will cel- sitions from the 1940’s and 50’s coming produc- and off- group performs sacred and secu- ebrate the 100th birthday of Aaron Westfield. I saw old friends, made new ones and financially had a have been recorded by Pierce tion of Annie, Jr. Broadway lar music from the Renaissance Copland with selections from his for the first time. tomorrow, March stage, played th successful event.” period through the 20 century. In “Old American Songs.” The Cho- The Symphony will also in- 31 and Saturday, Colonel past years, they have performed rale will sing “Long Time Ago” and Ted Leidelmeyer of Marlei Jew- elry, Arts and Crafts in New Hope, clude a new composition by New April 1. Nathan Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols,” “Ching-a-Ring-Chaw.” Soloists Jersey composer and arranger Mr. Buckley Jessup in A Schubert’s “Mass in G,” Bach’s George Stribling, Tim Greenlaw Pa. responded, “The quality of the arts and crafts show was excellent. Mark McGurty in the evening’s worked with the Few Good “Magnificat” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” and Yari Sigal will perform “Simple program, as well as Brahms’ “Sym- students on their Men, as The Chorale is chosen through an Gifts” and “I Bought Me a Cat.” The attendance was fair and people came to buy. I had good responses phony No. 3” funded through analysis of “Why MacMillan in audition from over 200 students, The concert will conclude with the generosity of the symphony’s We Act?” “Telling Nuts, Dr. and this year consists of 17 seniors Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” from about my craft and I am very pleased about the sales.” Brahms Society members. the Story,” Robert John Buckley Trench in and 11 juniors. “Messiah.” George R. Lachenauer, For more information and ticket “Building a Char- The The April 2 program will consist Director of Music at the First Pres- Although it pleases me that the artisans consider the craft show a details, please call the Westfield acter” and “Projection.” Students Widower’s Houses, and television o two works by William Byrd, byterian Church of Roselle, will Symphony Orchestra Box Office, were encouraged to think about roles in “Law and Order,” “NYPD “Non Nobis Domine” and accompany the group. successful event, the amount of stand-out, stellar and unique works (908) 232-9400, or by calling the their ability to create an ensemble Blue,” as well as other credits. “Sanctus,” Thomas Morley’s “’Tis The concert is part of the Sun- Union County Arts Center Box on the stage, working coopera- Tickets for the Annie, Jr. pro- the Time of Yuletide Glee,” the day Serenade series sponsored by I expected to find there was not found. Office, (732) 499-8226. tively with one another for suc- duction are $5. A dress rehearsal traditional Irish Tune from County The Presbyterian Church. There is cess, and intellectually under- with free seats for senior citizens Derry, the spiritual “Plenty Good no admission. However, a free- All Arts & Entertainment News standing their characters and the will be held tonight, Thursday, Room” and Mozart’s “Regina Coeli.” will offering will be accepted. story line of the show. March 30, at 7 p.m. The Mozart piece will include a For more information, please call Must Be Submitted by 3/31 at 4 p.m. Special exercises in projection For more information, please chorus which will be sung by the Church Office at (908) 233-0301. and in relaxation techniques for call (908) 232-8828. CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK