Page 16 Thursday, January 8, 2015 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

New Jersey Festival Orchestra’s Annual Event Rings in the New Year

By SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY Greggory Brandt’s rich baritone was The audience must have agreed with Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times spotlighted best in his rendition of her assessment that it was a “stunning While a million people braved the Cole Porter’s, “From this Moment arrangement” since they called her cold in Times Square to usher in the On.” Mr. Wroe said he selected the back on stage for a second bow. New Year by watching the Waterford “sassy” song because it was a number Maestro Wroe left the audience crystal ball drop, a more civilized, made famous by New Jersey’s own with what he called the symphony’s comfortable celebration was taking Frank Sinatra who collaborated with wish for all: “…hope, potential and place at the Westfield High School by the famous Nelson Riddle. Mr. Brandt rebirth for 2015.” The final selection the New Jersey Festival Orchestra was backed up by a mellow orchestra of the impressive evening utilized a (NJFO). As is the custom of the popu- led by a marvelous trombone. His Broadway march to get toes tapping. lar orchestra, four Broadway perform- version of “The King and I’s” “We “Before the Parade Passes By” from ers joined the musical presentation Kiss in a Shadow” featured an ethe- “Hello, Dolly!” was the perfect finale that was this year entitled, “The Guys real flute and tender, expressive or- employing all four singers but spot- and Dolls of Broadway.” chestral interlude. lighting Ms. Kirkpatrick who belted Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader and The Times Under the masterful direction of Jason Forbach, who is currently the uplifting, “I’m gonna raise the BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY…At the New Jersey Festival Orchestra’s annual New Year’s Eve concert held at the Maestro David Wroe, the two-hour appearing in the 2014 Broadway roof, I’m gonna carry on, give me an Westfield High School, Broadway performers Jason Forbach, Beth Kirkpatrick, Greggory Brandt and Analisa Leaming belt show entertained and engaged the revival of “Les Misérables,” en- old trombone, give me an old baton, out the rousing march from the Broadway show, “Hello, Dolly!” Music director David Wroe’s two-hour presentation, “Guys near-capacity crowd. “When I am thralled with “South Pacific’s” before the parade passes by!” and Gals of Broadway,” was co-sponsored by PSE&G. selecting the music for this event, I iconic, “Younger than Springtime.” am like a kid in a candy shop,” Mr. His resonant voice was comple- Wroe told to the audience. Each mented by noteworthy cello and first ‘I Love You’ Production year he painstakingly researches violinist harmony and counterpoint. material from different eras and When the movie-star handsome picks representative pieces, some Forbach opened the second half of At UCPAC is Fearless which require him to flesh out or- the program with “Something’s chestration. He mixes old chestnuts Coming’” from Leonard Bernstein’s By SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY equally well. as well as more unfamiliar songs “West Side Story,” his last falsetto Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Shiva Kiani has a stock ingénue from Broadway. notes took one’s breath away. He RAHWAY - Can love ever be per- look and sound with enough verve Maestro Wroe opened the night handled “Luck Be a Lady Tonight fect, especially when “men are from and spunk to not be pigeon-holed as with a rousing “Shakin’ the Blues and “I’ve Never Been in Love Be- Mars and women from Venus”? The merely a pretty face. Her “I Will Be Away” from a 1960s film, “Love Me fore” from “Guys and Dolls” with musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect Loved Tonight” rings true with an- or Leave Me.” A musical interlude in finesse. With a key change, soprano …Now Change”, which runs week- ticipation and honesty. The “Mar- the number featured the orchestra at a Analisa Leaming took the last re- ends in Rahway at Union County riage Tango” is a hoot where she and wonderful breakneck double time frain of the latter song to join him; Performing Arts Center’s The Loft, her husband want to put the everyday pace. The brass was able to shine the beautifully matched voices explores all facets of love from Adam mundane tasks of life behind them in while the strong mezzo voice of Beth soared with full string section add- and Eve to the end of a couple’s life. order to find time for sex. Kirkpatrick kept the lyric fresh. Ms. ing to the movie-track fullness. With the book by Joe DiPietro and Ben Simons is adorable as a new Kirkpatrick delighted throughout the Another duet – by Ms. Leaming music by Jimmy Roberts, the ador- father in “Baby Song” where his friend night displaying a versatile repertoire and Ms. Kirkpatrick this time - thrilled able series of vignettes is presented has to tell him to knock off the obnox- including Cole Porter’s signature song the appreciative audience with a sul- by six gifted actors, who are backed ious baby talk. And in “Tear Jerk” Mr. from “Kiss Me Kate” - “So in Love.” try version of “Happy Days are Here up by amazing piano and violin ac- Simons’ character brings howls with Her lush, low notes poured out effort- Again” and “Get Happy” (the duet companiment and led by a director his reaction to a chick flick. lessly like warm maple syrup flood- made famous in the 1960s by Judy who really knows his stuff: this show Matthew Rae plays a wide range of ing a stack of flapjacks. In that num- Garland and a young Barbra is a winner. characters - from the guy next door to ber, the saxophone obbligato and Streisand). It was quite impressive Music is the glue in the piece with a nerd to an 80-year-old. They are all pulsing beat of the upright bass lent a with a slow, yet relentless crescendo piano accompaniment by a flamboy- credible, relatable and excellent. blues feel to the classic number. that, by the last bars, included the full antly talented Joe Sherbin and aug- More comic relief is provided by One of the most fun numbers of the orchestra. mented by Beatrice Naumann’s sweet zany Ami Martino who schleps and night was the ironic “My Simple The show stopper of the night was violin. Every actor gets his moment mugs her way through a number of Christmas Wish” sung by Ms. Ms. Leaming’s haunting rendition of in the spotlight in a solo, duet, or trio. songs. Specifically in “Stud and Kirkpatrick and accompanied singly Michel Legrand’s “What Are You Lindsay Adkins plays a number of Babe,” Ms. Martino is reminiscent of with keyboard. In the comic number Doing the Rest of Your Life?” In a roles where the girl is searching for Gilda Radner in a hilarious musical (a set up where the audience thinks cabaret-style onstage chat between love. In the clever “He Called Me”, sketch. She gives it her all in “Always she’ll be asking for world peace and Mr. Wroe and the soprano, he chuck- her voice switches from raucous when a Bridesmaid,” the most familiar in love for all) she belts that she wants to led when he recounted that she was a READY FOR LOVE… The cast of “I Love You, You’re Perfect…Now Change” talking on the phone to “Ma” to a the lineup of tunes. be “rich, famous and powerful!” bit hesitant to sing the song. “Well, presents the musical comprised of vignettes and monologues at Union County silky, sultry voice when speaking to The most poignant song by far is The three other soloists each had who wouldn’t be nervous singing a Performing Arts Center’s The Loft, a black box space. With minimal props, the her date. Ms. Adkins’ mature singing sung by Jeffrey O’Neill whose their moments to shine as well. Barbra Streisand song?” she retorted. cast brings the series of stories alive to the 50-seat audience. voice handles tender and funny CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 COLDWELL BANKER FREENACE FEST The Isoldi Collection 2 FOR 1 OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, January 11th • 1-4PM

LIMITED TIME! Offer expires 3.13.2015

FREE FURNACE with air conditioner purchase! WINTER CLOSEOUT SALE BONUS OFFERS! If your air conditioner and furnace are over ten years old, they may soon • A year of free filters become the ultimate party poopers. • Life-time warranty available They’re more prone to breakdowns • $0 down/60 months financing 666 Dorian Road, Westfield, NJ $769,900 and they’re also inefficient energy • First 50 callers will receive a free An inviting covered portico welcomes you to this Classic Colonial set on a beautifully landscaped wasters. But here’s something to programmable thermostat with corner property in Westfield. Renovated to perfection while retaining the elegant charm of the shout about – A free furnace when purchase period, this enchanting four bedroom, two and a half bath home offers an elegant formal you purchase a new air conditioner! dining room, gracious living room with large brick fireplace flanked by doors leading to the relaxing sun room, and an updated eat-in kitchen opening to the family room and providing access to the deck, overlooking the level and manicured yard. This lovely home is conveniently located to town, close to all schools, shopping, parks, and NJ Transit for easy commuting. FRANK D. ISOLDI Broker / Sales Associate #1 Agent Westfield Office - 2006-2013 Visit my website at: www.frankdisoldi.com email: [email protected] 888-603-2182 Direct Line: 908-301-2038 WeltmanHomeServices.com Hiring the Top Agent Isn’t Expensive ... It’s Priceless! © 2015 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. D. Weltman Plumbing Lic. #6440 G. Nowicki Electric Lic. #6808 HIC #13VH04948800 HVAC #1228 An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT LLC. Call for details. Cannot be combined with other offers. WESTFIELD EAST OFFICE 209 CENTRAL AVENUE 908-233-5555