Page 20 Thursday, July 19, 2001 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Take the Stage SiemensSiemens ChoosesChooses WWestfieldestfield WITH KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT ForFor LatestLatest CommerCommercialcial By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN crashing down around him because walking down Elm Street with The Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The UnstoppableUnstoppable Times he did not have Siemens’ product. Leader/The Times, “And, Westfield WESTFIELD – Senior Pro- The majority of the plummeting ob- had it.” ducer Thomas Buchbinder of jects, Mr. Buchbinder reported, Chase Wilson Organization in would be animated or “drawn into” WYWYAACTCT TTeameam Montvale rapped with crew mem- the commercial. bers on Elm Street in Westfield Speaking of disruptive sounds, Mr. early Tuesday morning, while an Buchbinder said the only hitch to unknown actor had his face touched their filming on Elm Street has been Artist of up outside of a van on Quimby the construction going on simulta- WWoowsws WWitithh IslandIsland neously inside of Ferraro’s. He said Street. that the construction workers were By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT Moune’s adoptive parents and have One camera, a modestly sized crew the Week Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times and a small table of pastries rivaled not notified about the filming, caus- some of the most touching moments ing the two crews to do-si-do around WESTFIELD / NEWARK — If in the play, and Lindsay-Rose Sinclair what Westfield is used to seeing dur- you are a Union County resident and ing the filming of a commercial or each other. is elegant and ethereal as Erzulie, Mr. Buchbinder said the commer- at all familiar with the wonderful arts The Goddess of Love. television episode – giant trailers, and arts programming that we have hordes of celebrities and sealed off cial, which was originally slated for Also turning in great work are a sound stage, was switched to access to here, chances are you have Rene Martinez, Lauren Linder, Jo- streets. heard of the Westfield Young Artists’ Mr. Buchbinder told The Westfield Westfield at the last minute. He said seph Harrington, Alistair Williams he was grateful to the town for coop- Cooperative Theater, Inc. (WYACT). and Justin Restivo. But again, the Leader and The Times of Scotch If you have had the opportunity to Plains-Fanwood that, for one day erating with the production crew’s entire cast is exceptional. Everyone needs. attend a WYACT production, undoubt- involved with this production de- only, the production company edly you understand the importance would be filming a commercial Montclair was also considered for serves accolades. the commercial, as it has been eyed of an organization such as this. Musically directed by Ilene for a hearing aide, developed by This exceptional company is a non- Siemens. The closest branch of in the past by Viacom Productions Greenbaum and choreographed by for NBC’s “Ed” and by other film- profit association that aims to edu- Sherry Alban, Once on This Island is a Siemens, an electrical engineering cate and inspire local young talent in and electronics giant, is located in makers and producers. beautiful production. Do not miss it! “We sent people out to drive around the areas of performing and the per- Once on This Island continues its run Iselin. forming arts. While walking down Elm Street, and find the type of street that repre- at Victoria Theater at NJPAC through sented the average street in everyday I had the pleasure of attending two Sunday, July 22. in front of Ferraro’s Restaurant, the of WYACT’s productions last year, actor would be unable to hear objects America,” said Mr. Buchbinder, while Brigadoon and The Gay Divorce, and Courtesy of the NJPAC Alexis Slade as Ti Moune captures I was thoroughly knocked clear out of the souls of audience members in Francis Ford Coppola my seat both times. The level of pro- Once on This Island. fessionalism that this company is ca- pable of is truly breathtaking. Eclectic Arts, Crafts Come (1939- ) At the helm of WYACT is Westfield (1939- ) resident and Broadway veteran By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Cynthia Meryl. The amount of love To Annual Outdoor Show Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times that goes into a WYACT production In his ninth year, the son of re- is visible on every level. By CAROL F. DAVIS Faux Metal, dubbed by several art- nowned Italian-American composer PenPen && InkInk Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Currently staging the heartwarming ists in adjoining booths at a previous Carmine Coppola was confined to and educational Caribbean fairytale, PLAINFIELD – Saturday’s crafts fair. Ms. Bennett got her start his bed, paralyzed with polio. Keep- Once on This Island at the New Jersey Twenty Years of MTV Rocks Station weather was perfect, sunny and not after a very, very short haircut. It left ing his imagination fertile with pup- Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Twenty Years of MTV Rocks Station too hot, for an outdoor art show, her trying to figure out what to do petry, television and comic books, Newark, this production made me wish coupled with the fact that this year’s with all that new found space around Francis Ford Coppola delved into that WYACT could present not one or Down to All TV and Less Videos artists were amongst the best seen at her face. She started with a few film during his youngest years. He two, but 20 productions a year. the Annual Plainfield Outdoor Festi- By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Continued on Page 19 edited home movies in an 8-millime- Based on the book, “My Love, My Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times ter format, giving them clever titles Love,” by Rosa Guy and in some Not long after MTV launched in 1981, Starship’s video “Nothings and making them family treasures. ways akin to Hans Christian The Detroit native was always in- Anderson’s, “The Little Mermaid,” Gonna Stop Us Now” from Mannequin came on the screen. Westfield terested in the arts, leading him to Once on This Island is a sweet and native Andrew McCarthy’s dancing around with a fake woman, morphing master the tuba and to garner a often thought provoking musical tale. into a real one, was mind-boggling as a concept, let alone a music video. musical scholarship to the New York Written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen “Leave on whatever you want,” my grandfather said, surrendering the Military Academy. Music became Flaherty, the team who brought us remote control and slumping down into the recliner nearby. Not even three second fiddle for Coppola (pardon Ragtime and Seussical, the original the pun) when he opted to major in production of Once on This Island on seconds went by, my grandfather’s face scowling with fury at the “crazy theater at Hofstra University, where Broadway did extremely well. images” in front of him. “Turn this junk off! What is this supposed to mean, held leadership positions in theater On a dark and stormy night, a vil- this weird video stuff?” and music clubs. He went onto lage of Caribbean peasants act out a This reaction, one of the most common to the anti-MTV Generation, is UCLA, graduating with a Master in legendary story to entertain and soothe what the music television channel has been banking on for 20 years. Fine Arts in Film. a frightened child. Through music In 1962, Coppola progressed from and dance, the lovable peasants tell Celebrating two decades as the dialogue director to associate pro- the tale of Ti Moune, an orphaned single most powerful public rela- ducer. A short seven years later, he young girl and her passionate, selfless tions giant in music history, when already had his first encounter with love for Daniel, a rich heir from the people think of MTV, they think of Eleanor Neil. She took the role as his House of Beauxhomme. This Romeo music first. Recently, however, view- wife, a part Coppola has compared and Juliet-style tale uses class to sepa- to that of Kay Corleone (Diane rate the star-crossed lovers, and, as ers have been weaned off of the Keaton) in his cinematic Godfather always, their earnest affair comes to buffet-style diet of music videos. series. Another harmonious union an unfortunate end. The media mogul has placed the occurred for Coppola, when he Expertly directed by Ms. Meryl, “M” on the back burner and fired up joined forces with filmmaker George and in conjunction with NJPAC’s the “TV” format instead. Courtesy of Michael Jessie and Carol F. Davis Lucas to establish independent film Summer Musical Theater Production OUTDOOR ODYSSEY...Designer/illustrator Richard Berardino exhibits his company American Zoetrope. program, this version of Once on This In fact, MTV’s “Total Request prize piece during the Annual Plainfield Outdoor Festival of Art on Saturday. Shortly after these personal and Island is every bit as wonderful as I Live” or “TRL” is the only real pro- professional marriages, Coppola knew it would be. The tale moves val of Art. It was a pleasure to walk gram featuring the original program- Continued on Page 19 cinematically from start to finish and ming of airing music videos. The around and chat with the creators, the energetic, talented young cast and others. members are all extremely gifted. channel has almost entirely turned This year, the juried show was As Ti Moune, Alexis Slade is a star itself into a network of cartoons, well-organized and separated into in the making. This lovely young per- awards programs, reality television sections, with the artists on one side former wins your heart immediately. shows, karaoke contests, Claymation of the fountain, and the crafters on Ms. Slade is captivating as the brave boxing matches, and soap operas. the other. As I strolled around in- CHILDREN’S BOOK NOOK and altruistic Ti Moune, singing and specting everyone’s wares, I secretly With Marylou Morano dancing with passion and fire. This is The San Francisco cast of “The Real World” The music is still there, but it is piped (and in some cases, not so secretly) a rounded and skilled performance in the background or musicians are selected my favorites. By MARYLOU MORANO She currently lives on Stony Lake and Ms. Slade should be very proud. featured biography-style. Richard Berardino, a young guy Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times near Lake Michigan. Margaret uses As her lover, Daniel, Jon Christian with novel ideas, used a variety of Read any good CDs lately? her own childhood and her imagi- No other network can be fully credited with the invention of reality Changing technology has affected nation when writing her stories for Hoche is also terrific, covering every television like MTV. With the birth of “The Real World” and “Road Rules,” concepts to form unique design and illustration. From photography to every area of our lives and the children. aspect of his role with ease. Born book industry is no ex- with a silver spoon in his mouth, ordinary people volunteered to have their lives taped 24-7, regardless of the computer-enhanced images to paint- Her second CD backlash. While we welcomed the new format, we still enjoyed having the ception. Once com- book, “A Light on Daniel knows the dangers of falling ing, his work had it all. pact discs revolution- the Widow’s Walk” in love with a peasant girl, but does option of watching music videos. Also combining creative talents was ized music, books (Hornkohl, 2000) is so nonetheless, defying his father. Almost 10 years ago, “Club MTV,” an updated version of “American Bob Yurochko. This musician, teacher, were not far behind. geared towards Mr. Hoche is gentle, playful and Bandstand” the goofy game show “Remote Control” and fashion-forward and published author of “A Short His- Now books on CDs slightly older read- tory of Jazz,” doesn’t stop there. He thoroughly appealing in his portrayal. “House of Style” preceded reality television. Viewers felt a shift – can be read right off a ers. This book has a Brittany Campbell is delightful as also seems to have time to paint. computer. little of everything young Ti Moune and Kiyaana Cox musicians weren’t just marketing themselves in a video format, but now When you’ve got it, you’ve got it. — suspense, adven- nearly walks away with the show as had the opportunity to sell themselves in a new style. William Bunting has been paint- * * * * * ture and a message Asaka, Mother of the Earth. Singing “Cribs” allows musicians to show off their dreamy mansions, while ing since the age of 12. Five years Hamill Favorites that right triumphs the rousing “Mama Will Provide”, viewers sit back and salivate. “Becoming” fulfills teenagers’ fantasies ago, he developed a special interest If you go past the over wrong. Two Ms. Cox is a powerhouse. in painting cars and trains, in the garden, over the young teens be- Both Uton Onyejekwe and Tracey by making them over into their favorite musician. “Diary” gives the style of photo-realism. Each oil takes wooden bridge and across a sunny come involved with gangsters and Lynne Haskell are wonderful as Ti no holds barred biography of musicians and celebs, while “Celebrity him approximately six weeks to com- meadow you’ll reach a magic line. bootleggers during the Prohibition Deathmatch” pins Playdough ver- plete. They’re grand. You can see it’s Step over the line and you’re in in a small town on Lake Michigan. a labor of love. Shady Woods — Fairyland! Owen, one of the young men, must sions of celebs against each other “Spilled Fairy Dust: Bluebell’s Ad- weigh becoming involved in ille- Referring to himself as a “Modern ventures in the Shady Woods” in a boxing ring. While “Loveline” Urban Photographer,” James Ligons gal activities against helping his is a venue for callers to get an- (Hornkolh, 2000) is an enchanting mother during the Depression. This JUXTAPOSE has found a way to use his fine arts CD book about a precocious fairy is a story that all older middle- swers to their most perverse que- background to create photographic who’s forever in search of adven- grade readers, especially boys, will ries, “Jackass” gives a play-by- pieces, which he calls mosaics. His ture. Bluebell flies between the enjoy. GALLERY play of how a viewer can become imaginative use of positive and nega- Shady Woods and the world of Both CD books are illustrated. one themselves by doing fun stuff tive space results in pleasing compo- humans — between Marigold, For availability, check out the sitions. They all seem to come with Poppy, and Briallan, the Queen of publisher’s Web site at – like setting themselves on fire. a story, if you take the time to ask. the Fairies, and Caroline, the little www.hornkohl.com. presents... “Spyder Games” and “Un- Completing half the show, it was dressed,” two soap operas that time for a short break. There were a * * * * * Fine Block few food vendors lining the perim- Middle Grade Nonfiction would make Erica Kane blush, have To our young people today, the made me hit the “Display” button eter of the park. For me, the Asian PRINTS food stand served veggie fritters and Vietnam War is something to read on my remote to see if I was on the bottled water. I didn’t dare touch the about in history books. For those in Fine Lines right channel. Twenty years later, funnel cakes or cotton candy. of us who lived during the 60s, the I’m still sitting in the same recliner Next, it was onto the crafters. There Viet Nam War will forever be a part were some inspirational booths, in- of who we were at the time and FRAMES near my grandfather’s, switching who we are today. cluding Lois Macknik’s hand-woven Perhaps one of the most over- on MTV but realizing, “Gone are goods. I loved her little four harness the days of V-jay Martha Quinn looked aspects of the war was the Arts & Crafts Style prints, table loom, at which she worked contribution made by women. Now Japanese woodblocks and and music videos. diligently while customers browsed middle school readers can learn period inspired tiles MTV was founded on the basis of at her mats, scarves, and bookmarks. more about the roles women in handcrafted the The Buggles hit, “Video Killed Another fun stop was at Skykay played, both pro and con, during quartersawn oak frames. Handcrafted Dolls by Diana. girl who shares some of Bluebell’s the war by reading “The Valiant the Radio Star.” Now, 20 years later, There were several booths that fea- escapades. This is a charming book Women of the Vietnam War” it seems more like “Dramatic T.V. tured Afrocentric crafts, and one ar- that new readers will enjoy read- (Millbrook Press, 2000). On Display July 27 – August 18 Squashed the Music Video.” tisan who made unique shawl col- ing on their own and younger ones The book tells the true stories of lars. My husband wanted to purchase will enjoy having read to them. the nurses, volunteers, war corre- one for me. The prices were reason- The author of “Spilled Fairy spondents, POW wives and anti- OPENING RECEPTION Buckle Up, A&E able — they all sold for $29 — but Dust: Bluebell’s Adventures in the war protesters whose lives were th no, we weren’t there to shop this Shady Woods,” Margaret Hamill, touched by the Viet Nam War. The Friday, July 27 - 6pm – 9pm Will Soon Have Its Own is a retired school teacher who book also contains, as background time. began writing after teaching el- Page in Cyberspace! Vivian Bennett had the most inter- ementary school for 22 ½ years. Continued on Page 19 58 ELM STREET • WESTFIELD • 908-232-3278 esting story. She calls her jewelry CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK