A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, November 29, 2007 Page 19 POPCORN™ Beowulf: Of Geats Reverend James Cyr Tells a Tale And Gigabytes From the Heart in ‘Cracked Pot’ One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent By MARYLOU MORANO openly tell his story. sion of Children’s Behavioral Health, By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER it and when (right now, “Anonymous” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times “I would speak at churches about working under the sponsorship of 2 and 1/2 popcorns and “somewhere between the eighth SCOTCH PLAINS – After decades my own recovery, and people would Catholic Charities. For a better appreciation of the old- and 10th centuries A.D.” are in the lead) of emotional pain resulting from five come up to me and tell me how they In addition, Reverend Cyr spends English epic “Beowulf,” transported to the extent of its Christian influence. congenital birth defects and multiple have gone through similar things,” he his time as a professional storyteller here by director Robert Zemeckis from Your job is to just enjoy it. forms of child abuse, Reverend James continued. who belongs to the National its oral roots to a full-blown CGI treat- To that end, Zemeckis’s ambitious Cyr had to make a decision. “I want the book to be a help to Storytelling Network, the Healing ment sure to intrigue the most discern- work is intermittently successful. It’s Would he allow the experiences of people. I want them to know that they Story Alliance and the Network of ing of Geeks, there’s this suggestion – epochal all right, the computer-gen- the past to make him bitter or make shouldn’t be ashamed of what hap- Biblical Storytellers. do what you did in high school. Mrs. erated imagery allowing the film- him better? “Stories can help people find Rehrman, your English teacher, will maker to purvey just about any land- Reverend Cyr’s moving story of wholeness. I tell stories of healing, be none the wiser. Read the Cliff Notes. scape and pull all sorts of dragons out sexual, physical and emotional abuse wisdom and faith,” he said, adding For all the universally understood of the firmamental hat. Still, the tech- at the hands of his parents and other that the stories he tells fall into the bravado, lust and swordplay this nology has its intrinsic confinements. relatives, and his subsequent heal- categories of folk tales, fairy tales, revolutionary eyeful offers, its po- There is that by-now-familiar, ing, is explained in a newly released sacred stories or stories from his etic mysticism remains obscure. It gigabyte/pixel look. memoir entitled “The Cracked Pot: own life. is sixth-century Denmark and, un- Indeed, Zemeckis has taken it an- Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child- “My own story in ‘A Cracked Pot’ like our sophisticated knowledge of other step. And, for the first 15 min- hood Abuse.” shows that the wounds of a painful such things like life, death and the utes or so you can’t help but marvel at The book also details one of the childhood can be healed, and they Susan M. Dougherty for The Leader/ Times hereafter, these poor souls are mired how the real-life actors, actually do- ‘SILENT’ TREATMENT…Dina most serious affects of his painful can be transformed into a way to in a lot of ambiguous booga-booga. ing their thing in front of a blue screen, Matos-McGreevey signs copies of her childhood – Dissociative Identity help others also,” he continued. To complicate matters, they have are stenciled over into these much new book “Silent Partner” for attend- Disorder (DID), the psychological To accomplish his mission of heal- monsters. more than cartoon characters. It is ees at the Springfield Library on Sun- process of adapting to trauma, also ing through stories, Reverend Cyr Of specific concern to King near seamless. day afternoon. “I had no intensions of known as “multiple-personality dis- has created a website – Heart Tales – Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) and his So much so, in fact, that we forgive writing a book,” she told the audience, order.” through which he shares stories that loyal followers is Grendel (Crispin the film for humming the scenery “but people were pretending to know In order to deal with his trauma, allow people to connect their hearts who I am or what I’m about. I wrote the Glover), party-pooper when it might have been making the book for my 5-year-old daughter to read Reverend Cyr’s psyche split into 15 to their true selves, to others and to extraordinaire. Whenever they make story a bit more accessible. Yet we when she’s older,” she said. different personalities. God. merry in the mead hall (that’s beer quickly jade. Just as with fine art, Until treated in psychotherapy, Each month he produces a free garden to you and me), the ugly whether done in traditional oils, wa- Masterwork Calls All these personas, referred to as “al- monthly e-mail newsletter that con- specter swoops down and demon- tercolors or even in what might trans- Singers for Messiah ters” or “my kids” in the book, sabo- tains an inspirational story. izes the celebrants. The depiction of late here as the “new acrylic,” it’s the taged his professional and personal Reverend James Cyr He will also suggest for contem- said murder and mayhem is quite subject at its heart, the story, that will AREA – The public can join mem- life. plation a story concerning a specific graphic. or will not carry the day. bers of the Masterwork Chorus in “The abuses I suffered as a child pened to them.” issue. With guilt already in full and ac- Nonetheless, it’s pretty wild stuff. singing through Handel’s Messiah on caused me to feel like giving up Reverend Cyr has worked as a Min- In addition, he conducts workshops cepted use, old Hrothgar ascribes the Here’s this pre-Medieval, pre- Sunday, December 9, at 2 p.m. at the many times,” said Reverend Cyr, a ister of Christian Education in a Bap- for beginning storytellers and on the curse to past sins. Young, sort of inno- Gutenberg legend, invigoratively re- Chatham United Methodist Church, Scotch Plains resident. tist church, a correctional chaplain in therapeutic use of stories for mental cent Queen Wealthow (Robin Wright told in the most cutting-edge way. located at 460 Main Street. “I hope ‘A Cracked Pot’ shows both a county jail and a state prison, and behavioral health clients. Penn), nods in agreement. But, the There’s something adventuresome Patterned after Masterwork there is hope for healing and gives as well as a pastor and a life-skills “The Cracked Pot” is available king rationalizes, if it’s the age of and oddly ennobling about suffusing Chorus’s Summer Sing program, the the reader the courage to seek help.” supervisor at a residential treatment through a link on Reverend Cyr’s monsters and evil omens, then ‘tis oneself in what essentially proves an sing-through of Messiah is appropri- According to the author, an Ameri- center for emotionally disturbed boys. website, hearttales.net. also the era of heroes. So he adver- interesting paragraph in the study of ate for older children and all adults can Baptist Minister, the idea to write Currently, he serves as a crisis- The author can be reached at tises for one: “Slay the monster and our literature. who like to sing. his book came after he began to intervention specialist for NJ Divi- [email protected]. earn half my gold.” It also can’t help but remind of A professional pianist will accom- Not one to miss a cue, the great Marshall McLuhan’s prophecy about pany the sing, which will be con- Geat warrior Beowulf, portrayed via the medium being the message. While ducted by Tom Cunningham, associ- computer transmutation by Ray this Beowulf might entertain, it may ate conductor of The Masterwork WF Beauty Queen Appears Winstone, washes ashore with his not be in the way that “Anonymous” Chorus and music director of the pro- devoted thanes (that’s homies to us). had intended. All of which prompts fessional Manhattan Choral En- Hopeful and elated, Hrothgar accedes Carnegie Mellon’s Erin Goldberger semble. Fellowship and a high tea of On TV, in Movie and Ballet to reopening the shuttered mead hall to sum up the literary experiment by holiday treats will follow. when the big guy palavers about the speculating, “What’s next…‘The Admission to the Messiah sing is By SUSAN MYRILL DOUGHERTY cal played the lead queen in “La person on behalf of the company. king’s legendary brew. He’ll mix busi- Iliad’ performed by robots?” $10 and includes the complimentary Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Esmeralda” earlier this month at the “I’m very excited to be partnering ness with pleasure. * * * high tea. Listeners and students are WESTFIELD – She’s a beauty NJ Ballet Gala at the Community with Neiman Marcus to sponsor a NJ Though it’s been some 15 centu- Beowulf, rated PG-13, is a Para- welcome for $5. Those interested may queen. Ballet fundraiser/benefit in March,” ries since Beowulf’s fateful confron- mount Pictures release directed by bring their own scores of Messiah or Westfield’s Sherryl Pascal, Mrs. she said. tation with Grendel, just in case you Robert Zemeckis and stars the voices rent one for the afternoon. New Jersey 2008, doesn’t take of- When Mrs. Pascal goes with her still haven’t heard the outcome, this and computer-transformed images of For more information, call fense to the label; she’s proud of it. family to the Mrs. America finals in column won’t presume to play spoiler. Ray Winstone, Robin Wright Penn Katherine Becker, the event co-chair, “I’ve always been fashion-obsessed July, she will travel to San Antonio, The same goes concerning the upshot and Anthony Hopkins. Running time: at (973) 376-6705 or visit and beauty-obsessed,” she confessed Tex., where she’ll compete in areas of of a subsequent challenge from 116 minutes. masterwork.org. in a recent phone interview with The personal interview, most photogenic, Grendel’s mother, voiced and CGI- Westfield Leader and Scotch Plains- swimsuit, on-stage question and gown. epitomized by Angela Jolie. The rest Fanwood Times. On a more somber note, she shared is history, or not. A Painter ‘On the Edge,’ The wife and mother of three is that in 2000, she was diagnosed with Fact is, with epics – almost every busy juggling the household, making thyroid cancer and, until recently, it country has one – the line between appearances and, most recently, ap- had been in remission. myth and history is allowably blurred. Larko Presents at domo pearing in the movie Sex and the City In the last few weeks, however, the Such is convention when gloriously By MARYLOU MORANO canals and rivers that crisscross this and the TV show “Gossip Girl,” which cancer has returned. She said it’s justifying the birth of a nation. I.e.- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times area,” the artist said. airs Wednesday nights on The CW something that she needs to stay posi- “The Iliad” explains the nascence of SUMMIT – Valeri Larko, the di- “When I set up my easel and take Channel 11 at 9 p.m. tive about. Greek civilization; “The Aeneid” does rector of the Tomasulo Art Gallery at out my oil paints, I become engaged “After spending 17 hours on the set Her 13-year-old daughter, Victoria, it for Rome. America even has one in Union County College, has made a with the world around me as I delve in Brooklyn for Sex and the City, I is thinking of entering a teen pageant Joel Barlow’s “Vision of Columbus.” name for herself with “Salvaged,” her into the contradictions and odd juxta- now have a new appreciation for what in order to help her mother raise Alas, it never sold. signature series of oil paintings and positions that make up contemporary actors go through,” she explained with A GOOD CAUSE...Mrs. NJ, Sherryl money and awareness for the disease. And even though “Beowulf” takes works on paper of discarded appli- urban life,” she added. a laugh. “I always thought it looked Pascal of Westfield, has made dyslexia “All of my children like to try to so easy.” awareness a focal point of her plat- take care of me — Spencer, Victoria place outside the “Island Kingdom,” ances and other junkyard refuse found All of her paintings are painted on form. Her son, Spencer, is dyslexic but the roots of England’s birth are seen at a Hackettstown salvage yard. location, and she often returns to the Granted, she has unnamed parts in has found new focus after performing and 10-year-old Maxwell.” as taking hold in the illustrious tales Equally impressive are Ms. Larko’s same site for weeks or months, de- both appearances, but Mrs. New Jer- in the New Jersey Ballet, an organiza- In fact, her battle has become a of those Nordic and Germanic tribes large murals of New Jersey railroads pending on the size of the painting sey relishes them as if they were tion that Mrs. Pascal supports. rallying point for the family. With the that will ultimately fight it out, merge that hang in the north mezzanine of that she is creating. A large canvas starring roles. In “Gossip Girl,” she help of her children, husband Roy and evolve into Britons. Not that you’d the New Jersey Transit’s Secaucus can take her up to two-and-a-half plays the mother of one of the charac- Theater, Mayo Center, in Morristown. and their positive attitude, she’s opti- know it from Mr. Zemeckis’s film, or transfer station. months to complete. ters. “I must admit, I really hadn’t Because of her love of ballet, she mistic. “It’s kind of become a whole- from Mrs. Rehrman’s class, for that To complete the murals, New Jer- Interacting with the surrounding followed the show,” she said of the makes appearances and acts as a spokes- family project,” she said. matter. sey Transit and the environment, as popular teen-scene-books-turned-TV Just how the Cliff Notes authors know New Jersey State well as the people program. the real skinny is a mystery. But don’t Council on the arts she meets at the “I got to walk back and forth [dur- Pearl Street Exhibits feel bad if you don’t get it all. Scholars awarded Ms. different loca- ing] a scene in my beautiful designer are still arguing it out…from who wrote Larko a major tions, is as much a gown,” she said. “You need to supply mural commis- part of Ms. your own wardrobe,” she noted. Paintings by Late Cammon Choral Art Society sion. Larko’s painting Yet, for Mrs. Pascal, the beauty- WESTFIELD – The gallery space Essex Art Association, the Newark And then there process as the pageant business is not just about at the Union County Office of Cul- Museum as a member, student and Announces Messiah Sing is her “Urban and painting itself. having a pretty face and wearing fash- tural and Heritage Affairs will dis- instructor, the Westfield Art Asso- WESTFIELD – The Choral Art Industrial” series “While talking ionable clothes. Winners are required play an exhibit of paintings by the ciation, the Fairlawn Art Associa- Society of New Jersey, Inc. announced of bridges, facto- Valeri Larko to people on loca- to use their titles for a cause. late Bill Cammon of Union, a former tion, the New Jersey Center for the that its annual Messiah community ries, transformers Abandoned Gas Station, 2007 tion, I receive a lot Mrs. NJ’s platform is a double one Westfield Art Association member. Arts and others. sing, now a Westfield tradition, will and power plants, Oil/linen, 32" x 52" of information – dyslexic awareness is her first cause The gallery is located at 633 Pearl “I believe that an artist’s represen- take place on December 7 at 8 p.m. at all created either about the sites that because she has gone through the Street in Elizabeth. tations are not about the objects on First United Methodist Church, lo- on linen or paper, using New Jersey I am painting,” she explained. situation first-hand with her 12–year– A selection of Mr. Cammon’s ab- the canvas or paper but rather about cated at 1 East Broad Street. sites as subjects. In December 2006, Ms. Larko re- old son, Spencer. stract watercolor paintings is on dis- the artist who painted it and the effect James Little, musical director of A move to New Rochelle, N.Y., in ceived a grant from the George “I’ve witnessed the confusion and play at the Pearl Street Gallery through that object had on him or her. It is that the society, will conduct the Handel 2004 inspired a new series of works Sugarman Foundation to continue her frustration a child goes through if he December 6. Gallery hours are 8:30 affect and impact that creates the real oratorio. Audience members are in- Ms. Larko calls the “NY Series.” “NY Series.” The award honors the is dyslexic. I want to help educate a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. individual story, and we all know that vited to bring scores and join in the Bronx barges, a cement factory, the late sculptor George Sugarman, who people about it,” she explained. Mr. Cammon died unexpectedly this is about story telling,” Mr. singing of both choruses and solo Tremont Avenue Subway and other provided for working artists in his The second aspect of her charity- on October 2. His family and friends Cammon said of his work. sections or simply come to listen. paintings of their kind have joined will. based platform is supporting the New are honoring his memory by present- Union County artists (whose works Scores will be available to borrow for Ms. Larko’s prolific body of work. Ms. Larko’s work is in the collec- Jersey Ballet. Her son has performed ing the artwork he had selected for can be hung on a wall) interested in the evening. Presently, the domogallery in Sum- tions of the Jersey City Museum, The with the NJ Ballet for three years. this exhibit. exhibiting in the gallery are welcome The sing will also feature the tal- mit hosts “Paintings from the Edge of Montclair Museum, The New Jersey After dancing four days per week, Mr. Cammon was a painter whose to apply. ents of Trent Johnson, organist and the City,” a grouping of representa- State Museum, Johnson & Johnson Spencer has new focus. “I’ve seen concentration on the figure and portrai- For more information about the choir director at the First United tive pieces from Ms. Larko’s series. and Rutgers University, as well as other what ballet has done for him.” ture was augmented by an equal inter- Pearl Street Gallery or to learn about Methodist Church. “Currently, I am exploring the land- venues, including private collections. A former dancer herself, Mrs. Pas- est in the abstract theater of visual arts. other programs and services, contact Admission to the performance is scape closer to my new home and Ms. Larko attended the Du Cret Over the years, Mr. Cammon es- the Union County Office of Cultural $10 at the door, have been drawn to the many urban School of the Arts in Plainfield and FUMC Hosts Annual tablished many relationships with and Heritage Affair. the Arts Students League in New York professional and social organiza- For more, call (908) 558-2550. NJ City. She is a painting instructor at Holiday Bazaar tions. He was a lifetime member of Relay users can dial 711 or e-mail Premiere Stages Seeks the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey WESTFIELD – The United Meth- the Art Students League, the West [email protected]. in Summit. odist Women of Westfield’s First domogallery will offer “Paintings United Methodist Church will hold Scripts from NJ Playwrights from the Edge of the City” its annual holiday bazaar on Decem- Contagious Drama Workshop UNION – Premiere Stages at Kean Three of the plays submitted will domogallery until Saturday, Decem- ber 2. It will take place in the church’s University is currently accepting play be selected for development at Pre- ber 8. Fellowship Hall at 1 East Broad Street. acting classes for kids and teens submissions from professional play- miere Stages. The three plays will be domogallery is located at 447 Holiday gifts, crafts, baked goods wrights born or currently residing in given public readings, and talkbacks Springfield Avenue in Summit. The and Maasai beads will be on sale. A Acting and Creative Dramatics New Jersey for the Premiere Stages with the audience and panel will fol- gallery is open from Tuesday to Fri- casserole lunch will also be available. Play Festival. low each reading. day from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday Proceeds from the event will benefit The festival is also open to play- The panel will work with the pro- from noon to m. to 5 p.m. or by charities including the Women’s Shel- now Enrolling wrights in the greater-metropolitan ducing artistic director of Premiere appointment. To reach the gallery, ter of Elizabeth. for winter and area (New York, Connecticut and Stages to select one of the three plays call (908) 608-0079. For more information, contact Su- Pennsylvania). for a June 2008 Equity Staged Read- More information about Ms. Larko san Granski in the church office at spring Sessions “We are looking for plays that offer ing, and the play deemed to be fur- can be found on valerilarko.com. (908) 233-4211. (classes beginning January 23rd) fresh perspectives on contemporary thest along in its development will issues,” said John Wooten, producing receive a fully produced Equity pro- • Private Coaching artistic director of Premiere Stages. duction in July 2008. & Scout Badge “We invite local playwrights and pa- A cash prize will be awarded to programs available trons to join us in the process of three of the participating playwrights. developing original work for the The play selected for full production • Classes held in stage.” will be awarded $2,000; the play se- Downtown Westfield, Interested playwrights should sub- lected for the June reading will be New Jersey mit either a synopsis or full script awarded $750 and a runner-up will be (through an agent). All playwrights awarded $500. Think outside the box and who have been asked to submit full There is no fee required to submit set your creative spirit free . . . scripts, including those not selected to the Festival. Playwrights can down- for expanded development, will re- load submission guidelines from For more info, class times and details contact Beth Painter ceive an evaluation of the submitted kean.edu/premierestages or can call phone - 917 836 3740 e-mail - [email protected] play from the panel upon request. (908) 737-4092. or visit www.contagiousdrama.com