A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, October 10, 2013 Page 25 Actors Scare Up Fun at ‘Monster Mash Mayhem’ WESTFIELD – The largest, most Addams Family;” Kylie Szymansky celebrity-packed Halloween party of who plays Penny Blake on “The the year, Monster Mash Mayhem, is Walking Dead;” Mike Koske, who set to take place on Saturday, Octo- plays 42 different zombies on “The ber 12, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at Walking Dead;” Brian Cano from Temple Emanu El Hall, 756 East “The Haunted Collector;” Mike Broad Street in Westfield. Doors Christopher from “Dawn of the open at 5 p.m. All are welcome. Dead” and Brett McGinnis of “Ghost Dance with zombies, chat with Hunters Academy.” cast members from TV shows in- Several paranormal experts and cluding “The Walking Dead,” “Ghost entertainers will be on hand includ- Hunters,” “Ghost Hunters Interna- ing: CC the Huntress, a paranormal tional,” “Haunted Collector” and hunter and TV personality; Gentle- “The Addams Family” and help raise man Jim, an Elvis Presley Imper- money to assist the family of a 2- sonator; MJX, a Michael Jackson year-old boy fighting cancer, all Impersonator and Radio Personal- while enjoying dinner, music, enter- ity Rock with the Shock. tainment and a ghoulishly good Hal- In addition to the host of celebri- HORROR…The R&B singing street urchins of Skid Row in Cranford Dramatic loween costume contest. ties and entertainers, there will also Club’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, pictured, left to right, are: Melrose Tickets are $56 per person and be a group of students from Johnson (Chrystal), Eden Rahming (Chiffon), Shari Gill (Ronnette). include the celebrity meet and greet, Cranford High School on hand dinner, live entertainment through- dressed as monsters and zombies to out the night, dinner, dancing, con- scare up some fun and help with Little Shop of Horrors Opens tests, prizes and a few surprises along some of the performances. Local the way. Costumes are optional, but actors from various Union County if you are wearing one, you are eli- theater groups will provide addi- CDC Theatre’s 95th Season gible to compete in the “Haunted tional ghostly antics along with ac- CRANFORD - Little Shop of Hor- this winter. It’s been a lot of fun work- Costume Contest.” tors from all over the country who rors, book and lyrics by Howard ing for the first time with an energetic Bruce Tango, a cast member of will show off their ghoulishly good Ashman, music by Alan Menken, will director like Alan. He’s brought some the show “Ghost Hunters” added skills. bring the music and man-eating-plants great new ideas to the show.” that a portion of the event will also For additional information and of Skid Row to Cranford from Friday, Also new to CDC Theatre is Music raise funds to help a child struggling tickets, visit the Monster Mash May- October 11, through Saturday, October Director Jack Bender. “This is the third OPEN AIR...The Scotch Plains Fanwood Arts Association (SPFAA) will hold a with cancer. hem website at 26, in the Cranford Dramatic Club’s time I have done a production of Little plein air event today, Thursday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The event “We will also be trying to raise www.monstermashparty.com. (CDC) season opener. Shop, said Mr. Bender. “But this is by will take place in front of the Scotch Plains Municipal Building at 430 Park some funds for our little 2-year-old Floral assistant Seymour Krelborn far the most talented cast I’ve worked Avenue. Attendees will draw, sketch and paint “in the open air.” Please bring a buddy Max Brimhall and his family becomes an overnight sensation when with. I am really enjoying my first time chair or stool, paper, and drawing supplies. The rain date is set for Friday, at this event by having a Monster he discovers an exotic plant, Audrey II, working with CDC.” October 11, same time. Call (908) 868-8909 with questions. Grand Prize Raffle and a segment, with a mysterious craving for fresh Cast member Eden Rahming, “Chif- which we will be calling ‘Monsters blood. Tuneful and hilarious, with fon” in the show, described her audi- SP-F Arts Association Announces Plein Air Event for Max’ where the zombies and tongue planted firmly in cheek, this tion as “a welcoming experience” and SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD see the website: SPFAA. net. The monsters will be coming around to affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi spot- the production process a little bit of a - The Scotch Plains Fanwood Arts 2013-2014 season launched in Sep- put the ‘bite on you,’” Mr. Tango lights a new crop of talent. luxury. “The rehearsal and production Association (SPFAA) will hold a tember, with a meet and greet with said. The show is directed by Alan Van process at CDC has been different from plein air event today, Thursday, Oc- the new President, Sandra Cerchio. The impressive list of celebrities Antwerp. “As a first time Director at my usual school experience. (Eden is tober 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Membership applications can be who are slated to attend the Hallow- CDC, I get to kick-off the theatre’s 95th currently a graduate student in Musical The event will take place in front of found on the website. een bash include: Bruce Tango of season with a show that is perfect for Theatre NJCU). There, because of busy the Scotch Plains Municipal Build- “Ghost Hunters;” Joe Chin of “Ghost the Halloween season. I’ve also had the faculty schedules and time constraints, ing at 430 Park Avenue. Attendees www.goleader.com Hunters International;” Felix Silla unique experience of designing and we often have to rehearse a show out of will draw, sketch and paint “in the who played Cousin It on “The building our new, never before seen, sequence, in different rehearsal spaces, open air.” Please bring a chair or man-eating-plant. The audience is go- and sometimes don’t get to see the final stool, paper, and drawing supplies. ing to love Audrey II,’ said Mr. Antwerp. set until we are in the theatre. Working The rain date is set for Friday, Octo- WESTFIELD COMMUNITY PLAYERS “Chris Abbott, our puppeteer, has been in the space at CDC, we’ve been able to ber 11, same time. Call (908) 868- able to give each version of the plant its’ go straight through from the start to 8909 with questions. PRESENTS own personality.” finish and see the set go up around us. The plein air drawings will be pre- In his first appearance at CDC, Sean Every time we come to a rehearsal sented at the regular monthly meet- ~BAREFOOT IN THE PARK~ Marcus Moton is the voice of the plant. there is another surprise. This show has ing of the Scotch Plains Fanwood “This role is like being the villain for a been a lot of fun for the cast and the Arts Association, which will be held dark Disney feature!” Mr. Moton said. audience will have a great time!” on Thursday, October 17. The meet- FIRST-TIME PATRON PERFORMANCE “Performing from offstage, with the For tickets call (908) 276-7611 or ing runs from 7 – 9 p.m. and is held at audience getting just your voice, lets visit www.cdctheatre.org. the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts HALF PRICE: $10.00 you lose yourself and you are free to go For Funding has been made possible Center, which is located on the a little crazy. ” in part by the New Jersey State Council grounds of Fanwood’s Borough Hall, CDC President Liz Howard, a long- on the Arts Department of State, a facing Watson Road, Fanwood. Any- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013 ONLY time CDC member, is producing Little partner agency of the National Endow- one interested is welcome to come 8:00 PM Shop of Horrors. “This show is a won- ment of the Arts, through a grant ad- and view the drawings. The artists derful example of the range of people ministered by the Union County Office will discuss their drawings. involved in CDC Theatre: young jun- of Cultural and Heritage Affairs The Scotch Plains Fanwood Arts ~OPEN SEATING~ ior members, long time members, new Association meets monthly on the members,” explained Ms. Howard. third Thursday of the month at the WCP...1000 NORTH AVE. W...WESTFIELD, NJ “Megan Ferentinos, choreographer and The Town Book Store Kuran Cultural Arts Center. Please set designer, has done a dozen shows To Host Author here. Her daughter, Junior Member Emma Ferentinos is one of our Produc- Shirley Wachtel tion Interns. Lucas Schultz, who was WESTFIELD - The Town Book Oliver in our production of Oliver a few Store is hosting an Author Meet and seasons ago, is part of our Lighting Greet for Shirley Russak Wachtel on Crew and will be appearing in A Christ- Saturday, October 12, from 2 – 4 p.m. mas Story at Madison Square Garden “My Mother’s Shoes” is a memoir which recounts the life of the author’s mother, Blima, as she and her family Train Show, are swept up in the horrors of the Holo- Octoberfest Toy Show caust, and then as she makes the transi- tion to America. October 12-13 This moving memoir shows the im- NEW CASTLE, Del. - On Saturday, pact of Blima’s experience, not only on October 12, the Delaware Train Show her daughter, but future generations. will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Described as “an evocative, moveable the Nur Shrine Center, Route 13/198 feast plumbing past and present with South DuPont Highway, New Castle, equal grace,” and written in the voices Del. Admission is $4, children under of Blima, her American alter-ego, Betty, the age of 12 are free; $10 early buyers and her daughter, Shirley, My Mother’s 8 a.m. admission. The event will fea- Shoes is ultimately a testimony to hope. ture over 150 tables of trains, accesso- Shirley Russak Wachtel is a resident ries, slotcars, and toys. of East Brunswick, and has worked as On Sunday, October 13, April Fools a newspaper editor and reporter. A pro- Toy Show, the east coast’s largest toy fessor of English at Middlesex County show moves in with over 175 tables of College in Edison, she holds a Doctor new, collectible and antique toys. 10 of Letters degree from Drew Univer- a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5; chil- sity. She is the author of “In the Mellow dren under the age of 12 are free; $10 Light,” a collection of poetry, and sev- early buyers 9 a.m. admission. eral interactive mystery books for chil- Collectors will not want to miss this dren, as well as a series of college level show featuring great food and free textbooks. Her essays and poems have parking. This is a rain or shine event. appeared in The New York Times and The Nur Shrine Temple, is conve- various literary journals. nient to I-95, I-295 and US Route 40. It Meet Shirley Wachtel at The Town is three miles from the Delaware Me- Book Store located at 270 East Broad morial Bridge and 20 minutes from Street in Westfield (corner of East Broad Philadelphia. and Elmer Streets). If you are unable to For a map or information on attend- attend this event, feel free to call The ing or participating in this show, visit Town Book Store at (908) 233-3535 to www.toyshows.org or call (856) 302- reserve an autographed copy of “My 3606. Mother’s Shoes.”

October 11-12 18-19 25-26

Tickets: www.cdctheatre.org - 908-276-7611 78 Winans Ave Cranford.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts, through a grant administered by the Union Co. Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.