A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, January 18, 2001 Page 19

Artist of MyMy TwoTwo CentsCents the Week It’s 8 p.m. at the American Music Awards and We Ask: & ‘Britney Spears, Do You Know Where Your Clothes Went?’ By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN And how could I be so remiss in paw her while she sings half- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times thinking that Britney’s perfor- clad herself is an overreaction! “While I was doing the dishes mance of “Stronger” wasn’t bor- How could I be so sensitive? I this morning, I actually asked derline pornographic? What’s must be a prude. Why don’t I get myself if I’ll be able to watch wrong with me? Half-naked girls with the times? television tonight.” My mother in body stockings and glitter gy- Why don’t they get a con- settled down with her crocheting Take the Stage rating around Britney, trying to science and take a class in re- WITH KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT and reading materials, almost sponsible television pro- Spike Lee Joint fearful of what insane images gramming? Spike Lee Joint would flash before her as the At Moravian College, I gave channels changed. a speech against banning A Shot in the Dark (1957- ) After last Monday evening’s books. I loathed censorship in telecast of the American Music all of it’s forms. But, I knew By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Awards, mom has been suffer- Misses WCP’s Mark Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times there was a definite line that, ing from PBS. That’s Post- when crossed, was blatantly This Altanta, Ga. native knows Britney Syndrome for those of By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT sionalism that WCP is so capable of offensive and abusive of one’s Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times achieving. Understandably, they are how to make a name for himself. It’s you not yet familiar with the rights. called “genius.” In fact, when Spike WESTFIELD — For the second a community theater and one can’t pseudo-medical term. Her bout One thing is so clear it offering of their 2000-2001 season, Lee Joint first came onto the movie began when she was exposed to expect to see perfection every time. making scene, he seemed to take an screams in triple red neon. Westfield Community Players However, it is discouraging to see the flesh fest on ABC. Britney, Television programmers (WCP) is staging the farcical mys- mediocre work in a theater that has industry filled with boredom and who co-hosted the catastrophe toss it up in the air, landing it upside and executives aren’t afraid tery/comedy, A Shot in the Dark. so much to offer. down with an exciting crash. The with equally offensive rapper L. of offending you. They’ve On the heels of their brilliant and While there may be many factors street flavor, the edge and the reality L. Cool J., was prompted to shed lost sight of what it means professional season opener, The Last that caused this production to fall of his films are revolutionary ele- her pink gown for something a Night of Ballyhoo, A Shot in the short, including a last minute casting to entertain and provide Dark is stylistically very different ments that have made movies worth little less, well, a lot less. family programming. replacement, (who, ironically, is one appreciating again. “Is this really happening?” from Ballyhoo, and I am always im- of the stronger performers in the They’ve forgotten that chil- pressed with the choice of material play,) it is hard to understand why the The son of jazz bassist Bill Lee, Mom nearly dropped her cro- dren need an age of inno- husband of attorney Tonya Lewis that WCP presents. production is so dull. cheting needle in disgust and cence. Set in Paris, A Shot in the Dark and father of daughter Satchel and shock. So much for family pro- The director, Maurice J. Moran Jr., son Jackson, Spike craved a differ- While they are chasing the tells the tale of a naïve, but appealing has a terrific reputation and an im- gramming. cutting edge shock value, parlor maid who is found nude next pressive resume and it is not my ent field. A baseball field to be more It was 8 p.m. when most kids exact—the one called Shea where the needs of viewers have to the body of one of her lovers. intent to criticize his work or his the Mets play. He chose mass com- are parked before the tele to slipped their minds. Accused of murder, the endearing choices. Nevertheless, there are some munications at Morehouse College watch their favorite programs. Josefa professes her innocence to the basic tools that could have been used in Georgia as a major instead. As the camera panned over the newly-appointed Court Magistrate to enliven this production, and I can- He’s a contemporary kind of guy. teen queen’s body, young eyes who is handling her case. not help wonder why there wasn’t If was asked to direct Gone With the became filled with a whole lotta David Palladino’s While insisting that she is com- someone there to enforce them. Wind, the script would have been Britney. pletely innocent, Josefa is still will- First and foremost, pacing. Noth- tweaked – QUITE A BIT. For, Spike ing to go to jail to protect the identity ing kills a play faster than slow, Jennifer Lopez, who has been Music Corner of her current lover, a respected has no tolerance for racial intoler- the subject of a similarly themed methodic “line readings” that have ance and indifference. It’s his way of banker who happens to be her em- no heart. Anyone can read lines. The editorial, gave an innovative per- ployer. As lies are told and evidence guy selling hotdogs on the corner racial equality, or no way at all. formance. Though she overdosed A Review of Local Concerts She’s Gotta Have It, Crooklyn, amounts, the Magistrate finds him- can read lines. In the performance I Malcolm X, Do the Right Thing, on the lipsync, she was clothed and self believing that Josefa is innocent attended, the pacing was so slow and School Daze, Get on the Bus, Girl 6, 4 respectably dressed. Bravo for this. Zdenek Macal Busts and must then try to find the real uninteresting that you could have Little Girls and the revolutionary However, Dick Clark Produc- killer. driven trucks through some of the Summer of Sam have caused more tions, which sponsored the sleaze, Tchaikovsky 4 Written by Marcel Achard and pauses. A farce such as this requires creative tidal waves in Hollywood became the object of my ire. I adapted by Harry Kumitz, A Shot in an upbeat tempo in order to work. By DAVID PALLADINO the first movement, should have been the Dark first opened on Broadway than insignificant ripples. contacted the head of the PR De- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times An actor (or director) should never Spike is also author of “Best Seat brought more prominently to the fore. in October of 1961. A film version allow their committed hard work and partment, cited my credentials and NEW BRUNSWICK — The New Their intensity was forestalled in followed as well as many regional in the House: A Basketball Mem- mounted my soap box to sound- hours of rehearsal to be ruined by Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) sections where lesser ideas were high- and touring companies of this in- slow pacing, which is quite easy to oir,” which chronicles his passionate off. “The executive” responded and their Czech music director and avid admiration of the Knicks. lighted. nocuous “whodunit” comedy. fix. There is a simple exercise that is that no limits are placed on the Zdenek Macal are currently in the The ultimate tragedy in the evolv- WCP is a terrific company with taught in most acting schools that I When the previews and the trail- throes of their winter Tchaikovsky ers come across our television and performers – how they dress, what ing sonata structure of the movement enormous potential and has presented am aware of, and it is called a “speed they say or how they express them- festival — a month of Tchaikovsky came with the impotent culmination some absolutely wonderful work, through.” movie screens and the voice informs programming: concerts, sympo- that the film is “A Spike Lee Joint,” selves. She questioned my “un- of not one, but of both “tragic fff particularly the recent Ballyhoo, Prior to a live performance, the founded accusations” and said she siums, films and commentary. For perorations: one at the capitulation, which I admit is a tough act to follow. actors are asked to “speed through” we know we are in for something the passionate musical enthusiast or spellbinding. Our preconceptions did not consider Miss Brit’s per- and the other which clinched the The current production of A Shot the play, not stopping to think, not romantic musician, too much coda”(Joseph Horowitz). in the Dark gives an earnest try, but, taking unnecessary pauses, just basi- will be called into question, our bi- formance pornographic in nature. Tchaikovsky can never be enough. ases will be abolished and our con- Unfounded? Well, God gave me These recapitulation statements, unfortunately, the play never quite The Great One’s writing is im- Continued on Page 18 manages to reach the level of profes- Continued on Page 18 sciences will come alive with aware- two eyes and sound judgment, a mense, charged with emotion, tech- ness and social responsibility. spine and morals. Guess that nically challenging, superbly orches- Now, that’s genius. doesn’t count, huh? trated, and devastatingly intimate. Concertgoers at the State Theater in New Brunswick this past Sunday had the chance to hear the NJSO Volunteers Need for Teen Arts perform an all Tchaikovsky concert including the Hamlet Fantasy-Over- ture, the Variations on a Rococo estival Sponsored by County Theme and the Fourth Symphony. The NJSO received a rousing cheer ELIZABETH – The Union ists in every discipline – visual from the packed audience, which County Teen Arts Festival, spon- arts, music, creative writing, the- they deserved. sored by the Union County Board ater and dance,” stated Freeholder But, as the musically savvy in the of Chosen Freeholders and the Mary P. Ruotolo, liaison to the crowd knew, had Macal the presence Division of Cultural and Heritage Cultural and Heritage Programs of mind and initiative to really go for Affairs, Department of Economic Advisory Board. the gold, he could have literally Development, is a two-day cel- “Volunteers are needed to assist brought the house down. ebration of the arts held annually artists with workshops, manage Either he has lost his enthusiasm at Union County College in performance sites and staff infor- for this post, doesn’t fully compre- Cranford. mation stations,” she added. “We hend the work, or just doesn’t have The event, which is scheduled appreciate the invaluable assis- what it takes to cut it in the shadow of for March 14 and 15, is open to all tance of our county residents with the New York Philharmonic. Macal students from public, private and this exciting program.” did not show the public what real parochial middle and high schools For more information, please Tchaikovsky should sound like. in the county. call the Union County Division of The following analysis is offered “At the festival, some 3000 stu- Cultural and Heritage Affairs at for the musicians of the NJSO. Any- dents participate in performances 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202, one else brave enough to hear the critiquing seminars, master classes (908) 558-2550. Relay users may truth is also welcome to listen in. and workshops with a staff of more call (800) 852-7899 or e-mail The Fourth Symphony should than four dozen professional art- [email protected]. scream! How was the audience and more importantly, Tchaikovsky let down? Let us count the ways, from merely the First movement, which Coming Next Week was glossed over. Bill Burt reviews Lime in Westfield * Andy Goldenberg bends his Tchaikovsky considered this First ear toward Everlounge * David Palladino interviews UMOJA movement as the symphony’s best Dance Company * Michelle H. LePoidevin gives MTV kudos (and and most complicated — a move- that doesn’t happen often) ment that represented new techniques and form. The emotional spontane- ity and mood cannot be understated. Delicious Maple Sugar Demonstrations Macal’s rendition however, has no edge. On Tap at Reeves-Reed Arboretum The omnipresent fate motif, was On Tap at Reeves-Reed Arboretum played far too politely by the horns SUMMIT – Reeves-Reed tests will be available, as well as hot — the opening “attack” came across Arboretum’s Annual Maple Sugaring apple cider, coffee and donuts. as warm and round. Hardly the biting family event will be held on Saturday, The Garden Shop at the arboretum harshness of fate that Tchaikovsky February 24, at the arboretum located will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. had in mind. Harsh reality was repre- at 165 Hobart Avenue, Summit. To register for the program, please sented quickly thereafter by the trum- Rain, snow or shine, the event will call (908) 273-8787. pets, who came in like steel, but even be held. Pre-registration is required. Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a national they lacked an open throated inten- The entrance fee is $5 per person. and state historic site specializing in sity. Children under 2 are admitted for free. environmental education. All horn parts, which abound in Demonstrations will be held at 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Visitors will learn how to identify a sugar maple tree (acer saccharum) and tap it for its tasty sap. In turn, the sap The Carolyn Klinger-Kueter will boil down into sweet syrup. 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