Page 20 Thursday, July 22, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION ArtsArts andand EntertainmentEntertainment

Oliver! Brings Out Concert Review “The difference between false memories and true ones is the Continues Best of Local Talent same as for jewels: it is always the false ones that look the most unreal, the most brilliant.” --Salvador Dali To Reinforce Followers’ Fervor At NJPAC in Newark As He Rocks Meadowlands

By FRED ROSSI encores with an acoustic folksong, By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Romantic. However, when I saw his Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times “Freehold,” an often humorous auto- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times stellar portrayal of Faggin, I was MEADOWLANDS — If rock ‘n’ biographical reminiscence of his NEWARK — The rounds of ap- bowled over and thoroughly im- roll was a religion, then Bruce hometown. plause for the performance of Oliver! pressed. Marc is brimming with tal- Springsteen would be its minister. He then shook the arena with thun- by the Westfield Young Artists’ Co- ent and possibility. He delivered one While the rousing revival meeting derous versions of “Stand on It,” operative Theatre, Inc. (WYACT) of the most commendable perfor- he staged with his reunited E Street “,” “,” crackled and ripped through the au- mances in Oliver! Band last Thursday night at Continen- “” and “Thunder Road.” dience like thunder at the Victoria Katie Rae Mulvey, who portrayed tal Airlines Arena He ended the night with “If I Should Theater of the New Jersey Perform- may have been a case Fall Behind,” with the male character of Oliver Twist, several band mem- ing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark delivered a strong rendition of the of preaching to the on July 16, opening night. converted, none of bers taking turns wide-eyed orphan longing to find love the 20,000 fans singing the chorus, in a family. whooping it up for and the newly- Anne Brummell’s depic- the man known as penned “Land of tion of Nancy, a woman in “The Boss” seemed Hope and love with an abusive man, to mind having their Dreams” before was worth a standing ova- faith reinforced and exiting the stage to tion. She displayed grit, vul- reinvigorated. loud cheers at nerability and tenderness For three hours, 11:10 p.m. with continuity. She didn’t Springsteen and his Springsteen, miss a trick. Her voice was eight-member band, who turns 50 in Sep- flawless during “As Long which hadn’t played tember, has always As He Needs Me,” and she together in concert been an energetic held her character’s person- for more than a de- performer. Last ality from scene to scene. Kassy Ciasulli cade, blasted joy- week, he certainly She never faltered. fully and energeti- didn’t act his age, Kassy Ciasulli, who is the cally through 26 as he displayed as understudy for Nancy, is cer- Kassy Ciasulli Soars For Stars: songs, some of them much verve and tainly no understudy. She Kassy Ciasulli Soars For Stars: dating back to the ebullience as he did mid-1970s, when Springsteen, a 10 and 15 years ago. And he seemed held her own with the de- happy to be reunited with the E Street piction of Mrs. Sowerberry, Freehold native, was just another Singing For Big League Games, guitarist and with dreams Band, 10 years after informing them the prudish yet comical un- of becoming a big rock star. he would be pursuing other musical dertaker who has temporary Two things set Springsteen con- avenues without them. custody of Oliver. She Performing at Arts Center certs apart from others: their length After last Thursday’s show, the first segued into other parts, such — three hours these days and four of 15 sold-out performances at the as Strawberry Vendor, with hours plus in the 1970s and 1980s — arena, exhausted but delighted fans the same professionalism sey Pilots, at PAL events for Berke- and the fervor of his fans. were unanimous in their reactions. she gave to her starring role. By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Dale Cassidy, a Jersey Shore native Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times ley Heights, Mountainside sport pro- Despite the comfortable seats, Abigail Sparling’s por- which sold for $37.50 and $67.50 who drove five hours from her present MOUNTAINSIDE – Rising star and grams and the Senatorial Rally home in suburban Washington, D.C., ARTFUL ACTORS…Oliver Twist was portrayed trayal of the Widow Corney through official outlets and as much was hysterical and a true Mountainside resident, Kassy which was held last year in her as $1,000 elsewhere, no one sat for told The Westfield Leader that “the by Katie Rae Mulvey, left, and The Artful Dodger Ciasulli, has been singing her way to was played by Darren Levy in Oliver! at the New stand-out performance. “I home town. long last week. Fans danced in the energy in there was absolutely phe- Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Both Shall Scream,” which was the top this summer with perfor- However, one of Kassy’s aisles, sang along with just about nomenal — from the band and the performances garnered thunderous applause on part of one of the best scenes mances at local sporting events as biggest dreams is about every song, screamed themselves fans. That is exactly why I came all opening night, July 16. in Oliver!, featured Abigail’s well as the prestigious honor of per- to come true. On Au- hoarse with choruses of “Brooooce” this way tonight. I’ve been to a dozen comical antics as well as her forming in Oliver! at The New Jer- before, during and after each song, Bruce concerts in my life and there is gust 5, she will per- and were whipped into a delighted a different level of passion and inti- Phenomenal. Exceeding all expec- operatic voice, which fit the part sey Performing Arts Center in New- form the National tations – these are the phrases that frenzy from the time the arena lights macy in there than anywhere else.” perfectly. ark. Anthem at the Her husband, Greg, was seeing come to mind when recalling the Darren Jeremy Levy as The Artful were turned off and the stark and Here’s a quick recap. You might Meadowlands spare stage was lit. Springsteen for the first time last ensemble cast and thoroughly pro- Dodger was one of the best perfor- week. “I’m spoiled now,” he told The fessional production which was remember the May 6 review in The Hambletonian After his eight bandmates took their mances I have ever witnessed. When places, Springsteen stepped on stage Leader. “I’ve been to concerts be- clearly beyond Broadway standards. he stepped out on the stage, he owned Westfield Leader and The Times on Race before a Kassy’s razor sharp and sassy per- to wild cheers and opened the show fore and I’ve never seen anyone put Artistic and Stage Director of the stage. All eyes could not help but packed audience with “My Love Will Not Let You on a three-hour non-stop show. I Oliver! and founder of WYACT to search out his character and appre- formance with The Tim Gillis Band after she polishes Down,” a song from his 1998 four- don’t want anyone to tell me that Cynthia Meryl, who is known by ciate the professionalism he brought at Governor Livingston High off a week of perfor- CD collection of previously- anyone else is the hardest working Westfielders, thespians, and her stu- to his part. School. She delivered rock lyrics mances in Oliver! unreleased tunes, “Tracks.” Then he man in show business.” dents for her pursuit of perfection, Other notable performances in- with grit and gospel hymns with A student at Governor Livingston took out his harmonica and stormed Julia Yanovich, a 13-year old from reached for that level and never missed cluded Arion Jackson as Mr. Bumble, grace. She stole the stage. High School, Kassy has told The into “The Promised Land,” followed Westfield who was attending her first the mark. Ms. Meryl told The Westfield The Beadle; Kate Fraser as Char- Most recently, Kassy has song the by “Two Hearts” and “Darkness on Springsteen concert, said she thought Leader and The Times during an inter- Leader and The Times that she hopes it was “a really good show.” She told lotte, and Richard McNanna as Mr. National Anthem for the New Jer- the Edge of Town.” view for This Is Westfield what an Brownlow. However, it seems that to record her own album, just like By the time he ended the fifth song The Leader she “liked being a part of honor it was to be asked back to each member of this ensemble has sey Jakals. She has also stepped up her favorite artist, Cher. For Kassy of the night, “Darlington County,” the audience because everyone was NJPAC after the 1998 production of Broadway potential. to the plate to sing that patriotic Ciasulli, it looks like dreams have a the arena seemed set to explode. The singing along and having a good Carousel. It was clearly an honor and According to Elisabeth Ssenjovu, tune at the home games of the Jer- way of coming to fruition. set also included such fan favorites time.” privilege for both parties to enter into Programming Assistant at NJPAC, the as “Badlands,” “Tenth Avenue After the 15 shows this month and that partnership once again. dedication to theater didn’t stop with Freeze-Out” and “,” his in August, Springsteen will pass the 1 “I’m very proud of the kids. I Oscar-winning “Streets of Philadel- million mark in attendance at the rehearsals for Oliver!, but continued Meadowlands (both the arena and think they did a super job,” noted with practice runs for Bertholt Brecht’s phia,” and slightly-reworked versions of “The River” and “Youngstown.” Giants Stadium), making him the best- Ms. Meryl. She added that the en- The Threepenny Opera, which is part selling artist in the complex’s history. semble was responsible for learn- Of the 26 songs Springsteen per- of The Arts Incubator Festival at Kean formed, half were ones released prior Anyone wondering why worship- ing a large amount of material in University. This production will be to his 1984 album, “Born in the USA,” ers continue flocking to Bruce such a short period of time. “They held on Fridays and Saturdays, July which made him a worldwide super- Springsteen’s ministry of rock ‘n’ pulled it off!” she said. 30 and 31, August 6 and 7, and on star. After a two-hour set, Springsteen, roll need only have attended opening Lionel Bart provided the adapta- Sundays, August 1 and 8. dressed in black, opened an hour of night to discover the reasons. tion of this Charles Dickens’ classic, The Threepenny Opera perfor- with music and lyrics that encour- mances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tick- aged audience members to weep with ets are $15 for adults and $10 for the ballads and clap along with songs students, and may be purchased at Intergenerational Orchestra that brought the house down. the Music Staff or at the door. All details were impeccable. The A non-profit organization, face of each cast member was au- WYACT is comprised of dedicated to Host Cocktail Fundraiser thentic Dickens. Did someone open professionals who provide top-notch up a life-size version of the “Oliver theater. To donate to the group, Members of the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs CRANFORD – The New Jersey The afternoon will include hors Twist” novel, only to let the actual please make checks payable to Intergenerational Orchestra (NJIO) d’ouevres and cocktails with the sounds characters pop out of the book and WYACT, 656 Westfield Avenue, will host a cocktail party and chamber of the Sterling Duo, New Jersey Sym- take the stage? One could almost see Westfield, 07090. Donations are tax- Snow White Performance music fundraiser to benefit the group Mr. Dickens beaming with pride on deductible. phony Orchestra Violinist Joe Gluck the sidelines, nodding with approval. Oliver! will continue at NJPAC on on Sunday, July 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. and his wife, Pianist Mary Babiarz. I had the pleasure of meeting Marc Friday, July 23, and Saturday, July 24, Set By Summer Workshop at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred For more information, please call Marks, 6 Sycamore Way, Warren. (908) 709-0084 or (908) 272-0782. Bertha, who played Faggin in Oliver! at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 25, at WESTFIELD – The halls of Edison and Thursday, July 28 and 29, when during the This Is Westfield inter- 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for children Intermediate School in Westfield Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs view. He mentioned his performances and $16 for adults. To order tickets, will become alive on Wednesday is performed by members of the in A Christmas Carol and Isn’t It please call 1-888-GO-NJPAC. Westfield Summer Workshop. Evening and matinee perfor- AARTIST OF THE WEEK mances will be held on both days at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are cur- rently available at the ticket booth at the school for $6 for adults and $5 Wassily Kandinsky for children and senior citizens. Matinee tickets are $3. (1866-1944) Snow White will be played on alternate nights by Christine Wassily Kandinsky, ab- McGrath of Westfield and Jennifer stract master, once con- Shapiro of Clark. fided, “I applied streaks Other local residents included in the and blobs of colors onto cast are: Anne Hagstrom, Ryan Leonard the canvas with a palette and Deenie Quinn, all of Westfield, knife and I made them Katie Downy of Scotch Plains and sing with all the intensity Andrew Harris of Mountainside. I could.” Rachel Hawkins, Ellington West, A multi-faceted indi- Samantha Hermann, Aaron Covington, vidual with talents in law, Michael Nocera, Shaun Elwell, Dan economics, writing and Foltz-Morrison, Erica Greene, Sarah analyzing spirituality, Graziano, Heather Novorro, Patti Veltri, Kandinsky became in- Steven Bellog, Kevin Bellog, Lorena spired by the work of Claude geometric and free-flowing form. Zamarelli, Eliza Zimmerman, Andrew Monet when he attended a A prime example of this tech- Rago and Shannon Gilmartin are also French Impressionist exhibit nique can be found in “Improvi- members of the cast. when he was 29. He then left sation Sintflut,” pictured above. For more information on the show, Moscow to study life-drawing, Kandinsky participated in please call (908) 789-9696. sketching and anatomy in various rebellious movements in Munich, Germany. the 20th century and continued Please send Although he found his motiva- to not only express himself with tion in the works of Impression- the brush, but with pen and pa- all Arts & ists like Monet, he started to lean per in his theoretical essays. Entertainment toward the technique of abstrac- Before his death in 1944, tion in which he stretched the Kandinsky’s studio was fre- Press Releases to boundaries of method and appli- quented by admirers such as [email protected] cation to the extreme by using Miro, Magnelli and Tauber. 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