A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, November 15, 2007 Page 23 Symphony, Kean Faculty Arts Guild of Rahway Juried To Create Perfect Storms Show Features Area Artwork WESTFIELD – On Saturday, No- The evening’s storms continue with By MARYLOU MORANO in contemporary art. This year’s show vember 17, at 8 p.m. at the Presbyterian Tchaickovsky’s famed violin con- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times includes fine examples of oil and Church in Westfield, the Westfield Sym- certo, featuring Kean University’s Ms. RAHWAY – Multiple area artists acrylic painting, sculpture, photogra- phony Orchestra (WSO) will present Roffman. exhibited work in the Merck 2007 Juried phy, drawing, prints and mixed me- The Perfect Storms, featuring Kean A member of the Kean University Art Show held at the Arts Guild of dia,” he continued. University soloists Sharon Roffman, concert artist faculty since 2002, Ms. Rahway (AGR). Other participating artists included James Musto and Richard Hobson. Roffman received a prize in the 2003 Three artists from Westfield – Leon Bober, Nicholas Impalli, Elisa In a collaborative effort, WSO con- Naumburg Foundation International Michael Metzger, Andrea Ewald and Kessler Caporale, Maxine King, ductor David Wroe will partner with Competition. She made her solo de- Gina Minichino – received awards. Zenia Olesnyckyj, Nancy Ori, Joan Kean University to showcase some of but playing this Tchaikovsky Con- Mr. Metzer won “Best in Show” Marie Permison, Pico Reinoso, Fausto the university’s musical talent. certo with the Symphony for his oil painting, “Black Flatlands,” Sevila, Monica Shimkus, Carolyn The concert opens with The Tempest, in 1996 under the baton of Music Ms. Ewald won an “Honorable Men- Soltys, Roberto Terrana, Jane Thomp- a dramatic work orchestral work by Director Zdenek Macal. tion” award for her photograph, “In- son George, Barbara Wallace, John Wyatt and Sue Zwick. Kean University’s Matthew Halper. In March 2004, she made her Courtesy of Adam Pantozzi/Prudential Center dustrial Geometry,” and Ms. Timpanist Mr. Carnegie Hall de- ROCK MY WORLD...Community Editor Suzette Stalker visits the Prudential Minichino also won an “Honorable Artists Steve McKenzie, who serves Musto, Kean Uni- but as a featured Center in downtown Newark, offering a review of both the arena and Jon . Mention” Award for her oil on panel, as the director of Art Education at the versity concert art- soloist in “TV Dinner.” Newark Museum, Rachael Faillace, ist in percussion Vivaldi’s Con- AGR hosted the work of Westfield the director of Exhibits at the Old since 1999, cre- certo for Four Bon Jovi Provides Newark’s residents Shari Seltzer, Janice Church Arts Center in Demarest and ates a timpani tour Violins with Metzger and Maxwell Sang, in addi- a professor at Middlesex County de force. Mr. Itzhak Perlman tion to that of Greg Cummings and College, as well as artist/ photogra- Musto performs and has appeared Pru Center With Smash Debut Barbara Melino, both of Fanwood. pher Owen Kanzler, a pilot and owner frequently with with Perlman on By SUZETTE F. STALKER each song with his still-youthful charm Open to artists who live or work in of Owen Kanzler Aerial Photography the New York a number of oc- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times and exuberance, while guitarist Richie Union County, the Juried Show ac- in Linden, juried the 2007 show. Philharmonic and casions through- NEWARK – Who says you can’t go Sambora, keyboardist and cepted artwork in any media. AGR’s next exhibit, “Details,” a has been heard on out the United home? New Jersey’s own Bon Jovi, drummer Tico Torres also were in top “This exhibit, now in its eighth show that looks at the details of small WQXR radio States. one of the most enduring bands in the form. Over a solid two hours, the band year, provides an opportunity for lo- fragments, opens November 18 and broadcast con- The WSO con- history of rock and roll, indeed came showed just why they remain on top – cal artists to showcase their work to a runs through December 14. certs. cert culminates home again with a triumphant 10- electrifying the crowd with an energy regional audience,” said Lawrence For more information about De- A regular guest PICTURE PERFECT…Clockwise from with a perfor- show run to open Newark’s Prudential that had fans dancing and singing along Cappiello, AGR executive director. tails or the AGR, log onto top left, Kean University’s Matthew Halper, performer with composer; James Musto, timpanist, Sharon mance of Center October 25 to November 10. all the way up to the arena’s top tier. “The exhibit always includes a wide rahwayartsguild.org or call (908) 381- the New Jersey Roffman, violinist; and Richard Hobson, Brahms’ Sym- A lifelong Jersey girl and longtime Following opening act Daughtry, Bon range of styles, mediums and genres 7511. Symphony and baritone, partner with Westfield Symphony phony No. 3, writ- Bon Jovi fan, I saw this legendary band Jovi performed some half dozen songs other orchestras, to create Perfect Storms. ten during the tur- in concert for the first time ever with six from “Lost Highway,” plus a string of including the Or- bulence of the friends at the Pru Center November 7, past hits such as “Born To Be My Musical Club Presents chestra of St. Luke’s, the New York composer’s famed love adventure and can honestly say Bon Jovi live is an Baby,” “Runaway,” “Bad Medicine,” Chamber Symphony, the New York with singer Hermine Spiess (half his experience no one should miss. “It’s My Life,” “Have a Nice Day” and City Opera Orchestra and L’Opera age). A force on the music scene from the the band’s signature “Living on a The ‘Three B’s’ in Closing Francais, Mr .Musto has also performed Tickets, priced between $25 and early 1980s, Bon Jovi has delivered one Prayer,” capped by a three-song en- WESTFIELD – A double quartet of his church’s choirs. in more than 20 musicals on Broadway. $65, may be purchased directly from successful album after another and core. of singers and a husband-and-wife Mr. Crane is a retired Ph.D. physi- At Kean, he teaches all percussion the WSO office, located at 224 East played to sold-out venues, yet never lost Located just two blocks from Penn piano team will close the Musical cist and sings professionally at Cres- instruments and is director of the Kean Broad Street, or by calling the box its Jersey roots or Jersey soul. The Station in downtown Newark, the $375 Club of Westfield’s biennial scholar- cent Avenue. University Percussion Ensemble. office at (908) 232-9400. Prudential Center shows kicked off the million Prudential Center is expected ship concert on Sunday, November Mr. Tasy is a lawyer and has been a The Tempest also features baritone Tickets are also available at band’s world tour following the release to be pivotal to Newark’s revitalization 18, at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church soloist with the New Jersey State Mr. Hobson, Kean University concert Fastframe on Quimby Street in of its latest album, “Lost Highway.” by bringing major sports and entertain- of Westfield. Opera in “Otello” and “Madama But- artist in voice and opera since 1998. Westfield, Martin Jewelers in Frontman and Jersey native son Jon ment events to the city. The arena will Because of the prevalence of music terfly.” Outside Kean, Mr. Hobson has an ac- Cranford and at the Kean Stage Box Bon Jovi owned the stage, infusing be home to the NHL’s New Jersey by Bach, Beethoven and Brahms on Mr. Kueter and Ms. Mochernuk tive schedule, performing throughout Office. The WSO will offer special Devils, Seton Hall basketball and MISL the program, the concert is entitled, have appeared many times on the the and . pricing for students ($10) and high Coffee with Conscience New Jersey Ironmen indoor soccer, as “Musical Masterpieces: The Three Crescent Concerts concert series and He is on the roster of The Metro- schoolers ($5) with appropriate ID. well as concerts, family shows and B’s…and then some.” are always a highlight of any Musical politan Opera and has sung regularly For further information, e-mail Series Continues other special events. It is easily acces- Sopranos Elsa Gail Hahn and Club program. at The Met since 2000. He maintains [email protected], call WESTFIELD – The Coffee With sible from Westfield, Fanwood, Maureen Monroe, altos Drude Sparre In addition to the vocal octet, the a full voice class at Kean and has also the box office or visit Conscience Concert Series continues Cranford and other area communities Roessler and Harriet Jernquist, ten- concert will feature other accom- directed opera there. westfieldsymphony.org. its eighth season by presenting award- by NJ Transit, PATH and Amtrak. ors F. Allen Artz III and George plished performers. Carl Baron, cel- winning singer/songwriter Catie Curtis. After a relaxing dinner in Westfield, Stralkus and basses Glen Crane and list, one of the current scholarship POPCORN™ The concert will take place at the my friends and I caught a NJ Transit Stephen Tasy will sing almost the holders, will perform the last move- First United Methodist Church of train to Newark, joining crowds of other entire Opus 52 set of choral waltzes ment of Beethoven’s Cello Sonata in Westfield, located at 1 East Broad concert-goers en route to the arena. written by Johannes Brahms and A, Opus 69, accompanied by Suki American Gangster: A Smudge Street (corner of North Avenue) in Police were on hand from Penn Station scored for piano four-hands. Guerrier on piano. Westfield, on Saturday, November 17. to the center to ensure order and pro- Paul Kueter and Carolle-Ann Ellen Goff Entriken, soprano, will On the National Character Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. and vide directions. Mochernuk will accompany the sing- sing an aria from J. S. Bach’s St. the concert begins at 8 p.m. Admis- We found the center itself – with a ers on the 100-year-old Janet Grimler John Passion, an aria from Mozart’s One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent sion is $26. concert capacity of more than 17,500 – Gleason memorial Steinway piano Grand Mass in C Minor, K. 427, and By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER justify the means. Director Scott sagely All net proceeds from this evening’s to be well-organized, clean and manned bequeathed to the Musical Club and Alleluja from Mozart’s Exsultate 3 popcorns plumbs those murky depths. concert will be donated to Habitat for by tight security to ensure all visitors housed at the First Baptist Church. Jubilate, K. 165, accompanied on American Gangster, a sturdy account Helping explore the various ethical Humanity. Advance purchase of tick- had the optimal arena experience. After Ms. Hahn is a vocal-music teacher the organ by her husband, William of how detective Richie Roberts brought gradations is a superb cast of supporting ets is advisable for this show because passing through security checks, we at Franklin School in Westfield and Entriken. down Harlem drug kingpin , players. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is sharp as it is expected to sell out. Tickets can stopped at the souvenir booth, featur- directs the children’s choir at the Mr. Artz will play the Prelude in D tells a familiar tale with unusual integrity. smalltime-but-splashy competitor, Nicky be purchased in advance by visiting ing T-shirts, key chains, hats and other Cranford Presbyterian Church. Major, BWV 532, by J. S. Bach and a There is attention to detail, both historical Barnes; Chiwetel Ejiofor is Huey Lucas, coffeewithconscience.org. merchandise, to purchase mementos of Ms. Monroe teaches voice at the partita on Jesu, meine freude by and sociological, a philosophical stance one of several siblings Frank imports our evening. New Jersey Workshop for the Arts Johann Gottfried Walther. that shuns glorification and no sensation- from North Carolina to form his mafia- alism for its own sake. And that may be a like family, and Ruby Dee is aces as Les Malamut Gallery The seats were comfortable, though and has sung professionally with the A trio, comprised of Clarissa Nolde, problem. plain-speaking Mama Lucas. we barely spent any time in them as Bon Opera and the Lake George another past Musical Club scholar- Indeed, there is the random, point-blank Complementing what is often a course Presents Kathie Taylor Jovi rocked the house. We also were Opera. ship recipient, on flute, Betsy Vaden guy getting his head blown off, but not in criminal rationale, we’re given a semi- AREA – The Les Malamut Art pleased with the acoustics, easy access Ms. Roessler, a past scholarship on viola and Beverly Thomson Shea nearly so many as The Godfathers (1972, nar in just how Lucas was able to put the Gallery will present the artwork of to refreshments and the availability of recipient of the Musical Club, is a on harp, will perform the Sonate pour ‘74), Scarface (1983) and their many most potent, least expensive on the Kathie Taylor in a show titled “There staff to help direct us to our seats. After retired vocal-music teacher and sings Flute, Alto and Harpe by Claude knockoffs have purveyed. Truth is, direc- street. Subscribing to what he learned at Are Places in Remember,” with an the concert, we had an equally easy time professionally with the Crescent Av- Debussy. tor couldn’t avoid some of the knee of Harlem’s previous drug lord, opening reception planned for Satur- getting back to Penn Station for our enue Presbyterian Church Chancel The Musical Club of Westfield in- the tones and textures those films perme- Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson (Clarence day, November 17, from 2 to 4 p.m. return trip to Westfield and Fanwood. Choir. vites the public to this concert and to ated into the genre. Still, the bloodthirsty Williams, III), he employs basic Market- may feel parched. ing 101. Ms. Taylor, a self-taught artist, will Our debut experience at the Pruden- Ms. Jernquist is an oncology and support the club’s scholarship stu- Splicing back and forth between its Reminiscent of those late-night TV exhibit both paintings and photo- tial Center was very positive, and while renal social worker and also sings dents, 10 of whom are currently study- dipolar protagonists, the film tracks the hawkers who ask, “How do we do it?” we graphs from locations that include Bon Jovi deserves much of the credit professionally at Crescent Avenue. ing music in colleges around the coun- careers of both men until which time their imagine the familiar refrain: “Volume, Cape Cod, Ireland, Watkins Glen, for that, this sentiment also reflects my Mr. Artz III is an organist and choir try. pursuits must converge. But while work- my friend…and, we’ve cut out the middle- Sugarbush, North Carolina, Virginia thoughts on the arena itself. Together director and will also appear on the A $10 donation is suggested, and ing toward that proverbial showdown, man.” Shades of Apocalypse Now’s hal- and her imagination. with the New Jersey Performing Arts scholarship concert as an organ solo- tickets may be obtained at the door or Steven Zaillian’s script shapes its thesis lucinatory look at the chutzpah required She utilizes the space above her Center, Newark Symphony and ist. from any Musical Club member. For with a convenient little conceit about con- to dive into the very vortex of danger, garage as a studio, where she works Riverfront Stadium, I believe it indeed Mr. Stralkus has a degree in theater further information, contact Ms. tradictions in character and the ironies Frank travels right to the source… to the in watercolor, oil, acrylic and pastel, heralds a new era for Newark. arts from Rutgers and sings in three Roessler at (908) 233-0030. thereof. jungles of Thailand. Lucas is the family man who doles out How that product was brought to our occasionally using crumpled rice pa- turkeys at Thanksgiving…yet a murder- shores, an ignominy involving the U.S. per for textured effects. ous gangster nonetheless. Roberts, so Army, goes beyond the pale. It fiercely She has received a Union Center honest it causes incredulity and suspi- impresses that depraved criminality Bank Purchase Award and participated cion among colleagues, is continually knows no boundary. That for all the balo- in various juried shows. She is a mem- embroiled in a domestic dispute of fi- ney about being a citizen and meriting a ber of the Les Malamut Gallery Board asco proportions. The seesaw as device share of the dream, nothing is less patri- and the Contemporary Art Group. works well enough, thanks to the two otic than the domestic blight American The exhibition will run through leads. Gangster personifies. January 30, 2008. You couldn’t pick a better pair to handle * * * the complexity demanded. Denzel Wash- American Gangster, rated R, is a Uni- The gallery is located in the Union ington as Lucas seethes with potential versal Pictures release directed by Ridley Library, located at 1980 Morris Av- danger, a gladhander one moment, a viper Scott and stars , enue. It is free, open to the public ready to pounce in protection of his inter- Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin. Running during regular library hours and is ests the next. Whereas Russell Crowe as time: 157 minutes. handicapped accessible. Roberts is the shaggy dog outside, the indefatigable bloodhound inside. The third star is the art direction, trans- porting us to the late 1960s and early ‘70s with time-machine authenticity. And while it’s fun pointing out favorite appur- tenances of the era, there is none of that distracting overstatement that computer f/x too often render. Comparisons to Super Fly, inevitable but irresponsible if meant dismissively, do bring up an important point. The 1972 film by Gordon Parks, Jr., indicative of 6DWXUGD\1RYHPEHUDWSP the period, reveled in flamboyance. Ameri- 7KH3UHVE\WHULDQ&KXUFKLQ:HVWÀHOG can Gangster (P.S.- the working title is “The Return of Super Fly”), on the other The hand, explains the glitz as a symptom of changing times. Racial progress was occurring not only in the public forum, but in the underworld Perfect Storms as well. At the height of his climb, Frank in conjunction with Kean University Lucas’s drug empire had even topped the Halper— (World Premiere) mafia’s operation. The Tempest This doesn’t go unnoticed. A meeting featuring soloist Richard Hobson between Lucas and crime boss Dominic Tchaikovsky—Violin Concerto Cattano (Armand Assante), the intensity featuring soloist Sharon Roffman of which you can cut with a knife, leads to Brahms— Symphony No. 3 a deal Frank can’t refuse. You see, the mob controls the other element in the TICKETS ($25 - $65) Visit our ticket outlets: unholy alliance: the cops. Thus it follows call (908) 232-9400 WORLD OF MUSIC: Summit Frank will supply the heroin; the wise ZZZZHVWÀHOGV\PSKRQ\RUJ 0$57,1-(:(/(56&UDQIRUG Email: wso@ZHVWÀHOGV\PSKRQ\RUJ )$67)5$0(4XLPE\6W:HVWÀHOG guys will supply the, er, protection. KEAN STAGE BOX OFFICE Leading the sullied band of DEA agents is detective Trupo, played in perfect, love- to-hate-‘em mode by Josh Brolin. At first, the sleaze can’t figure Roberts’s angle. 2007 Recipient NJSCA Rumor is his New Jersey counterpart once Citation of Excellence turned in $900,000 in dirty money. But now it’s increasingly apparent he is that most incomprehensible and hence de- spised commodity – a good cop. Not that the lines of delineation are all

that clear. In fact, most of what we wit- FRANK AND LYDIA BERGEN FOUNDATION ness in American Gangster occurs in that THE RUMMELL FOUNDATION COUNTY OF UNION: DIVISION OF vague sea of gray that separates the good CULTURAL AND HERITAGE AFFAIRS guys from the bad. It’s where real-life Funding has been made possible in part through a grant by the New Jersey State Council on the morality is hammered out. Where, more Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the often than we’d care to admit, the ends National Endowment for the Arts.