A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, September 26, 2019 Page 17 WCP is Auditioning for Mostly Music 40th The Runner Stumbles WESTFIELD – The Westfield Com- Stapleton, Ray Bolger, Tammy Anniversary Season munity Players (WCP) will hold audi- Grimes, Beau Bridges. tions for The Runner Stumbles, a mys- Characters/Roles: Amos: [stage age WESTFIELD — Mostly Music’s Major. tery-drama by Milan Stitt, directed by 20’s to 30’s] prison guard, any age, 40th season of outstanding chamber The April 5, 2020, concert will Steve Lemenille, on Wednesday, Oc- faithful to his job, not well-educated; music concerts will start on Sunday, celebrate the 40th anniversary of tober 2, Friday October 4, and Tues- Father Rivard: [Lead role, stage age October 27. The Ulysses String Quar- Mostly Music with former artistic day October 8, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. 30-45 years old] priest true to his faith, tet, currently the Graduate Quartet in director and renowned violinist Ani Call-backs, if needed will be Sunday, conflicted, runs parish & school; Toby Residence at the Julliard School, Kavafian joining one of the world’s October 13, at 7:30 p.m. WCP is lo- Felker: [stage age 40s +] defense attor- joined by cellist Fred Sherry and two great clarinetist, David Shifrin, and cated at 1000 North Avenue West. ney, once dreamed of being important current Juilliard students, Oliver and Paul Neubauer. The concert will ex- Synopsis: Based on a true trial in lawyer, sincere, lazy; Prosecutor: [stage Clara Neubauer, will play the New plore fugues by Bach, Mozart and the early part of the 20th Century in a age 40s-plus] well-versed in courtroom Jersey premiere of Mendelssohn’s Mendelssohn, with a trip to Holly- remote parish in northern Michigan, procedure; Monsignor: [stage age 50s- original version of his Octet for Strings wood for the music of Bernard a young nun has died under mysteri- plus] hierarchy of the church, questions in E-Flat Major. The concert will Herrmann (the composer for numer- ous circumstances, and her superior, housing and priestly obligations; Erna: include Beethoven’s Quintet for ous film scores for Alfred Hitchcock Father Rivard, has been charged with [stage age 40s-plus] parish member but Strings in C Major to commemorate and others), concluding with Mozart’s her murder. The action alternates be- Methodist, married to much older man; his 250th birthday, as well as music sublime Clarinet Quintet in A Major. Christina M. Hinke for The Westfield Leader and The Times tween interrogations, testimony and Sister Rita: [Lead role, stage age 25- by Komitas and Frucht. The season finale on May 31, 2020, PAINT OUT...Julius Carallo paints a stately home on Doering Way during the scenes from the past which reveal that 30] Nun, attractive, vivacious, talkative, The November 24 concert, led by will feature the Grammy-nominated plein air art event, entitled Paint Out, held Saturday in Cranford where artists Father Rivard, who had been ban- teacher; Mrs. Shandig: [stage age 50s- Greek violinist Simos Papanas, will Imani Winds, acclaimed by the Bos- were invited to paint a landscape in the open air and then come together in Hanson ished to the small, up-country parish, plus] housekeeper, widowed young, begin with the ever popular “Trout” ton Musical Intelligencer as “strik- Park to display their artwork. fell in love with Sister Rita; and when convert, strong religious convictions; Quintet by Schubert and highlight ingly virtuosic”. The program offers circumstances forced her to move Louise: [stage age 18-plus] college girl, works by two influential Balkan com- a new take on Rimsky-Korsakov’s into the rectory with him, his anguish witness, able to play 3-4 years younger posers, Nikos Skalkottas from Greece Scheherazade and Ravel’s Le Dreamcatcher’s World became unbearable. Their relation- in flashback. and Pancho Vladigerov from Bul- Tombeau de Couperin, as well as ship, inevitably, spelt tragedy, but not Audition requirements: please bring garia. jazz-inspired works. until the explosive and surprising cli- a current head shot and resume or com- On March 1, 2020, violinist Arnaud Held on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. at Premiere of The Lucky Ones max of the play is the full extent of plete an audition application for The Sussmann, violist and Mostly Music Temple Emanu-El, on Broad Street in SUMMIT — Dreamcatcher Rep- has been recognized by the O’Neill their sacrifice made clear and the Runner Stumbles; sides will be pro- Artistic Director Paul Neubauer, and Westfield, with preludes by young ertory Theatre, professional theatre (finalist), the Heideman Award (final- identity of the murderer revealed. vided; bring your calendar and be pre- cellist Nicholas Canellakis will play a local chamber music groups, Mostly in residence at Oakes Center in Sum- ist), and the Kilroys List (honorable This play is not about religion, but, pared to list all conflicts. series of string trios, including Music is a local gem. Visit mit, is kicking off its 25th anniversary mention). She is a 2018 Individual Art- rather, about the struggle of the indi- An audition application is located Dohnányi’s Serenade for String Trio mostlymusic.org for tickets and more Season with the world premiere of ist Fellowship winner in playwriting vidual and in decisions and choices at: http:// and Beethoven’s delightful Trio in G information. The Lucky Ones by Lia Romeo. from the New Jersey State Council for they make. www.westfieldcommunityplayers.org/ This dramedy has been developed the Arts. She was the National New The Runner Stumbles was best WCPauditionform_RUNNER.html. in New York and New Jersey theatres Play Network Emerging Playwright- Broadway Play of 1978, and the movie WCP’s audition page: http:// ~Steeple Concerts Opens Season, continued~ over the last several years and was a in-Residence at Writers Theatre of New version starred Dick Van Dyke, www.westfieldcommunityplayers.org/ part of Dreamcatcher’s “Meet the Jersey, and she is currently a member of Kathleen Quinlan, Maureen WCPauditions.html Resuming with a return to living com- In a rather poignant grouping, all Artist” series last spring. The Lucky the Project Y Playwrights Group and a posers, The Argus Quartet stood up and three works of old on the program— Ones runs tonight, September 26, a company member with InViolet The- individually announced the title of each Bach’s The Art of Fugue, and the preview performance, through Sun- ater. She is also the associate artistic ~85th Anniversary Season of WCP, continued~ miniature movement of “Curiosity Cabi- Beethoven and Smetana String Quar- day, October 13, with performances director at Project Y Theatre Company net,” written a decade ago by Rolf tets—were written while their com- on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and and the new play coordinator at Jersey think that interest in theater keeps us the webmaster for the group’s Wallin. Calling the movements “minia- posers were succumbing to life-chang- Sundays at 2 p.m. City Theater Center. Her plays are pub- connected and young!” Ms. Macrae’s website, acts in their plays and di- tures” might be an understatement, as ing afflictions. Bach was blind, The play tells the story of Vanessa lished by Playscripts and Smith & Kraus. decades-long volunteerism in Union rects many shows. Talk about doing some of them are only two- to three- Beethoven was deaf, and Smetana’s and Janie, who are best friends until a She earned her B.A. from Princeton County was recognized when she was it all--it’s no wonder he was inducted seconds long. Although intriguing, these deafness was just starting. Interpret- devastating diagnosis forces them to University and her M.F.A. in playwriting named a Union County 2019 Woman into the NJACT Hall of Fame for his particular movements were unable to ing the impact of these crushing handi- consider what that friendship means from Rutgers/MGSA, and she teaches of Excellence in the field of Theater dedication to theater. escape audience laughter for their sheer caps is quite an unfathomable thought and how much it matters. With wit in the graduate creative writing pro- Arts this past March. “It takes a village” (of supporters) comical duration and names (4x4x4 for early career professionals. Never- and humor, Ms. Romeo serves up an gram at Fairleigh Dickinson Univer- Steve and JoAnne Lemenille are is an applicable truth for this commu- and ¡Arriba!, to name a few). When one theless, this young quartet delivered a exploration of aging, mortality, and sity. relative newcomers in comparison nity-run organization. understands where the title comes profoundly mature sound; full of life, the value and complexity of female Tickets range from $25 to $39, to Mr. McMeekan and Ms. Macrae, Celebrating their 85th year of pro- from—a room (sixteenth century “cabi- grace and understanding. friendship. The production is directed with special rates for subscribers and but since joining, they have immersed ducing plays and musicals, the net”) dedicated to collections of odds Within the first year of his ministry, by Betsy True, of Westfield, and fea- groups. Purchase tickets at themselves is almost every part of Westfield Community Players will and ends—it is immediately understood Mark Hyczko has produced a unique, tures Dreamcatcher ensemble mem- www.dreamcatcherrep.org or by call- the playhouse’s endeavors. In 2006, open the season with the play, The why this was the most eclectic piece on timely and well-read concert series bers Laura Ekstrand, of Livingston, ing Brown Paper Tickets at (800) Ms. Lemenille was cast in a role in Late Christopher Bean on Saturday, the program. here in Westfield. There are four more Scott McGowan, of Maplewood, and 838-3006. the production of Cemetery Club October 12, and runs weekends The quartet finished the concert Steeple Concerts at St. Paul’s this Harriett Trangucci, of Summit. Special dates: Thursday, September and fell in love with WCP. She real- through October 26. with their only complete classic work: season, featuring more innovative and Ms. Romeo’s plays have been pro- 26 is a preview performance; all tick- ized afterwards that she wanted to be Then, January 11 through January BedY´ich Smetana’s String Quartet celebrated musicians. Lara St. John, duced at 59E59, Project Y Theatre ets $25. Friday, September 27 is open- a part of the props and backstage 25, WCP will present a mystery-drama No. 1 in E Minor, subtitled “From My violin on November 17, The Cana- Company, Unicorn Theatre, HotCity ing night, followed by a reception with aspect of their productions. On Sep- by Milan Stitt The Runner Stumbles. Life.” Smetana uses the standard four- dian Guitar Quartet on January 26, Theatre, Stillwater Theatre, Renegade the cast. Sunday, September 29, is tember 15, 2019, Ms. Lemenille’s The spring play is a comedy, The movement design to “paint a tone 2020, The Westerlies on March 29, Theatre Experiment, Forward Flux Pro- Senior Sunday; seniors age 65-plus behind-the-scenes work was recog- Dining Room, by A.R. Gurney, to run picture of my life” (in Smetana’s 2020, and the annual legendary Spring ductions, New Origins Theatre Com- pay $25. Talkbacks follow the Sep- nized with a New Jersey Association March 14 through March 28. words). The whole piece is a narra- concert, “Masterworks at St. Paul’s” pany, Jersey City Theater Center, Porch tember 29 and October 6 matinees. of Community Theatres (NJACT) The season concludes with For- tive, culminating in a single long note on May 3, 2020. All concerts are Light Productions, The Skeleton Rep, Performances are at Oakes Center, Perry Award nomination (along with ever Plaid, a musical revue by Stuart in the finale to represent the decline Sundays at 5 p.m. For more informa- MCS Theater, and Xpressions Perform- located at 120 Morris Avenue in Sum- fellow board member Jean Lioy) in Ross and directed by Sean Lough, to of the composer’s hearing. tion, visit www.steepleconcerts.org ing Arts Network, as well as multiple mit. Parking is available in the lot be- the category of Outstanding Proper- run May 9 through May 23. high schools and universities, and have hind the theatre at 20 Ashwood Avenue been developed at the Lark, San Fran- and on the street surrounding the the- ties in a Play. Her husband Steve, For tickets or to get involved in Don’t Get Fed a Line of Bull! who says theater is in his blood, has volunteering for the playhouse, call cisco Playhouse, Abingdon Theatre, atre. The facility is wheelchair acces- been president of the organization (908)-232-1221, or go online at and elsewhere. She has been nomi- sible. Assistive listening devices for many times in the last decade. He’s westfieldcommunityplayers.org. Subscribe for hyper-local nated for the ATCA/Steinberg Award patrons who are hearing impaired and journalism that matters to you! for best new play and the NYIT Award advance large print scripts are available for outstanding full-length play, and for free by prior arrangement. POPCORN POPCORN goleader.com/form/subscribe Hustlers The Tacky Laps of Luxury The Lucky Ones 3 popcorns

One Popcorn, Poor — Two Popcorns, Fair — Three Popcorns, Good — Four Popcorns, Excellent      
     By Michael S. Goldberger spoils of their plunder, J.Lo’s strong- film critic    
    willed ringleader sums it all up in an Am I that naïve? I sat there aghast as epilogue that, while not necessarily justi-
     
some took in stride the vengeance being fying the means, certainly spells out the           meted out by former strip club employees ugly truth. upon their predominantly Wall Street cli- It is a pessimistic capsulation of the        ents in Director Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers, entire human experience in a couple of     a scathing dramatization of Jessica Pressler’s lines and, while hardly something )   * N.Y. Magazine exposé. Said financiers are Descartes or one of his pals might sign off &   
) '#  !
)( by Lia Romeo assembly line-style drugged and then fleeced on, its blue-collar ethos strikes a chord in  !%  )  +"&#    +"+ of their reputedly ill-gotten gains following the psyche. Like a geometric equation in "& '++ "& #"# the implied and sometimes more than im- reverse, all that preceded it in the re- Because even Lady Luck plied promise of sexual favors. Point of counting is suddenly appreciated as the Directed by Betsy True can use a friend. disclosure: While not a regular habitué of pragmatic proof…the glitz and joy of such dens of iniquity back in the day, my getting rich on the perpetrated misfor- WESTFIELD MEMORIAL LIBRARY EVENTS OCTOBER fires of spring were not unsullied. So why tune of others merely the symptoms of the 550 East Broad Street, Westfield 908.789.4090 www.wmlnj.org Sept. 26 - Oct. 13, 2019 the shock? Function of age? Advancing overall, dog-eat-dog chaos. Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30 am-9:00 pm Fri & Sat 9:30 am-5:00 pm Fuddy-Duddyism? Hence, we are reminded yet again how Tickets $39 | Seniors $34 | Students $25 For starters, I never really liked the little we’ve evolved since first we rose Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 pm Closed October 14 for Columbus Day whole setup…the nuts and bolts of the DreamcatcherRep.org | (800) 838-3006 from the primordial mud. But methinks ROGRAMS FOR DULTS mating process that has made leeway for there’s more to the deplorable modus op- P A Oakes Center • 120 Morris Ave., Summit, NJ 07901 such improvisational adjuncts to the main erandi of the moneyed bigwigs who make 10/1 7:00 pm Trivia Night for Teens and Adults 16+ years purpose…the possibility of advantage like smalltime Caligulas at the uptown and/or profit thanks to the psycho-chemi- strip joints. Granted, only the methodol- 10/2 1:00 pm “Private Violence” Domestic Violence Awareness Film cal phenomenon that commands the li- ogy has changed since Samson got a cut In AssociaƟon with NJ City University bido. What did I ever do to those hor- and a blow dry. But this frat boy behavior 10/2 7:00 pm Civil War Women of Courage and Compassion mones to be treated so offhandedly? is more deep-rooted than simple revenge But the fact is, the drugs Jennifer Lopez’s against Delilah. There is a distinct, tawdry 10/5 2:00 pm Vocalist Stephen Fuller Sings in Every Musical Genre Ramona and her pulchritudinous gang of misogyny at play. Call it the aberrant piece sirens employ to render helpless their lust- of the war between the sexes…vive la 10/8 1:00 pm Make a Fabric Pumpkin **MURAL patrons register 10/1 ful dupes merely kick start the potentially difference mocked and turned on its head. explosive elements that were planted in Extend that misappropriating power to 10/9 7:00 pm “Dr. Faustus” by Hudson Shakespeare Company each one of those Johns the moment their countries predominantly run by men and it male set of chromosomes aligned. occurs that if there is a treaty for our loving 10/10 & 17 7:00 pm Tai Chi Demonstration by Instructor Gang Huang Doomed! That is, unless possessing the conflict analogous to the Geneva Conven- sort of fortitude and restraint that has tion, it is egregiously abrogated when any 10/12 2:00 pm Legacy of Remembrance: World War I Monuments eluded, since time immemorial, some of government runs roughshod on a woman’s Music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvacus the most heroic examples of my gender. reproductive rights. It’s not quite like be- 10/15 7:00 pm Finding Lasting Happiness through Meditation Sure, research physician Lipschitz invented ing burned at the stake, but think about it. Lyrics by Tim Rice Based on an idea by Tim Rice a cure for Dr. San Fernando’s Rare Danc- As for those who couldn’t care less 10/23 7:00 pm Listen to the David Aaron Trio ing Disease, but all the same couldn’t about all the inter-gender strife so studi- Fri/Sat 8pm Sept. 27,28 Oct . 4,5,11,12 muster the self-discipline to keep from ously noted and catalogued, Hustlers also 10/28 7:00 pm Gothic Poetry by Susanna Rich w/tribute to Charles Addams pollinating and then marrying by shotgun makes plenty time for deliriously de- Sun. Oct. 6 at 2pm directive a very unsavory but equally beau- picted shopping orgies courtesy of the tiful gal named Clytemnestra. unknowingly generous credit cards the PROGRAMS FOR KIDS CHECK WEBSITE FOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Thus, watching more or less film’s enchantresses gleefully max out. 10/1, 8, 15, 22 10:30 am 2’s on Thursday Storytime 2 years old with caregiver horrorstruck, I debated whether or not the And perhaps just as edifying and curious conveyor belt of hustled Wall Street gonifs, is the girlie-girlie sisterhood epitomized 10/1, 8, 15, 22 1:00 pm Crafternoon Storytime 3 ½ -5 years old with caregiver all of whom had essentially demeaned by Ramona and Destiny, a camaraderie their retaliators at one time or another, that acts as the legitimizing glue of the 10/3, 10, 17, 24 10:30 am 3’s on Thursday Storytime 3 years old with caregiver were due this comeuppance. I was under entire, money-grabbing gambit. the impression that vengeance was not Bemoaning, for various socioeconomic 10/4, 11, 18, 25 10:00 am ours, or has that been changed? Ramona, reasons, their lack of education, the bro- Baby Playgroup 0-23 months with parent/caregiver superbly exacted with rough-toned polish ken homes from which they sprang and 10/5 10:00 am Drop-in Chess Club-Players must know how pieces move by Miss Lopez, in trying to calm the objec- the complex challenges of generally un- tions of Constance Wu’s Destiny, her prize intended motherhood, the pretty women 10/5 10:30 am Sew It! Learn how to sew backpacks 9-12 years old prodigy, takes the rationalization of her in Hustlers share a mantra of misfortune. very profitable enterprise a step further. It is them against the world. Immersed in 10/12 10:30 am It’s not personal. These guys bilked bil- these truths made evident, wondering what Pumpkin Painting 4+ years old lions of dollars from millions of innocent, magical, benevolent epiphany might rel- 10/21 & 28 7:00 pm unwitting victims…their houses, retire- egate to history’s trash bin the panoply of Girls Who Code 8-10 years old ment funds and kids’ college tuition lost, bad behavior just witnessed, we lament, 10/22 6:30 pm Evening LEGO Club 5+ years Caregivers stay in library their dreams dashed. In short, the ladies “Say it ain’t so, J.Lo.” were doing what the SEC didn’t. Hustlers, rated R, is an STX Entertain- 10/28 10:00 am Yoga Storytime 2-5 years old with parent/caregiver But not to worry. Following 110 min- ment release directed by Lorene Scafaria and Tickets./Info - cdctheatre.org - 908-276-7611 utes of the devil-may-care free-for-all, stars Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu and 10/30 10:00 am CHESS(UK Version) is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH INC. chock full of the bounteous and shiny Julia Stiles. Running time: 110 minutes. Zumba Fun 2-5 years old with parent/caregiver