A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, January 16, 2014 Page 19 Premiere Stages Announces Town Book Store to Host Camps for Theater Artists Karen Gloeggler UNION – Premiere Stages, the well as scenes from original plays WESTFIELD — The Town Book Karen Gloeggler has over 30 years professional theatre in residence at that have been developed through Store will host quilter and author Karen experience working in fashion-related Kean University, announced that the Premiere Stages Play Festival. Gloeggler on Saturday, January 18, fields. She attended the Fashion Insti- registration will begin on Saturday, This camp session culminates in a from 2 to 4 p.m. tute of Technology while working for February 1, for Camp Premiere, the public performance of the mono- Quilting inspiration flows from the Elizabeth Arden cosmetics. Upon annual theatre program for middle logues and scenes, followed by a only quilt Jane Austen made and from graduation, Karen joined the Execu- and high school students. The camp certificate presentation and recep- her six novels. In 1811, the novelist tive Training Program at runs for two, two-week sessions, tion for the participants. Camp runs Jane Austen wrote that she had spent Bloomingdale’s. Karen taught Image each of which feature a perfor- Monday through Thursday from 10 entirely too much money on fabric. Consulting I at Parson’s School of De- mance-based curriculum, provid- a.m. – 2 p.m., and the final show- Every quilter can relate to that. sign. She formed her own bra and ing students with a vital creative case will be performed on Friday, Austen fan and avid quilter Karen panty company, which led to Technical outlet in a nurturing, competition- August 1. Gloeggler went as far as England to see Design positions at Jones New York free environment. The cost for each session is $295. firsthand the only quilt known to have Intimates and Macy’s. She is currently Campers perform monologues, as Scholarships are available, with CALLING ALL ACTORS...The Pineda Conservatory’s Center Stage Program been made by the popular novelist. She a Senior Technical Designer for Sears/ preference given to Union County for talented high school students is holding auditions for its five-week summer recreated Jane’s quilt, and then created Kmart. Curtain Up at WCP residents. Campers who register program that includes fully staged productions of Jonathan Larson’s Rent and a quilt design representing each of Jane’s Karen finished her first quilt when before April 1 will receive a $50 a musical revue entitled A Road Trip. Pictured above, the cast from a previous six published novels. her son was born, and has not stopped Playwriting Showcase discount on camp tuition. For more production. The resulting 11 pieced quilts appeal quilting since. She lives and quilts in WESTFIELD — Westfield Com- information or to request an appli- to everyone. Her book, “Jane Austen central New Jersey. munity Players is pleased to an- cation, contact Clare Drobot, Quilts Inspired by Her Novels” in- Meet Karen Gloeggler at The Town nounce Curtain Up at WCP, this Premiere’s Producing Associate, at Pineda Conservatory cludes how-to photos which help non- Book Store located at 270 East Broad year’s new addition to the Theater’s [email protected] or (908) 737- quilters, who love all things Jane, to Street in Westfield (corner of East Broad programming and fundraising ef- 4092. become quilters. This is a book that will and Elmer Streets). If you are unable to forts. Interested students should sub- Announces Teen Auditions end up on Jane Austen fans’ shelves attend this event, feel free to call The Curtain Up at WCP, an evening mit a completed registration form, CRANFORD — The Pineda mission at pinedaconservatory.com/ simply because it includes fascinating Town Book Store at (908) 233-3535 to of one-act plays and monologues, a brief “Camp Expectations” state- Conservatory’s Center Stage Program Audition-Request.html. clips from Austen’s letters, which are reserve an autographed copy of “Jane is a great opportunity for play- ment, and a $25 application fee to for talented high school students is Prepare 16 bars of a musical theater as much a joy to read as her novels. Austen Quilts Inspired by Her Novels.” wrights to showcase their talent. Premiere Stages at Kean Univer- holding auditions for its five-week sum- up-tempo and 16 bars of a musical Westfield Community Players is sity. The fee ensures inclusion in mer program that includes fully staged theater ballad that show range and act- accepting original scripts through the camp and serves as the initial productions of Jonathan Larson’s Rent ing ability. Vocal auditions will be fol- Friday, February 21, for this show- tuition payment. Rolling registra- and a musical revue entitled A Road lowed by a group movement and dance case. Four to six one-act plays will tion will begin February 1 and will Trip. call. Bring dance clothing (comfort- be chosen from submitted scripts. continue through June 3; space is The Center Stage program begins able clothes and dance shoes/sneak- Additionally, two to three mono- limited and early registration is en- Monday, June 30, to and runs Monday ers). All students should dress profes- logues, three to four minutes long, couraged. More information and ap- through Friday, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at sionally for the audition. You will be will also be chosen. plication forms are available online the Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre in given time to change. The audition Submitted plays must be no at www.kean.edu/premierestages. Cranford. process will take approximately two longer than 15 minutes in length, The training program includes act- hours. and need to utilize minimal set ing, dance, vocal and audition training. If necessary, call backs will be sched- pieces and props. There is no entry The staff includes choreographer Chris- uled on Sunday, March 9. Students fee, and finalists will be selected by topher Johnson (Radio City Christmas selected will be given one week to a committee. Selected plays will be Spectacular, Chicago), Ra-Sean accept their spots. A Road Trip is a performed at the theater on Satur- Holloway (A Chorus Line, Radio City musical tribute to the USA. This show day, June 7, which promises to be Christmas Spectacular), director Juan includes everyone selected for the an evening of great entertainment. Pineda (Broadway’s Miss Saigon), program, and features those who do Submissions can be emailed to vocal coach Valerie Pineda (Manhat- not have leads in Rent The show is [email protected], tan School of Music), director and cho- written specifically for the students or can be mailed to the theater at reographer Fausto Pineda (King and I, featured and has two fully staged Westfield Community Players, 1000 S.O.S…Westfield’s Contagious Drama Workshop (CDW) teens are set to open in Grease) and vocal coach Patricia performances. S.O.S. (Stories of Sandy) at Westminster Hall on Friday, January 17, and North Avenue West, Westfield, N.J. Pineda. Everyone in the program also par- Saturday, January 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The piece is a collection of original short 07090 Attn: Gail Smith. Enrollment to the tuition based pro- ticipates in the main stage production plays written for the CDW teens. Tickets are $5 students/seniors and $8 adults. for more information on Westfield gram is limited and acceptance is by of Rent. Some roles may be double, A donation will be made to a Staten Island family who suffered great losses after Community Players visit http:// audition only. Applicants may apply triple or quadruple cast. Be advised Sandy hit last year. Pictured are: Catie Barry, Connor Wynne, Colin Barry, westfieldcommunityplayers.org/ for scholarship. Former Pineda Con- that the production of Rent deals with Matthew McGowan, Elijah Fields, Julian Mone, Joseph Stokes, Anna Bloomfield, servatory students have been accepted mature themes and all students par- Calvin Nemeckay, Matthew Schuman, Lexi Nelson and Jarred Graber. Not into some of the nation’s leading col- ticipating will be required to submit a shown are Casey Murphy and Ally Morganthal. See it all on the Web! SUMMER FUN...Actors rehearse a lege theater programs and conservato- permission slip prior to auditioning. scene during Premiere Stages’ Camp ries and have gone on to appear in The Pineda Summer Conservatory www.goleader.com Premiere, the annual theatre program ‘Art from the HEART’ for middle and high school students. professional theaters and opera houses also holds a five-week morning pro- around the country. gram for middle schoolers featuring Auditions are being held on Satur- a production of Shrek the Musical day, March 1, Sunday, March 2 and and for students in elementary grades Exhibit at Freeholders Gallery POPCORN Sunday, March 8, by appointment only 2-5 with a production of Aladdin Kids. ELIZABETH – The Union County or call (908) 273-9121. for students entering ninth grade and For more information visit Board of Chosen Freeholders will For further information about this “” up. Appointments can be made by call- pinedaconservatory.com or call (908) present an exhibit of artworks from the exhibit or to find out about exhibiting at ing (908) 731-1377 or by online sub- 731-1377. “Art from the HEART” fine arts pro- the Freeholders Gallery, please contact Takes Good-natured Jabs at Golden Agers gram. The exhibition is a partnership the Union County Office of Cultural One Popcorn, Poor — Two Popcorns, Fair — Three Popcorns, Good — Four Popcorns, Excellent between The Visual Arts Center of and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Washington School to New Jersey and Sage Eldercare in Sum- Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone, (908) 2 and ½ popcorns each other. And, though she doesn’t mit. The Freeholders Gallery is located 558-2550; or email: By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER have everything to do with the undy- on the 6th floor of the Union County [email protected]. Film Critic ing enmity, count ’s Perform Pandora’s Box Administration Building, Director Peter Segal’s “Grudge Sally, the love interest — yep, even WESTFIELD — Washington El- by the Washington School commu- Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth. Gal- Match,” starring and after all these years — as the biggest ementary School’s Annual Show comes nity, is an original production that is lery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon- as deeply rancor- reason. Others tossed into the me- to the stage on Friday, February 7, and written, directed, produced and, with day to Friday. The exhibit will run Regrets Only ous former boxers who never fought lee, and forced to take sides when Saturday, February 8, with three sched- the exception of one “teacher’s num- through Friday, January 31. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 that ultimately deciding bout some the feud is revived, comprise the uled performances of Pandora’s Box. ber,” performed solely by parents. The “Art from the HEART” is in its anyway? The setting is 2006, not too thirty years ago, serves up an incon- great as Henry’s man- All performances will take place at The show is the school’s largest thirteenth year. Led by instructor Lela very long ago, but eons ago as far as sequential but pleasant fantasy for ager, Louis ‘Lightning’ Conlon, and Roosevelt Intermediate School, 301 fundraiser and all proceeds are allo- Kometiani, the program encourages the country’s views of same-sex mar- Baby Boomers. A happy audience of a game cast of supporting players Clark Street, Westfield. cated by the Parent Teacher Organi- self-expression, increases self-esteem riages. said species on the night I viewed it populating each pug’s corner. Jon Pandora’s Box draws from Greek zation (PTO) for classroom resources, by recapturing the joy of creativity, The maid, Myra Kesselman (Leslie laughingly attested to the ready mar- Bernthal is B.J., Sally’s son and a mythology for a creative, contempo- teacher grants, school enhancements and helps keep participants’ minds Riccie) has a few funny bits, but ket for such demographically physical trainer at Pitt, who seizes rary and comedic spin on the age-old and additional programs to enrich the sharp. “Art from the HEART” is made because her character sashays in and empathetic fare. the opportunity to bond with dad. story of “Good vs. Evil.” The tale fol- educational environment for Wash- possible in part by a HEART (History, out of the living room spouting vari- Reasonably engrossed in the senti- Can you guess who pop is? lows three Washington School kids ington School’s 300 plus students. Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) ous accents each time she enters, it mental doings, and surprised to find Arkin calls in his chips as thespian who find the mythical box and, unable “We are so grateful to the dedi- Grant from the Union County Board almost gets predictable. The play- that an old daydream of my own in emeritus in order to play Louis, the to resist the temptation to open it, un- cated parents and teachers, as well as of Chosen Freeholders. Additional wright has not given her character the personage of Kim Basinger hadn’t proverbial dirty old man, with wittingly unleash four mischievous vil- the local merchants, for all they do to funding is provided by the Summit enough of a back story as to why she let time douse the reverie, I wasn’t shameless schmaltziness. Represent- lains from Greek mythology: greedy make the show such a tremendous Area Public Foundation. feels the need to do that and does not insulted when six teenagers aban- ing the Old, Old, the cantankerous Midas, jealous Medusa, vain Narcis- success,” said Kip Brindle, Washing- The Visual Arts Center of New Jer- give the owners of the apartment any doned the theater. After all, they had cuss with a heart of gold has been sus, and intolerant Ares. ton School PTO co-president. sey is the state’s largest institution reaction to such strange, crazy be- probably just seen their grandparents bounced from one nursing home to The adventure unfolds as these four Tickets are on sale now. All seats dedicated exclusively to viewing, havior. over the holidays. Plus, they didn’t the next. “Recalled to life” like immortals wreak havoc by spreading for each performance are $12 and making and learning about contem- On the bright side, Doris Dias’ know these guys, pals from the old Dickens’s Dr. Manette, but with a their vices throughout Washington can be reserved online. Visit the porary art, comprising a renowned costumes provide pizazz in the la- neighborhood, perfectly cast and ca- much saltier vocabulary, the loyal School, spoiling a classroom party with Washington Elementary School studio art school and a thriving educa- dies’ gowns. Loads of one-line zingers pable of smoothing over even the corner man is hoping to stave off the greed, infecting an art class with jeal- home page at tion, exhibition and programming from Ms. Hoffman hit the mark. And weakest parts of the predictable script. shackles of decrepitude. ousy, tainting a talent show rehearsal www.westfieldnjk12.org/Washing- schedule. Its service mission includes Mr. Faver’s touching Hank elicits rec- So what if they’ve gained some Of course, this life-begins-at-80 with vanity, and corrupting a peaceful ton—click on the “2014 Washing- a commitment to creating access to ognition. Director Maurice J. Moran wrinkles and need a few pills daily to illusion isn’t the movie’s most far- playground with intolerance and hate. ton School Show” link in the left, the arts for a range of constituents, gets the most from his capable actors, control their blood pressure and cho- fetched pipedream. Rather, it’s the Led by Zeus, King of the Gods, the kids then “Ticket Order Form.” Tickets from at-risk children and youth to but with a vehicle that is not as snazzy lesterol. Thanks to the enamoring idea that two men, one 67, the other endeavor to return the immortals and ordered online and prepaid can be people with special needs and senior as the Park Avenue penthouse, it is an magic of fiction and film, Henry ‘Ra- 70, can rigorously train for and actu- their evil traits back into Pandora’s picked up at the door 30 minutes adults. To learn more about Art Center uphill climb on a bumpy road to zor’ Sharp, portrayed by Mr. Stallone, ally take part in a fully legitimate Box and restore peace and harmony prior to each performance. programs, visit www.artcenternj.org nowhere. and Robert De Niro’s Billy ‘The Kid’ light heavyweight boxing match, that to their beloved school. McDonnen, have still got it, or so beseeches your complete suspension Lucky for them, help arrives in they entertainingly wish to prove. of disbelief. the form of four “good” mythologi- Dante Slate, Jr. (), the Custom built to please a pleasant cal characters that provide the anti- son of the scurrilous promoter who little conceit, it’s a bit like shelling dotes to each of the evils: gave both fighters short shrift back in out the shekels to rent a fantasy ride Prometheus offers generosity; the day, looking to vindicate the fam- in a Ferrari…a momentary reprieve Lakshmi, a Hindu goddess provides ily name and make a killing in the from reality. But just as you leave gratitude; Arachne, a spider who bargain, is the catalyst to the pugilis- that experience in a vehicle costing was once human, teaches humility; tic reunion referred to by the title. somewhat less than $300,000, the and Cupid demonstrates that love Dangling the chance of redemption, niche audience for whom this film conquers all. But the vices will not revenge and a big payday to the dra- was constructed will, for the most go quietly and an epic battle ensues matically antithetical prizefighters, part, still exit the theater as Medi- between these forces of good and the ever jabbering gadfly acerbically care card-carrying folks in good evil. Can the kids remove the stains makes with the senior citizen jokes. standing. of greed, jealousy, vanity and intol- But the bulk of such humor is All in all, though, the concept is erance from Washington School sprinkled good-naturedly via smartly much more preferable than that vir- …this time for good? For now, only effective, self-effacing jests that philo- tual reality thing made available as the gods know how the story ends. sophically chant the bittersweet ac- consolation to oldsters like Edward “Every kid is going to encounter ceptance of the aging process. Both G. Robinson’s Sol Roth in “Soylent these issues in their lives,” said Julie men, endearingly irascible in a neo- Green.” And let’s face it, popcorn, Shanebrook, writer of Pandora’s Box. “Grumpy Old Men” (1993) way, Raisinets, and Sno Caps are a lot “My goal was to remind them that if while hardly as classical in their comic better gustatory accompaniment than they keep the “antidotes” around, they delivery, nonetheless make their oth- the mystery stuff they ate in that can positively deal with situations erwise polarized characters credible 1973 sci-fi classic. where negative human qualities enough for the film’s farcical pur- Problem is, even if you’re ame- emerge.” poses. nable to taking this make-believe Combining a timely, kid-friendly Henry, soft-spoken, modest, retir- trip, the box office will be wanting storyline with lively music ranging ing and beholding to no man, walked real money. Considering the points from top 40 hits to show tunes, year away from the ring with very little of your internal movie-deciding judges after year the Washington School his winnings intact for reasons to be will have to therefore subtract may Show continues to delight and im- divulged later. He toils in a factory render “Grudge Match” a split deci- press audiences of all ages. and doesn’t like it when his co-work- sion, with the smart money defer- “This is not your amateur talent ers call him champ. ‘The Kid,’ how- ring until it plays the small screen. show,” said Liz Mulholland, one of ever, a publicity hound, debaucher … this year’s four show producers. “I and high-living braggart, parlayed “Grudge Match,” rated PG-13, is a am always amazed by the amount his career into a substantial fortune Warner Bros. release directed by Pe- and quality of talent that emerges out that includes a famous Pittsburgh ter Segal and stars Robert De Niro, of our small community.” restaurant and an auto dealership. Sylvester Stallone and Kim Basinger. An annual tradition since 1948, To indelibly reaffirm, the two hate Running time: 113 minutes “the show,” as it’s affectionately called