Page 20 Thursday, February 3, 2005 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION

FINDING NEVERLAND WRITER BASKS IN OSCAR GLORY INSIDE: BRIANA FALCO’S EXHIBIT; CARMELO TARTIVITA’S BOOK ScrScreenplayeenplay WWriterriter DDavidavid MMageeagee ofof SPSP FREEMAN’S MOVIE FEATURES ‘BUFFY’ AND ‘CARNIVALE’ STARS NNominatedominated forfor OOscarscar Get Outta By MICHELLE HELEN Le POIDEVIN “The last 72 hours (since the Os- Native Westfielder Returns Home Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times car nominations were revealed) have The House SCOTCH PLAINS – Although been completely unreal,” he said. By CAROL F. DAVIS the screenplay for the Oscar-nomi- “There have been calls from the press, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times nated movie Finding Neverland is family, friends and it’s funny how To Film His Latest Thriller, Unholy The Pulitzer Prize and Tony the first he has ever written, it was you reconnect with so many differ- By MICHELLE HELEN Le POIDEVIN According to Mr. Freeman, “the film agreed to do the low-budget movie, Award winning drama, Proof, will enough to catch the attention and ent parts of your life in such a short Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times deals with a grieving mother, Martha noting, “she’s an icon of the genre.” open on Friday, February 4, and admiration of the Academy of Mo- time and they’re all so happy for WESTFIELD – On Tuesday, a (Ms. Barbeau), trying to uncover the “It was a little bit of luck and a whole run for three weekends at the tion Pictures Arts & Sciences to earn you.” home on Hillcrest Avenue in Westfield terrifying secret that is jeopardizing her lot of fate having them agree to do the Cranford Dramatic Club. It’s the four-year Scotch Plains resident Soon, Mr. Magee will be flying to became the backdrop for Sam Freeman’s family. Along with her son (Mr. film,” he told The Leader/Times. story of relationships, both in love David Magee a nomination for Los Angeles to attend the Academy thriller, Unholy, which stars Adrienne Brendon), Martha becomes entwined “They’ve been amazing and fantastic and in math, by David Auburn. Adapted Screenplay. Awards Nominees Luncheon on Barbeau of HBO’s “Carnivàle” and in a conspiracy involving a fabled witch, so far.” Admission is $15, and perfor- Mr. Magee, who Monday, February Nicholas Brendon of WB’s “Buffy the Nazi occultists and the U.S. govern- “I believe that this terrifying and mances will be on Friday and Sat- was also nominated 7, where he will re- Vampire Slayer” fame. ment.” unusual tale, along with cult genre urday nights at 8 p.m. For infor- for Golden Globe ceive a certificate ac- Unholy is produced by Sky Whisper mation and reservations, call (908) 276-7611 or visit and Critics’ Choice knowledging his ac- Productions in The Bronx, where Mr. complishment. Freeman serves as Executive Producer www.cdctheatre.org. Ask about awards, explained their mini-subscriptions. how his golden Then, he will return with Joshua Blumenfeld. writing opportunity to Scotch Plains be- Mr. Freeman, Unholy Executive Pro- * * * * * * * had arisen during a fore jetting off to ducer and Scriptwriter, told The A presentation by Calvary Cho- Westfield Leader and The Scotch telephone interview London to attend rale, Works for Organ and Strings, Plains-Fanwood Times that he con- will be held on Sunday, February 6, with The Westfield the BAFTA (British ceived of the movie’s premise when he Leader and The Academy of Film at 4 p.m. at the Calvary Episcopal was “proofing through some paranor- Church, 31 Woodland Avenue in Scotch Plains- and Television Arts) mal websites.” Awards ceremony, Summit. Organist Nancianne Fanwood Times. “The film is inspired by an actual Parrella will perform with Arthur Both Nellie Bell- where he is also military document found discussing Fiacco on the violoncello and flower, who had nominated for an elements of Nazi witchcraft that were Victoria Drake on the harp. Al- optioned the play David Magee award for Adapted smuggled into small-town Pennsylva- though there is no formal admis- The Man Who Was Screenplay. Then, nia (Downington, changed to sion charge, there will be a free-will Peter Pan, and Mr. Magee had been it’s back to Scotch Plains and off to Dowington) following World War II offering. Call (908) 277-1547 for members of the 42nd Street Los Angeles for the Oscar ceremony by the U.S. administration,” said Mr. more information. WorkShop in New York, where he later this month. Freeman. All of the travel has made Mr. “It intrigued me,” said the 24-year- * * * * * * * staged his first play, Buying the Farm. Also on February 6, there will be old, “but it also creeped me out.” After Michelle Helen Le Poidevin for The Westfield Leader and The Times An admirer of his work, Ms. Bell- Magee especially grateful that he re- a piano recital featuring Suburban flower offered The Man Who Was sides in a peaceful community like researching various websites on the HILLCREST HORROR...Outside a home on Hillcrest Avenue in Westfield, Sam topic, he said he “sat down and waited Freeman filmed scenes for Unholy. The Westfield native serves as the thriller’s Community Music Center’s Peter Pan to him to develop into a Scotch Plains. Executive Producer and Writer. Pictured, above, center, actress Andrienne Barbeau Crystl Baltazar at Burgdorff Hall screenplay and Finding Neverland “I’m very happy to be coming for ideas to come” to him for the Un- asks some questions about her script before running lines. Pictured, below, left, actor holy script. at 3 p.m. Single tickets are avail- was born. home to New Jersey after all of this,” Nicholas Brendon poses with Mr. Freeman, right. able for this performance, part of shared the Michigan native. Four As a screenwriter, most of his job Calling himself a icons such as Ms. Barbeau and Mr. the Sundays at Three Series, for was done before filming began. How- years ago, when he and his wife had “huge fan of ‘Buffy Brendon, is sure to guarantee a cre- $12 per adult and $6 per senior or ever, some of the scenes that in- their first son, they realized how the Vampire Slayer,’” ation like none other,” said Mr. Free- student. The hall is located at 570 cluded Dustin Hoffman were writ- “tough it was living in New York Mr. Freeman knew it man. “There has never been a genre Central Avenue in the Murray Hill ten in at the end, requiring him to e- City with kids,” so the couple, who would be a dream film like this before. Audiences will section of New Providence. For mail the director from Scotch Plains. is now expecting their third child, come true to have leave the theater scathed.” more information, please call (908) He also found himself in Mr. looked for a community outside of someone from the Other scenes in Unholy were filmed 790-0700. Hoffman’s backyard in London the city that would be ideal for their television show’s cast at Sam’s Farm in Springfield, in Staten * * * * * * * working on some of the scenes. family. starring in Unholy. He Island and Queens, N.Y. Piano soloists and accompanists, Mr. Magee noted that while pro- Mr. Magee received his Bachelor mentioned Mr. A graduate of Solomon Schecter Day ages 23 and over, are invited to duction on Finding Neverland of Arts degree in Theater Directing Brendon, who played School in West Orange and Tisch participate in the Andrew De wrapped in enough time to be re- and Stage Design from Michigan Zander on the series, School of the Arts at New York Univer- Grado Biennial Piano Debut leased last year, the fact that the film State University and his Master of to the casting direc- sity, Mr. Freeman realized “late in his Competition for U.S.-born or version of Peter Pan was being re- Fine Arts degree from the University tor, and was thrilled high school life” that he could combine naturalized citizens residing in the leased at the same time would have of Illinois, where he taught voice when the actor read his love of writing with his love of film Eastern seaboard. The semifinals conflicted with copyright issues. The and acting. He also studied at North- the script and decided and become a filmmaker. and finals will be held at Kean one-year delay, however, “couldn’t western University’s National High to sign up. While attending Tisch, he wrote the University in June 2005, and the have worked out better,” he noted. School Institute, the New York Art Mr. Freeman was script for The Peak, which was pro- two winners will have the opportu- Since the success of Finding Student’s League and New York especially honored duced in India. nity to perform in a New York City when Ms. Barbeau Neverland, Mr. Magee has found University’s Intensive Film Work- Continued on Page 19 debut concert in Weill Recital Hall himself among the Hollywood elite. shop. at Carnegie Hall. Monday, May 9, is the entry deadline. Obtain offi- When asked about his experience After doing voiceovers, Mr. Magee began recording audioplays for vari- cial rules and applications at at the Golden Globe ceremony on www.andrewdegrado.org or call January 16, he said, “It was all very ous books. However, when he real- Seven Westfield Women Steal Stage (973) 467-1348. surreal.” Attending with his wife, ized he could do a better job abridg- Pamela, who is a retired Emmy ing the literature, he tried his hand * * * * * * * Award-winning music director for at writing them and condensed 80 Through Monday, February 14, soap operas, he was excited when novels over five years. During Off-Broadway Show in NYC the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is asked by a photographer for an ex- He also penned audioplays for 12 By MICHELLE HELEN Le POIDEVIN Ms. Rediker sent out the initial e- audience, to watch the local ladies de- showcasing the serigraphs of Elissa Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Merkl. Serigraphy, the ancient sten- clusive snapshot. children’s books and wrote a skiing mail, noted Ms. Yarusi during an inter- liver their comical lines. Merkl travelogue before staging his first WESTFIELD – The January 16 view with The Westfield Leader and According to Ms. Yarusi, the women cil method of printmaking in which He noted that he sat a couple of inks are pressed through the fine tables over from Johnny Depp, who play and performing at Guild Hall deadline for half-price tickets to the The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times. were introduced by another woman, Off-Broadway production, Pieces, meshes of a taut fabric screen onto was nominated that evening for Best in East Hampton. He studied the- “The e-mails went back and forth who served as the emcee or narrator of was looming. Unfortunately, the eight and soon everyone was getting into the the show, before they began perform- a piece of paper or other material Actor in a Leading Role in Finding ater directing at the Hartford Stage local women vying for the tickets beneath the screen, is a medium Neverland and who Mr. Magee had as assistant to the artistic director, he act. It was almost comical,” said Ms. ing their skit. could agree on January 21 as the only Yarusi, adding that although they had “Some of us have intense stage with which Ms. Merkl has spent worked with on the movie set. has directed audiobook readings, and date they could attend the show as a her career experimenting. The ar- has appeared in soap operas and re- missed the deadline, Ms. Rediker spot- fright,” she added, noting that those “It was an incredible day for star- fears were combated once they took boretum is located at 165 Hobart seeing and being in a room for of gional theaters. the stage a few weeks ago. Avenue in Summit. While you’re people that you normally think live The action-adventure film Crisis When asked how the ladies felt about there, check out what’s blooming in a world so far away from your Four and the comedy drama Natasha in February. own,” he added. were also written by Mr. Magee. Continued on Page 19 Nominated along with screen- Most recently, he has written the writers for Million Dollar Baby, Side- films Gesar and Lord of the Nut- OCAL TARS ways, The Motorcycle Diaries, and cracker Men, a World War I epic. He L S Before Sunset, Mr. Magee said he is also completing work on two films genuinely means it when saying it is – Miss Pettigrew and The Tiger’s Former Westfielders Publish a pleasure to be in the same category Apprentice, which focuses on a San with writers who crafted such “won- Francisco boy who discovers his derful films.” magical powers. Book on Memory Improvement “Of course, it would be incredible The 77th Annual Academy Awards WESTFIELD – Joan Houlihan and life. Otherwise, I might have forgotten to win, but I’m not expecting the are scheduled to air on Sunday, Feb- Adam Rosenbaum, former Westfield resi- myself!” she said. win,” he told The Leader/Times. ruary 27, on ABC Television begin- dents, have published a book on memory Ms. Houlihan is the Executive Direc- “But, I’ll be smiling no matter what.” ning at 8 p.m. improvement entitled, “How to Remem- tor of an assisted living facility in ber Not to Forget by Joan Falmouth, Mass. She speaks Mid-Day Musicales Who? and Adam frequently in the Boston area This Is Westfield Mid-Day Musicales Rosensomething.” on the top of memory and Concert Series Slated Released in January, the senior healthcare. She lived May 5, 2005 Concert Series Slated book combines examples of in Westfield from 1974 to WESTFIELD – The First Congrega- how memories have gone awry, 1995. tional Church of Westfield has announced Photo Courtesy of Lori Yarusi memory tests and easy tech- Mr. Rosenbaum, who re- the resumption of their Mid-Day Musi- TELLING THEIR STORY...In the tradition of the Off-Broadway show, Pieces, during which “real women tell their stories,” seven local ladies were invited to relate niques for improving memory. sided in Westfield from 1971 cales concert series. The free, half-hour According to Mr. to 1995, is the president of a noon concerts on Wednesdays feature the tale of how they got to the New York City stage. Pictured, left to right, are: Jill Freeman, Liz Byer, Jill Strauss, Lori Yarusi, Pam Rediker, all of Westfield, Leslie Rosenbaum, the book details consulting company that pro- programs of classical, jazz and world mu- Fleischman of Scotch Plains, and Diane Rembisz of Westfield. the causes of memory loss, vides learning services to cli- sic presented in the church sanctuary. A termed “Memory Busters,” ents deploying certain ac- soup and sandwich luncheon is available group. While they had missed the ted a phone number for Pieces pro- which range from “informa- counting and manufacturing following each concert for $5. deadline for the discount, they hadn’t ducer Brian Howie at the bottom of tion overload and inatten- computer systems. He has The schedule for this winter is: missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime the e-mail about half-price tickets. tion.” For every “Memory Buster,” the been involved with corporate training • February 9 – Westfield High School opportunity. Mr. Howie was amused and intrigued authors recommend a system established programs in North and South America Chamber Orchestra, Director Raymond During the process of hunting down when he read the rhyming e-mails that by Ms. Houlihan, named “Memorology.” since 1994. He graduated Westfield High Wojcik; a date when everyone could attend, the Ms. Rediker cleverly forwarded to him. “After my husband passed away, I was School in 1989. • February 16 – Karen Lindquist and eight women (seven are Westfield resi- Ms. Yarusi said that the deadline for so overwhelmed as the single mother of To purchase a copy of the $11.95 Andre Tarantiles, duo-harpists; dents and one resides in Scotch Plains) the discount tickets had been extended five children that I needed a system to paperback, please visit • February 23 – Soprano Sarah Arneson began sending each other rhyming e- and their e-mails prompted Mr. Howie help me organize my thoughts and my www.iUniverse.com. Call and pianist George Kern; • March 2 – Pianist Gail Niwa; mails. to not only extend the half-price tickets (908) 232-4407 • March 9 – Bones, Inc. (four trom- The group of ladies includes Jill Free- to the women, but a possible guest spot Union County Seeks Volunteers bones and rhythm section, jazz); man, Liz Byer, Jill Strauss, Lori Yarusi, in the production. • March 16 – Violinist Anton Miller, Pam Rediker, all of Westfield, Leslie “It became bigger than we ever ex- cellist Eliot Bailen, and pianist Brandt Fleischman of Scotch Plains, and Diane pected,” said Ms. Yarusi. For Annual Teen Arts Festival Fredriksen. Rembisz of Westfield. Vivian Gold of A month of anticipation stood be- For more information, please call the Westfield was an original member of the tween Mr. Howie’s invitation and the COUNTY – Volunteers are needed every discipline – visual art, music, church office at (908) 233-2494. group who could not be in the show. chance that the ladies would become to work with artists, students and teach- creative writing, theater and dance,” Off-Broadway starlets as Pieces open- ers during the Union County Teen Arts said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, ing act. Festival on Thursday and Friday, March liaison to the Union County Cultural “We signed up to go to the show, not 10 and 11, at Union County College in and Heritage Programs Advisory to be in a show, but when it turned into Cranford. Board. us having the opportunity to be on Sponsored by the Union County “Volunteers are needed to assist art- stage and in the production, we were so Department of Chosen Freeholders and ists with workshops, manage perfor- excited,” said Ms. Yarusi. “Soon, we the Division of Cultural and Heritage mance sites and staff information sta- were planning out what we should Affairs in the Department of Economic tions,” she added. “We appreciate the wear and how we should look.” Development, the annual arts celebra- invaluable assistance of our county resi- Using the ladies rhyming e-mails, Mr. tion is open to all students from public, dents with this exciting program. Reserve Your Howie crafted their material to a five- private and parochial middle and high To volunteer, please contact the Filmprivatescreenings.org minute show, where the women relayed schools in Union County. Union County Division of Cultural their pursuit of the discount tickets. “At the festival, 3,000 students par- and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Ad Space Now Sundance Cannes Toronto Venice New York Hollywood New Jersey On the evening of the show, over ticipate in performances, critiquing Elizabeth, 07202, call (908) 558-2550, 800.531.9416 125 friends and family, many hailing seminars, master classes and workshops or e-mail [email protected]. Relay users [email protected] from Westfield, filled one-third of the with a staff of 50 professional artists in may dial (800) 852-7899.