Page 24 Thursday, December 16, 1999 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Arts & Entertainment

Westfield Symphony Orchestra Commissions Millennium Score from Genevieve Mannion for 2000 Continued from Page 26 “I tried to give a good indication By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN our doorstep,” noting that there the melody dissipates out to of how the century has changed,” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times is a “wealth and depth of talent nothing and pushes onto some- Mr. Laventhar explained. “History WESTFIELD – Two thousand just at arms reach” in the Westfield thing very sweet.” is a kind of dying art.” delicate and colorful butterflies, area, such as he found with With a little Y2K humor, Mae- According to the author, the each representing a year in the Genevieve. stro quipped that the WSO evolution of music and dance, as millennium, is the mood would be using acoustic in- well as women’s fashion, has gone However, writing the ideal from that of a constrictive nature Genevieve Mannion had in composition for First Night was struments in the evening’s pro- to a more open-ended structure mind while conceiving a com- not without its rules and limita- gram. “So, even if the lights go later in the century. In addition, the technological

Cheri Rogosky for The Westfield Leader and The Times STRUMMING AND CROONING...New York City guitarist and solo- ist Billy Populus entertained crowds with his own personal compositions and well-known favorites during the family winter celebration sponsored by the Fanwood Cultural Arts Committee and its Winter Decorating Committee on December 5. Mr. Populus was raised in Fanwood and returned home for the seasonal celebration. He has performed in several musical arenas and venues, including The Crossroads in Garwood. POPCORN™ Flawless

Imperfectly Entertaining Paul Laventhar By Michael S. Goldberger advances since the flights of the One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent Wright Brothers have enabled 2 & 1/2 popcorns pals who flit in and out of Rusty’s flat. probes to be sent up to Mars for Flawless, director-writer Joel They serve as comic relief while also detailed exploration on other life Schumacher’s atmospheric lesson in providing shock value for De Niro’s forms. tolerance, is far more entertaining chagrined straight man. War, Mr. Laventhar believes, is than it has any right to be. It’s funny, Most of the other secondary por- the same in the beginning of the touching and poignant, even though trayals, aside from helping keep the millennium as it was at the end. it’s predictable, preachy and fastidi- nation’s unemployment rate low, Despite the difference in the weap- ously noble. merely furnish bodies for Flawless’ ons utilized for battle, he explained Posturing like an avant-garde indy perfunctorily etched side business. flick, drab cinema verite art direction There are at least five mini-plots to that the reasons and principles behind going to war are pretty Michelle H. LePoidevin for The Westfield Leader and The Times and all, the only thing missing is wade through. WHAT’S THE SCORE?...Westfield High School graduate and Montclair University student, Harvey Keitel. But the getting-to- The extraneous sub-texts include: much the same. Genevieve Mannion was sought out by the Westfield Symphony Orchestra (WSO) to know-you saga about a drag queen the murderously vile drug thugs in Another “Millennium Journal” in compose a special score for a WSO performance at First Night Westfield 2000. The end (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who helps dire search of their ripped-off funds; the series about sports provides an his macho antithesis (Robert De Niro) Walt’s oddly romantic relationship(s) overview of athletic heroes from result was “Millennium Butterflies,” which will accompany Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.” recover from a stroke is much more with two women (Wanda De Jesus Funding of the commissioned score was made possible by the Westfield Foundation and Babe Ruth to Michael Jordan. Hollywood than it is Sundance. and Daphne Rubin-Vega) at a dime- “All of these people are cultural PNC Bank. Pictured, left to right at PNC Bank in Westfield, are: Thomas G. Dwyer, Vice Decrying prejudice in all forms, a-dance joint he regularly frequented President, Business Development Officer of PNC Advisors; Joanne Santoriello, member of icons that tell how we are changing Flawless brims with commercially before his illness; Rusty’s scheme to as people,” reported Mr. Laventhar. the Westfield Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Chairwoman for the Endowment of the packaged outrage — the sort that acquire the surgery that he feels will th Westfield Foundation; Genevieve and Music Conductor and Director of the WSO, Maestro gives audiences the self-satisfying make him “a real woman;” the anx- The journal entitled, “20 Century David Wroe. notion that they’ve just contributed iously awaited drag queen pageant Fashion and The Changing Role of to world understanding. If someone which shares its title with this film; Women,” reads, “Fashion holds up asks you to donate to a liberal cause and then there’s the feeling of dread a mirror to our times, reflecting missioned piece, “Millennium tions, according to Maestro. out, we’ll still be playing on!” you can say you gave at the theater. that surrounds Barry Miller as creepy social and economic change. As Butterflies,” for the Westfield “The constraints were formi- he said. In this corner, probably hailing Leonard, the snake-in-the-grass desk America has evolved throughout Symphony Orchestra’s (WSO) dable,” he said, adding that the Mr. Dwyer addressed the dol- from Hell’s Kitchen or Red Hook or clerk whose informing ways could each decade, so has its fashions.” performance at First Night 14-member ensemble for First lars and cents aspect of fund- someplace that sounds like that, is put all those concerned in harm’s Constricting corsets and flam- Robert De Niro as Walt “The Wall” way. Westfield 2000. Night is “very specific.” “It had to ing the composition. He noted Koontz, retired hero cop and But all that this rigmarole really boyant hats were all the rage in the “It’s a beautiful thing, but be a certain length and be com- that over the past two years, homophobe extraordinaire. And in does is point out the inherent inad- 1900s and 1910s, according to Mr. very terrifying at the same time,” plimentary to Aaron Copland’s PNC has created the Union this corner, from Paramus, Philip equacies of the main plot. Laventhar. But, at the end of the said Genevieve of her “Appalachian Spring.” Matching County Town Council, a Seymour Hoffman as Rusty, the con- It becomes apparent that while millennium, “shorter skirts,” “baggy the zingers fly fast and furious, there jeans” and “retro fashions” took composition’s theme. the Copland piece, would be summate self-effacing boy-girl. Westfield-based committee Following the film’s opening bell, is only occasional substance in the center stage on women’s clothing Genevieve, who is a 1998 gradu- difficult, according to Wroe, but made up of volunteers that when Walt suffers a stroke trying to droll repartee. Schumacher has noth- must-wear lists. ate of Westfield High School proved not to be an arduous task work to support the commu- thwart a drug money vendetta in the ing new to add to the timeworn “American dance and music are and student at Montclair State for Genevieve. nity and its activities. flea bag hotel where he resides, the relationship tale. Hence, with nei- as intertwined as two kids making University, was approached by Executive Director of the WSO, Over the past two years, he dipole duo’s fates are tossed to- ther the bigot nor the homosexual gether. sketched to three-dimensional depth, out on a couch with the Victrola, Music Conductor and Director Nancy N. Jackson interjected that noted that $70,000 has been Ashamed of his condition and the viewer is never fully drawn into record player, 8-track, cassette of the WSO, Maestro David the piece needed to convey the given to various organizations, frustrated by a painfully slow recov- their connection. player, CD or MP3 player on in the Wroe, to pen the piece after he sense of a “dawn of the 21st mostly in Westfield. In fact, ery, Walt takes the movie’s first fan- Stories dealing in the very inti- background,” reads the journal heard about a composition she century,” keeping in mind that $5,000 was contributed to fund tasy leap when he is told that voice mate, mind-to-mind combat that com- tagged, “Dance and Music in the lessons could help restore his speech: prises this genre, must possess a 20th Century.” wrote for the Colonial Sym- the “sun would be shining over a the circus act that performed at He solicits his heretofore disdained searing honesty. That’s just for start- whole new epoch” on New Year’s Mr. Laventhar cites the Turkey phony Orchestra. First Night 1999. neighbor to provide said singing ers. If they are to be completely Trot, Grizzly Bear and One-Step as During an interview with The Day morning. By “refocusing its support lessons. Tying in with one of the absorbing, like Educating Rita, The dances that made Americans en- Westfield Leader and The Times Ms. Jackson added that “Mil- by giving to the Westfield Sym- movie’s superfluous sub-plots, Rusty Dresser or My Dinner With Andre, thusiastic to cut a rug. However, as at PNC Bank in Westfield, lennium Butterflies” will be “in- phony Orchestra,” Mr. Dwyer has more than one reason for agree- then they require the elegantly fine ing to provide the melodious tutori- detail of a Faberge egg melded with the new millennium drew near, Genevieve reported that “Mil- clusive to everyone” and “geared added, “We are just trying to als. the intellectual ebullience that only The Lambada, country line danc- lennium Butterflies” took her 1 to children and senior citizens get the message out that PNC Thus the battle of wits and emo- attends truly inspired character study. ing and The Macarena were the ½ months to complete. “I wasn’t who should be satisfied by the has always been the one to tions begins. And though you can’t But while engaging and full of crazes to crave. rushed, but I had to stay on top program.” reinvest in this community.” quite hear it, the tacit center-ring goodwill, placed next to these bril- “I wanted to take what people instruction is, “Come out bantering, liant jewels the rather tarnished Flaw- find boring and give a quick read of it. It is a real emotional yoga, Without the financial contribu- He called PNC’s support a and may the best man...... or less is only a minor gem — the kind staying focused,” she said. tions and support of the Westfield “grass-roots approach.” of the history of a certain area,” whoever...... win.” that will show best six months from revealed Mr. Laventhar. Genevieve described the Foundation and PNC Bank, the “PNC looks at Westfield as a Of course the singing classes are now when it’s available on video- just a front for filmmaker tape. The author has also penned piece as “very, very light” with WSO’s commissioning of “Mil- terrific market,” noted Mr. books on New Jersey, New York, “lots of plucks” and “very but- lennium Butterflies” would not Dwyer, pointing to the busi- Schumacher’s greater humanitarian ambitions. That we are all brothers * * * * * Somerset County, Michigan and terfly-like.” have been possible. ness district and cultural ac- beneath the skin, even if that epider- Flawless, rated R, is a Metro Minnesota. He has also done art- She said she considered de- Joanne Santoriello, who is a tivities. “There is the potential mis is covered with all manner of Goldwyn Mayer release directed by work for another series of books signing the beginning of “Mil- member of the Westfield to build strong relationships Maybelline, is the altruistic message Joel Schumacher and stars Robert entitled, “The History of Us.” lennium Butterflies” with a lot Foundation’s Board of Trustees which will in turn help us in he aims to spread. And admittedly, it De Niro, Philip Seymour Hoffman Each “Millennium Journal” is and Daphne Rubin-Vega. Running of heavy, serious notes and and Chairwoman for the Endow- the future.” is applied with a rather thick mas- $6.95 and available at local book- cara brush. time: 112 minutes. stores. tones, she decided that the bal- ment of the Westfield Founda- Maestro added that the rela- But the sessions are diverting none- ance between beauty and the tion, and Thomas G. Dwyer, Vice tionship between PNC and the theless, thanks mostly to fine acting “creepy” nature of being im- President, Business Development WSO can be described as “sym- performances by Messrs. Hoffman Local Students Perform as Part mersed by tons of butterflies Officer of PNC Advisors, were biotic.” and De Niro as they do their highly appealing rendition of dueling libi- would be a good combination both instrumental in seeing the PNC has also financially sup- dos. Each feels the need to defend for the piece. funding of the piece come to ported the WSO’s marketing his sexual preference. Of All State Chorus in Venues “It is a small, very short fruition. efforts, according to Ms. Jack- Mr. Hoffman, who previously melody that comes in and grows “I was intrigued when it (the son. wowed filmgoers with a much darker sexual confusion in Happiness, tran- SCOTCH PLAINS – Scotch Plains and everyone in town should be more, comes in and grows commissioning) came through In total, PNC has contrib- scends the stereotype popularized Fanwood High School (SPFHS) very proud of them.” more, and ends by tapering our grants process, particularly uted $5,000 for the First Night in films like The Birdcage, breathing was well represented at the recent Eleven students were the most off,” noted Genevieve. for First Night,” noted Ms. performance and the Westfield lively energy and wit into the lonely performance of the All State Cho- from any school to participate in “She has a reputation as a Santoriello. She added that the Foundation has given $5,000 but effervescent homosexual who rus held at the New Jersey Per- the Chorus this year, marking the composer that preceded her,” Foundation is always working to and also $2,500 more. hopes to one day purchase a sex forming Arts Center (NJPAC) and best showing ever for SPFHS. change operation. Atlantic City Convention Hall. Maestro beamed when discuss- enhance the lives of Westfielders. As for Genevieve, while Mae- A self-appointed philosopher for Representing Scotch Plains- Eleven students were chosen to Fanwood were: First Soprano Meryl ing the young composer. “It is a Maestro Wroe pointed out that stro will be at the baton on the divergent and misunderstood, nd priority of the Westfield Sym- the Foundation is always sup- New Year’s Eve, breathing life the transsexual is known as Busty participate in the 72 annual per- Bezrutczyk and Courtney formance, sponsored by the New phony Orchestra to promote portive of the WSO, providing a Rusty at the gay night club where McDonald, Second Soprano into her composition, the Jersey Music Educators Associa- local talent.” unique “partnership and collabo- young composer intends to sit he/she does an act in the tradition of Lindsey Davis, Kathleen DeLuca Sophie Tucker and Belle Barth. tion (NJMEA). The concerts were and Laura Kavinski, Alto I Chris- “I was extremely impressed ration” in order to meet the needs and enjoy the fruits of her It’s a seedy little place, a metaphor held in Atlantic City Convention tine Perotta, Alto II Cara Bristol with her,” he revealed, adding of the community. labor as a proud member of reflective of Rusty’s life in general. Hall on November 12 in conjunc- and Chitra Kalyanaraman, Bass I that after looking at her com- “It’s like being Santa Claus,” the First Night audience. But while director-writer tion with the New Jersey Educa- Gary Fletcher, Bass II James positions, his “interest was mused Ms. Santoriello when dis- Schumacher’s hackneyed script cer- tion Association’s teacher’s con- tainly suffers its shortcomings, the L’Heureux and Tim Pai. piqued.” cussing the Foundation’s contri- quips and one-liners it supplies to vention and at the NJPAC on No- The Chorus was directed by vember 21. “First Night calls for exces- bution. The WSO form Rusty’s persona and patter are James O. Beil, Chorus Director at sively energetic music,” noted Upon being asked what she simply delightful. The All State Chorus was accom- Westfield High School. Maestro. He added that he was hopes First Night participants gain Performance of Strutting his superbly understated panied by the All State Orchestra The Scotch Plains-Fanwood All from “Millennium Butterflies,” “Millennium stuff in the contrasting role, De Niro at both shows. Staters can be heard again as part “impressed by her does a snazzy balancing act, mim- Auditions were held over two (Genevieve’s) musical style” she said, “If you love the Sym- Butterflies” will be of the high school’s Annual Holi- icking stroke symptoms and uncan- weekends in the spring. Since then, day Concert this evening at 7:30 and knew that it “would fit very phony, then you will love what- presented by nily simulating the slow road to the Chorus has been practicing at p.m. well into our presentation for ever they present.” Maestro Wroe on recovery. His exacted gradations of various sites throughout the state The concert will feature perfor- First Night.” Maestro asked Genevieve what improvement impart a lesson in 12/31 at First Night thespic subtlety. for the two shows. In all, over 330 mances by the Concert Choir, Se- Maestro told The Leader and she hoped attendees would come No such luck with the film’s sup- students from over 80 school dis- lect Choirs and the Show Choir, as The Times that the WSO is con- away with after hearing him per- Westfield 2000 porting performances, which are tricts were selected for the chorus. well as the Orchestra, Percussion tinuously striving to “represent form her piece. “I want people to rarely little more than window dress- Laurie Wellman, SPFHS Choral Ensemble, the Moonglowers Jazz the composer that is right on see at the end that when it ends, ing. A humorous exception is the Director and a member of NJMEA, Band and others. Tickets will be gaily bedight gaggle of bromidic stated, “The kids were wonderful on sale at the door. CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK